... break down where no-one has broken down before. Well, we have broken down here before, but never in such a big way.
Engine given a minor service. Not much left to be done for her. I was advised to use her very sparingly - for leaving and entering the harbour, but not much else.
Other things came to light too - the domestic water tank leaks (port side). Over 300ltrs of fresh water in the bilges. Bilge pump inoperative. Sump pump still works - or more precisely struggles. Both were replaced. It's only money.
Family duly collected. Lifted my spirits more than just a bit. Guapa is now truly liveable down below. How do they do that?
Forecast for tomorrow crap: F5 on the nose. Sunday looking slightly better. Wind forecast to decrease, but if the direction remained the same (NW) I plan to divert to Ramsgate. At least then we've gotten the boat on the proper side of the Channel.
Wait and see.
| 2009 |
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I left Guapa last night feeling confident that everything would be done when I arrived today at 16H00. I had even left a little list of 8 items to be completed. Was everything done? Of course not - can't say I was even surprised. Angry? Yes. But surprised? No.
Of my list of 8 points 2 had been done, but it seems they frittered away 4 precious hours on minor cosmetic details, seemingly oblivious to the fact that this was the final day, that we were sailing - no matter what. Good craftsman, but couldn't manage a piss-up in a brewery.
Now what? We sail at 23H00 - you've got till then.
With Alain as crew we left our berth at 22H30 to bunker. Still some jobs left undone, but I was past caring. The boat could sail and I just wanted to get out of the place.
The moment we left the dock I felt like a weight had been lifted of my shoulders. She was mine again. Motoring down the Scheldt river with the tide. Quiet and almost relaxing.
The peace and quiet wasn't going to last long. Just short of Zandvliet the engine spluttered and then died. There was some wind from the right so I quickly hoisted the sails. Speed had taken a knock, but at least we were still moving.
Then the wind - of course - veered. Bang on the nose. Tacking downriver across one of the busiest fairways in the world. Centrale Zandvliet on our case: 'What do you think you are doing?' - or words to that effect. I explained our predicament and they were most understanding and promised to 'keep an eye on us'.
And so it continued - not everyone was so understanding (Centrale Hansweert and Flushing in particular). One even sent the police after us. Had to promise to keep out of the fairway 'as much as possible'. We tried.
The tide had turned against us, so I started fiddling with the engine. Cleared the cooling circuit and changed the impeller. Job done. All OK for about 15 minutes... then the stern gland started smoking. Another check - added extra grease. Next: splashing sound from down below. Engine more or less afloat. Stern gland had been crying it's eyes out. Pumped out and stern gland nuts tightened.
We skipped the scheduled stop in Breskens, it would have been a shame to waste the favourable tide. We finally secured in Ostend at 18H00. Ninety-six miles in nineteen hours. Not bad under the circumstances.
I need sleep - lots of it. Our mechanic will have his work cut out for him in the morning. It never rains but it pours.
At least the family would be over for the final stretch home.
| 2009 |
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It did not rain today - though we had a couple of close shaves in the morning. Looking good. All done, bar the shouting.
Yesterdays forecast saddled me with another sleepless night. Rain today would have scuppered all my plans this close to the finish (and with no room to manoeuvre). Three hours of sleep (tops) two days before a night sail - far from ideal.
I planned to stay on board tonight to sort the last bits and work through the morning before I picked up delivery crew in Ostend. A plan I abandoned with some reluctance but for all the right reasons.
- We're as good as done - my being there would not get Guapa completed earlier. It's out of my hands now.
- I need sleep (lots of).
Only thing left for me to do tomorrow afternoon: get ready for sea and make Guapa liveable down below.
Under way in less than 24hrs from now... first sail of 2009 (long overdue) is finally upon us and I don't feel anything. It's like it's all happening to someone else. A sailing out-of-body experience.
And I miss the family lots - had really wanted them to be here to share the moment. Not long now.
Nigh-night.
| 2009 |
|
Made a mistake. Got the tidal calculations wrong. Mixed up HW Antwerp and LW Flushing. Easy thing to do. Well, it was for me. Luckily I spotted it in time.
Departure now rescheduled - Wednesday 23H00. Lock booked - they require 48hrs notice for a night opening. This will have is fighting the tide for an hour, but as it's neaps we should be all right. Arrival Breskens around 05H00 - tide turns 11H30 - Ostend by 17H30 Thursday. Looking forward to it.
