Let's talk FISHING!!!!
What a week itz been!
Lotz of fish on both sidez of the Island, Mr mick,Ian and Hanni have been on the receiving end of some really impressive catches.
"BUT"
I have still outdone you all !
With pure cunning and skill, I caught 2 barramundi with no hooks this week!
For some strange reason I checked my crab trap in the middle of the day on Wednesday, Hiding in the trap were 2 "just legal" barramundi! What a score!
On the far side of the Island, Hanni has had an AWESUM TRIP!-with big snapper ,big sharx,big nannagai and a HUGE 25kg Mulloway from the deep water behind Rottnest. Meanwhile Mr Mick and Ian set out from 2 rocks, to collect some "Big" black arse (break sea cod) , a couple of good sized pink snapper plus a few Unstoppable runs and a Baldchin or 2. I haven't heard from Big Ash,Brad ,Carlo or Carl this week but I bet thatz cause there all out Fishing.Perhaps itz a Lunar thing?
Back on this side, The big tides(Lunar) have made fishing come alive "NO Run- NO Fun!" Itz so simple but it worx! Lotz of crabs, lotz of fish and lotz of FUN!The intensity and tempo of anything to do with fishing haz stepped up BIG thyme!
I'm once again throw-netting on a daily basis,the crab net is constantly baited,the fishing rodz have a live bait swimming out the front of the YOT and I've just had the ultimate fishing tool arrive!
Itz a fish "Alarm!" it basically attaches 2 the rod while the line passes over a trigger wire, as soon as a fish strikes or bitez the bait, an alarm sounds and a light flashez! Loud enuf 2 wake even the soundest sleeper. So I can now have a "live-bait" out 24/7.B4, I'd return to the YOT,and find "no" line left on the reel. This becomes very expensive, and if it costs
you now, itz goin 2 cost lotz more later!
With this new, $2.85 modern tevchnikal wonder I can fish all night and day and as long as I'm within hearing distance of the Yot I'll know when -"I'm on!" (2 quote Paul Worsteling)
Itz taken the sharpest tevchnikal mindz in the yard, to make these fish alarms work, as the very clever Chinese manufacturer had set a cunning trap!(So cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a FOX!)
OFF is actually ON! Go figure! We had the whole alarm in pieces with a multi-meter tracking the entire circuit board only 2 realize that the on /off switch was backwards!
All I need now is 4 the wind 2 stop blowin and I'll go collect some livebaitz! Automatic Barramundi!
But considering I now don't even need a fishing rod to catch Barra I'm not sure I still need the livebait!This week has seen lotz of progress on the YOT with energy self sufficiency being my main focus.The Solar Panels are now fitted,connected and working. With 24/ 26 amps coming in while the sun is shining.Itz an awesum feeling to watch the little digital display provide the Yot with FREE POWER!
(I'm sure the novelty will wear off!)-SOON!
On average the YOT is currently using between 8 and 12 amps/hour. Just the Solar panels fitted are giving me double that, in power output,once I change the refrigeration (wkoa)(really cold ones!) I'll be using about half of this energy.Then I'll add the wind generators!The inside cabin area has taken a few leapz forward this week as well, with the new bench and trim fitted.
Then, I unfortunately decided 2 remove a couple of small shelves on the other side of the kitchen.
FFFFFF'N German Engineer's!!!!
We are talking about a shelf 900mm long and 94mm wide,after 2 hour's, the first shelf was out!
Screwed,glued and reinforced is the only way 2 describe the craftmanship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wholly crapp! you've got no idea just how strong this boat is!It still amazez me after 15Month's!
The new shelves will be longer, but slightly narrower, giving more storage space but with the illusion of more useable space.And far more practicle. Tall enuf 4 sauce bottles and still deep enough 4 the largest canned tomatoes!
Just baby steppz each day but the overall effect is to breathe new life into the YOT. Itz become a living work of progress. More and more useable each dai!
Today I cooked inside (on the new bench) with the wind outside blowing around 20knots all dai, it seemed logical.
Sesame lemon crumbed barramundi fingers with fresh tartare sauce for morning "smoko", Yummy, then a lovely lamb stew with rice for lunch.(Fonzie cooked 2day)
Followed up with a special Friday 13th dinner of stir fry'd beef with black bean sauce and rice.Not a bad day- culinary wise.With the change in weather has come the change in vegetable production! The garden beds are flourishing with new life!Cucumbers,spinach,lettuce,tomatoes and fresh herbz are all making a massive comeback!
I've also had a few wins in the "sourcing dept" with the new skippers chair falling from the sky this week. Itz a "reccaro type" race seat for a rally car. Supa comfortable 2 sit in for long periods.Once itz mounted in the main cabin area on a lazy "susan" type swivel pole mount. It'll be a truely magic addition to the YOT.
Also a new computer program has come to light that'll turn the notebook pc onboard into a full marine plotter,this is just what I've been looking 4 for the last few months.
The big water deflector (Baffle) has now been made and is ready 2 fitt 2 the bottom of the Yot! this'll make the Yot travel betta through the waves.
On a truely unexpected note, a guy came to the yard this week ,He'd just sold his boat and bought a bus. But He had this foto of "PASEO" as it arrived in the yard about a year B4 I got here! (zoom in and look for Kenny on the back "deck") I didn't realize the extent of the changes/improvements.
No rudders,low roof-line,no b.b.q ,no rear deck,or shade and just basically wrong for THE AUSTRALIAN LIFESTYLE!
Lotz of thyme,money and hard work later the Yot is now a changed animal.
Now, Galley Cat, She's fitted with more upgrades than I could list here.And she's nearly ready to head out 2 sea again for the next instalment of my journey across the top of OUR ISLAND! On an amazing culinary/fishing adventure with no thymeline but that of the windz and tides.
The journey begins! or itz gettin closer!
Good wishes to all on this Fridai Nite!
Captain Felix
Skipper
Galleycat
