Backwards to Torrevieja
Ile Jeudi
Bob and Lin Griffiths
Sun 31 Jul 2011 16:27
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Monday 31 July 2011
I had a dip into the mucky marina water yesterday
to work the rudder from side to side. The sideways movement of the whole
rudder was obvious so it is unlikely to be movement within the rudder
itelf. The movement is consistent with a worn bearing (or two) or the
bearing case. This is very frustrating because we had the bearings
inspected last winter in Marmaris because we had some play then.
Subsequently the top bearing was changed but we were advised that the bottom one
was OK (even though the bottom one normally wears first). To inspect and
repair the bearings requires the boat to be craned out which is unnerving (to us
- we hate it) and expensive.
I went to the Yacht Club to watch the Grand Prix
yesterday and use the internet, trawling through sites related to Bavaria
rudder bearings. I found a company based in Torrevieja (Costa Blanca Yacht
Services), owned by an English couple, who advertise that they supply and fit
'new style' Bavaria rudder bearings. Torrevieja is back east and north
again but it's only 37 miles which is not a lot in the scheme of things
(compared to the 1600 miles we have sailed from Turkey to get here this
year). This was a hard decision because we have been trying to progress
west in time to see Paul, Vicki and Hannah who are coming for a weeks
holiday on Saturday 6 August to Estepona. This is just before we get
to Gibraltar and we are have been hoping we can get there before they leave
on the 13th. It's getting a bit tighter now.
I spoke to Dennis Clayton of Costa Blanca Yacht
Sevices and he told us he doesn't carry bearings in stock so we would have to
wait for an order. We agree it is at least worth us going to Torre so he
can listen to the noise and perhaps have a look if we get the boat lifted.
We need to know if it's safe to carry on.
Lin made use of the Yacht Club's other facilities and relaxed by the pool
reading a book which she doesn't do often enough so that was good!
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