Passion for Cruising

The labour for Stuart and Richard continued, waiting low tide at 9 am. They prepped the huge hole ready. The outer layer of fiberglass that had been pushed up with the top of the rudder were now holding up a large flap of delaminated glass on the inside. This was removed using pliers and a Stanley knife. With some persuasion from a rubber mallet the flap then went down. After cleaning it all with fresh water and then methylated spirits Stuart pushed a whole tube of Sikaflex in between the inner and outer layers and then secured them together using self tapping screws, ready for the local "chemical man" to lay on a couple of layers of glass in a 20 minute set epoxy mix both inside and out. By the time he was finished the poor man was up to his neck in water.

Irene and I were still washing clothes, carpets etc etc. Water maker going when the tide was high enough. I am not writing every detail; just imagine the chaos!! Stuart does have some issues with Seawind, and maybe some modifications to the build to be made.
Exhaustion finally stopped us, and the fiberglass man had done his huge patch job, both inside and out. We awaited the high tide with breath held. Yes - no leak, just the bent rudder shaft and remains of rudder luckily almost straight fore and aft.
Dinner ashore at a lovely restaurant opposite our spot of beach. An almost upmarket place complete with white table linen etc - "Barefoot Bar and Brasserie" - and, yes, we removed our shoes.
I think by 7 pm we were all nearly asleep. I have never been so tired.