1st TRIP "YIPPEE"

G'day peoples far and wide, Sunday 16 October 2011 is a date that will go down in the history of Galleycat as a "MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH!"
Very early Sunday morn we cast off the shackles of land and set "sail" for Galleycat's first major ocean trial trip.The vessel has been to sea several times earlier but this trip was my first trial with all systems operational ie: sails, winches and motors.
The verdict, A RESOUNDING SUCCESS! a few minor issues but all in all a really great experience.
Matt,Mah and Myself headed out from Townsville harbour pointed the bow towards the open ocean and aimed towards Cape Clevland, 11nm from the harbour, all systems performed well and after an hour the Cape appeared in the misty conditions. We motored into a small bay just inside the Cape, while I stayed with the YOT, Matt and Mah headed ashore aboard the Kayak.Several photo's were snapped and after a climb up the mountain side they headed back to the Yot. We then had a quick swim to cool off before setting sail (all 3 white flappy things) around the Cape and further South to Salamander reef. Once there, we anchored the YOT and set about the task of catching dinner. Matt managed a small spangled emporer,just big enuf 4 a feed and not wanting to push our luck we headed back towards Townsville. Then the reason for 2 big donks(outboards) became apparent as the wind died completely, well not completely but close enuf 4 us to abandon sails and fire the donks.
We cruised home at a steady 7 knots with the motors on 3000 revs(half throttle) and arrived safely back at base just after dark.
All the operating systems performed well and unlike my last effort at a trial trip I only have a very short list of changes that need to be undertaken.A really fantastic prelude to what is now becoming a realizable dream.
This update is not complete by a long shot but I'm slowely trying to bring a new computer system up to speed and at this early stage basic internet connection is all I've been able to manage.
I  haven't been able to update since the eve of Bathurst (what a race!) as the old computer refuses to even start ! don't ever buy from MARINE PC. The new hp laptop will hopefully solve all the computer based issues I've been experiencing. It will just take a little time to work out the small things such as uploading photo's and playing music etc etc....
So I'll leave you with just this snippet of information (wkoa) and hope to update with pictures and a full run down off the past 2 weeks activities shortly.
Ciao 4 now
Captain Felix