Well sit down and read this post with a stiff drink in your hand.
Started off quite early. Was down at the Marina at approx 6:30 am for an early sail as the breeze was a good 10 to 15 knots and due to abate by the early afternoon for a lazy end of day on the water. The Mac sits on her trailer with the mast up. (Thats the big stick that supports the sail in case some of you are wondering
) Well I see a semi flat tyre on one of the dual axles. No problem,must have a small leak.I will go and inflate after I launch the Mac as the servo (Service Station) is just up the road. Not a good idea to inflate with boat on and stick up as power lines in the way and would get plenty attention from the Emergency Service people. Soooo. Go to hitch on to car and trailer out to the ramp. Lots of gravel noise coming from rear. Partner alerts me that the wheel with the flat tyre is not going round and a round. Bugger! Grab big spanner and start hitting wheel hub. Go back and forward,back and forward till free. All good again.Lubricate,No problemo. Tow to ramp do the usual stuff. Reverse and launch. Boat comes off easy. Too easy. Poor partner trying to hold on to the Mac as the stern heads out to sea. By the time I jump out and clamber onto the wharf a stroke of luck in the way of a boats wake pushes the Mac back along side the wharf. Had to explain to partner (calmly)to Cleat on asap to the dock much easier than trying to hold a Fat Mac with a good breeze on the side of the dock. She only weighs 52 kgs. As I pulled out before I jumped onto the Wharf the Mac went side ways on the trailer. Silly me forgot to close the water ballest valve and she started to weigh in over the trailer wheel arch. Got caught up and started to be towed back up the ramp before finally letting go. All good a little dent in the guard that should be knocked out fairly easily. After coming back from getting the tyre inflated, park car and trailer and meet partner on the Mac. Start up motor and wait for an acquaintance to meet us. Check for tell tale sign of pump working on outboard. Nothing. Waiting waiting waiting...Stop motor and inspect before engine over heats. Finally after doing some Abra Cadabra stuff I see water coming out. I quickly have mind flashes of my noggin on "Time Magazine" Genius fixes out board motor pump with telepathic cursing thoughts"
Anyway...Acquaintance turns up puts his 2 cents worth and we head out to the sea proud as Punch as we see all the other boats still tied to their moorings.
Out the break wall to go and harass a real ship. A Passenger liner. Pacific Pearl at anchor about 600 metre off Mooloolaba Beach. We harass her like you see those tourist harass those English Queens guards with the big bear skin hats where they can't move or come at you. We motor around and right in front of her bow taking selfies. Enough sea larkin. Theres a breeze eager to please so hoist the sails and kill the noise. Well...this is sailing. A perfect day.Not a cloud in the sky. Not to hot,not to cold and a great early morning breeze. Acquaintance who seems to be a bit of a know it all is crewing. He's a bit slow on the winches but its not a boat he is use to so all is forgiven. The Mac heals over several times with the 150 genoa. I constantly loose control and she rounds up. Not to bad but not a fan.After boating around for a little while "old mate wants to get into close to shore off Mooloolaba. I oblige as the surfs not rough. He wants more selfies off the beach. They are having a huge day on shore as there is a National Iron man 70.3 mile marathon going on. Over 3000 athletes all with their support crew, ground crew,media and passenger ship tourists its BIG! I get in nice and close before we tack. Old mate stuffs up the tack. Were in irons and sailing backwards. He was to slow with the headsail lost the sheet which tangles around the shrouds in the fresh breeze. Not good as now can hear the breakers quite close. He's fiddling around and my partners face goes whiter then the breaking surf. We can easily see the sand on the bottom of the ocean.
To be continued after 100 views.
Small bites my friend, that 150 will kill you in your sleep, dont turn your back on it for a second, I'd recommend keeping 30% of it furled most of the time, she will tack easier as it will pass the mast without hitting it and tangling. Always have your motor down if you intend to get close to beach, you can still sail with the motor down but you have an insurance policy in case things go left when you go right. Its fun when the big ships are in town isnt it? 
Im going out for a week at the end of the month, cant wait.