The boat: it rained this afternoon. Bugger. Cockpit's as good as done - the 'hump' behind the wheel still needs to be sanded down in places (by hand), but apart from that, we're done.
Small bits of the aft deck still need caulking (oversight), both hatches are all but ready (they just need to be sanded down).
Ideally all of this should be done tomorrow - not a problem, but IT MUST NOT RAIN!! Forecast: rain & thunderstorms possible.
Let's hope and pray all goes well tomorrow, then Wednesday should leave nothing more but cleaning and kitting the last bits in place.
Fingers - and everything else - firmly crossed. Everything depends on the weather now.
| 2009 |
|
Rain stopped play - nearly. Tarpaulin to the rescue.
Arrived Antwerp early a.m. Saturday. The now customary disappointment followed. Little progress on the cork, but entirely new anchor well hatch - built from scratch.Rain Thursday & Friday was the explanation. Water under the bridge - sun's shining now. Let's get cracking.
By Saturday evening the entire cockpit was done - bar the sanding down. Tomorrow the hatches - forward and aft.
This morning - torrential rain. Not now! Fuck! Job to be done down below - install the new(ish) cooker. All done by lunchtime. That took longer than I expected it to. No change there then.
Then... It stopped raining. First for a bit, then for longer spells. In the mean time we'd gotten the entire boat under tarpaulin. Not exactly ideal circumstances, but do-able (only just). Leaks in uncomfortable places - crew moral at a low. Just when I was ready to write off the day, the skies cleared.
Renewed crew vigour. And a true miracle - both hatches as good as finished. Corked, glued and caulked in the blink of an eye. When did that happen? I still pinch myself from time to time - unbelievable.
What's left to be done? Sanding of the cocpit and forward and aft hatches. Fit the last of the deck fittings (granny bars, spi pole, hinges and locks of the hatches), cork about 500 cm/sq and the aft deck, and application of some silicone around the hatches and toe rails. And that's it.
Forecast for tomorrow's not brilliant, but Tuesday and Wednesday are looking (very) good. Either way, all to be done and dusted not later than Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday evening the sails go back on. Thursday morning... Guapa sails.
The 'plan' is to get to Breskens, lay over for an hour or two (wait for the tide to turn) and head for Ostend. Arrival Ostend around midnight. No doubt followed by the 'big sleep'.
Friday the engine gets it's annual service. There's a suspicion she's not firing on all four and/or air in the cooling circuit. No doubt Cedric will sort it - as he always does. And there's some other bits for him to look at too. Same old, same old...
Friday evening the rest of the family's due. I'm counting the days. There and then this whole adventure/nightmare will be well and truly behind us.
Barring any major disasters, Guapa should be sailing up the Orwell this coming Saturday.
| 2009 |
|
I'm home again - without Guapa. It seems I'm forever chasing this mirage of a completed boat. The story so far...
Friday started off well enough. Picked up a replacement life-raft in Chatham en route to Dover and the ferry. Early night.
Awoke first thing Saturday morning and made the trip to Antwerp to arrive before 09H00. We had to shift to another berth - a race coming in.
First impression of the progress to date what somewhat underwhelming - again. What seems to have become my nemesis - the anchor well hatch - looked a lot worse than it did this time last week. What the hell?
Let's discuss later - move the boat first. Ten minutes later, all done. My close quarters manoeuvring skills seem to have improved.
Some tentative sunshine, and dry overall. The remainder of the deck was sanded down. The manufacturer recommended sanding down in 2 go's - have grain to start and finish off with a light grain. Settled on one go - medium grain - to save time.
The marina's non-tidal - access via lock HW -/+ 1. However, to be able to remain open longer (to allow all the racers enough time to get in - water level in the dock was allowed to drop by approximately a metre. Guapa developed a distinct (20°) list to port. Not easy to work on deck in these conditions.
Racers arrived and water rose quickly - afloat again. Large X-Yacht (heavily sponsored boat) moored the other side of the pontoon. Matching clothing, shades, peroxide blonde bimbos and very loud boinc-boinc-boinc music (or what passes for music). So, that's how the other half lives. It seems the skipper of the boat objected to our somewhat dishevelled presence... so our second shift of the day. Reversing into a Dutch-style 'box' and substantial cross-wind.
I don't exactly remember how I pulled it off, but I did. Fifteen minutes of buttock clenching later we were all secure. On with the job.
Last bits caulked and I installed the winches. Beautiful they are too - prettiest things on deck. Long day (10hrs) but a lot was achieved. A few more days of this and we would be able to sail Wednesday. Weather forecast for Sunday promised more of the same - fingers crossed.
