Litespeed

Yep, no BFR infact no licence needed at all. Funny you need a licence for a dingy with more than 5 HP but a big yacht or my brother's 12 tonne Walrus and 12 passengers- even outside in the ocean and none needed. Not that I am complaining. Mine has soft decks but not critical at the moment. Sails fine and motors on a 15 HP outboard. Has a 3 way fridge so cold 🍺. That many fish around, you just hang a line out the side and they jump on the hook. Funny having a $1 boat surrounded by mega dollar wedding cakes and marlin murderers. Will have a beer for you poor buggers. ⛵🍻

Still living the life Aquatic and loving it. Still in Port Stephens and it's a awesome place for the virus isolation. The Walrus has had a scrape and paint on the slip and is feeling slick and much happier on the cruise. Still yet to repaint the top sides but as the slip is fully booked for a while. Sadly the crabs are either migrating or not as hungry with buggerall in the pots. But the big news is I bought a 23ft yacht as a stop gap to buying a live aboard. It is a old 40-50 year old racing class cum weekender. With styling like a flat top wooden sloop. But with a huge sail area for its size and weight. Fast and single handed is the idea. It's a Hood 23 which was a top racing boat in the 60-80s and was replaced by the 29ers as a class. Ugly by modern standards but simple and easy to sail in all conditions. Originally a open racing yacht enclosed and it shows with the low flat deck, great for pygmies. But you don't mind when it's easy to move forward. Delicate eyes should be wary this beasty cost a whole $1 but it sails great and is cozy. This is not a show pony but something only it's designer or a yachts can love. It might be ugly but it is the fastest mono hull here in lemon tree passage and all the old blokes oh and ah at her, with tales of racing and touring at speed past. They still race them against modern yachts locally at soldiers point. The prospect of flogging very expensive new boats and Pitt St captain's holds a special challenge in a ancient $1 boat.

There is a bit about the investigation and has some very forthright comments from those leading the enquiry. Plainly obvious not just smoke but a lot a real fire. Sorry can't get link working but see Smh or Age etc. Re the trial by media- that is a byproduct of the media actually getting this to our attention and ensuring it does not stay buried. Remember they raided the ABC and others to silence the story. It appears a lot will be found accountable and those that colluded or turned a blind eye will be out and charges will follow. The SAS deserve to be accountable, be able to root out the rotten, punish them and those above who are proven guilty and return to being the elite of our service. Returning confidence is vital to our national interest.

The problem is we keep giving the morons oxygen. Deoxymoron the buggers

Raymond Reddington gets the gong for me. Or Chris Hemsworth but that will get very bloody.

I do not know the soldier but do know war crimes happen and to think a Aussie is is incapable of such things ignores human nature. A aweful lot of national security laws and secrecy has been invoked in this case including current and former soldiers been muffled, threats made and journalists raided. Seems like a lot of smoke if no fire exists. I have a open mind, yes in a instant we make flash decisions but take the right path. The allegations however are not about mistakes but intentional murder. The standard is ours not what the enemy do.

Ah the torture of been on a boat. The view is bloody aweful. And the shopping just to get some protein is a arduous task. Just take gloves, wear shoes and count you fingers. Yesterday 15 blue swimmers and a awesome chilli jam cookup. Who would guess I could have way too many big crabs to eat, so I am forced to give them away to those less fortunate ie landsmen. Would post photos but the view is too big and might be overun by pirates. Had to stop fishing, not enough cold storage. Also found a new Octopussy for walrus's head but at two feet the bugger was a bit angry and strong like you would not believe. The smart bugger was a Houdini grade escapologist and can open a bucket. So returned to the blue to attack another day. No way could you remove him if he grabbed your arm bar cutting him in pieces. Oh also got squid a plenty but yet to catch a King fish. Life is tough

