Cruising Forums

haiqu · 06-28-2016, 04:30 AM

Since I'm going to be at Montys Marina doing my restoration for the next few months, this thread will document the work.

Checked in at the office, did my washing ($3.00 at the marina) and shopping (IGA Beachmere) and then trundled around the yard meeting guys working on their yachts. Lots of steelies here, and a significant number of very old timber yachts. It feels like a proper boatyard as distinct from one of these modern places only geared to extracting money from people hauling out for a quick antifoul.

So far I've met two Germans, a South African and a Zimbabwean so it's quite the international scene.

Oldsquizzy · 06-28-2016, 08:54 AM

Will you be the only ferro?

haiqu · 06-28-2016, 11:37 PM

There's a Hartley Tahitian 50'er coming up from Colmslie in the next two months, owned by my mate Tony. He needs a king tide to get up here. Also the Seth Efrican guy - who is an A1 surveyor - built a ferro double-ender which currently sits in the river outside the marina. I didn't notice any others on the hard.

Apparently there are a few boat builders at the marina as well, judging by the brand new timber trawler that was being wheeled around yesterday. Also lots of glass cats and even one each of Searunner 31 and Piver trimarans. Very interesting yard to be at.

Oldsquizzy · 06-29-2016, 09:02 AM

So pics of the marina are where? looking looking looking mmmmmmmmmh

haiqu · 06-29-2016, 09:55 AM

Soon Squizzy. I'll take the phone/camera next trip.

I rowed ashore again today, had a shower, did some minor shopping for things I forgot the other day and wandered around talking to people while waiting for the tide to change back. Being anchored 500 metres from the ramp, I need the help of the tide.

Found two more ferros in the yard but they were well hidden and have not been worked on recently. One had the inevitable title "Moonraker" (groan).

Apparently the locals nickname Montys "Hotel California" because people hardly ever leave. There are already bets that my 6 month stay will become at least 3 years. And now that I look at the cost of storing a container on site they may just be right. I could stash all my tools there and bring Keppelena up from Sydney ... hmmm.

Some of the old guys there are real characters. One is a stone deaf Englishman with at least three yachts and a contrainer at the yard, and I doubt he has actually sailed in years. Another is working on an Adams 43'er and spent half the day installing a wire from the wind generator; he's totally senile and kept forgetting what I told him, then asking the same question again.

Strangely enough, they're all around my age too. Not sure how I avoided the ravages that they obviously suffer.

Then there are some who just keep their heads down and get the job done. That will be me for sure. I really want to see the world before I get to the stage of treating a shipyard as an old men's home.

Oldsquizzy · 06-29-2016, 12:50 PM

Sounds like some yards over here. I call them the fields of broken dreams.

haiqu · 07-02-2016, 02:36 AM

Forgot to mention that Serge Testa is working on a yacht here as well. It's a little larger than the one he made famous though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serge_Testa

Squizzy, when I make the video I'll be using the following music as background, thanks to your inspiring comment:

Oldsquizzy · 07-02-2016, 04:11 AM

LOL, my pleasure.

haiqu · 07-03-2016, 05:03 AM

Took a few happy snaps today Squizzy, here you go:

haiqu · 07-03-2016, 05:04 AM

More ...

haiqu · 07-03-2016, 05:06 AM

And yet more ...

haiqu · 07-03-2016, 05:06 AM

And here's the last few ... as you can see, quite a variety here. There must be 100 boats in the yard in all.

haiqu · 07-03-2016, 08:14 AM

Enquired after a pair of Yanmar 3GM30 diesels that just came out of a 42' cat in working order. They look so good you could eat your breakfast off them and the seller only wanted $1990 the pair. Gone, advertised less than two days and I missed them. FML.

haiqu · 07-05-2016, 06:56 AM

OK, we're out of the water. Some photos of the very hairy bum as she was being cleaned:

steve_h · 07-05-2016, 10:01 AM

Nice to see such a variety of boats there - looks like a great place to do some work.
A lick of paint will transform her

haiqu · 07-05-2016, 10:19 PM

I'm going to learn a lot on this first haulout. And yes, just needs a lick of paint ...

Oldsquizzy · 07-07-2016, 12:39 PM

Looks like you will have some company for a while. Also heaps of people to help you out.

haiqu · 07-08-2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsquizzy

Looks like you will have some company for a while. Also heaps of people to help you out.

Hahaha. Love your sense of humour. Most likely I'll be helping them out, being the only trained electronics guy on site. Anyone can scrape and sand.

Currently in Yass, NSW on my way to Melbourne to collect my belongings from storage. I bought an Isuzu Elf truck for the task. 62kW (86hp) diesel gets 12l/100km which is amazing. A 1986 model, it has only traveled 6500km per year for an odometer reaing below 200,000km. A bargain.

It's also small enough to park next to the yacht and contain my tools and equipment, avoiding the need for a storage container. They used to allow those at the yard before it got too crowded.

haiqu · 07-14-2016, 07:07 AM

Have now collected my stuff from storage and returned to Brisbane. The truck is completely full which means I'll need to go through it and mercilessly toss things out before I can fit the tools for the restoration in there. At least I no longer have anything left in Melbourne, which is a relief.

The trip back was eventful. There was a cold snap in South Australia and it spread to Victoria and the southern parts of New South Wales. Winds gusting to 100km/h with broken bits of tree branches blowing across the roads. Kangaroos, lots of them, hopping in front of the truck. Rain. Sleet. Fortunately I missed the snow, that only hit Victoria.

The Newell Highway has to be the worst goat track I've ever had the misfortune to drive. I'll be surprised if there isn't a lot of broken stuff inside when I open the back door again.

Travelled 3,600km in just over a week. I was glad to finally stop last night.

While in Melbourne I sat the marine and personal watercraft license tests and passed, they should arrive in a few days. The marine license is needed in order to use an engine greater than 6hp in some states, notably Queensland. The PWC test was no extra cost so I did that for fun. One day someone might offer me a ride on a jetski, who knows.