Sunday morning started promising enough. Sunshine. perfect time to get to grips - once and for all - with the anchor well hatch. More epoxy applied. Things seemed more ore less on a level. The last rough bits would be sanded down later. The thing was left to dry and harden. Meanwhile Frank sanded down the last bit of the deck that still needed doing and I topped up the tank with fresh water (must not forget to add tablets).
Then I took a closer look at the anchor well hatch - it had warped completely. Saddle shaped. I have no idea about what went on, but it was obvious the thing was FUBAR. Reluctantly Frank agreed. Only option left - start again from scratch. Another quick trip Antwerp-Ghent-Antwerp to collect some balsa.
Upon my return the heavens opened up - torrential rain. Drenched in a matter of minutes.There went the day.
Even through rose-tinted spectacles it became obvious that we would not sail this week. No way, no how. That anchor well needs to be closed.
New style realism set in - a frank exchange of words with Frank (pun intended). Price agreed - get the job done. Don't care how you do it. As Frank's due to leave for Crete in two weeks (and needs a couple of days to prepare for that) I'm quietly hopeful I'll be able to sail some time the middle of next week.
So, what still remains to be done? Hatch covers - fore and aft, and the cockpit. The cockpit's a fairly straightforward affair; the aft hatch cover's over half done; the main job's the anchor well hatch cover. Given some half-way decent weather completion by the middle of next week is possible.
Eight months in the job, within sight of the finish line, and I'm praying for 'no rain'. That it should have come to this. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime, never again kind of experience. The only thing that keeps me going right now are the expressions of admiration from passers-by. Maybe, it will all be worth it in the end.
| 2009 |
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What can I say? I took a step back on Sunday. At the end of my tether. My health was suffering - another stroke loomed large. All the symptoms were there (numbness in the face and right hand & arm + a pins and needles sensation that wouldn't go away). My brain's been writing cheques my body could no longer cash.
Faced with another week of commuting, aching muscles and bones and being on my own, I caved in. Went home with Brigitte and Yanni craving sleep, peace and quiet. The mind-numbing tedium of the office was, for once, something to look forward to.
I left instructions regarding work priorities, but going by recent conversations on the phone, these have been largely ignored. What will I find when I see her again? What progress will have been made? Heaven only knows.
However, one firm and irrevocable decision has been reached: I'm bringing Guapa home. As she is, finished or not. Tomorrow's my last ferry Channel crossing - next time I'll be sailing Guapa.
We're very, very nearly out of time and money. Whatever still needs doing, I'll do it myself, or I'll have some pre-fabricated panels made by Stazo (the manufacturers of the cork). One way or another, we're done. The open-ended story ends; and it must end soon! In a matter of days.
Ready for the first step on our way home - at last.
Our mooring awaits.
| 2009 |
|
Down in the dumps at the moment. Things are not going well. Despite my best efforts, work's not progressing at the pace it should or I had hoped for.
Who'll show up for work in the morning? A bit hit or miss at the moment; and there's only so much Brigitte and I can manage ourselves.
We 'lost' a day and a half to the weather last week, and going by current forecast, Monday's not looking great either. Tuesday the crew definitely won't show up for work. This means we've effectively only 4 or maybe 5 days left to get the job done. Some cork still has to be cut, other has already been cut but is still to be glued, caulked and sanded.
And we're out of time - no more extension's possible. I have to show up for work sometime. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.
Brigitte and Yanni are going home tomorrow, leaving me to face the music one more week. They've been a comfort and support while they were here. It'll be doubly hard when they're gone. Meanwhile Evita soldiers on - alone - at home. In the middle of AS exams.
I never thought it would come to this, but I've started to dislike going to the boat. Day in, day out... working all hours.
And not even doing stuff I enjoy, but painting, fixing, rewiring... All stuff I hate with a vengeance. I bought a boat to go sailing, not for it to be a DIY project.
To top it all, engine problems. Current iron main only running on 3 of the 4 cylinders. Another reconditioning (this would be the third) is out of the question. Replacement...
We might - but I'm not holding my breath - get to sail some time this year. If only to move the boat from one shipyard to another.
Owning a boat has never been less fun than right now. I swear, she's trying to kill me. Stephen King, feel free to call regarding the book/movie rights.
Guapa consumes all. I think about her all day, every day. At night, I dream about her (nightmares). It's too much.
