SUNDOWNER Y86 north coast

[Phillip]

Rob is still in the area of Port Essington at Coral Bay. 29/7

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[Phillip]

Rob is still on the Coburg Peninsular. Anchored at Alcar Bay just to the right of Cape Don.
You can see the Cape Don lighthouse to the west of Sundowner.

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[rob.lovelace]

Just arrived Darwin. it must have been two weeks since I got stores I got down to canned stuff. it took two days from Cape Don to get here the tides are mad. plus four knots very little wind and at times I was sailing backwards. It's pretty out there at night between islands and looking at your compass and it has a northerly heading but the boat is going west. If it wasn't for the lights on the rocks I would have not known what way was what. Sundowner made it through the Vernon islands okay but Cynecia got stuck half way when the tide changed and was pushed back east again with no control as her engine went down so Luke has had a few hard days at it.
Relax here for a bit and have a look around as I've never been to Darwin. then off to the Kimberly's which I'm really looking forward to. Except for the Crocs, they scare me like really scare me.

[Phillip]

Well done Rob,

You are giving us all ideas. In fact I'm in Sydney tonight to pick up an Aries windvane I have brought.

With that I will be able to complete Seaka's refit and be ready to follow you next year? SWMBO willing!

[rob.lovelace]

been in Fannie Bay Darwin for about a week now, I've had to send a tiller pilot to Sydney for repairs and hope to pick it up in Broome. I'm making preparations for the next leg through the Kimberley's and am stocking up with enough food to last me a month or more. Darwin is a nice place, very relaxed type of people, great bus service with a 3 hour ticket for $3 I can go to town and look around and get a load of stores to take back. I'm just doing one trip a day and taking my time. I keep hearing hell stories from other sailors about the hard times getting down the west coast, today one couple were telling me they just got back after a week of SW on the nose. I won't be motoring down that's one thing for sure not with that lawn mower of mine. So I'll just have to wait on the weather. we'll see how it goes eh? Meanwhile I'll explore the city of Darwin for another week and keep loading Sundowner with food. I'm told water is available in the Kimberly's from pools and the like although I'll take an extra 30lt on top of a full tank and if push comes to shove I can re commission the water maker. Also have to try and find a new burner for the metho stove as one is burning out, a spare one of those will be on the list next trip that's for sure. I guessing I won't have internet coverage so I'll be posting position reorts via find me spot and hopefully Phillip will keep this tread rolling.
cheers for now
Rob
Sundowner

[Phillip]

Rob,

I'll certainly keep the 'where you are' posts going.

Will you lay up somewhere to await some northerly winds on the west coast, or will you arrive there at the right time?

Just as an aside, I didn't go through buying that aries windvane.
The bloody thing was huge. Even thou I had said I have a Top Hat several times she only wanted to get rid of it.
Came off a 50 footer and the blade for the stern mounted rudder was over a foot wide and about 8 foot LONG!!
You can buy it off ebay for 1k.

So its back to the work shop to build one.

Is your next anchorage the Burnett River?

[rob.lovelace]

I had originally fitted an Aries to Sundowner and yes it was to heavy IMO.the servo rudder arm can be shortened easily enough but getting parts from Cowes Eng. for the old models is hard. the business has been sold and the Danish company has changed the sizes of replaceable parts. After wasting so much time and money playing around with the Aries I bit the bullet and went top of the line and got the Fleming. Best thing I ever did. If I ever change boats ( which I doubt) it will come with me. If it every breaks down I'll be waiting to get it fixed before I go on

[Peter57]

G'day Phil and Rob, Phil you may want to consider a mr v windvane- all plastic but good reports and I think about $1500 new. I am very happy with the heavy old fleming I have however most rivals did have the aries and it is about the same weight. Much prefer the fleming. for a Top Hat a plastic Mr V might do the trick. Rob, I take it you have a metho Maxi stove and the new burners are still available through Whitworths. Phil, would it be OK with the top hat site to post a picture of my boat? Cheers Peter

[Phillip]

Peter,

Why not post a photo of your new NON Top Hat.

I think we are all interested in where our Top Hatters end up.

I have started a new subject AFTER MY TOP HAT in the General Discussion section, just for those who must!

I have a whole series of plans for wind vanes and I think I will have a go at building one. Watch this space.

[rob.lovelace]

well I guess that's probably it for this topic. Cynecia has had her motor repaired and is ready to go. I' e been ready a week after being here. Darwin sailing club in Fannie Bay has been a great place to stay for the last month at least. I have seen a little of NT and will be back up here that's for sure. It is so close to Asia and if you hook up with one of the rallies all the tricky paperwork gets done for you, so I've added that to my bucket list. I'll get some fresh produce on Sat at the market and shove off on Sunday across to King George River WA and work my way down the west coast.
cheers
Rob
Sundowner