Thanks Nic, I did try to be on my best behaviour so as to appear normal, and noted you lot were quite reasonable for 'tothersiders

Cheers for the beers!

decrepit said..
Bugger Matthew, that's not fun.

Dot says, that's worse than a prang in Murry Bridge, at least out insurance bought us a new vehicle, and we only got to Sandy Point 3 days late.

... if you try to "make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition" -> the mechanic may forget to tighten-up the gearbox-sump-plug, only to have all the oil drain out of it.

Apparently lots of little bits of metal sitting on the bottom of the box... and not a drop of oil in sight, and no hope of a rebuild. So a whole box is being sent.

I may eventually meet up with everyone !

mathew said..


... if you try to "make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition" -> the mechanic may forget to tighten-up the gearbox-sump-plug, only to have all the oil drain out of it.

Apparently lots of little bits of metal sitting on the bottom of the box... and not a drop of oil in sight, and no hope of a rebuild. So a whole box is being sent.

I may eventually meet up with everyone !

That's nasty Mat, had it happen with an engine sump plug, but got just in time warning when the hydraulic lifters started collapsing. With a gearbox, I suppose it's nothing.

Best revise
"make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition"
to
"If it ain't broke don't fix it for at least 6 months before a long trip."

I better not tell you how it's been for the stay-at-home east coasters.

^^^35kn cross shore and head hi waves Ian?

I assume you put the beers on needsalt? Mark spends all his spare money on scrounging windsurfing bits and bobs, there's barely money left over for beers and definitely no money for ice!

He said you're a friendly lot (for poleys ), if you need somewhere to camp up on the return trip from SB I've got plenty of room in my back yard.

Ended up going out yesterday arvo at Seperation point. It was honking. We were hoping that storm was going to fall away. Was out two minutes and it dropped out. Got chased up the beach by lightning. Killed it instantly.

Sounds like shouldve made the trip up to Corros. Whats the local rules up at Corros, poleys vs teabags Mark?

^^^dreamin!

Sorry we missed you Tardy! We sailed the left boob on Tuesday but are back in Gero for now. Had a great sail with Mark at Corro yesterday while the ladies went kiting in town. Cracked out the goat boats down south today for a fun play in small waves and some much appreciated rolling tuition from Sailquik. He paddles as impressively as he sails. I love it here. I understand even goat boats have priority over kites in WA Chris? I shouldn't knock kiters - they make sensational cooks!!

needsalt said..
Sorry we missed you Tardy! We sailed the left boob on Tuesday but are back in Gero for now. Had a great sail with Mark at Corro yesterday while the ladies went kiting in town. Cracked out the goat boats down south today for a fun play in small waves and some much appreciated rolling tuition from Sailquik. He paddles as impressively as he sails. I love it here. I understand even goat boats have priority over kites in WA Chris? I shouldn't knock kiters - they make sensational cooks!!

No worries ..we had a great day today ..sailed for 3 hours ..we where on 7.0 ..but that's ok ..
most days have been on a 5.8 ..100 litre board ..looking for Cervantes Tuesday and a thirsty point pizza .
we head for safety bay next .wednesday Thursday .
west .love it 8 times in a row now .blowvember.

Geez can you people stop outing all the secret spots, nobody has heard of "WA"

mmm. boobs huh... where is that one?

(.)(.)

damn that apres sail food looks top notch

mathew said..

mineral1 said..
Mat, not sure up there who can help you out re Sprinter repair. Have left a message with mate who lives in Kalgoorlie. Soon as he calls I can let you know.
PM me your mobile number so I can talk direct
If we have to skull drag you to Perth, no bigun, I have a 105 cruiser to do the drag to Perth. Is it rear wheel or front wheel drive?
Mike

Just spoke to Mike - he has offered to drag me kicking and screaming to Perth - thanks !

-> will see how the Kalgoorlie mechanic fairs...

Windsurfing community to the rescue !

I think my first decision to "just get it fixed in Kalgoorlie" was the right choice. It certainly wasn't cheap - but it was about what I expected. The mechanic got to work on it on the first day of it being there - they ordered a replacement gearbox on the first day.

With delivery coming from Sydney - their best guess of "late Monday or Tuesday next week" was pretty accurate [ if only other people were so accurate ]. Whether it was fixed in Perth or Kal, wouldnt have made too much difference - Kal only added an extra day of no vehicle due to the extra distance.


A specific thanks to Mineral whom offered to tow me the 700+ Km's - that is what I'd call "pretty awesome". Mineral *also* did some ringing around for repair costs - that helped confirm the choice.

And thank to Crasher whom offered a troopy for a lend - again "pretty awesome".