What’s in a boat code?
I had another leisurely day onboard Vogelsang the other day. I picked up Britt from Greenwich Wharf and we caught up and had a chat while we motored ever so slowly over to Drummoyne and to All Craft Marine. I had motored over to All Craft Marine a couple of days earlier and had wanted to tie up and have a chat with John Lord the manager, but it was dead low tide and I ended up grounding myself on his slipway instead. Well we did have a chat eventually which is why I returned. Vogelsang needs a boat code so I can transfer ownership to myself. Beaurocracy and more expense!
Britt helped me tie up and we popped up to the office to do all the paperwork. Before we knew it we were back on the water and putting back to the Lane Cove River. It is hot today and a breeze is coming up. It would be nice to have a sail. Britt, however, needs to be back at the Wharf at 1pm. She has to work this afternoon. So we just motor along ever so slowly and have a good chat and a catch up.
We get to Gore Creek which is where I have been allocated a mooring (soon to be put in) and stop for lunch. Soon it is time to drop Britt off at Greenwich wharf. As we approach I can see my mate Andrew walking down the street. I hail him and he comes down to the wharf. He has a camera hanging around his neck. As Britt hops off, Andrew hops on. He mutters a few words. I can make out a few phrases such as “bloody council”, something about a D.A (Development Application) he has put in and needing to take photos.
Before long Andrew has forgotten his terrestrial troubles and is setting up the sheets asking me to pass up the sails and tugging at the halyards.
It is a beautiful typical Sydney arvo. A NE is blowing and we work our way down the harbour past Long Nose Point (Birchgrove). We circumnavigate Goat Island and put in some nice reaches as we meander back. Strangely enough, Andrew has his GPS in his pocket. What an odd fellow that carries his GPS around in his pocket! We are just nudging up to 6 knots on the reach which is not bad considering the sails are not trimmed right and I can not put the outboard leg up out of the water. (The outboard trim required a minor repair which was sorted out back at the mooring). There is no cunningham in the main and the head sail needs to be hoisted higher. We didn’t hoist it right. I am still working out the halyards, cleats and winches. Oh boy, and don’t the winches need a service!
That was all a bit of fun, but I have to get to the Maritime Authority this arvo and sort out the rego and this boat mooring license. So we head home and pack up.
