New owner Brett looked far and wide to find this vessel and recognised that due to its age there were various upgrades required before delivering the 1000 miles to Hobart. So new chart plotter, radar, auto pilot, anchor, life raft and other safety gear as well mechanical repairs to the genset meant a couple of months before the date was finally set. We travelled to Coffs and tied up at the marina to avoid the imminent front. Unfortunately, although the sea calmed sufficiently within a couple of days, the swell remained huge which meant we couldn't get out of the harbour for four days. Setting off but shy of Newcastle, we had our first steering problem so called in and got quick help from the local mechanic. He felt there was air in the hydraulics which we had cleared and we set off. All OK for a day then north of Batemans Bay, again problems so called in and called the local mechanic who felt again air in the system plus found the fluxgate compass was too close to the pump so magnetic interference. We were lucky that Len the Garmin state manager was a local and he came within 30 mins to re calibrate the system and we set off. 2/3 of the way across Bass Strait another failure. This time a bracket which connects the steering arm to the ram broke off. On my third attempt to jury rig (see pic) , success for the remainder of the journey.

Brett learnt a lot along the way about boats and what can go wrong as well as upgraded his card skills whilst we were holed up in port.

Ray was magnificent and as always very patient considering the extra effort required to keep the boat on coarse without rudders and the constant battle we had with the steering system. So a huge thank you to him as always.