We knew the day before that Emma Ward was having a little engine issue – well quite a biggie really- she wouldn’t start. The Captain went through some routine checks and came to the conclusion that it was the starter motor. So the mechanic was all booked to come at 9:30am race day morning.
Yep, all rusted out. Mechanic saves the day, contact with the supply proved fruitful and he was able to collect one for us. Out he trots to collect it. I consider myself a bit of an opportunist (well, when it suits me to be so) and I did purchase a Dyson not so long ago. I thought it quite normal and considered the ‘done thing’ to Dyson out the engine bay whilst there was a most opportune moment.
I am also keen to get my a hands dirty and learn as much as I can about the engine so that we can be self sufficient when sailing is our full time occupation. So there I am, squished into a little hatch box, learning about starter motors and trying to see how it all fits together. I actually had that space bookmarked for clothing storage. Hmmm . Will need to rethink that one.
A new starter motor fitted, a few less dollars in the back pocket and we are away. half an hour late but away!!
Crew was low yet spirits are always high. There’s no time to practice today, we are straight into it. I thought we were going to make it first over the start line, but Scallwag had the better angle and beat us by a whisker.
Here’s a few snapshots of our race day. There’s not many today – all four hands on deck were very busy with those running sheets.
http://www.dbcya.com.au/wp-content/uploads/RACE-8-Wet-Season-Series-Results-11-Mar-2018.pdf
Stormy weather ahead
After two missed races due to Darwin wet season stormy weather, we were ready to get back into the race groove. The weather held off nicely until midway through,and then it poured! it was nice to cool off – at first. Note to self, I must purchase some wet weather sailing clothes.
Speaking of which, we wore our new Emma Ward shirts. I think they look fabulous. a huge thank you to my colleague and friend for taking the time in her extremely busy schedule to embroider them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
We managed first over the start line to win a six pack for our efforts.
http://www.dbcya.com.au/wp-content/uploads/RACE-7-Wet-Season-Series-Results-25-Feb-2018.pdf
We’ve been quiet on the water but not so with the interior. Emma Ward has a fresh new look. New paint, new wood stain, new carpet. Every inch of her has been sanded, cleaned and painted.
Can’t wait to show her off soon.
Race results for race 4.
http://www.dbcya.com.au/wp-content/uploads/RACE-4-Wet-Season-Series-Results-14-Jan-2018.pdf
Kathy and Tanya preparing the main sail for the first race of the year. After shaking off the Christmas cobwebs with a few practice runs on the sails, we were ready to go. Emma Ward was third over the start line, a slow start but she sailed consistently and considering we have no spinnaker as yet, we held our ground throughout the race. 
Captain Pete’s new tilt -o-meter gadget was very useful in determining the lean on Emma. The seas were calm, about 10 knots and the north westerly winds kept us cool all afternoon. 
Storm clouds were looming in the background, a great sight to see them developing in the distance on our way back to the lock.
My son and his girlfriend came to Darwin for a tropical visit.
Of course sailing was on the list of things to do. Aaron and Alicia hadn’t been sailing before so luckily the seas and winds were calm. With blue skies and cumulus cloud cover, we set sail mid morning through the Bayview lock with high spirits. We had about ten knot winds as we sailed around the harbour to Fannie Bay. Then the winds dropped off – at about 1pm. By late afternoon the winds had picked up again and we sailed our way back to the wharf.
We finished off the evening with a bbq on board. A good day had by all.
Living in the tropics has many advantages. All round summer weather whilst enjoying a mojito cocktail by the pool. Unfortunately on the downside, is the toll which hot weather takes on everything! Which leads to today’s handyman job, fixing the leaking windows. A few weeks ago, we had quite a storm with lots of cooling rain. Great for the land, not so for leaky windows on a yacht. We went to see Emma Ward on the following day to discover about an inch of water on the ledge behind the settee. The back of the settee was also quite wet where the rain had leaked in.
As we sponged up the water, we remembered that prior to purchasing Emma Ward, as she was in the slip having a pre purchase inspection, the marine engineer has discovered two leaking side windows, which he fixed. Now, eight months on, being exposed to the tropical sun, the rubber strip has deteriorated and needed repairing.
Hopefully, all is sealed now. To be checked upon the next downfall of rain.
This is Peter and Louise. This website is about our sailing adventures. We live in the tropical north of Australia, crocodile country. The dry season offers brilliant sailing conditions and is the perfect opportunity to get out there and explore.
We are the very proud owners of a 43ft Cavalier – Emma Ward. We have had her for about eight months now and we are in the process of giving her a bit of a makeover. She is being freshened up with new interior paint, all visible wood is being stained with jarrah. She is looking very nice and fresh.
Our intention is to start living onboard at the marina in 2019 once our land life has been neatly packed and boxed up. Then we can fulfil our dream of sailing around Australia and then the world – Pete has that all mapped out.
This website will become a tool where family and friends can track our adventure. We welcome you to also join us. Follow our Facebook page – Sailing in the Tropics with Emma Ward.
The most perfect time of the year. As a teacher, I get four weeks holiday mid semester. A great time for a sailing get away. A time to practice sailing technique. A time to enjoy being out on the water without having to rush home and plan for the next school day. No timetable. No plans. No ties. Just mother nature and us.
That’s how we spend most of June and July. The absolute best time of the year. These pictures will capture what I cannot describe in words.
A quick post about the mixing elbow. When our good friend the marine engineer rescued us from the impeller incident, he also discovered that the mixing elbow was leaking. Just a simple fix, he said. Take it in for welding and it will be good as new. Sure thing, too easy.
When you have a boat, there is no such thing as an easy fix. We went back to the marina the next day to take off the mixing elbow and have the leak welded. As you can see in the picture, the whole thing just fell apart.
As with most things here in the Top End, it seems to be much easier and quicker to order on line. So, we did. Cheaper, and delivered to your door in three days. As soon as it arrived, we went and fitted it ourselves. How proud we were. I know it sounds a little silly, but Pete and I are not very handy. I barely know the difference between spanners, screwdrivers and how is it possible to have so many different nuts and bolts and bits and thingamajigs.
We achieved our first important repair, with a positive ‘we can do this’ attitude.