Koeketiene on Tour

To say that the knee did not have a good night would be an understatement. A bit sore/throbbing when I went to bed and it got gradually worse over night. So much so that I got up to take some painkillers. And they seemed to do the job. A little too well, in...

So far, so good.
And after the 'Day 1' mishaps of last year, I am quite relieved.

Cast off Benodet at stupid o'clock in the morning. Once fenders and lines were stowed I wasted no time getting out to sea. At first, wind - any wind - was...

Starting the engine has been getting progressively more erratic over the last 4-5 months.
Could often take 3-4 tries before the engine turned over.
Originally, I suspected a dud starter battery.
But all the battery readings remained...

With the approach of Summer, you would expect more 'sailing days'.
But, fun fact: no.

Lately, we've been experiencing weather extremes - either too much wind, or no wind at all.
So when you get a forecast of W-NW 3 to 4 (gusting 5)...

1. Adjusted the Navtex electrical wiring.
2. Some TLC for the genoa cars. As I hadn't moved them in quite some time I had to be rather generous with the WD-40.
3. Changed Carly's steering line for a longer one. So I can now adjust the wind vane...

Changing anodes and greasing the prop.
Pressure washed the hull.
Coppercoat seems to be doing well (now in its third year).
Some slime and mussels on the log, seacocks and prop shaft.
Will take the opportunity to carry out some...

Last Thursday, I sailed - motored really - the boat over to Port La Foret.

It's where the windlass and new autopilot were going to be fitted.

And it would also be the perfect opportunity to scrub/clean/seal the teak deck. It looks...

Second sail of 2023.

Hoisting and trimming sails without an electronic autopilot proved to be 'challenging'.
However, nothing is impossible if/when you really want it.

After some acrobatics (steering with one foot on the...