Southport - 27° 58' 25" S 153° 25' 36" E

Eulogy to a Yellow Dinghy

After 10,000 nautical miles together and many grand adventures, we bid farewell to The Yellow Dinghy. Her time had come. Her slow leaks that required re-inflating each day had developed into terminal perforations, requiring a re-inflate every hour. We took her to the dinghy repair place and the prognosis was not good. Her glue is failing, her seams are no longer airtight; she is simply too unsafe.

Oh faithful yellow rubber run-about, you took us to the shore through calm and storm. Onshore, left unattended, you entertained gaggles of squealing children of many nationalities ... some who had never seen a boat made of anything but wood.

Hours of fun for Indonesian Children!

You helped us cart hundreds of litres of diesel and diesel-like fluid (measured in Indo-litres) back to Popeye to help us carry on through the tropics. You bounced along happily behind Popeye across the tropics and the equator (!!!), waiting to serve. You faithfully held OnePull, our beloved outboard, and allowed him to push you through the tropical brine (and occasionally rasp you over rock, sand and coral). You far exceeded the duties you were designed for ... the whole time being super, SUPER photogenic. It was only near the end of your long life that your flaccidness failed to impress. Still, you held a precious place in our hearts.

Farewell Yellow Dinghy, thanks for all the great service and fun times.