The battle with frustration, boredom and coal dust is just about over! We will be released after this weekend, thus completing our 63 day sentence at the Gladstone shipyard.
It has been a big week! Once the Heron Islander was off the slipway it was our turn. Anui and another big cat – Family Circus – were hauled out on Wednesday. They went first, we went second, since we expected to be there only for a couple of days. It is rare the shipyard has two boats on the rail at once, but both of us had been waiting for ages!
The haulout was highly stressful as our rudderless boat had to be moved from the jetty onto the cradle, pushed along by a motor cruiser. The two most experienced members of the shipyard crew were in the water to keep Anui in line despite the wind and avoid her hitting any of the steel beams. Very scary… many deep breaths as we watched the manoeuvres… we even later found Bengie hidden inside our bed, frightened by the noises. Give us The Boat Works anytime!
It took a lot longer than expected to get Anui lined up, balanced, and chocked onto the cradle so she would not move. Once safely secured, the cradle and boat were slowly winched out of the water along the rail. We are told this was Port City Fabrications’ most challenging haulout for a few years. Trust us to bring excitement to Gladstone… it certainly was our most nerve wracking ever!
Once out of the water, the hulls were checked. Unfortunately one small crack was found on the starboard side at the bottom of the tube which the rudder shaft fits into, a result of the original accident. And some slight damage occurred to the coving between the bridge deck and port hull as we got hauled out. It is nothing major but with the extra fibreglassing repairs, we are out of the water for a few more days before the rudders can be reinstalled. At least we can now see the end of the saga.
Meanwhile, Bengie is enjoying her new domain! For some reasons she just loves slipways… she explores, disappearing under the rusty cradle, going up and down ladders, sniffing new smells, looking tiny among the big machinery and entertaining the workers.
Sorry our posts have been deadly boring for two months; it has been our life. We are told we will be back in the water and ready to go on Monday now. We will have something a little more exciting for you next week… well, we hope anyway!
Sv-Anui 
Excellent progress news and nearly there. Your sea legs will need to be worked on after such a long break from the ocean.
Yes it’s a relief, Ann! 9 weeks out of action, nearly as long as when we stayed in Mackay getting new engines.
Not boring at all, guys!! I would be white knuckled as my investment was coming into dry dock too!
Oh John , there were times when I could not watch from shore anymore. Wade was on board and could not see what was happening but could hear the alarmed calls for directions to the attending boat as Anui twisted
and the guys were struggling to keep her lined up. Nightmare stuff!
That’s it exactly! I’m glad that Anui is safe! Very soon the free wind will blow through your hair. 😎😊
How incredibly frustrating!!Let’s hope it all comes together now without any more hitches. We’ll wave as we sail north past Curtis Island on Saturday.Chris & Suzanne
Fingers crossed. Currently moving back and forth along the rail to fit the rudders… need the depth! Enjoy your sail north, you two, 😊
Oh Chris! Your posts have never been ‘boring’. Methinks each and every one of us has shared your frustration and looked forwards to any progress made! Can imagine your feelings when all the complications of taking the Lady out of water occurred and I for one am hugely happy to hear the Anui will be taking you into the wild blue yonder next week. Absolutely love the pics of Bengie wandering and wondering – us old folk do want to be just as knowledgeable as you Milady 🙂 !!!
Glad we didn’t not bore you to tears… we noticed a drop in visits these last few weeks! Not that it matters… the site is our journal. One day when we are too frail to keep sailing we will look back and relive the adventures!
Great news! Such a relief not finding anything else of great concern below the waterline too. Yay Monday!!
It is such a relief, Amanda. Rudders going in today, and painting then patches of antifoul on Monday and we are done. Pray for a calm afternoon when we come off… this time on our own steam!
Ah Boatyards
Dirt, dust and expect the unexpected.
And always more $$$$ than originally thought
Good luck and hope the splash back is drama free
Hope so too, Simon. Way too lengthy and pricey already!
Way, way too exciting 😳
Yeah, we don’t like exciting during haul outs! We got off lightly, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.
Thank goodness for that. Freedom to go wherever you want. Cheers from Denise and Garth On Finally
Well overdue… Thanks guys!
Hi Chris and Wade,
Had an interesting conversation re boat insurance with fellow sailors at the Lagoon Boat club
Geelong and a new company came up in the conversation.
Edward William:Keane Specialty insurance.
They deal with marine insurance might just be worth a look at for comparison in price and service.
Hope you’re on your way soon.
Regards, John and Janne sailing Chi
Thanks for the heads up, Janne. Our insurance will change at the end of the year since we will no longer be full time live-aboards. Should be easier to source, with more choice of insurers and a bit cheaper too! We will see what our broker comes up with!
Oh my gosh, 63 days!! Wow, I’m sure your patience was wearing thin and frustration high with all that insurance drama. You guys made it though and I’m, so happy that you are back on the water now…it’s Wednesday here in the US. Yay!
It is such a relief, Esther, and much needed for our sanity.
So glad you’re free again!! What a drawn out process it’s been for you all. Hopefully we’ll catch up as you head south to Boatworks xxx
Hi Helene, not what we envisaged for this season, but we brought it on ourselves! These few days at Rooney are particularly sweet. Perfectly calm conditions, lots of whales, dolphins and schools of tiny fish around the boat, beach walks… The only one missing the shipyard is Bengie! See you somewhere soon.