Good outcome for you cantswim.
You should now be able to have a relaxing Christmas.
If you happen to come across a genuine 96-97 Falcon Outback ute 5 speed manual that is headed for the crusher, and it has the centre seat and gear stick trim piece as in these photos, please grab those bits for me including seat belts.
I know they are as rare as rocking horse dung but you just might come across them one day.
I am wanting to legally convert my panel van from 2 seater to 3. The rules are tough.
Yep, 4 sure, another boring, dead quiet non descript holiday just like all the rest, (sigh)
Haha, looking at another boat now, The owner says its lacking power, but there's room for another engine if I feel the need, ROFL
G'day Graham, you did tell me about the ex 40 footer. I use Joe Walsh the rigger at Woolwich, a very good job at a fair price. I bought my furler and headsail from Greg Netwon, owner of the marina (and various other businesses), and his son Sam. I got to know Greg reasonabley well. He entered an original FJ in the Peking to Paris rally last year.
I am in Nowra next week but I won't arrive till later on Tue and am back to Sydney late Wed. Not enough time to join you for a beer.
Hey cantswim4****
Good outcome - the best really.
There's plenty of good boats out there, it's a buyers market.
It'd be well worthwhile joining a yacht club near where you live. You'll be able to sail as much as you want - lots of yachties want extra crew for their boats. You'll learn heaps, get to know what you want in a boat, hear of worthwhile boats for sale, make some good boatie friends, learn if sailing is for you, go ocean cruising on other people's boats, etc, etc.
And when you're ready, have plenty of help getting your own boat.
By the way, I reckon if you want to go sailing don't build your own boat (or take on too big a renovation of an old one).
Cheers
I love happy endings.
If you do join a club, you may end up being smarter than alot of us and realise you don't need to own a boat to go sailing.
Heaps cheaper on other peoples boats.
Hehe,
CHEERS crusty ( good bit of lateral thinking)
I want to be able to throw anchor at the drop of a hat and take a snooze, or do a spot of fishing, maybe some diving, spend a night or two on the water doing absolutely bugger all
So this really calls for my own boat,
I have 3 powerboats at the moment, 16 foot 1/2 cabs.....(toys)
one in sydney, one here, and one in adelaide, so getting my feet wet isn't a problem,
I want a few more creature comforts these days, Like a real toilet, galley, etc,
I still have a catermaran for sailing (no room for a dunny)
So I have been looking for a large boat of any type,
Sailboats are just way cheaper than powerboats (either suits me)
Can't swim , 2 best days you own a boat "The day you buy it and The day you sell it" for most people those 2 days are way too far apart 
Another good saying is " The poor man pays the most " which would have rung so true in your case. You got a great get of jail card , that refit would have been a labour intensive , soul destroying money pit.
Better luck on the next purchase.
BOAT Better Organise Another Thousand, spelt wrong,
Should be BOATT!! Better Oraganise Another Ten Thousand.
Dusty
Only young 1980s??Not so young anymore! If I was you I would buy a epirb and a good RIB tender, work out the total distance and fuel required and motor her most of the way with perhaps just some head sail furled out for stabilty as well as reducing fuel costs.Only make 2 stops if you need to and try to make passages when there are large highs tracking across the Great Australian Bight. Also take a laptop with next G internet so Bom or Sea breeze weather can be tracked most of the way.If no auto pilot u will need to take a crew so you can take 3 or 4 hour watches.
Now, THAT would go to windward!
