CURRENT POSITION
After leaving Darwin our cameo crew member (Reece Mabbit) was incapacitated for 4 days +. Along with this, the currents and nose winds made the going very tough, especially for two. The currents were that bad in places it was hard to make any headway at all. On one occasion, even with full sails and motor on, only 14 miles was made in 15 hours. With the cyclone season coming in, and plenty of advise on conditions from the locals, it soon became evident to me that task at hand may be too big a job for just two. The decision was made to remove the boat from the water until sailing conditions improve.
After leaving Darwin our cameo crew member (Reece Mabbit) was incapacitated for 4 days +. Along with this, the currents and nose winds made the going very tough, especially for two. The currents were that bad in places it was hard to make any headway at all. On one occasion, even with full sails and motor on, only 14 miles was made in 15 hours. With the cyclone season coming in, and plenty of advise on conditions from the locals, it soon became evident to me that task at hand may be too big a job for just two. The decision was made to remove the boat from the water until sailing conditions improve.
Removing Fair Dinkum from the water was harder than one would think.
Firstly, in Broome, there is no slipway as we know it. Instead they have a big ramp into Robuck Bay and when the tide goes out they put a jinker (specialy built trailer of various capacities and owners) in with a tractor. When the 7 - 10 metre tide comes in, you put your boat on it and then they pull you out with a grader or tractor. Then your boat is lifted out of the jinker with a crane. Very expensive and very difficult to get a jinker & tractor organised (see sponsors on official website).
We will keep you all posted on the planned completion of the journey.
As a matter of interest, so far we have completed 4600 nautical miles or 8500 kilometres which is 1/5 of the way around the world and raised $7,345.00 for The Stroke Foundation (donate here).
Firstly, in Broome, there is no slipway as we know it. Instead they have a big ramp into Robuck Bay and when the tide goes out they put a jinker (specialy built trailer of various capacities and owners) in with a tractor. When the 7 - 10 metre tide comes in, you put your boat on it and then they pull you out with a grader or tractor. Then your boat is lifted out of the jinker with a crane. Very expensive and very difficult to get a jinker & tractor organised (see sponsors on official website).
We will keep you all posted on the planned completion of the journey.
As a matter of interest, so far we have completed 4600 nautical miles or 8500 kilometres which is 1/5 of the way around the world and raised $7,345.00 for The Stroke Foundation (donate here).
Don't forget to tune into 'Macca's' show 'Australia All Over' on a Sunday morning where he will be doing regular updates on Fair Dinkum. The word is Macca is even considering getting on board for a leg of the trip as a celebrity crew member.
Gerry Ryan of Melbourne has always been a 'doer'. Many years ago he had a goal of building his own boat and setting off onto the high seas. Over a period of many years he built his first boat, aptly named 'Avarest'. Not having any formal training in boat building, let alone sailing didn't hold him back. Gerry applied himself to the challenge and went on to complete several impressive trips along the east coast of Australia with his family and friends. After eventually parting ways with 'Avarest', he purchased 'Fair Dinkum'.
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