LIMBO THYME!

G'day All, As many have guessed Galleycat is currently in a state of "Limbo"!
With the rudder repairs being of paramount importance, all my effortz are focused on getting the rudders functioning so I can once again continue the journey.
The repairs are being severely  hampered by the lack of Tides and 240 volt power.

Both inverters have been sent back 2 Perth for repairs leaving the Yot without 240v power to run the grinders and drills etc, compounded by the lack of ability to charge the
cordless tools also.
Our initial repair waz deemed not substantial enuf to support the rudder and has been re-engineered to increase itz strength.
There won't be enuf water to park on the beach until next Tuesday so I'm literally twidelling thumbs and completing basic maintenance while I wait.
"I HATE WAITING" I think I've mentioned that B4.
For those that have emailed Yes, I'm still alive!, just not doing much in the way of touring.
The new Genoa (WFT No1) haz arrived and unfortunately doesn't fit, needing to be shortened by around 800 mm to fit the furler. (sail winding device) alas no power also means no sewing machine either.
So I've used the last of my
 sticky back repair tape to edge
 the shortened section near the top of the sail. Then ordered enuf replacement sticky back to repair both the new Genoa and WFT no3 which requires repairs 2 the bottom or "foot". Once I've got power again both sails have a date with the sewing machine until then itz "limbo" again.
I'm guessing the No3 sail (mainsail) iz another storm victim that I didn't realize waz damaged at the thyme.
One other factor or issue we've discovered iz the rudders being "so" far out of alignment.

mis=aligned rudder bracket

This we'll rectify by cutting the brackets welded last year at Groote Eylandt and re-welding them only they are properly aligned.
Just a small task that involves cutting 2 large access hatches into the deck above the area we need to access.
So once again I return to cutting big holes in the Yot. Yes I know Mum!
Having the ruddersz properly aligned should also put less strain on the hydraulic steering ram.

The rudder repairs are proving problematic with our goal being to increase the overall strength 2B stronger than the original. Lucas the local welder haz the job in hand and will fitt the new rudder bracket early next week. Then it'll be up to me to fibreglass the whole repair area.
Until then this state of Limbo exists and continuez.
 Luckily the squid have arrived in force giving me as many calamari tubez as I want. So I don't think I'll starve!
The more I'm stuck here the more I realize itz thyme 2 move on, my focus this week iz all about getting the Yot ready to continue the journey West.
I'm currently reviewing 2 options, head towardz Gove at the top corner of NT or return to Groote to catch up with Brother Andrew and co. The difference iz 200 nm and both have their merits. Only thyme will tell (not William Tell) Until then I can only prepare the Yot to go aground at 1 am Monday night and hope the repairs can be completed B4 Thursday morning when the tidez once again vanish..
One thing that iz obvious iz the fact I must move the Yot soon, as a 3m croc haz taken a shine to Honey itz not often I look out the back that I don't notice the red eyes or hiz sillouette.
One of the major disappointmentz of the last few weex haz been my last HelpX guests, while I've had well over a hundred guests aboard now, Quentin and hiz mate took thingz to a whole new level.
While Mum haz always said "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all" I feel this episode needz a mention.
Not only did they rack up a $500
 internet download bill, they then managed to throw my big throw net and a penn live liner reel and rod overboard without telling me. These sort of loses are unsustainable! And of course no offer to replace the lost itemz. They have since  left the Yot returning to Sydney via Horn Island airport.
I must now re-evaluate my need 4 Xtra crew and the associated consequences.
Update Thyme!
Finally some good news regarding the rudders!
We now have a welded stainless steel keel extension and new lower rudder support bracket.
We've worked our way through the issues and finally yesterday we bolted the whole lot together ready for fibreglassing.
While the repair may not look pretty it needed to be strong enuf to survive the trip across the Gulf next month so itz just a tad on the"overkill" side.
My task is to now align the rudders and re-weld them B4 fibreglassing the repair with 10-15 layers of chopped strand epoxy glassing.Only once the glass locks the unit together will the over all strength begin to show.
Luckily Kenny taught me the basics of fibreglassing while I was at the slipways because without that knowledge I'd be left high and dry without a functioning keel/rudder.
Further Update!
Keel repaired, Rudderz repaired and the internal floor haz also been repaired!
Finally a positive day with 4 major jobs crossed off the list.
The only negative the tide haz got the better of us and the fibreglassing of the new keel will have to wait another 10 days and the next major tidez arrive but that aside the Yot can once again head 2C.
Yippee! I'm thinking Coral trout!