Complacency is the mother of all evil. Today she came visiting…
After a gentle start to the day with a golden sunrise at Macleay Island we headed for Manly to collect the mail and a pot of tint for gel coat repairs. I was happily snapping photos and on Face Book discussing the merits of Coochiemudlo Island with Anna Campbell when the auto helm started emitting some interesting clunking noises…
By process of elimination we worked out it was definitely the auto helm and not the rudders (or an errant crab pot caught on our props!) so an hour later, and after several phone calls, we finally found someone who’d service the French system. In true laconic Aussie style he announced that ‘there are no moving parts so not much he could do really.’
So after we collected the mail we purchased some new hydraulic fluid and figured we’d bleed the system. As we’d moored off Manly we made the trip ashore in the dinghy. Sadly, halfway in the outboard motor started coughing… Still not sure what the go with that is but that will be tomorrow’s mission.
Anyway, off we sailed to Green Island where we dropped anchor. Half an hour later we’d successfully changed the hydraulic fluid and although the auto helm was still a little clunky it sounded a whole lot quieter than it had! Feeling very chuffed with ourselves we gave it one last run through the full range to make sure it was perfect.
This time the clunk and rattle came from behind the steering wheel as it then began to spin. Damn… broken steering cable..
Steering chain
An hour or two later, having emptied both engine bays, traced the broken cable from one side of the boat to the other, removed several cover-plates, re-swaged the wires, and then repositioned it back over the steering wheel sprocket we had uninvited guests arrive.
‘Hi sir, we with Marine Parks and these guys are with the water police and this is a routine safety inspection.’
As I handed over life jackets, flares and drivers licences, all now covered in greasy finger marks, I had a hard time summoning a smile for the obligatory photo they apparently need to take. Luckily Capt G was as usual cracking bad jokes about me undoing more buttons on my shirt whilst they took the photograph… Can’t believe they all sniggered… And after all that all our safety gear was in date and working order so they left with a wave.
Water Police and Marine Parks
We finished the repair as the sun set. Hopefully it will pass muster tomorrow when we up anchor and give it another work out. The learning curve was steep today, but it’s good to know we can work together under pressure and find solutions. Now, if I can just have some writing time again…
Oh no… Capt G’s just popped the circuit breaker on the cabin lights so I’m typing this in the dark!!
Sounds like the Coochie discussion was the high point of the day. Hugs to you both!
A very good point, Deb! And it was a really good learning opportunity for both of us. Seems I fit into all the small places so best I get my head around what the boat’s systems look like!
What a nightmare. On the up, at least you can get it all sorted when you’re close to services rather than half way to Indonesia!
Lol, Jenn, that must have been disastrous!! My heart goes out to you 🙂
Joanne, it was a fantastic opportunity to learn a whole lot more about Roobi and in a relatively benign environment. Fingers crossed today is a little less exciting!
Greg, we said that ourselves yesterday! And the nice policemen did offer assistance 🙂
Hi Jess,
The sun is shining, the wind is light and I’m optimistic today will have smaller adventures in store for us 🙂
Oh, my! Welcome to our world!!! The J popped a CB the other night too but ON THE TV!!!! No Masterchef final!!!!! That is soooo much worse than no steering, I am certain. 🙂 Cheers, friends.
Well done getting that all sorted! Sounds just like our first attempt to leave Darwin last October… but at least you fixed it in one day. You’ll get those kinks ironed out 🙂
Bright side – it all happened in calm waters and good weather.
Oh wow, you did have a big day. I hope everything works well now and tomorrow is better 🙂
I”m collecting more ideas every day, Brenda! 🙂
Oh dear Helene! Sounds like a day you don’t need repeated in a hurry! At least more ideas for your books in the future 🙂