I have suggested a Hookah for cleaning but a dive compressor has advantages as well. Ideally a dive but they are more maintenance for safety. However we expect diving to become a regular thing, much better than hiring a tank when needed and that assumes a dive shop nearby. I would like both but dollars and space will decide, its my doppelgangers boat so he pays the piper. A modern electric two hose hookah is small and light enough to be even in a little inflatable or blow up ring, so not limited to the wild expanses of Walrus- unlike a petrol compressor. More of a tropical water issue though. Electric will be solar with lots of space on the 14 x 7 ft cabin roof for flexible panels and Lithium Iron Phosphate battery cells down aft as well- for sea keeping, no Flybridge weight is wanted, so a small station will be on its back wall above the aft cabin. Combined with the 12 ft wide Lazzerette, the space exists for both if needed and huge amount of ultra long life battery. Expect 10,000 cycles minimum- no crap life lead, with bugger all current draw ability. Currently she has two starter battery making 90 amp/hr @24v and three 90 amp/hr @ 12v for ship systems. Bugger all since two of the ships died and the eff wit that wired it, ensured the two independant systems were not. So drained the starters bank as well. Bugger- the Perkins 120hp has no crank starting!. I managed to re wire the system to get enough to just run the starter. Lucky we were at anchor, a happy lesson rather than a major problem. The Walrus was built in 1983 as a Southern Prawn trawler with single mast for a steady sail, but was never used under survey then converted to a cruiser two years from launch. The Gyro compass driven auto pilot was ancient even then and more 60's style. The electrics are a archaeological dig in the engine room and given the batteries all sit alongside the huge motor and are exposed- It aint no fun in a 4 foot high space crawling round doing stuff. I nor batteries appreciate the heat. This will change and all batteries will leave the engine room for safety and longevity. Complete separate battery buses and such, so no power screw ups, last thing you need at sea is a dead power system and no way to start the engine. No generator is on board and one might get installed if its the right price and size. This is more for running power tools on 240v and emergency power only. No to be run daily when the solar set up is done. A wind generator is also on the cards as is a wave generator- which I will build. Essentially just a small electric outboard dc trolling motor on a smart generation circuit, when at anchor its free power and silent, a three phase brushless would be even better. The idea being complete power self sufficiency and ability to sit in place a week and not start the engine, currently that is daily at least for just lights, radios, Gps etc and little drain. A system of 10kw/hr would be nice battery set up- like a Tesla power wall but for boats. The pillaging a Tesla for batteries idea is a sound one, even a Toyota as long as it was not a cab. They do not have LiFePh cells though, which are much easier too manage- not 100's of laptop cells. Just the same package as a 12 volt battery, but 1/3 rd the weight and double the actual power ability with 10 times the life. The role of lead acid battery and a classic wooden vessel is as ballast after been melted not for power. The ingots will be on ply to ensure they can't punch the hull planks and also will be secured with straps of bronze or stainless. 500 kg in chunks of lead shifting in a big sea is not appealing. Such a electric system can easily also be recruited as a electric hybrid drive for times a start and warm up, fumes , noise etc are not warranted. The engine is loud and a side wet exhaust, which may change to a dry stack that is insulated for sound and gets the fumes up high. The engine and shaft coupling are solid mounted and these will change to suitable flex mounts in time, plus some proper sound insulation and comfort will be improved, under power. Silent running on electric in bays, harbors would be cool. Leaving dock at 2 am and not stirring the bilge rats is handy. time will tell.

