11/05/2009, Port Owen
The final change made was to add a porthole to the raised coach window for ventilation.
I can confirm that this makes a huge difference as we had a couple of 30 plus degree days and with the extra ventilation the interior was much cooler than before.
Now I am being told that I am trying to re-build the boat and that enough is now enough. So I hope that we are now finished with changes on the interior and hopefully I will be fitting the wind genny and an extra solar panel next month and that should be that apart from the SSB radio still to come........
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11/05/2009, Port Owen
With the interior changes we removed the Portside hatch at the galley and replaced this with a Lexan window with a porthole. The hatch we used to replace the Starboard cabin hatch which had a broken hinge and was exactly the same as the one we removed.
The photo attached shows the galley with the new porthole setup ....
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11/05/2009, Port Owen
We had an exilirating sail in 25 knots of breeze on Saturday and all systems are operating as required. That is the auto pilot does not trip (I now have it on a 10 Amp circuit breaker) and it handles the boat readily.
I attach a photo looking aft of the panelling which we did to cover the black water marks on the old veneer .....
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10/31/2009, Port Owen
Rob and I starting off from the Berg River mouth.....
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10/31/2009, Port Owen
To prove that we actually sailed I attach this....
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10/31/2009, Port Owen
Well it took me some time to add to the blog but never fear. Our weekend with Hugh and Glyn passed way to quickly but we really enjoyed seeing them again and the Oysters were devine (or so I believe?)
We were really pleased that our friend Rob from the Vaal could make it out here at the same time so the fun was double as good
As far as the sailing is concerned we had the usual rain on Friday which put a stop to the idea of going to Dassen, but Saturday turned out OK and we had a leasurely sail and a slight overnight at Sandy Point harbour tied up to a motor launch. Unfortunately the wind shifted in the really early hour of the morning forcing us to do a bit of night sailing which turned out to be fun
The picture attached is to prove that our dear friends from Pizzazz was on Mystic
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09/13/2009, Port Owen
Well we finally got our foreign registration for the boat and now we can legally leave SA waters. This happened on the 09/09/09 which we both think would be possible to remember'
The interior has also been finished (might I add after a second try) and Mystic Rhythm is looking stunning.
I will add some pics with the next entry, but for the moment exitement reigns as we will be seeing our seafaring friends from the yacht Pizzazz this weekend and we hope to take them to sea and show them our beautiful sailing area of St Helena Bay and just maybe take them to Dassen Island should the weather Gods take kindly to the suggestion
Till next time .....
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06/18/2009, Port Owen
Well, it's been some time again since the last post, but rest assured we have not been doing nothing
We finally got our Cat A offshore clearance yesterday and will proceed with the foreign bit now
We are planning a trip to Luderitz in December so the foreign thing to legally leave SA waters is now important
The new cushions are looking good and should be completed in the next 2 weeks. There have been a couple of leaks which I have successfully repaired and the boat is now dry in the heaviest of downpours
Now I suppose there will be a time delay before the next post....
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04/05/2009, Port Owen
It's been a while since my last entry, but rest assured we have been busy
At long last the covers are now 99% complete and we are just waiting for the windlass and sheet covers. Marion Cole and Taliep did an excellent job. Everytning looks just as we wanted it and we could not have asked for more.
I believe that due to the extension to our departure date Mads is going to have the saloon and our cabin cushions replaced. But more about that later
My dear friend Pieter has spent the whole weekend working again and Mystic now has a Raymarine linear drive auto pilot (be it un-tested though). I am really proud of the fitment job we did as I'm sure that the professionals could not have done a better job.
We are looking forward to Easter weekend to test the auto pilot although the finishing touches will have to be done on Friday before we can go for the much anticipated sail. The bonus being that Neil and Juanita are coming to join us which will be great. The only bother might be rain as the long term forecast does not look to good
Well.........until next time
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03/02/2009, Port Owen
It's been a while since the last update.
