2^nd April.  Made it off the boat at Refuge Cove and went for a lovely walk up to Kersop’s Peak which reinforced our decision to spend a day in the prom as it was looking rather bleak and very windy out to sea.  We also did our weather checks and it looks like we are all set to head off across the paddock tomorrow morning.

We dropped by the boaties camp area and did a touch up of the Mustang Sally plaque and realised that this was the 6^th visit aboard Sally at Refuge Cove…

Back at the boat we did all the necessary preparations to get the boat ready for the passage through to Eden and Mark re did the boat checks however, things didn’t quite go to plan and we don’t have a dry bilge anymore.  See note below as penned by the offending party as to what went awry!!!

Mark’s version of exactly what happened in Refuge Cove – I was preparing dinner so had nothing to do with it!

A lot of people think that cruising is mostly cocktails on the aft deck at sunset and sometimes it can be however, as this story will show it is not always like that.

After returning our afternoon around Refuge Cove feeling righteously happy after the mornings boat checks, clear filters, tight engine belts, crispy dry bilge and beer fridge at optimum temperature I realised that I needed one more check – the engine cooling salt water strainer.  I decided that it was quite dirty and needed a clean, no problem, five minutes work, open a beer and on with it.  I spun off the strainer bowl and screen into a dish and it was thick with plankton.  No wonder the phosphorescence was so spectacular when travelling at night especially when the boat is accompanied by dolphins which look like glowing torpedos! 

I usually clean the filter in the galley sink but Di was in the kitchen preparing dinner.  Easy fixed, there is plenty of water at the back of the boat.  I got a big bucket of salt water and began de-scuzzing the filter and bowl.  After a while the water was getting very mucky because of so much scuz so I took out the filter, chucked the water and got on with finishing the cleaning.  Right filter all good, not for the bowl, the bowl, where is THE BOWL!  Then it hits – I have chucked it over the back with the dirty water Arggggghhhhhhhh,  S*)%$#$T etc etc. 

Di, quick, get the mask and snorkel.  I stripped off, put on mask and hopped in.  It is amazing how a big dose of Bass Strait cold water can clear your mind.  I quickly realised a few things, it is an hour before sun down so visibility isn’t good, the boat has moved, the bowl is translucent so difficult to see and best of all I am in 10mts of water and can’t even see the bottom let alone free dive to it.

I hop out of the water, dry off and head down stairs to contemplate Plan B.  Here are the issues:

1.       I have single handedly incapacitated the engine

2.       I am at Wilson’s Prom – a long way from any assistance or spare parts

3.       We are hoping to head off at 3:00H to cross the paddock to Eden and as the wind is lightening will probably be motoring a lot

MacGyver Time:

After some time of contemplation and realising that the current hose doesn’t reach any of the other skin fitting ‘sans’ bowl. That shouldn’t be a problem as we have plenty of spare hose on board however, upon checking we have plenty of ¾”hose on board, but no 1” which is what’s required to fit the engine impellor….bugger.

More looking. more contemplation……  hello what’s this - the sewerage holding tank macerator hose. Its quiet long, not immediately needed, 1”,and probably full of poo! Desperate times, desperate measures. I am starting to realise why plumbers are so well payed!!.

Off with the hose and after de-pooing, connect it to the motor.  Then at the other end of the hose we need to connect to a skin fitting to get the engine cooling seawater in.  Well look at this, the generators skin fitting is nearby and even has a salt water strainer, however there always is a problem, it’s too small as its ¾”.  Maybe I can use some of that useless spare hose as a packer.  It works!!

The engine is fired up, filtered water is flowing through it and happiness returns to the good ship Mustang Sally.

Ahhh the cruising life, what else could you possible want to do at sundown before dinner.

3^rd April and we are up at 3:00H EST. 

The passage around to Eden was a very pleasant one as we motored and motor sailed the whole way and while we burnt a bit of diesel it was an very comfy ride so no complaints here.

4^th April – Current position “37:04.42S 149:54.17E”

Arrived at Eden at 17:00H and rather than going to the wharf have decided to anchor off which is actually rather pleasant except not long after we dropped anchor we were inundated with ash from the a controlled burn off just up the coast so what was a rather clean looking Sally is now covered in black ash!!!

5^th April

After a very calm night on the boat we are heading into town to buy a few fresh goods and also drop into the chandlery to purchase a few bits required after the skippers efforts at the prom!