Unfortunately Lucky

As you already know, we hit something hard enough to destroy the saildrive while sailing north along the top of Australia.

Luckily, I found a mechanic in Darwin who looked at the damage and reassured me that we could have a new drive in about a week.

To make matters worse, the rudder and the rudder cassette shattered too.

Fortunately I was carrying spares and was able to easily swap them.

As if that wasn’t enough, the dagger board hit hard and split a little.

Thankfully it’s still operational and fiberglass should get me to Langkawi.

In another twist, Tom had to leave. Back to Canada to finish his canoeing project.

On the bright side, four young curious nomads are ready to join Wanderlust in search of Harbors Unknown and a passage west.

Unfortunately the marina power is 220v and the boat is 110v. So in the brutal heat of the day there is no air conditioning.

The good news is the sun keeps the batteries full and the fans spinning.

Also at night it gets comfortably cool.

Predictably, the marina is infested with noseeums.

Tiny bastards.

At least, I have a tube of hydrocortisone and experience with suffering.

I accept defeat.

To nobody’s surprise, the saildrive costs a small fortune.

Still, I have become frugal with everything else.

It’s only stuff.

Sadly there are no grocery stores nearby and I don’t have a car.

Can’t you believe how much I love canned sardines?

I soon found out that the boat yard is near a military base with joint exercises with the US Navy.

Harrier jets are screaming overhead at low altitude.

Thankfully I own noise canceling headphones.

It’s a bit lonely here on the boat.

But I have time to think, write, read and talk to my mom, brother and friends.