Off at last, from Raiatea to Bora Bora
Panulirus
CR and KN Williams
Wed 5 May 2010 20:56
16,39S 151.27W
Wednesday 5th May
After 2 weeks in the marina at Raeatia we finally
left!
Virtually every locker revealed some burst tin
disaster and together with work done on engines, bow thruster, anchor winch,
solar panels and batteries,
we also had the 'fridge break, an anode replaced
and an inverter isolator fitted.
The 'fridge was sorted by an excellant chap who
diagnosed a block in a tiny copper capillary pipe and did a fem-pop in less time
the average unsupervised surgical junior!
The anode for the Variprop took 10 days to Fedex
from the US East coast via Honolulu, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti ! By this
time we were back in the water but a nice diver simply replaced it
underwater.
The Inverter story is interesting; 4 years ago in
France our batteries kept draining and the reason was we'd left it on standby
for 3 months This time it did exactly the same but because the solar panels
had also packed up, the inverter, despite being off, was apparently constantly charging and discharging some huge
capacitor. Anyway we can now completely isolate it.
We'd hardly been gone 2 hours when our first
breakage occured when I foolishly allowed the dinghy to get stuck on the
re-fuelling dock and punctured a chamber. Depending on how big the
hole is I might try and mend it but will probably just put it on deck and sort
it out in the Cook Islands.
Having been rained on but becalmed in the marina
for the last two weeks, the last two days have had 30kt winds but
fortunately little rain.
K
We did spend a lovely couple of days on a buoy [
didnt even have to worry about the anchor dragging] with a fantastic view of
Bora Bora in the sunset and pretty fish swimming round the boat. The water is 29
deg so just how I like it for lazing around in.
When we have sorted the dinghy I am looking forward
to a few days in the lagoon at Bora Bora. If we cant mend it we will be stuck on
board unless we can beg a lift ashore but we have plenty of stores so tant
pis.No-one in Raiatea will touch repairing a dinghy.. bizarre. We are wating for
the wind to drop to have a go.
While we were away it was the hottest and wettest
season they had had for years [blamed on El Nino] with the edge of a cyclone [85
knot winds]. The temp inside one boat was 52 deg C and a load of fizzy drink
cans burst...another boat filled up with rainwater and had to be pumped
out.
I was feeling smug that I hadnt left any drink cans
when I found a burst can of black olives deep filed. ugh.
I also had to do lots of washing and airing clothes
and sheets..The anti mildew spray really works. I think it is strong NaOH..keep
away from children!
Anyway it is good to be on the move
again.
C
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