Back In The Water

We spent a week in the yard at The Boat Works up the Coomera River, south of Brisbane. This is really a great yard. The most comfortable yard to live on your boat while on the hard that we’ve ever seen. And trust me, living on your boat while it is on the hard usually sux. They use airplane style steps instead of ladders, free loaner cars, clean and private showers and heads, a nice AC lounge, plus they are very careful while hauling and blocking your boat.
We had some great help on a few items from Ryan and crew at 143 Boat Building. Also got the Yanmar engine mounts swapped out by MMC. New galley seacock, new lower rudder bearing, 18 liters of Blue Carboline bottom paint and a shiny buffed hull.
After we dropped back in the water we headed down the river toward the Gold Coast. This place looks like Miami or Ft Lauderdale without the charm. Really nice beaches, jetskis, helicopter rides, Sea World and high rises. We installed our new Spectra Cape Horn watermaker and tested her out while at anchor and only sprayed salt water all over the cabin twice.
We’ve  been lucky enough to re-connect with friends Judy and Sherman, on Fair Winds, and will be following them down to Tasmania.
We plan to leave the Gold Coast Seaway in a few hours. Sail south down the coast for about 2 1/2 days or until the north winds change direction, with the goal of getting to Pittwater, a good anchoarge just above Sydney.
Paul