Never fear the bugger has not worked in years and will not until a full service and rewire. A 50 lb anchor, 35 m of chain and 100m of road ( heavy Rope) gives a good workout to retrieve. Walrus will be going south maybe this winter as thats when the sea currents suit for a nice ride and speed. The boat festival is a possibility and we accept booby dazzlers in Tupperware as seadogs. Amazing what can be bought in wood for so little money- too many scared of a little work. Not a issue when living aboard. NO great skills or tools needed just a bit of elbow grease and a ability to copy whats is there. Tassie is a wonderland for wooden boats and all at affordable prices. Discovered a secret stash of Huon held by a hobbit in the forests that will provide to wood lovers only for boats- all ancient and cut last century. And not a millionaire prices. Meanwhile- Walrus will be getting slipped and painted below, with a 500kg min lead added as ingots to the stern for better sea keeping. She was designed to carry a huge fish load so extra weight is a good thing. And a rewire is needed as in the engine room is a mess and looks wired by a blind man. Old lead acid batts will go and LIfepho battery banks installed, solar and new fridge freezer. The engine driven one at 500 litres is crap, so a modern efficient one is coming. New camping fridges are super efficient and cold beer is a must. A fish holding tank also on the list to keep bait alive, the King Fish like live squid. King Fish fresh is awesome and very hard to beat. Later a dive compressor will join the toys as I find it difficult breathing in water- strange huh?

I am back on land for a while. Back in the big smoke-damn. Had great time, lots of Bavarian beer drunk, seafood daily and sun, sand and waves. Some storms but they are fun. Met lots of characters including a bloke who was the first to do the lap of Australia solo as a Deaf person. Lots of Dolphins, some Whales. Pleased to see most rich wankers spending 20,000 a day chasing Marlin missed out. Did have a great laugh when one boat came in and weighed its 76.5kg Marlin, had eyes removed for research and blood, stomach tests done. Then the poor beast was slid on the blood soaked dock into the boat. That's when it was slid across the deck by the head scientist with strength and punched a hole in the side of the boat with the huge spike. He walked off with a smirk and I laughed my ass off. He had a job but was happy to show his distaste at rich wankers killing the top predators for a photo shot. Justice well done. But a sinking would have been better.

The Octopussy is not crocheted but 3 d printed in one run and articulated. My son made it. We might be seadogs but high tech for toys. Walrus is old school timber no fibreglass and metals are bronze bar ss rails. The engine a Perkins 120 hp. At 35 ft she is a solid seaboat. 15 tonnes plus fuel and 1500 litres at 5 litres hr for 8 knts. So in theory 2400 nm range. Across the ditch is no issue, even Fiji is in range. A solid bugger worthy of the name Walrus. Beware the tusks.

It is irrespective that the flag and welcome to country are new, they fought and died. We just refused to acknowledge them till recently. They are owed their due respect.

Nah, Rivian is in the box seat and should gets good deal. Just look at the big deals Hyundai and others have done. The huge success of Tesla means Rivian is in the box seat.

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Your intrepid agent reports from his adventures afloat. My mission to survey the Port of Stephen for misscreants and agent provocateurs continues. Our cunning plan to enter enemy waters at Nelsons bay has succeeded. We conviently "ran aground at the public wharf in the marina due to steering failure" the hydraulic line choose that exact moment to give up the ghost. Amazing what careful planning and help from the "Sirens can acheive.". Thus three days free at the wharf conviently blocking easy access to the game fishing weigh bridge. This last weekend and again this one is a mad procession of murderers looking to kill giants of the sea like Marlin. Rich pricks in million dollar plus boats wanting to kill stuff for a photo. Today was at least $100 million in big boats full of self entitled pricks out for bragging rights on who owns the biggest boat, the smallest dick and can kill as much as possible for a photo. Sadly today we were visited by a lovely lass and seargant on a police launch and asked to leave pronto for the tournament. I guess you can only block the bastards for so long.. Some mention of pissing off the side of the boat during daytime was made and excessive merriment at night. It was the damn cats fault, and the bloody Walrus was no help either. But having left port and stationed just outside we may " find a serious problem in our little ship" and make merry mayhem with the murderers plans. Is it our fault the public wharf with the weigh station is the only one available for emergency repairs? Sea trials and sampling of german beer continue with haste. The only drowning has been my micro enigma machine to ensure it not fall into the enemy hands. Our mission continues, weather has been good , some pussy complained of storms and gales but they are soft. Walrus has made a new friend- Octopussy.

Your joking. Mate they sell shit box Toyota utes with glitz for that and they are crap. The Rivian would be a big seller and toymotor should be very scared.

