It never really stops. Today we learned the super strong (cough, cough) Harken backstay adjuster has a broken roller bearing. Sounds like a defective part, but companies rarely cover these after more than a year and it’s about 4 years old. But a bearing like that should never break!
Ann did a huge boat clean up, emptying drawers and cabinets and spraying for mold and drying everything out. Huge!
I picked up our new outboard propeller. That should help a lot in the comfort department.
We’re waiting on some other parts as well. A year’s worth of wear and tear costs money and time.
Hopefully we’ll get to do some touring tomorrow, but we also have to clean up the dinghy. Inflate it, hose it out, etc. It also has a damaged tube that will need some professional care at some point I think.
Oh, and I got a quote for new sails from Doyle/New Zealand. Not too bad. They have a 25% off special right now because this is the off season down here, so we’ll see on that. Charisma’s current ones are 25 years old so she’s gotten good wear out of them. Maybe time for new ones that will be more trustworthy in a storm.
We’ve been following you all year, congratulations….we’re proud of you and all you’ve done! As mentioned months ago, we’re preparing for a similar life (I only hope we’re as successful). So, I’ve got some questions, now that you (hopefully) have some time to respond.
1. How much electrical generation capacity do you have (PVs and windmills)? Was it adequate for fridge/lights/nav? Sounds like you ran the engine for watermaker power.
2. Anything different you would do re electrical generation?
3. How did you store gasoline for your outboard (on deck by the rum “cask”, lazarette)? (I haven’t figured any “safe” location below decks.)
4. Have you seen any Torqeedo outboards (electric, lithium battery)? Any reports?
5. Any thoughts on a downwind sail, given your rig and crew situation (mine would be very similar)? Would you have wanted an asymmetrical spinnaker?
And most importantly, please post if you’ll be doing any talks/presentations while you are home. (I’ll get you a room if you need it.)
Hi Cliff, I’ll send you an email since I think the “Reply” function here probably doesn’t allow for a long message.