We have now clocked roughly 300 miles with Mystic Rhythm and every time we take her out we enjoy it more
I have done an oil and filter change which was quite a learning curve. The exhaust manifold was loose and leaking, however by tightening the nuts the problem seems to be solved. I have ordered spare filters, tappet cover packings and manifold gaskets from the local agents and will feel a lot happier with spares on board
The sad part of our dream is that the decision has been made that the departure date is now December 2010. This is due to the circumstances around selling the house and the current slump in the economy
Well, all is not gloom and we now have a bit of extra time to complete all the things to be done on the boat
My next post will show photos of the new awnings and cockpit covers which is now nearly complete and will be fitted shortly
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01/12/2009, Port Owen
As usual with weather reports the SA weather services had a classical booby once again. The forecast for Friday 9 Jan 2009 was a bit under rated but Saturday the prdicted 19 knot turned into a 30 knotter with gusts up to 35. This means that we slept under anchor in a really uncomfortable sea.
To really make matters worse the windlass decided that it wants a rest and stopped working which made lifting the anchor plus the extra long scope a real SOB.
Sunday was good sailing with a steady 15 knot North Wester (forecast as 6 to 8 knot South East). Before the wind came up we spotted the Dolphin in the photo. It's an endemic, Heavysides Dolphin of the West Coast of South Africa. The photo is the best I could do with a bit of luck
Well, watch this space as November draws closer.......
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01/05/2009, St Helena Bay
Sunday 28 December 2008 and the forecast is totally wrong.....
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01/05/2009, Port Owen
With all the expectations it was a cruise of mixed seasons
Starting off with a fresh breeze which stayed at 35 knots we decided to rather moor up for the night in the Berg river on Friday.
Saturday morning started after breakfast and we were in St Helena Bay with no wind (rather exciting I would say) and with a weather report of strong Northerly winds for Sunday (Wow!!)
We made it up to Britannia Reef and decided to motor sail back to Sandy Point harbour for a safe haven against the Northerly winds. Believe me that the let down as the Northerly was really 0 - 5 knots was great as we could have slept under anchor at Paternoster BUT... rather safe than sorry is always in order
The wind picked up to a steady 15 knots which made for a relaxing sail and we returned to mooring at 16h00 on the high tide and made it off the boat just as it started raining
Well, much was learned over the 75 odd miles done over the 3 days and we are looking forward to our next cruise locally
The photo shows a concentrating Mads .....
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12/25/2008, Port Owen
Merry Christmas to all who read this.
We are preparing for a 5 day cruise to wherever and the boat is provisioned and only the tender is still to be lashed to the deck.
The attached picture was taken while changing the navigation lamps to LED's.
We now have 12V refrigeration and the solar panels are working and....... happiness is.......
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12/16/2008, Port Owen
Well.... at last she looks like a boat again. This is not due to a lack of hard work. Tiaan really worked hard and a big thanks must go to him.
Now the remaining work will be carried out by the skipper?? No doubt that Mystic will be out at sea at the first opportunity and work will be on hold, but the skipper will be busy......
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11/30/2008, Port Owen
Gremlins and more Gremlins ......
Nothing seems to work.....
Weather Gods decided we are going to fast and arranged for a shower over the freshly painted final coat so back we go to start
Fortunately nothing happened to the inside as we have stopped the leaks so one up for us .....
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11/21/2008, Port Owen
Now for the painting.....
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11/21/2008, Port Owen
Sripping and messing
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11/20/2008, Port Owen
After a period where it felt that nothing was happening it suddenly changed
The handiest guy I ever met was referred to us and he started with removing of the teak decking and repairs to the GRP under the deck. All of a sudden Mystic Rhythm is being transferred to her original beauty and we are most satisfied
The electrician has repaired the freezer which is a bonus and Associated Rigging came through on time and most professional. Our rigging is all fixed and the Pelican hook has been installed and we cannot wait to take her for a sail
In the mean time we found Southern Ropes in Cape Town had a Factory shop and we replaced all the working rigging from there at a fraction of the cost should we have gone the chandler route
I am adding a couple of pics.....
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11/03/2008, Port Owen
Things seem to have come to a stand-still. We really want to get everything done on the boat, but I suppose that I must take lead times into consideration. We now have the Solar panels and regulators, but the stainless guy is still busy with the pipe work and all work must wait till the piping and brackets are fitted.
The teak decking has to be sorted before the life-raft can be fitted and this seams like the next headache. Should we remove the teak or repair/replace the teak? There are all sorts of opinions for and against and we must make up our minds?
Refrigiration is also high on the list, however we have decided that this will be done next year
The rigging has been sorted and we are making the inner forestay a removeable unit. Associated rigging from Cape Town will be doing this next week (if we can believe Cape time?)
