Recommissioning
27 April 2008 | Raiatea boatyard
Surprise
When we sailed down to the South Pacific last year it was a gradual immersion; returning after 6 months in the land of plenty is not. Systems are still in shock due to the heat, humidity, prices (20% higher than last fall as the dollar plunges), and the lack of a tan. Patience and pace are the watchwords; lunch is followed by a swim and short nap.
Surprise is in remarkably good shape; I suspect we had too much time to get her ready for storage, and as a result disassembled everything. Now it all has to go back together, and work. Add the 200 pounds of essential stuff we brought down with us (mercifully unmolested by TSA and French Poly customs) and you have a vision of the interior.
Our only challenge to date has been the house batteries; the Captain figured turning the main house switch off, meant everything was off; not. They are gel batteries and more tolerant of abuse, but down to 2 volts in this heat may be too much; they show signs of recharging and we are hopeful. Getting new batteries which weigh 170 pound each would be a major undertaking.
Monday is launch day, and time to see if all the new bits function. If everything works it will still take us most of the week to complete assembly, provision and do some sea trials. Surprise is much prettier with her new white bottom paint.
It's not all work, Friday evening we went into town to watch the dancing in the town square; about 50 local ladies from 2 to 60 working on their Tahitian. What a fun time; then on to the local tourist hotel to watch a smaller version of the same with costumes and flowers. Simone, the travel lift operator at the yard is the lead musician, playing guitar, ukulele, and drums; more fun.