Getting out there

Had a text from my mate on Waverly a couple of days ago just to let me know he was now in the Soloman Islands, kicking back with a couple of beers waiting for the surf to pick up.

Darren and his wife Peata own Waverley a 49ft timber motor sailor that they have spent the last couple of years bring up to pristine condition.
He has put on a new rig the same as mine but probably about 20% bigger/stronger new outriggers and fish ( my arms came of his boat and I extended them by 2').We also used the same rigger and sail maker so the similarity.

His main engine is a Mack Thermodyne de rated to 200 hp marinised beautifully and also keeping the air start.
Note...One thing he did before he left was to have a spare engine rebuilt and blue printed. This engine was test run and then stored , ready for shipment if ever required

They left Gold Coast approx. mid August and leisurely cruised up the coast to Townsville from where they cleared customs and headed for the Louisiades after passing thru the Great Barrier Reef.

2000 miles later they are kickin back livin the dream.

Attached is an earlier photo of Waverly, before the refit.

Awesome avatar! Awesome boats. Years ago when I was at Mack, I had heard that there were some marinised Thermodyne 673 and 711's but never came across one. After the first E6 series came out, and then the EM6 series, I guess the operating range got so narrow as to be impractical for marine use. There were some E9 1000 HP V8's, however, that were spec'd out of Ft. Belvior for military marine, but I don't know if they ever hit the water. While I was at Mack, Rolls Royce cut a deal with Mack to use E-7 engines for what was described as their Merlin Marine division, but I was gone before anything happened. I don't think there are many marinised Macks out there.

You are probably right.
The original builder, my brothers father in laws brother ( they both were partners in a trucking business) all they had were Macks so that is how it came about. The manifold patterns were sent out to Australia from Mack themselves.
After that I think there was another pair of engines done for a twin screw vessel out here but that was about all and also about 25 years ago.
cheers
Benn

Here's one installed in 2000 (Single Mack 920 hp E9M001) into a Javis Newman.

1981 Jarvis Newman Downeast Flybridge Cruiser Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

dimer2 said:

Here's one installed in 2000 (Single Mack 920 hp E9M001) into a Javis Newman.

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Oh man.....and that is a sweatheart too. Big brute of a down east and a powerplant to match. While the Mack E9 was a hulk of an engine, it represented a lightweight option for a 1000 hp diesel application. Army spec's said at that output, they had to have it last 1000 hours. Four to five times that much was the norm, and the truck pullers are still using the engine at double or triple that output with excellent reliability, albeit with water injection and in rather short blasts up the track.

At long last back on the water.
We departed Mackay this morning (bankers hours) 1000 am and a nice short cruise 3 hrs up to Brampton island.
May spend a couple of days here messing about with gear, water maker etc and then up to Lindeman island or Shaw.
just nice to be out and about.
The Excel is in the sand.

Cheers
Benn

Have fun Benn. I'll have to get some sand on my new Sarca soon too.

I've just changed anodes in the engines and oil coolers, and will take a run over to Straddie soon and then do an oil change. I found a good source for anodes near Maroochydore, you probably know about it.
Cathodic Anodes Australasia — Anodes for the future

Nothing like going to the manufacturer's factory to get 'em and see racks and racks of shiny zinc etc. Got a couple of spares for my Lewmar bow thruster while there. Next visit I'll stock up on shaft and rudder ones as well.

Hi guys.
Nothing like you fellas are doing but right now I am sitting in Blackwattle Bay opposite the fish market on the boat watching the world going by, had a coffee with my son this morning, bought a flounder for dinner so fresh it winked at me and ready to walk arond to the SBS tomorrow. In my opinion nothing better. Oh with a nice whisky in hand right now.

After a day at Brampton we headed up to Shaw is for a night and then on to Cid Harbour ( a strong SE change was forecast so good shelter was required) been here a couple of days ( the excel is dug in deep) so tomorrow down to Hammo marina to send my outboard ashore for repair, pick up some stores along with the niece and her family.
All going well the wind will abate and we can get out and about.
It's a bitch being at anchor and not having a usable outboard.
The solar panels have not done much work with heavy cloud for the last 3 days so the gen set has been earning it's keep.
All should be good again in a couple of days .

"ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch" great Chardy but makes you type slow.

