SV True North

 I’m still anchored at Carnarvon but a lot has happened since the last post.  When I was unable to get the autopilot repaired locally, I ordered a new unit which would take 3 weeks to a month to arrive.  My crew John and Fran decided they did not want to wait and so left to return home.  I arranged for a sports store in Carnarvon to allow me to have the autopilot shipped to their address so I could wait at Carnarvon and search for new crew. I placed advertisements for crew on several crew wanted web sites.  Another yachtie friend Marcel also spread the news and he was able to quickly send me some potential candidates.  My ads turned up several additional good crew prospects.  After several interviews, I offered positions to two people, Glen and Paul.  Both are Australian, experienced sailors and retired.  Glen will arrive tomorrow and Paul should arrive next Monday. Just after John and Fran left, one of the motors in my dinghy davits failed....

 We visited the beach at Monkey Mia and had a drink and snack at the resort restaurant.  While there we saw Emus and Pelicans close up.  The star of the area are the dolphins that come into the beach and hang around the area.  We saw all three but I only took pictures of the birds. Monkey Mia is thought to come from a boat named Monkey staying here along with Mia which is aboriginal for home.  Others think a boat with a monkey aboard was frequently moored here. Fran at the resort with True North anchored furthest out. Emus Mr. Pelican

 It’s been a while since I updated the blog.  Since the autopilot motor failed, we must steer True North by hand.  This means there is less time while underway to make blog entries. John and I spent some time diagnosing the problem with the autopilot.  When activated, the motor comes on trying to turn the board but the motor shaft does not turn.  The motor contains a clutch to disconnect it from the steering system when we are manually steering.  The clutch is not activating even though the correct signal is being sent. The autopilot motor being analysed  Once we determined the problem with the motor we set about trying to find someone nearby who may be able to make a repair.  After a couple of calls to local marine chandlers, we had a suggestion to call an auto electrician in Carnarvon which was within 60 miles of our location.  The electrician said he could take a look at the motor the following week so we agreed that drop it off Monday May...