Fernando de Noronha to Antigua - Day 11 1800UTC
Vega
Hugh and Annie
Sun 16 Apr 2023 19:56
08:38.7N 48:39.8W COG 280T SOG 6.0 kts Wind E F4 For Antigua we have an ever increasing list of jobs of course and soaking up the Caribbean vibes is becoming an ever smaller part of our 10 day itinerary. The list so far is as follows - Find crew to replace Annie, Antigua to Azores Get quotes and renew the yacht insurance Replace the yaw arm and top bearing on the Duogen (the parts should be at Jolly Harbour Marina when we arrive) Replace the wind instrument cable that connects the mast cable to the instrument in the cockpit Service the engine Wash down the boat with freshwater and carry out a thorough rigging check Retrieve the topping lift halyard Replace the torn and disintegrating protective sun strip along the edge of the large genoa Investigate and rectify the cause of the locked steering wheel Refill the diesel fuel and refill the gas containers Replace the prop anode Check the safety gear and beacons Download the Navionics charts onto the iPad for Azores and UK Replace the log wheel to measure speed through the water (removed ages ago as it kept clogging with little crustaceans) Fumigate to kill remaining cockroaches Get upholstery professionally cleaned Food provisioning Sell scuba gear and water maker We also have a list of things to bring Vega back up to good condition that will be a series of little projects over the Autumn and Winter back in Blighty. These include - New cooker Repair dents and blemishes on internal woodwork Replace carpets Replace the alternator toothed v belt with flat belt (plus associated pulleys etc) for which we have all the parts A few minor gelcoat repairs Possibly re-spray the blue hull stripes which have faded Replace the teak cockpit instrument panel If next year we continue to use Vega and plan trips along the UK coast and to the Baltic we will keep her. If not there is no point paying marina fees and keeping her maintained so we will sell and think about alternative sailing arrangements. I have been reluctant to contemplate selling but now think that a boat should have enthusiastic and active owners. My thoughts have also been turning to life back at home and there are a number of things I would like to do in our remaining active years apart from more time with family and friends. I hope Vega can be a part of a busy and interesting life but have an open mind on this. |