The new year started with a bang, literally!!
It’s been very convenient staying on a private dock near Yarra’s Edge Marina, and we’ve been making the most of our time in Melbourne, especially having a great view of the midnight fireworks near Docklands. While there’s no single feature over which to display fireworks, think harbour bridge, the fact that fireworks were ignited at various points along the Yarra River and in other locations like St Kilda, I think the fireworks displays were much more accessible for people.
There’s a lot to like about Melbourne, including the laneway restaurants featuring a variety of different cuisines, the free trams, ease of getting around the city – the layout makes sense – and the bike paths. I could easily ride to South Melbourne Markets, supermarkets, hardware stores, and Spotlight fabric shop, which proved very convenient for the projects I was working on!
As well as enjoying Melbourne, we’ve been busy giving Poseidon a mini makeover and going to some shows and dining out. This blog provides details of what we’ve been doing for the last couple of months!
Recovered all the outdoor cushions
When I put my thumb through the fabric on one of our outdoor cushions that had not already been patched, I knew it was time to replace the covers. Initially I found exactly the same fabric we’d used previously, and thought this would be a good option. But the supplier recommended something that is more weather/sun resistant and since it was on special, we decided on a colour change. After measuring and estimating the amount we’d need, I added a couple of metres for mistakes and other projects and placed the order.
It took a while to work out how to match the pattern and I definitely improved as I went along. We’re thrilled with the brighter colour and the refreshed look. And it was a great compliment when I was asked for the business card of the person who made them. But NO, I would never try to do this for anyone else…they’d never afford my daily rate!
Flat-mounted dishy
In October 2023 when we were staying in Shellharbour marina, we installed Starlink as part of our preparations for Tasmania. At the same time we purchased a flat mount conversion option for the antenna (officially called dishy).
Robert flat-mounted dishy to avoid unnecessary shading and potential obstruction issues when surrounded by buildings, large land structures, etc, because dishy needs a clear view of the sky.
He also lowered it a bit so that it no longer shades our solar panel or interferes when I’m taking photos from the flybridge! You can see before and after photos here.
Created a new floor at the flybridge helm station
Due to excessive sanding by previous owners, and a little by us, we had an issue at the flybridge helm station. When it rained, water pooled in the corners because the floor was too low for the water to drain properly.
Robert created essentially a ‘false’ floor over the top of the existing one, raising it a few centimeters, and then sourced marine ply with a teak veneer surface. As you can see from the photos, the results are amazing.
Then our flybridge helm chair was also failing – from the inside where the old plywood was rotting – so we bought a new chair. Of course, cat claws aren’t kind to the vinyl, so I made a slipcover to protect it!
Touched up the anchor chain paint
Eventually the paint wears off the anchor chain, so periodically we refresh it.
Because we were on a private dock and no one else was around, we took the opportunity to lay out the anchor chain, inspect it, and then refresh the paint. We could also leave it on the dock until the paint was properly dry.
We paint the colours so that it’s easier to see how much chain we put out when anchoring. The colour scheme we use is from the mnemonic, “rub your balls with grease”! This helps us remember red, yellow, blue, white, green.
But we only use the first three colours, red, yellow and blue. Red for first/last 10m, yellow to indicate first/last 20m, blue for 30m, then yellow for all other 10m increments.
Replaced the outside screen covers to help provide shade for the boat
There are three large covers on the outside, one on each side of the galley/saloon, and the stern cover. The stitching and fabric on the stern cover was failing. I wasn’t going to just replace this cover, as it would have looked ‘wrong’ compared with the side ones, so I decided to make it a bigger project and do them all! The job was made easier because I used the existing screens as a pattern and I could lay out the fabric on the footpath alongside the dock. The biggest degree of difficulty was sewing in the galley.
Cleaned and sealed some sections of teak
Maintaining teak is a never-ending job, so we had been leaving some of it to go ‘silver’. This had been reasonably successful because there’s no maintenance, but it doesn’t look great.
