FIRST BLOG OF SEASON

Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Thu 23 Apr 2015 11:06

50:42.2N 2:01.2W

The ‘winter refit’ of Aquila is now complete, and she is at last back in the water (20 April) and on her mooring in Poole – many thanks Tim for your assistance, and the trip back up the harbour in your motorised canoe was memorable – if only because it’s the most ridiculous craft I’ve ever put to sea in!

The slightly depressing thing is, while the refit has involved me in many hundreds of hours work, none of it will be apparent to other crew members due to it all being hidden from view unless you really know where to look.  But then that’s boat ownership for you!

So, in case you doubt me, here are some phots to prove some of the work done!  Here is the new ‘Coppercoat’ antifouling – apparently it’s meant to last 10 years.  We will see!

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And here is the Saildrive in the garage having its new ‘doughnut’ fitted, to maintain watertight integrity:

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This left the big hole left in the bottom of the hull where the Saildrive usually sits penetrating the hull:

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You’ll no doubt be pleased to know that the Saildrive is however now back in its rightful place, otherwise Aquila would sink very fast!  And the skipper is very pleased that it’s all watertight – otherwise I’d be having to take the boat out of the water again.  Which would definitely scupper the 2 May planned sailing date.

Other winter work carried out includes such things as new injectors for the engine, rewiring the bow light electrics, fitting an AIS receiver (still to be set to work), major overhaul of main and genoa, restitching the sprayhood, fixing the radar, fixing the cabin heater, new shelf and USB power supply in aft cabin, refurbished name on sides of hull…..you get the idea.  It will be a relief to get to sea!

Yesterday, Lawrence Scott and I took Aquila out for a ‘shakedown’ sail. Conditions were perfect – F5 gusting 6, bright sunshine and the playground to ourselves.

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clip_image010OK, I’m pleased to say the boat performed superbly.  The crew done good too!

OK, that’s enough stuff for now.  This is hopefully the first of many such blogs once we are under way; the prime aim of which will to be to keep those joining as crew (and their friends) appraised of progress/calamities/humorous incidents etc.

Yours,

Skipper