Shake down

On the 12th of March I set off, with 2 friends on board, for a shake-down cruise. This was in company with the Sandringham Yacht Club cruise. We covered almost 400 miles, which included 2 days tied to a jetty in 58 knot winds. We broke only one of the 8 bow ropes and none of the others. The warp that broke was a 25mm anchor warp that frayed through. Of the 400 miles only about 20 were sailing only, the rest was motor-sailing or motoring. Although this was not as planned, it tested out the engine and generator. The only problem was a recurring weed blockage at a 90 bend in the generator water intake. This caused the impeller to fail. All is looking well for the trip back to Dublin, beginning in June this year. Crew is in place for the various legs and arrangements are in hand for the final few items on the boat. Next week I will collect the new Scuba tanks, spare impellers, spare filters and other small items. In May the final lift out to clean and polish the boat and then off. At present we are tied up in Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club, south west of Melbourne. We'll be here for a couple of days, then back to Sandringham.