Saturday 14 March 2015

Previous warning unnecessary as over 3 months have elapsed in peace and tranquility, but this felicitousness was bound to end sometime and why not now? ...OK, you didn't have to groan that loudly - understandable, but quite rude actually.

Ski holiday in Whistler/Blackcomb was excellent as snowmaking and overnight preparation mostly made up for severe lack of precipitation, temperatures remained hardly below freezing, the sun sparkled from a deep azure sky and no orthopedic interventions were invoked. By the 5th day we had regained our ski legs and were reluctant to have it end. Ibuprofen is our friend.

Additionally, visited good mates in Tacoma and Oahu, which kept us away for a total of 4 weeks. Now, however, we're back, plumbing the depths of sloth, yet attempting to do actual boat work in preparation for casting off into the wild blue yonder (the other one) in mid-May.

This effort has proceeded haltingly amongst periods of screwing off and having fun (often concurrent). The interval hasn't been totally squandered, however, as brightwork was varnished with some really cool stuff that is guaranteed to last 5 years without attention... a claim that is no doubt preposterous although reports indicate a good year at least.

In the "oh crap, I didn't want to do that" basket, due to irremediable, structural rust (304 stainless?) we replaced the single 134 gallon water tank, situated beneath aft island bunk, with 2 smaller tanks (316 stainless) totalling a tad more. Since the old one was installed during original construction when it was unnecessary to fit it through a hatch or companionway, more extensive effort was required moving it out. Being disinclined to detach the deck for this purpose we determined it might be appropriate to cut the thing into bite-sized chunks. Wading through a goodly amount of sludge from fine stainless sawdust mixed with residual water was an added inducement. Anyway, all now OK as leakage is minor and plumbing will only need a small alteration or two for proper operation.. probably.

Thursday 26 March

Have been working like a beaver (the chilled out, torpid kind) on the boat for the last 2 weeks. Pedestal has been re-engineered so that one needn't resort to a periscope for seeing over or around a massive instrument pod, some deck hardware has been rebedded and multiple projects (remounting nav station instruments, powering starboard secondary winch, replacing puny alternator with high power unit and smart regulator, etc.) are in train for completion any time now.. probably. Renovation of head vanities is showing signs of stasis as boat builder has not displayed a significant amount of enthusiasm for the project by, oh say, doing something.

Couple of miscellaneous tidbits: in Whistler one may purchase a "warm hot chocolate"; in America one asks "how are you doing?" or "how is it going?" whereas Kiwis ask "how are you going?" (a bit more efficient perhaps) and finally, watched an in-port race of the Volvo Round the World 65s then their departure on leg 5 headed around the Horn for Itajai, Brazil. They're the dog's bollix.

Thursday 9 April

Well, managed to avoid completing a single issue of this fine literature during the 4 months and a day in Auckland. Time there was, as always, ill-spent and terrifically enjoyable. Did, however, manage to get a couple of things done and in another few months at current pace should have the boat ready for passage. We leave for New Caledonia in 5 weeks.

Currently motor-sailing to Whangarei for further modest efforts and ill-spending - time and money. Wind marginally cooperative.

Jack