Cheers
Benn

Hi Benn. Nice to hear of your travels. Sounds like you have been doing a bit of rowing in your tender...good exercise...

so many nice spots up there. I will have to get some ideas from you for the outer reef anchorages though as i would love to head out there for a week or so fishing.

Catch up with you when you are back in Mooloolaba.

Have fun with the family.

Bo

Rebel said:

....had a coffee with my son this morning .....bought a flounder for dinner so fresh it winked at me....Oh with a nice whisky in hand right now.

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Holy Moses, I've never heard that one before. Awesome!

It tasted good too
Havent got a photo of the evening but found one of the anchorage at dawn taken last year at the same time. Great spot. The bridge in the background is the Anzac bridge that connects the city to the western suburbs

Great pics of Blackwattle Bay John. Amazing how we can anchor somewhere so nice so close to the city of Sydney,and for free.

Too right Bruce. In fact that yacht in the second photo is still is the same position this year!! There is supposedly a restriction on how long you can stay here and Maritime is right opposite this anchorage but dont seem to worry too much.

Well we are heading south.
Dropped Kate, Jay and kids of at Hamilton Island last Wed and departed Thursday morning for Shaw island. Holed up there for 2 days due to a strong wind warning. Got away and steamed down to Scawfell Island for an overnighter about a 7 hr steam. 20 knot winds and 1.5 mt swell and waves. Stabilisers worked a treat and the sails stayed furled due to wind direction.
It really is the wrong time of the year to be heading south.
Next morning off for Percy islands, early 0600 start strong winds from SE and reasonable seas, arrived Middle Percy at 1600 hrs but to rolly so moved down to South Percy where we anchored for the night. A South west change came thru at about 0200 hrs and we decided to get out and head for island head Creek where we arrived at 1500 hrs after an 0330 start.

A great couple of days at island head Creek it is still one of the magic spots on the coast.
Out of there this morning and now anchored up on the north side of Great Keppel Island.
Off to Gladstone tomorrow morning early as another strong wind warning coming up. I also have some real estate business to do so a good excuse to marina stay and have a restaurant meal.
Will see what the weather brings after that. Trying to get down to the Gold Coast City marina on the 28 th, looks like it could be a struggle.

Boat is going champion. Mr G purrs along at 1250 RPM, water maker is churning out water like there is no tomorrow and the generator is magic.

Picked up my e-mails today and got confirmation of entry to the Wooden Boat show in Hobart.
next job to get Tidahapah from Gold Coast to Hobart, starting out in October.
Will post some photos when I get a chance
Cheers
Benn

Nice update Benn, wondered how you were getting on - there has been a bit of unusually wild weather, both rain and wind. Worse in NSW than here in Qld though. If you need anything give a shout. I'd still like to meet the folks down the coast when you get there, as well as have a look at your refit. Travel safe...

Great report Benn! Good to read about you enjoying the boat as you've been dumping love and boat bucks on her for a while. You've been putting distance under the keel but have you had a chance to fish along the way?

is the Waverly you refer to this one;

Waverley - http://www.millarsphoto.com.au/demo

Beautiful boat. Having grown up with old wooden boats and Gardner engines and having Oneone and Flood Tide here for a lot of years, I can never go past looking at these classics.

Well we had another crap day today. Departed Great Keppel and headed down to " Happy Rock " Gladstone. Another day of 20 knot winds from the SE and SE swell and punch into it.
Came into Gladstone via the North channel a bit skinny on water as we were just after the low tide but thank full to get in out of the muck.

PC have done very little fishing this trip due to the weather only trolled a couple of lures on the trip down from IHC to GKI for nil result.
Broke out the #6 fly rod in IHC for the full result of a couple of gar fish, a bit of fun all the same.

Looks like a couple of days in Gladstone before we head out again.

Brian will talk to you if and when I get down to the Gold Coast.

Cheers
Benn

A few photos of the odd glamour day and the stabilisers out before it got rugged.
The spring by the way travel about 2 to 3 " when under load so take a lot of stress out of the stay system.

Well what a surprising day it has been. Staying in Gladstone for a couple of days until the weather settles. The Boss and I have done enough swell bashing so we deserve a rest.

