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3rd Wednesday on the hard

by steve, on April 13th, 2011 (New Zealand, Tahina)

Sooner or later we’ll run out of things to do.  But not this day.  We ended up on a bit of a roll :

  • Hung up the sea anchor again to try and remove more of the dampness.  After another full day up the mast we came to the conclusion that it really needs a scrub.  The best place, we reckon, is in the sea either in NZ or Fiji.  I think we’ll repack it as is and clean it in Fijian waters.
  • Discussed remaining cleaning work with Peter.
  • Removed and cleaned clamshell scoop (and hull underneath) on nacelle.
  • Called dive shop to arrange pick up of serviced regulators next Monday.
  • Made arrangements for sail fitting.
  • Remove grease from serviced winches.  I came to the conclusion that I’d put too much grease on the 3 winches serviced so far.  Helen got the job of cleaning off the excess.
  • Wound up the financial side of our old Llc for the boat.
  • Completed the dinghy Inflation and tied on the cover.
  • As a result of the tech finishing the work on our prop shafts I was able to :
    • Completed the SSB ground plane on the port side
    • Replaced proper battery configuration on the starboard side (bar the last two batteries so we can inspect the shaft seal after we launch)
    • Installed all the new shaft zincs.
    • Tested port motor (starboard motor shaft was covered in polythene sheet at the time)
  • As a result of the painting being complete I was able to :
    • Installed new ground zinc
    • Glue the sea cock onto the new through hull fitting the exhaust hose in position so the glue sets with the valve orientated correctly.
  • Our chain chute was returned with an extra curve in it.  I performed the reinstallation.
  • Reorganized a lot of the boat interior returning many things to their proper places.
  • One run to the chandlers for a few bits and pieces.
  • One run to the supermarket for provisioning.
  • Spent a while on Alison’s / Dennis’ boat (can’t remember name) fixing their navigation software.

From the above you can see two of our paid for projects have been completed.  The shaft alignment  / shaft seal work was completed allowing me to complete the work dependent on that.  The bottom painting was also completed and all the plastic wrap removed from the boat.  The bottom looks nice.  The windows even better now that we can see them properly.  We really are pleased with the results of that project.  The chain chute and our anchor guard came back from the stainless steel folks.  The guard should go on today.

It’s all looking good.  We have time for the remaining work to be finished before we launch and the weather gods continue to cooperate at least until the weekend.  Then it looks like we’re going to have a few poor days which may delay our final sail fitting.  Very soon, though, we’ll have the unpleasant task of paying for all of the work we’ve had done.

We were quite exhausted by the end of the day but we still had enough energy to visit Karen and Frank on Tahina for the evening.  We shared some wine and played a couple of words games.  Helen and I had to peel off as we were getting somewhat sleepy.

It’s beginning to look like we’ll have four sets of visitors to the boat during the five to six months we’ll have in Fiji.  While this will take a bit of coordination we’re very excited about this.  One of the benefits of a catamaran is the ability to have guests aboard and not feel on top of each other – one of the reasons we went for a whole boat rather than half of one.  Not long now.

Category: New Zealand, Tahina | Here is my comment

3rd Friday on the hard and an excellent break

by steve, on April 8th, 2011 (Attitude, Boree, Callisto, El Regalo, Imagine, Leu Cat, New Zealand, Proximity, Scream, Tahina)

The weather this week has been very alternating.  Every other day we have variable weather and on the alternate days we have a consistently good day.  Yesterday was a consistently good day.  Confused?  Because we had an afternoon event planned we had a shortened work day but we still made progress :

  • Sanded all the gelcoat touch ups
  • Replaced temporary split pin at top of mast
  • Added a layer of varnish to the shower sill
  • Picked up new code zero halyard
  • Replaced old main halyard (which was in the code zero halyard’s position) with new code zero halyard
  • Assembled gooseneck twice.  First time I thought I had it on the boom upside down but I discovered I was wrong about this after removing it.
  • Installed new main sheet
  • Reattached sail bag
  • 80% inflated dinghy (which was returned from having handle/rollock reattached)
  • Filed off ridges from inside boom in order to install new sheave for outhaul/third reef

On the external projects more progress was made than anticipated.  The dinghy arrived.  The anchor roller strengthening is now complete.  The chain chute is complete.  The props / shafts were returned from having a hole drilled and pin inserted. The new sheave was cut.  Our window inserts are now expected early next week and I postponed the forestay work to Monday.

I actually had a little time to study a few Euler problems and have now developed a strategy to solve one of them which I’ll implement over the weekend.  It’s interesting going back to them as at first they all look far too complicated to solve but sooner or later dormant brain cells wake up from their slumber and go to work.

