Tashi Delek - Work begins

Work begins

Tashi Delek

Mike & Carol Kefford

Wed 20 Apr 2011 08:10

36:49.25N 028:18.44E

14 – 20 April 2011

Because we are taking the boat out of the Med this year we needed to change the antifouling to something that would both work and be environmentally acceptable in the Caribbean. Carols usual amount of research went into it and having settled on the product we placed an order for it to await our arrival. Because antifouling is a chemically ‘active’ paint you can’t simply slap a different type over what you already have and need to prime first. This means applying three, rather than two coats and is tedious in the extreme. The paint is thick and gloopy and therefore irritatingly slow to apply. You can’t cut corners or apply too thin a layer without regretting it later when the wildlife moves onto the hull.

Antifouling is also pretty toxic stuff so you need to wear protective clothing and gloves to apply it making the whole process even more uncomfortable. Still, needs to be done so best just get on with it.

Carol and Ben donned the gear and looking like a pair of aliens set about the hull.

Ben did a great job and paid attention properly to make sure that we had everything covered. We had a few moments of concern over whether we had enough but in the end we did.

While painting round the propeller Carol got a few electric shocks. Ben didn’t, Mike didn’t. Strange thing to be imagining, however we then found out that some people are better conductors than others so Carol is a good conductor. When we checked it with the voltmeter there was indeed a current running through the propeller. We now know that this is what happens when you are plugged into shore power and any excess electricity is earthed from the inverter via the fittings on the outside of the boat. Or something. We are still trying to get our heads round wriggly amps and ohms and electrics.

Antifouling finished and numerous other jobs done and we were ready for our date to go back into the water. To our surprise and delight Yacht Marina had got themselves a bit organised over the winter and put a noticeboard next to the launch dock displaying the order of launch for all the boats that day. Early afternoon we thought so, being organised we were ready to roll at that point. We then learnt that one of the hoists had gone technical thereby slowing the whole process down. We eventually went in at 9pm. In the dark again which actually makes it all very atmospheric and fun.

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Brian, who had done a lot of work on Tashi Delek over the winter, including putting several new holes into the hull, stayed to check that there were no leaks before the hoist let go of us. Fortunately there weren’t so we were let loose and chugged round to our berth.

Once again, because the marina is so full at this time of year, we were taken round to Siberia pontoon. Very close to the showers, shops and office as the crow flies but a 20 minute walk along the pontoons in reality. Unless you can walk on water. We tried it. We can’t.

And finally time to celebrate, stage one complete. Life is much simpler in the water rather than up on legs so we are always pleased to get to this stage. Only one way to mark the occasion and that is to dig out the Martini glasses.

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