We motored out of Bluewater Marina down Moon Creek to Yorkeys Knob Boat Club a distance of 2.2 nautical miles (4km), furled up ready to head for Cape York. Go to start the motor and nothing.
New starter motor was fried. Called the company I purchased the starter motor from and they supplied me with Keith Bradshaw’s number. (0438330315). Keith could not do the job as he was on Thursday Island in the Torres Straights. However he offered every bit of help he could, talking me through the various faults and how to narrow the problem down.
A new starter motor was ordered ex Cairns and pickup organised. I continued tracking down the fault to a faulty starter relay/solenoid. Ashdowns could not help but a quick call to Keith and he supplied me with alternatives and the phone number for a company that would source a genuine part. I organised to have the original part overnighted to Cairns. We spent the night on the fuel dock before moving to a berth today after the new starter motor was fitted and I worked out a temporary way to start the motor without burning another starter motor.
Tomorrow we will fit the new part and head North.
Could be stuck in worse places.