Around 2:30pm we broke for the day and cleaned up for our afternoon out.  The town of Whangarei was putting on a farewell seminar/show for the cruisers who’ve spent time (and presumably quite a lot of money) here in the town – particularly on services to their ocean battered boats.  First was a very impressive traditional Maori challenge, far better than the one we saw at the Maori experience in Rotorua.

Next we had a half hour lecture by weather guru Bob McDavitt.  For those that don’t know him, he puts out an excellent cruising forecast each Sunday that makes a relevant read every Sunday.  As such he practically received a heroes welcome by the cruisers as a result of this service.  He does offer professional guidance / route planning to those that wish it.  His half hour brief was very informative.  He confirmed the weather scenario for leaving north that I’m now already anticipating.  More importantly he helped us understand the broader context for the weather patterns and their near term impact.  We’re in what’s called a declining La Nina situation which historically extends the cyclone season.  Thus the general recommendation is not to leave until May.  This fits our general plan which was to be ready by the third week in April and to take the first available weather window.  That window should now appear early May.  This extra time allows us the opportunity to flex our new wings (once installed) with a sail, perhaps, up to Opua before we leave.

Next was the BBQ which was a fine feast.  I thought I was taking a little of everything but my plate ended up piled high.  Having had a light and early lunch I was famished and polished off the lot.

Finally we were given a cultural Maori performance by a national competition winning local singing group.  Again – far better than the ones we’ve seen at tourist attractions.  We are lucky to have the opportunity in our lives to go cruising and further privileged to be given such joyful, harmonious and passionate performances.

We were not alone for this farewell presentation.  We sat amongst old friends from the ‘class of ’10’ puddle jumpers : Attitude, Boree, Callisto, El Regallo, Imagine, Leu Cat, Proximity, Scream & Tahina.  There were plenty of others there too and the sad thing is was our need to catch up with old friends prevented us from really making any new.

Being in the company of so many friends and having the Polynesian dancing and singing going on made most, if not all, of us keen to start our crossing and get back out into the wonders of the South Pacific.  Just got to get the boat work finished !!!!!

We finished the evening by inviting Frank and Karen over to a messy Dignity to share a bottle of wine.  Almost like being back out on the water.  Except for the gentle rocking.  The slapping of waves.  The warm nights.  The beautiful beaches.  The great snorkeling.  No yard dust.  Not having to pee in a bucket.  Ok – so not quite so similar but we’re on our way soon.

ADDED LATER: All too easy. Euler problem nailed. Off to work.

Category: Attitude, Boree, Callisto, El Regalo, Imagine, Leu Cat, New Zealand, Proximity, Scream, Tahina | Here is my comment

3rd Thursday on the hard

by steve, on April 7th, 2011 (Endless, New Zealand, Tahina)

The weather returned to the similar variability that we saw on Tuesday coupled with strong winds. This affected our project work somewhat but they’re beginning to wind down now. First, what we got up to :

  • I spent a short period of time researching Fiji internet pricing.  Vodaphone seem to have some good deals and excellent coverage.  It looks like we’ll have a good combination of island paradise and connectivity.
  • Helen went into town to do the laundry.  There is one here but the one in town is better.  She picked up another item for our ditch bag and some food.
  • I picked up the props which had been inspected and rebalanced.  I learned that one of them had been sitting in contact with the shaft key which might have induced vibrations.  We have heard some from time to time and now we know the most likely cause and what to do about it.
  • I talked to yard master Peter to discuss drilling holes for locking pins into the shafts and nuts and also to grind down the errant key.  We also discussed ETA for rest of work.  Splash now looks like next Friday or following Monday subject to weather and slipway availability.
  • I communicated with the sailmaker to let them know when we expect to be back in the water.  Our new sails are now ready and will be fitted soon after splashing.
  • I communicated with the town marina to line up a berth for a few days after splash for sail fitting and final provisioning.
  • Helen applied one more coat of paint to the window surrounds and later painstakingly peeled all the masking tape off.  The latter didn’t go too well so some areas will need a touch up.
  • I spent 2-3 hours disassembling one winch, cleaning all the old grease off, applying new grease then reassembling.  It definitely runs smoother that the others.  Three more to go.
  • I tightened the nuts for the stainless steel rail above the nacelle and taped the new cotter rings (replaced prior day) to prevent them catching on bridle (which I believe caused prior damage)
  • Helen applied first layer of varnish to wooden sill above door in our shower where combination of sunlight and water had peeled varnish.
  • I attempted to reassemble gooseneck and ran into a couple of problems.  The only nylon spacers I could obtain were too fat so I sanded them thinner.  This required a lot of pressure against the sandpaper which was applied via my thumb.  I managed to sand a small circle off my thumb which stung like hell for the rest of the day.  The new pin between the gooseneck and the boom was slightly too fat so I had to send that back to be machined down a fraction.
  • I picked up our new hull zinc
  • The stainless steel assembly for our chain chute arrived.  It looks quite phallic.  I took pictures.