My gran turned 100 a week or so ago. Big party today - all the family there. Some people I haven't seen in over a decade. Guess what? We had to leave after only a few hours because we still had to paint parts of the coach roof. And, of course, that didn't go well either - paint spilt on deck, bruised shins, ...
Right now I feel like curling up in a corner somewhere with a bottle of something strong. Roll on oblivion.
| 2009 |
|
Over a week since the last entry - what's up? Nothing and everything, but mostly, I've been far too knackered to bother with the blog.
Quick update: what have we achieved over the last week? Everything (bar the anchor well hatch) forward of the mast has been done. Either it's in place, has already been caulked or cut, ... the hard work's done. There's no reason, apart from the weather, the entire foredeck should not be finished in another day.
Coachroof's been cut an fitted. Being glued in place tomorrow a.m. , a day to dry and another on to allow the caulking to set. Job done - or as good as.
Down below every thing's once again ship-shape - cabinets rebuilt, headlinging's back in place and electrics have been rewired. And today was spent restocking the boat. Van hired - filled to the roof - everything offloaded and humped on board. And entirely a family effort to boot. Want decent crew? Find a good woman and breed your own.
It may still look a bit of a mess, but what she looks like now is miles removed from the junkyard she was only a week ago.
Still to be done: cockpit and the tiny poop-deck. Whilst Frank and Joeri are busy laying cork, the plan's for us to finish the paint job. All hands to the pumps.
Completion - and hence, first sail of the year - is only a matter of days, rather than weeks, away.
And it has to be. I don't think I can take much more of this. I'm completely and utterly exhausted - both mentally and physically. (Yeah, yeah; I've had my share of 'Not used to hard work' comments). But these past 2 weeks have been very draining. Rise at silly o'clock in the morning - commute to Antwerp - work 10 hour days - commute back. By the time I've had dinner there's not much left in the tank. I just pour myself into a sofa and watch some TV (or what passes for TV these days). And repeat... Muscles I didn't even know I had ache.
At least, Brigitte and youngest offspring have been over since last Friday to lend a hand. Huge difference. Though surrounded by people I've felt quite lonely at times.
Plan is to set sail not later than Wednesday. We need to; I'm rapidly running out of time (having run out of money a while ago - thank goodness for relatives). We're already missing the Ostend at Anchor festival (first time in 8 years) - and that was the project deadline - I'm now also running out of leave days.
So, Alea iacta est: next Wednesday - transit home via Berskens and Ostend - in one day, or possibly two. I can almost taste the salt water on my lips.
| 2009 |
|
Another hectic day - picked up long-time and long-suffering friend and sailing companion Alain in Ghent very early in the a.m. Made Antwerp just before the traffic jams.
And a good thing too - launch was scheduled for 10H30 - tractor turned up 09h00 sharp. We were by no means ready - let's not quibble about an hour. However, I did get the opportunity to apply anti-foul in the places we couldn't reach because of the cradle.
Long story short - 45 minutes later we were afloat, engine did start second time round, there was no wind, and I still know how to park my baby. Onlookers impressed - and said so. It's good to be the king - big grin.
Shroud fittings caused a bit of a panic early in the morning - some we did yesterday afternoon needed to be redone - sharp-ish. Non military personnel seemed daunted but came through in the end - colours flying. By 14H00 everything was in place as it should be.
Stepping of the mast was a doddle - all done in less than 30 mins (well, an hour if you include a quick trip to the local swindlery). Mast and boom fitted, proper tension applied to the shrouds, ... At times like these Alain's worth his weight in gold.
A thing of beauty - Guapa looks soo much better with the mast up. And impressive too. More than a bit proud. We didn't hank on the sails; it would have been a step too far, for no added benefit. Soon though.
Meanwhile - the home front. The news has been mixed. On the plus side: Evita's A.S. exams are going brilliantly - no surprise there (she's got my brains, but uses them a lot better).
On the minus side: Brigitte's been suffering from 'calcific tendinitis'. Major/minor treatment (keyhole surgery) yesterday, and my other half seems to be in quite some pain. Let's be honest, I even forgot about it. And right now I'm three hundred miles and the Channel away. And I feel and think I'm not where I should be. I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you, my love, even if it's the last thing I do.
There we are, inching closer towards completion. Guapa's no longer just a hulk, but a yacht in need of some attention.
One more working day tomorrow, followed by a day of R&R. We could all use one. The adrenaline rush of the impending launch will start to wear off soon.