Got a knock on the hull this morning and an early (not to early) morning caller turned out to be forumite Richard Conroy.
He had been off the forum for a few weeks logged in yesterday saw we were in and came down for a visit.
We had a good chat and I showed Richard around and he offered me the use of a car for a day or so whilst I was in town. Wow this is terrific , so we have now stocked the larder , done a bit of business and all so easy, THANK YOU Richard, a fantastic gesture. As it turns out ,during our discussion we found we had run into each other out at sea a few years ago , but that is a different story. It sure is a small world..
Another day or so and we will get away and continue our trip south.

The forum members sure are friendly.

Cheers
Benn

Sympathies Benn. Rain and more rain is the local forecast, probably for all next week. Weak trough and forming low to the east of you, and sticking around. I saw that the BOM Hervey Bay forecast was for Southerlies up to 25kn for the next 4 days. Definitely no fun to bash into that. So a well stocked larder and fridge will be a very good thing to have!

Tidahapah said:

The forum members sure are friendly.

Cheers
Benn

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That's been my experience too. Every one I've met face to face has been genuinely nice folks

Well after being trapped in Gladstone for a few days we decided to get out today even with the strong wind current.
You wouldn't believe it , it was the sweetest 4 hr cruise we have had in the last couple of weeks.
Anchored in Pancake Creek this afternoon and will get out for Bundaberg tomorrow morning. If it is really good we may head straight across to Moon Point and save a day or so.
The Wide Bay Bar still looks as if it may be closed out so boat may be left up in Hervey Bay until I get back from work early October. Only time will tell.
Cheers

Back out yesterday morning.
Departed pancake Creek at 0715 hrs and had a long day on the wheel.
Intended to stop Bundaberg at 1600 hrs but good conditions so pressed on and eventually anchored at Kingfisher Bay ( mid way up Fraser Is) at 2300 hrs.
Good to be down the inside of Fraser.
Now to see when the bar will be suitable to cross, sounds as thou it has been horrific for the last week or so.

Cheers

Benn, the weather we`ve had for 2-3 weeks is heading up the coast towards you. A flood warning is current for the north NSW coast, for places like Bellingen on the Bellinger river, etc. We`ve had 2 east coast lows form here. Next weekend is forecast mainly sunny here(we`ll wait and see). Hopefully it all clears away soon. Wonder how Race Week at Hamilton Isl. is going.

From what I have observed recently for Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay, it has been clearing to the south. But a new trough has developed just south of the border. Its projected to move offshore and north a bit before then merging into the low and going south. Although today is not too bad, the outlook for Moreton Bay isn't all that good. Southerlies are going to be building again. From Sunday on for a few days it looks a lot better. When the Wide Bay bar would be reasonable is another question altogether.

Quick jaunt down the Straights today and anchored up at Pelican Point waiting for good weather to cross the bar.
It looks like Sat or Sunday.
I hope so otherwise it will be into Tin Can Bay Marina to leave the boat until I get home from work in a months time.
Time will tell.
Had a beaut storm this afternoon, not much wind, but torrential rain , thunder and lighting.
Collected about 250 lts of fresh water in next to no time saves a few hours on the water maker.
A couple of yachts attempted to come in across the bar this morning but the swell nearly caught them out, one continued north around the top of the Island the other doubled back and is in the lee of Double Island Point.

Just sitting and waiting now at least it is not the middle of the Atlantic, I will leave that to Richard, good man gthat he is.
Cheers

Hope it flattens quickly for you. Early part of next week should be good to head south if you get through the bar OK. Pretty ugly down in NSW though. Same kind of stuff Richard is facing. Hoping he gets through the last bit without being beaten up too bad.

Looks like a few days at anchor whilst this low moves north.
Been blowing 25/30 knots most of the arvo and will probably continue until late tonight when it is expected to abate to 20 knots at least it is supposed to be below 25
Sat is looking like a possible bar crossing otherwise Sunday it is and then down to Mooloolaba .
Gotta trust the Excel, arse on to a sand bar with this blow but she is holding well.
Only one other boat here Dirona a 52 ft Nordy from the USA.
Actually met James and his wife a few weeks ago when I was visiting Brian down at dockside.
Went over for a chat this morning before the wind really got up.
Anyhow back to anchor and weather watch.
Cheers