Masala—Construction—9

44, 45. LOW LOADER TRIP TO WESTERN PORT

Left: Masala is loaded onto the semi trailer by crane for transport by road to the marina, which is not far away.

Above: the truck has arrived at Western Port Marina,  Hastings. It is reversing up to where the Travel Lift will pick Masala up for launching.

46, 47. LAUNCH—1

Left: on the travel lift.

Right: it was low tide, which made it a long way down!

48. LAUNCH—2

Below: after one year Masala is finally in the water. She still has no mast or sails. And doesn’t she look sleek!

This is her maiden voyage—reversing out of the slipway before motoring to her berth. The engine had only been run once briefly, at the boat yard, with a hose and a bucket of water for cooling. It had been put it into forward and reverse to make sure the propeller turned in the right direction. The steering had also been tested of course, as this is easy to do. Still, the first motoring of the boat was nerve-wracking. Fortunately the day was virtually windless.

49. BUILDING THE MAST

Right: the spar from Allyacht Spars, Brisbane, was the only section that could be obtained in one piece (it is keel stepped for extra strength, which increases the necessary length considerably).

50. PREPARING TO STEP THE MAST

Left: the finished mast has been transported by truck from the boat yard to Western Port Marina, where Masala is berthed. Slings are being fitted for lifting prior to stepping.

The Travel Lift here is unusual in that it has a crane attached, saving the need and expense of hiring a separate mobile crane.