Final stretch - first sail hopefully just a few days (but certainly no more than a a week) away. If the weather holds.
Light at the end of the tunnel. The old girl's first sight of daylight in eight months - it's been too long.
| 2009 |
|
The night before... too tired/knackered too sleep.
Lots happened these past 4 days. Visible and quantifiable progress was made. Deck's about 80% done - over half's already been caulked and sanded (looking good).
What does still need doing? Forward of the anchor well - the two fair leads we were waiting on finally arrived today.
Coach roof and cockpit - though some of the cork has already been cut.
Poop deck - the cork frame has already been cut.
New anchor well hatch needs to be finished, as does the 'cellar' hatch.
Fit winches.
What's been done - nearly all deck fittings are now in place. Rush job tomorrow morning to sort the last ones.
Nearly all the head linings down below are back in place. She's almost liveable again.
There's a law in physics - gasses expand to fill all space available. This is also true for marine projects - they will consume all time and money available. We're nearly out of time, and most certainly out of money. A firm hand at the tiller was required, and these past four days progress has been remarkable.
At a cost though, labour relations have been somewhat strained. It would seem the junior member of the workforce doesn't handle stress that well. Nothing some time off won't cure, but not just yet.
We launch at 10H30 - early start to be in Antwerp not later than 08H15. We still have to get the mast ready for stepping; for and aft shrouds fittings still to go on... Other worries: will the engine start, will there be a lot of wind, ... ? And then in the afternoon: sails on. A bit I'm particularly looking forward to - apart from the winches, she'll be a complete, proper yacht again.
Not just yet, but soon - very soon. Once she's back in the water the first sail can't be too far away.
Lot's going through my mind - at the moment I live, eat, sleep and dream the boat. The rest of the world and my life's light years away. At least there are the daily phone calls home to keep me in touch with reality. Missing the family loads - at least they'll be here next week to share this roller-coaster ride with me.
Must try and get some sleep now.
| 2009 |
|
Nearly there... I think... I hope...
It's only been 4 days since I last saw the boat. Starboard side's coming along nicely. Yet, somehow, I had hoped for more. Just a bit forward of the mast. So some way to go yet. And there's the matter of the fish bone along centre line. If past form's anything to go by, another time-consuming job.
Whilst the quality of the work's top notch, timekeeping's not one of Frank's strong suits. I, once again, impressed on him the importance of the schedule. We launch on the 20th - still lots to do... cleats, fairleads, stanchions, genoa track, ... All the deck fittings have to be in place by then.
To be able to fix the shroud fittings in place, the headlining down below has to be back in place. To be able to do that all the cupboards and lockers (re)moved have to be back where they were. Time to pull the collective finger out. I'll be doing my bit - going over from Friday till completion. That should focus the mind a bit and add a sense of urgency.
What happened over the week-end? New hatch cover for the anchor well was made. Cork laid well forward of the mast starboard side. Cockpit was emptied - (finally) ready for repaint and then the cork. I got all the bits ready and together for the stepping of the mast. Some bits lost (hopefully just mislaid) - shopping list made. The stepping of the mast should go smoothly. Sails back on at the same time - she'll look like a proper yacht by the 20th.
Apart from the issues I've outlined above; what does still need doing?
- Foredeck forward of the anchor well and the centre line - cork application.
- Coachroof and cockpit repaint + cork application. Coachroof should be straightforward, the cockpit seats less so (but nothing major).
- The tiny poop deck - cork application.
- Caulking (all over) and finally sanding down of the entire deck (twice).
- Fit the new oven.
- Still to arrange van rental and sort some boat admin.
We launch on the 20th and we sail not later than the 27th. It's not impossible, but it's going to be (very) tight. Add to that the fact that we're being moved out of the hangar this Friday... fingers crossed for a warm/hot and dry last 2 weeks of May.
Getting more nervous and anxious by the minute. I wish I could just put the next 3 weeks on fast forward.
Going sailing can't be too far away now - for the first time in months I've started taking an interest in the weather again and I even jotted down a few chart corrections. Whatever next?
We launch in nine days - first sail of 2009 hopefully not long after that.
| 2009 |
|
Bank holiday week-end. Three days on the boat. I'm rapidly becoming a regular on the Norfolk Lines ferries. Not a solitary trip this time - youngest offspring in tow.
Day 1:
We have cork. Impressive to look at. Frank's taken me through the work of the past week. He seemed quite pleased with the result, and rightly so. Looking good - understatement.
