The Raiatea Lodge Dock
27 August 2008 | Raiatea
Randy
I was really hoping to get in the water tomorrow. Not happening. The sticker guy is supposed to come later today but he says it will be an all day job. I can believe it. We are not doing the boot stripe or the stripes up on deck, yet the big ones that run the length of the boat on both side and the bits that run from the bow back to the escape hatches on the inside of the hulls are substantial.
I did as much to prep the boat and run down little things as I could in preparation for a return to the sea regardless. Friday in the AM would be fine anyway as the wind would be down that day. It is supposed to be gusty tomorrow which is not so good for sticker application I guess. This weekend we are expecting 30 knots on Sunday and black skies for a few days. Hideko and I hope to be in a nice protected bay in Tahaa by then.
I went "home" for lunch today. As I tied up at the RL dock I marveled at how fantastic the coral and fish populations were right at the dock. This would be a fun place to snorkel. After a tasty cheese burger and some fun time with Hideko I ran back to the yard.
Jean Luc, the sticker guy, introduced himself. I was so happy to meet him because he was going to make our boat look nice for the first time since we purchased her (stickerwise), and he also spoke very little English. I learned more French in my two days with Jean Luc than I have in the last two weeks.
He also had a very professional technique and the right tools to make the transfers go on just right. The new stickers are the classic Saint Fraincis "sweep up from the stern" type. Tricky to get lined up to say the least.