They fought and died just like the rest but got shafted after returning. The first people deserve their moment as well. We stole their land and they were good enough to overcome that and fight. The RSL are once again proven to be arseholes.

It is a bit hard too look long enough, take in details and keep your eyesight. Some things can never be unseen. But at a painful guess......it's a UJM.. Universal Japanese motorbike. It's also a Yamaha four size unknown.

Cook was not perfect guy, he actually shoot some men to get their ceremonial shield and hunting tools. Straight out murder, but the victor takes the spoils.

Strange the windlass panel is a Jolly Roger.

After one night rolling in the waves, far too much vitamin beer, a hangover and salty skin, I am happy as a pig in mud.

Chapter One. There comes a time in a mans life when the calling of their true self can no longer be ignored, years are but a interval for respite. The smell of the salt, oaken and tar, the seductive call of the siren has captured me. So I go to sea once more Neptune will determine my fate. In the morrow, I shall be neither marooned nor landsmen. Its not a regular commission as they are always anything but. At this stage- I would take any old hulk or scowl, as long as she has a pump to keep the powder dry. A scrap of paper appeared under my door, with just some co-ordinates, a name and time. It had been years, but the Sirens always know, my wounds were healed and vigor had returned. I had no expectations except it would float, and failure would not be countenanced. With no time to loose, I called for a four horse coach to speed my arrival. My trunk was ready as always- should the need occur, timepieces,charts and all. Sadly my cutlass and pistols were a shambles, I will tend them on the trot. It is, whilst a welcome serendipity that the sirens have at last answered my call, I feel trepidation for the urgency. The note indicated none. but the howl of the tempest surely does. To venture forth in such a cauldron makes mockery of calm machinations in archaic mens clubs. Now was a time of action and the devil may pay the butchers bill. The coachmen spared none on the trip and dropped me at the edge of the village. I arrived quite wet and looking bedraggled, not that anyone could make me out in the storm. To any cove I just looked like a rummy stumbling aboard- just the way it should be. Another Salty fierce at sea but easily fleeced of his booty, be it rum, song or woman- deflated he returns with a full belly and a empty sack. I find my cabin, light the lamp and searched for the orders, my concerns were justified and time was a luxury I had nought to spare. At first light we must away to catch the tide and favourable wind, any delay would put us lee on the rocks, I have not a moment to loose and good weather is days too late. The sea in the Port of Stephen, our anchorage is 6 foot swells and gusting to rip off their tops, outside its the full force of a angry sea. A combination of a Easterly and a big cyclone heading south east, the tail been felt now, was not to be a pleasure cruise. I pondered over a drink the species of this strange ship- neither beast nor fowl, but called a trawler. I knew it might be a small design and made to look inconspicuous but I had my doubts, sure it had a ketch rig but also a contraption that sounded like bedlam playing with hammers. I had heard rumours of such a wonder and had seen a locomotive engine in a ship, but never a beast of burden that drank a strange oil brew and so small. I had seen plenty of oil in my time Sperm, Blue, Wright and the others but never this cousin of tar. Having kept up my sources, I deduced it must be that clever German fellow I met at the Royal Society. We spent a whole evening talking the latest in philosophical knowledge and how it pertains to cannon and rifle. He seemed very interested in the explosion of the charge and the different loads I might use ball, grenade or chain given for type of target. He at first looked astonished, then roared in laughter when I explained if things got real rough we "throw the silverware at em", we both saw the Irony of it. A deck of deadly swords and cannon crews cut down by crews mess kits- if only the poor souls did not mock us running short of shot. We had another Wine and Rudolf said "If only I could harness this cannon power into a engine". We pondered some more on the merits of such a contraption and saw the need to move like a steam engine, but small and without a huge command for fuel or explosive like my cannon. Initially It seemed like a impossible problem to be practically solved, but as the hours and wine flowed we seemed to have formulated a plan to test such a hypothesis in the best scientific manner. Naturally that is far from success but it least a plan, and given the hangover, a damn good evening. I