We have found someone with a auto-pilot, SSB and wind genny which he wants to sell. As soon as he gives us prices we can make up our mind whether we will buy second hand (although un used) or new.
I attach a photo of the Port Owen opening cruise where Mads and I took Mystic to sea and found out that we cannot tack or jibe with the inner forestay in place (without great difficulty)
Well, warch this space.......
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10/13/2008, Port Owen
Mystic Rhythm at her new mooring.....
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10/12/2008, Port Owen
After a bout of heavy seasickness Juanita joined Neil and Mads and seems at ease with the sea.......
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10/12/2008, Port Owen
The skipper looks quite at ease.........
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10/12/2008, Port Owen
It finally happened.
On a cool Saturday 11 October 2008 we left the Mykonos harbour at 08h00 (and got out into the main harbour of Saldanha at 08h45 after getting stuck on a sandbank) and set coarse for Port Owen. The sea was a bit like a washing machine but we soon changed coarse and ran before the sea which delivered a most enjoyable sail.
We entered the Berg River at 15h50 and tied alongside the holding jetty at 16h00 and had a couple of drinks celebrating our maiden sail.
Mystic Rhythm handled the swell, which we estimated at 3,0 meters very well and we made up to 8 Knots of boat speed which really surprised me. She handles pretty well but you can feel that she weighs 12 - 14 tons as she reacts slowly to the wheel, however she is very dry and comfortable.
Its good to have her home....
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10/07/2008, Mykonos
At last we had something happen on time
Mystic Rhythm is launched and looking spritely. A big thanks to all who helped
Hopefully the weather gods will be kind and give us a gentle Southerly wind to bring her to her new home
Keep watching this space......
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10/05/2008, Mykonos
Well lets hope the second try works better
What ever came into me to think that I should personally do all the work on the boat? I can admit, that was not one of the more clever decisions I have ever made
If it was not for my old school pal, Piet Jooste, Mystic Rhythm would most proberly never be launched. However the new water lock and skin fittings are now installed and we are looking forward to the launch on Tuesday 7 October. She looks really pretty with her polished topsides and her new anti-fouling. (please note that polishing and anti-fouling was done by the Marina service and not by me!!
With all said and done the next exciting moment will be next Friday or Saturday when we sail her to her new home in Port Owen
Untill next time.....
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At Mykonos fuel jetty
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09/22/2008, Mykonos - South Africa
If the truth be told..... I was a bit nervous moving her in the marina with only me and Mads on board but it went without a hitch and we tied alongside the fueling jetty with no fuss. Thereafter the move to the Travel lift went well and boy O boy was there a sigh of relief when she was propped and the crane out of the way
She looks pretty good underneath but the surveyor is booked for tomorrow so till the report is written we will wait.
The damage sustained during the storm looks relatively minor. A deepish scratch below the water line and 2 skin fitting which are loose and to be replaced.
So now we will wait for next Tuesday for the launch and first sail which will be a trip from Mykonos to Port Owen.
Cheers for now
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09/15/2008, Port Owen
I suppose the time has now come to change the blog name to MYSTIC RHYTHM. So, tomorrow I will attempt to change the name and you should remember to look under "M" fom then on. I tried to fit a new VETUS Waterlock on Saturday but not very successfully as I needed some assistance. This will now be done on the hard. I did however seal the holes where it was leaking into the aft cabin due to the broken fairlead and pushpit. Also the free flowing stern gland is now only dripping every minute or so and the auto bilge pump has one less worry. Well I hope that tomorrow brings a change to the blog....
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09/10/2008, Port Owen
We are still waiting to be slipped at the Saldanha Naval slip. Apparently the slip is damaged and repairs are only starting today so we have no idea as yet when we will be slipped.
We added an additional spring yesterday as the new warps are showing signs of wear. Hopefully the weather gods will listen to the SA met office and the winds will subside today so that we can sleep a bit easier.
We found that the skin fitting for the freezer unit has been damaged. this fitting is on the water line so we have a leak. The auto bilge pump is handling it quite easily, but we are somewhat worried and Mystic cannot be slipped to soon.
She is also leaking where the horn cleat and fairlead was torn out of the deck. We have purchased the new stuff and must now get around to fitting and sealing. I would think that a general look over for leaks is called for
Well watch this space .....
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