I left Frank and Joeri to it and started polishing the hull. Especially just above the waterline. Over the last few years we had accumulated substantial algae growth in that area. Not a pretty sight. Gone now. Hope the water repellent wax does what it's supposed to.
It was quite an experience observing Frank at work for a day. Whenever I visited I always enquired about the plans for the next few days or weeks. Yet, when I returned he'd done something completely different. And again this time. But still it all seems to come together in the end. An approach I could not contemplate - I often plan weeks and months ahead. Frank seems to make it up as he goes along. An explanation for the frustration I've felt in the past.
Day 2:
Next job for me: sanding bits of the deck - by hand. Progress was slow. After the hull polishing of yesterday, muscles I didn't even know I had ached.
Progress on the cork was steady and determined. What I saw was two men designing a jig-saw puzzle as they went. The result's impressive. The picture above does not do the work justice at all. More to follow soon.
The day came and went almost routinely. I liked it a lot. Meanwhile Yanni helped, watched, enquired,... in short: he was in his element.
Day 3:
Frank was on his own today, and I left him to it. He knows what he's doing. I had arranged for Cedric - our electrics/mechanics/electronics guru to come over from Ostend. Quite a few jobs for him.
He did not let us down. At the end of the day quite a lot was achieved: old radar system was removed completely (new radar dome to be fitted once we have the stainless steel archway installed); new masthead light was fitted; plotter, Navtex and GPS antennas were back in place; new ultrasonic log installed; new battery monitor/regulator was installed and last but not least the wind generator was installed.
All day, Yanni was once again having the time of his life. His budding electrical and mechanical aspirations and talents all too obvious now. Even Cedric was impressed - not easily done.
Cedric's also identified what may have been causing our autopilot problems - it's either the Rudder Feedback Unit or the rudder stock. Action was taken to rectify the rudder stock problem, if that does not do the trick a new RFU will be installed when we call in Ostend at the end of the month. Job done - or as good as.
Also some not-so-good news - we have to be out of the hangar by the 15th of this month. Launching on the 15th would cause Frank any number of problems so we'll be spending a couple more days on the hard till the 20th (the now confirmed launch date).
Progress on the cork had once again been impressive - and beautiful to behold. When she's all done she's going to turn some heads, even if I say so myself.
Tired, aching and exhausted... and I didn't mind in the least. Not too long now. Back on Saturday. Clear blue skies are looming on the horizon.
Fourteen days till launch.
| 2009 |
|
Mr Stainless at Suffolk Yacht Harbour has produced yet another masterpiece.
We've had this massive (ex German panzer steel) pole on our transom - on top of it sat the (new defunct) Koden GPS antenna.
The pole was brilliant - you could swing from it, cling to it in a serious blow, ... So, when I was looking for a spot to fit the new wind genny, 'the pole' was the obvious place.
Skilfully adapted by Mr Stainless; and at a price that made me smile too. When it comes to boats it's not often you find such value for money.
Another trip to the boat in two days time. Not before time time, the 'boat pile' at the bottom of the stairs is growing again. Last bits now.
Three weeks to the day till launch.
| 2009 |
|
Today was to have been the day of 'first cork'. Alas, it was not to be. We had lost sight of the hatches - anchor well and aft locker. They needed attention too. Old teak to be stripped, degreased and painted ready for the cork.
As with all things, it was not as straightforward as hoped. Underneath the teak the aft locker hatch turned out to be all marine plywood and rotten to the core. The anchor well hatch was part GRP underneath the teak and part marine ply. That needed attention too. I was swearing (lots of) internally bit Frank and Joeri (new kid on the block) took it in their stride. Frank starting doing his 'mad professor' thing again and began mixing all kinds of chemicals. Joeri busied himself with mats and the past Frank had brewed up. Couple of hours later - two new hatch covers.
Whilst they were busy doing their stuff I carried on with what seems to have become my assignment: I cleaned and polished. There was what seemed like half the Gobi dessert down below in GRP dust. Face mask donned and 3 hours later, with the help of an industrial size, Dalek like, hoover Guapa was once again (more or less) spotless down below.
The rest of the time I polished our deck fittings - they now gleam and sparkle as new.
The laying of first cork's now been delayed by a day, and I won't be there. I had really wanted to be. Alas, work interferes. Work's not something I can get out of. Well, not always. But money has to be made to pay for all this.
Next weekend is another bank holiday one. So looking forward to another trip over and a few days on the boat. What will progress have been like?
Twenty three days till launch.
| 2009 |
|