left him to it and wished him well, Rudolf grabbed my hand and said " I will see you again, when its real". I had thought little of it since, just another Royal Society meeting, too many drinks and too many ideas to capture and make full . The beast below us was testament he had indeed made a groggy idea into a contraption that could power a small ship as good as sail but better. Into a strong sea with a storm sail and power through on its 3 foot screw. Rudy had not only made a engine small but very powerful and made "Walrus" 35ft and 15 ton cruise at 8 Knots and 5 litres of this strange Rudy brew. She was a special and heavily built for her size, a deep stable sailing hull but a screw out back. Rudy reckons 1500 nautical miles between tanks without a sail seen. I will stick with sails and try them both as suits and this contraption better prove its worth. I am grateful though and sure it will come in handy to leave come dawn. The sea is angry and not to be trifled with, Rudy had better be right or we are going nowhere but the bottom. To anyone about at first light, they will assume some mad bastards too drunk on rum and off to chase a better anchorage. As arranged at 5 before first light, a red light beacon spoke the code and Rudy appeared, from the abyss in a strange dinghy. a little thing and made not of wood but some grey sausage like thing. It was filled with air and had a small box engine on the back. I was taken aback by the scene but should have expected no less from Rudy. He explained with great detail how he tried various methods to create his little boat. After much research, Rudy decided the best was a bladder made from Dorks and how the Sperm Whale penis is a exceptional candidate for such a engineering task. I winced at the thought and felt the dread of progress. Over a drink he explained the dorks were discards and a waste not to use, he could see my discomfort. I was however impressed that a boat could be packed into a suitcase and combined with that electric motor he has devised could be vary handy. Needs must and as we are going on the hush, it could be good for dark work. Better to complete a raid and not have to fight it out, numbers are not on our side. Including Rudy our first mate, engineer and boat designer, it was just me and a mongrel black cat. The mystery of its parentage and how it decided Walrus was a suitable home are lost in time and his qualifications for the voyage were yet to be determined. But he had a certain something about him, firstly he had swum 150 feet out to the boat, then just swaggered into the saloon and made it his. When he jumped onto the table and quietly sprang his claws to demonstrate his prowess and determination to get his fare share, we laughed and he had his fill of tuna. He passed the first test and we hoped he would see it through. Were we go no man or beast gets a holiday cruise, we must use every skill and cunning we possess. A stranger crew and ship that ever sailed the seas I could not imagine and I hope the enemy do not either, such a clandestine contraption and speed against the wind. Rudy assures me Walrus also has big teeth as well, we are sure to need them. Ships Log: Sea 7 foot swell, anchored off Port of Stephen Wind S 35 knt 05:20 prepare for sail at 05.30

My doc has the usual mags but also some car,bike and boat stuff. And national geographic. Helps stop me running out and a certain help with mental health. But agree they are generally very sexist in their offerings.

Scangriffin, I feel for you mate, A whole generation at least has suffered this abuse and the government seems happy to push away any responsibility nor ensure the churches etc pay. The Royal commission was hobbled and the LNP made damn sure the compo was minimal and damaging to even apply for. Parliament is still full of their enablers- just look at Scomo- his spiritual advisor heads a church that covered up abuse and no case had been charged even though plenty of evidence exists.

Given what is happening on Parliament at present- we need to rethink this.. The current government have clearly no respect for the people, the law or any transparency. They do respect their mates, as long as they get a big favour- the money can flow. Over half a billion in rorts in the election year and much more hidden. AFP have shown themselves completely captive to the LNP- did not even look into Taylor affair of fraud documents to influence a government (Sydney Council). Just said its a waste of time. Corrupting the entire gov process is a waste of time to investigate- says it all really. ScoMo refuses to answer any questions, makes sure documents are never released or redacted. We are not a democracy at all. Much more important than getting a president. We are now part of the rogue 3. USA, UK and Australia. Rule of law is for others, rule of greed is the new normal.