A company in Melbourne recommended a Semco product to clean and then oil the teak. The cleaner is a two-part product and then the oil gets sponged/ragged on, just two or three coats. The teak then becomes water-resistant. When the teak gets dirty, Robert just cleans it with soapy water. When the colour starts to fade or is no longer water resistant, we’ll reapply a couple of coats. We’ll monitor what we’ve done so far and see how well it lasts.
Once the teak trim above the new covers was cleaned and dry, Robert applied Sikaflex to seal all the gaps. This should stop dirty water flowing down onto our new covers!
Enjoyed a number of different experiences
We were in a great location to access shows around the city and enjoyed a number of them while staying in Melbourne. Our favourites were Tim Minchin’s musical, Groundhog Day and performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Botanic Gardens. We also enjoyed Choir of Man, set in an English pub, and they offered free beer at the start of the performance! We also enjoyed a candlelight concert tribute to the music of Ed Sheeran performed by musicians from Melbourne Symphony Orchestra playing stringed instruments, a BBC Earth Experience narrated by Sir David Attenborough, a Legends concert (performers impersonating Tina Turner, Elton John, Elvis, etc) at the casino, and Argentinian Drummers/Dancers.
When a friend was staying in Melbourne, we enjoyed a ‘skygardens’ experience including delicious cocktails, and First Nations art and music at the Lume. We also caught up with other friends who either live in, or were visiting, Melbourne.
Sightseeing
While staying in Melbourne we hired a car a number of times to go sightseeing (and provisioning). I took lots of photos and here are a selection of them. When we went south along part of the Great Ocean Road we stopped at the renowned Bells Beach, known for great surfing. So I had to include a short video!
I’ve also included a slideshow of photos because I really couldn’t decide what to include directly in the blog!
Where to next?
2024 sees us heading to Tasmania where we plan to spend about a year circumnavigating the island.
16 Responses
Some of those buildings in Melbourne are really beautiful.
Awesome work,she’s looking great
Enjoy your crossing
What a lot of work you and Robert have been up to! Really well done! Cheers for your trip to Tassie!
You have been busy but the boat looks fantastic as a result of all your efforts! Look forward to reading about your adventures in Tassie – so many great places to stop and see by boat! – but first that Bass Strait crossing! Fair winds.
Wow. You have been busy. Good job.
Regrds
Steve
What fabulous work you have done. I love reading all your letters and hearing how much you have done.
The Tassie crossing will be interesting and I hope it all goes well.
Lots of good work there guys. Poseidon is lucky to have such caring hands-on owners!
Are you calling in at Flinders and King Islands?
Mmmmm, cheese!!
Have a great crossing!
P&K XXX
Wow you have done so much! Well done. We hope that you have a safe trip to Tasmania and we look forward to your next post. Enjoy your selves.
Safe travels love Gerry & Sonja😘
Wow! The makeover makes the boat look so clean & fresh.
All the best for your trip across Bass Strait.
You will certainly enjoy Tasmania.
Rob & Chicka
Wow you’ve done a lot of maintenance. I look forward to your Tasmania journey. Love. Malcsx
Wow looks amazing Pam! Well done both 👍🏽🤗Tasmania sounds very exciting 😃🌈
WoW you have been busy! Looks great
Enjoy Tasmania. X
Busy, busy, busy.
But everything looks magnificent. Well done Pam and Robert.
Looking forward to your next blog.
Fabulous work by you and Robert.
Melbourne looks nice.
Safe trip to Tasmania.
Following you with great interest.
M.V. Seawitch
Fantastic effort on the maintenance. There would not a square centimeter of any part of the Poseidon which has not had a make-over. Also, so good to hear that you liked Melbourne, or at least the central part of the city where you were. Best wishes as you continue south.
Pam! That’s Charlie the Stingray at Apollo Bay! I think mis-named, because Charlie is a girl and estimated to be around 40 years old.
Have a wonderful time in Tasmania – so much to see, a wonderful place to cruise, enjoy the quiet there.
Love
Su & Mark
MV Singapore