Baby Doll Update

Baby Doll has a permanent home. She now resides on the shelf in the lounge room. After delivery from The Builder there remained several small jobs to complete; mainly the set up of the remote control; connect the power source; charge the batteries; and finalise the water cooling; install drive shafe gland seal.

Some guidance from the Flight Captain set me on the right path for safely handling the LiPo battery and channel selection so that the throttle and rudder controls could work. Still dealing with the problem of the propeller running backwards. The instructions say to merely swap any two of the three wires between the motor and the ESP, but I'm not confident in doing this until I can get additional confirmation that this won't short the battery out.


Lithium Polymer batteries require a great deal more care and attention that their older cousins, NiCad and Nickle Metal Hydride. The main concern is to not allow them to discharge any more than 20% of their max charge. To do so will permanently damage the battery. The ESC manages the 'low voltage cutoff threashold' and detects the the battery's voltage at any time and if the voltage is lower than the threashold for 2 seconds, the output power will be reduced by 50%. Recharging before further use is mandatory for continued safe battery operation.

Maddie's First New Years Eve at Grovedale with Granma

Vic and John were off early for a dentist appointment, then over to Wallington, but that didn't stop Gaye from getting some quality time in with Maddie before they left.

Properly Provisioned...

... and after a great eggs and bacon breakfast at Tessa's we set out the following day to check out the start to the Sorento to Launceston/Hobart Race.

Cock of the Bay Racing

Sailing in the Cock of the Bay 2009 from Melbourne to Blairgowrie on Peregrin with Barry, Bruce, Ryan, Luke, Clarky, Logs and Daniel. Barry the sly dog, talked about starting second rank, but pinged the start hitting the the line right on the barging mark with plenty of room under us to clear our wind - and even got our faces on the Chanel 7 news. South to South East breeze all the way which meant we never set a spinaker - on the nose all the way. Killed all teh Sydney 38's so we thought we were in with a chance on IRC handicap division

Christmas 2009 at Home

Guest blog-spot: Maddie's first Christmas, by Maddie's Dad.

What a week it's been! Vic plucked up the courage to take to the skies with Maddie on her first plane ride at 6 weeks old. I felt pretty bad not being able to join her but, by all reports, Mum and bub survived their one and a half hour trip together quite well. And the screaming part? Well, we've put up with our share of noisy babies in confined spaces.

I arrived on Christmas eve in time for a couple of beers with Geoff and a final flurry of gift wrapping. After a good night's sleep in my wobbly single bed, the big day arrived.

By general consensus, we forewent the traditional Christmas swim due to a fairly average show by the Victorian sunshine and the anticipated antarctic water temps. Yes, we are soft.

Maddie put in a brief appearance at gift time without too much apparent interest, then put herself back to bed. The rest of us swapped Kris Kringle pressies with talking bottle openers and barbecue implements receiving good representation.

Following the present ceremony, the Monties dispersed leaving Gaye and Geoff, Dim and Sue to enjoy lunch together. For Vic, Maddie and myself, it was off to my brother Scot's place. The main festivities were more subdued than the traditional overindulgence in good food and wine for me. I seemed to be constantly settling Maddie, who was a little rattled by the noise and attention of an eager family wanting to meet and have a cuddle. Unfortunately, this got in the way of a beer permanently attached to my hand. Nice day, though, with cricket and darts tournaments later on.

Vic and I have since found some time to relax, with plenty of willing baby-sitters. A couple of rides and games of golf and I remember how nice it is to be home again.

Work Christmas Function

Great dinner for all at Rosati Restaurant, 95 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

New Owner Takes Delivery of Baby Doll

Last week at Ratline Industries Boat Yard, the new owner took formal delivery of the Italian Speedboat 'Baby Doll'.
Several essential formalities were observed. These included;
An extensive training and familiarisation course conducted by non other than the master shipwright himself, Capt. Ratty Gilbert. The new owner was reported later to say that whilst he had hoped that the famous Capt Ratty would attend the ceremony and festivities, he did not in his wildest dreams think that he would actually meet and shake the hand of the famous and ageless craftsman and founder of the prestigious Ratline Industries.
Once the formal signing of the ships papers were completed, all gathered for the ceremony toasted to the ship and the builder with a sip of the finest Limited Edition Ardbeg Blasda Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.
Ships Electronics courtesy of Air Vice Marshal Sir L. Newman.

We Prepare 'Peregrin' for the Cock of the Bay Race

The Cock of the Bay race starts in Melbourne and runs 30 miles along the Port Phillip Bay coast to Portsea. Its a feeder race to the Melbourne Davenport and Melbourne Hobart Races. We will be racing the COTB, then spend the following day as a spectator the the offshore races. Saturday we spent lightening the boat and some necessary maintenance when Ryan got to work all ends of the boat from diving the keel to clean off the weed to the top of the mast to secure the wind instruments.

Mdm Jiang Visits ....

... and we tour the Great Ocean Road.

Magnificent Chistmas Tree

The Editor asked Gaye a few questions about the recent set up of a Christmas tree at home.

Ed: I understand you you have for the past 32 years been the person responsible for setting up the Christmas Tree at the Montgomery household.

Gaye: Yes.

Ed: So obviously you once again set up a tree this year.

Gaye:No.

Ed: What was the different this year?

Gaye: Well, Regan and Steve set it up and they and Susan decorated it.

Ed: How did that make you feel?

Gaye: It was so nice to watch the kids decorate the Christmas Tree this year. I thought that it was lovely seeing the next generation taking over the Christmas traditions.

Amelia Airheart

"Use your fear to find where your courage is." Quote: Amelia Airheart to Shirley Temple.