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
|
Comments [2]
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
|
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.......
|
01/05/2009, St Helena Bay
Sunday 28 December 2008 and the forecast is totally wrong.....
|
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 .....
|
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.......
|
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......
|
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 .....
|
11/21/2008, Port Owen
Now for the painting.....
|
11/21/2008, Port Owen
Sripping and messing
|
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.....
|
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.......
|