As our own projects begin to wind down I have collated the external projects so I can track them.  Here is where they stand with anticipated (though not necessarily expected) ETAs  :

Anchor roller Expected complete today (Friday)
Chain chute Chute complete.  Fitting anticipated Friday/Monday
Window inserts Should be available today
Prop key/pins Monday
Prop seals/coupling Tuesday/Wednesday
Bottom paint Monday/Tuesday
Hull cleaning Wednesday/Thursday
Forestay fix Monday
Nacelle guard Today/Monday
Sheave for 3rd reef Monday
Dinghy handle / rollock Monday
Splash Next Friday / following Monday

Other news from the yard.  Tahina hauled yesterday, good to see them.  Looks like Endless will be coming back onto the hard today due to leaking sail drive.  Poor guys.

This afternoon we get a bit of a break as it’s the cruiser BBQ/cultural show/weather brief.  We’re looking forward to getting out of here for a bit.

Category: Endless, New Zealand, Tahina | Here is my comment

2nd Monday on the hard

by steve, on April 4th, 2011 (New Zealand, Tahina)

These blog titles are getting a little boring but the muse is not with me on them. Although we were forecast rain, it never materialized (in fact, Whangarei was the hottest place in the country) so progress remained good.  We had expected the guy who’s going to look at out shaft seals/couplings to show up but this has been postponed to Tuesday.  That shifted the project list around somewhat but didn’t slow us down :

  • We collectively made a number of visits to the yard store to return the borrowed glue gun/glue, order a zinc, look for plexiglass paint, borrow/return hydraulic prop puller
  • Researched suppliers for perforated vinyl.  Found and phoned store in Whangarei.  Should visit later this week.
  • Visited Bunnings to collect plexiglass.  It wasn’t in yet !!!
  • Check yard and marina office for packages we were told were there.  None found.
  • Trace screw holes for missing nacelle scoop in order to find right one.  Learned from store they’re difficult and expensive to source in NZ and discovered Leu Cat is looking for one too.  May talk to David about this.
  • Talked to workmeister, Peter, to pic up our diagrams of where we’d found gelcoat spots in the past.  Glad I did as there were some we’d missed on weekend inspection.  Also cancelled visit from fridge guy as ours are working ok.  Got information on propeller inspector in town.
  • Removed both propellers and took them into town for inspection/balancing.
  • Bought tickets for April 8th BBQ/lecture by weather guru Bob McDavitt in town.
  • Took loop to rigger to make spare and discussed forestay fix.  Job is dependent on my replacing / fixing worn halyards.
  • Bought and installed davit bolts / washers.  Lost one washer down the inside of the davit and had to go back for more.  Learned that one pulley is rubbing on davit so new job added to list to file this down.
  • Replaced main halyard with one purchased last week.  This involved ascending mast to remove pin / switch halyards.  The replacement split pins I had were too small so I used one as a temporary replacement – will need to go up again with bigger pin.
  • Replaced code zero halyard with old main halyard to see if worn section would be in ok position.  It wasn’t.  Need a new code zero halyard.  (Note – we learned during the rigging inspection that the code zero halyard had been rubbing at the top due to the way we place it while not in use.  Bugger.)
  • Ordered new code zero halyard and bought bigger split pins.
  • Reviewed trademe auction for superfluous camera housing.  Auction has been won but no contact from winner.
  • Visited dinghy repair store to discuss removal/replacement of broken handle.
  • Removed broken dinghy handle from front of dinghy.  This was a disastrous mess as handle broke apart and left patchy layer on dinghy.  More work ahead on this one.

Other work progressed on the boat throughout the day.  Helen continued her fight against progressive dirt accumulation from all sources including a thorough clean of the kitchen metals (taps, hobs, ovens, etc.).  Dan was round to progress the work on the anchor roller strengthening and gelcoat touch ups.  The guy from the stainless steel outfit was round many times fine tuning the curves on our nacelle protector.  It’s looking good.  He also dropped off our straightened bow rail which we’ll reattach.

Frank from Tahina was round again to talk to the yard and we had the usual project chat.  He’s hauling on Thursday.  We’d originally thought we’d be splashed by then but I’m pretty sure we won’t now.

Category: New Zealand, Tahina | Here is my comment

Christchurch Earthquake

by KC2RIY, on February 21st, 2011 (New Zealand, Tahina)

We have just become aware of an earthquake hitting Christchurch that has caused a lot of damage and some fatalities. We are well away from there and felt nothing. We are obviously ok. Our concerns right now are for our friends Frank and Karen who may be still in the area.
UPDATE – we have heard from Frank. They were in the center of Christchurch in Cathedral Square when the quake hit. Fortunately they are both ok. We are immensely pleased to hear this.

Category: New Zealand, Tahina | 2 readers have left comments, I want to comment too
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