April 5th

 Well the leg is in the garage and has been refurbished corrosion taken off and repainted.  all the grease nipples have been checked for function and replaced where necessary. 

 Hopefully get this back on next time down at ridge.  

April 1st

 The extractor worked a treat. The pin is out but there is still some work to do on the leg so I've bought it home to work on in the garage.  I need to order a new spring for the release mechanism.

Removed and replaced both steering cables, Set up the gearbox and put back the Steering wheel.  

31st March.

 As the car was at the garage for repairs, I had bought home the Steering wheel for refurbishment of the auto pilot mechanism which on occasions last year had stalled.

After the cover was ofhit was immediately obvious what had coursed the problem. The toothed drive belt was disintegrating and bits of belt where getting caught in the gears.

A new belt and a good clean and it's almost like new.

Next I needed to make an Extractor for the vertical pin in the leg.  The longest bit was finding the length of 3/8 whitworth threaded bar.  

30th March. 2021

 The Sillette drive leg has seized up through non use and despite WD40 is in need of a strip down and clean up. plus repacking with fresh grease.  I think that should be the next job alongside to renewing the steering cables. 

I must also get a new seat made it Bee is still in business or maybe a trip to Kemp sails.

Unfortunately, at the moment the job list isn't getting any shorter, The more I mend the more I find needs doing !

Today I attacked the leg.It took some doing but I got it off and the two horizontal pivots are out. It would be ideal if I could bush the yoke holes as there is some play here, but not sure thats going to happen.  Bad News is that this leg is no longer manufactured so I have to look after as best I can.  The vertical pivot pin is stuck fast,  so started on removing the steering cables.  

March 29th 2021

 Its nearly Easter and we can at last get to the boatyard to do some work on Watanga. First impressions are that she has survived the winter 

Engine mounts have been fitted and I've had a quick run out of it but the fuel looks contaminated with lot of milky substance ending up in the water separator. I did make the error of leaving one tank empty last winter so that no doubt has led to a lot of condensation.  I'll leave that one for the moment as I have a plan to double up on the water filters. and also will need equipment to drain the tanks. 

Next on the list was a new controller for the eberspacer. This has now been replaced with a simpler unit with the added bonus  as it can now function blowing cold air or hot air. I had to take the fridge out to get to the wiring, which was a bit of a mess. So tidied that up at the same time.

And the good news

 After removing a few bits of engine - alternator , water pump, and other stuff, I could just see the broken bolt in the block. ( if I stood half upside down in the adjacent lazarette)  but I got a pair of mole grips on it and "WHOOPEE"   it turned and I was able to remove it.

There was a bit of collateral damage namely a small gash to the bonce.

Anyways this is a great step forward, No expensive engine removal and both mounts are now out , nnuts and bolts on order and once they arrive I should be able to get it all back together.

May be able to afford a new mainsail now I've saved on this.

  Bad news

An engine mount bracket has detached itself from the engine, breaking a bolt in the process.  Investigations are in progress but it looks like the engine may have to be removed to get the broken end out and the bracket replaced.  

Not the easiest job in the world

Our first weekend away on the boat, a short trip to the Isle of wight. 

Lou looking carefree and relaxed

Monty looking ready  "Sharp eyes lads"

A lovely , if cool , day with a following wind and fair tide saw us make the journey to Cowes in just over 4 hrs.  It being a Bank Holiday Weekend and with quite a strong crosswind, the packed marinas didn't look too feasible to go in with our skittish cat.  We tried a few times to call up and talk to Cowes yacht Haven but to no avail,so we bit the bullet and carried on up to "The Folly Inn" moorings.  It's only £16 up there so 2 nights and a water taxi at £20 still saw us quids in.

New Season

Well shes back in the water again and hols are looming. After a pleasant motor through Poole Harbour we were very disappointed to find water in the fuel and lots of it!  Nothing I've tried so far seems to get rid, so now looking at
1/ polishing the fuel
2/ Renewing seals in filler caps
3/ using Aquasolve to dissolve the water thats still in the tanks

Also need to finish centerboard job

Dislocated Hip (Again)

Just getting ready for work, going downstairs, I turn and bend to pick up a glass of water and clunk, out the hip comes again.  I was just thinking that I should restart physio exercises again. Bugger! Another General Anaesthetic and all rectified quite quickly this time was out and walking by 1pm.

Downside is the boat launch had to be cancelled and will have to take some time off work

Off to France

We decided this year to try the Normandy coast, as we have never gone that way before. I have on several occasions missed out going to St Vaast so wanted to find out what it was like.

It's been a glorious start to summer, lets hope it stays that way. today is channel crossing to cherbourg. maybe pick up some wine while we're here.

We are travelling with Adrian and Jayne on Sorrento

Dereks 80th

Lots of coming and going at the sailing club today with preparations being made for Derek's surprise party.  Met his son Peter and grandaughter along with his great grandaughter aged two.

The party was very good and the speeches very entertaining.

Sails Down

A break in the incessant high winds gave me an opportunity to get the sails off of Watanga. Still a cold grey day, but at least zero winds allowed me to work without danger.  She's in a sorry state, lots of green algie all over the deck areas, probably contributing to the fall I had back before Christmas.

We have had a great deal of rain recently but it shouldn't get inside the hull, I have some serious leak detecting to do before next season.

Not Again !

What a day, 

First was the telephone call telling be my boat was on the move!  Whoa Thats 70 odd knots of wind blowing through the bay and dragging Half a ton of metal across the sea bed.  I needed to get to her to see if she had sustained any damage whilst going past another boat.  Fortunately a RIB from the sailing club was available with several volunteers to help if I needed.

Cutting a long story short I and two others got to the boat and were in the process of relocating on a heavier mooring when disaster struck.   I slipped in my new boots and ended up in a pile on the cockpit floor with my hip dislocated again.  (fourth time)

The RNLI were soon on scene and the situation bought back under control.  I was transferred to Hospital. Friends took my boat to Poole.

https://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk/launches?launch=2017-12-10-1310-both-boats-swanage-boay

Manchester trip

Not really anything to do with sailing,  but we're off to see Lou's dad this week.

Louises birthday

A day out for Lou's birthday. Shopping in Sturminster Newton.  Then on to the mill but unfortunately it was closed on Wednesdays. On then to Sherbourne Castle for a spot of lunch and a tour round the house and a walk round the grounds. Nice chinese meal in the evening at City Bay View in Poole.

GREGS BIRTHDAY TREAT. A Night at the Dogs

Thanks to Jessica for arranging the evening for Gregs birthday treat. A great night out.

Visit to lukes.

Went to see Luke and Eleanor today. She is growing up fast.

A new phone

Lots of gadgets and camera. Could this be the start of something new.

The adventure begins

An inauspicious start, I'm on gatwick. Hopefully I fly out to Las Palmas tomorrow, Spanish general strikes permitting