Splash down
Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Wed 28 May 2025 08:44
Up at 5 to make the 8:15 deadline as still needed to stow things down below, sort the fenders and lines, check the engine and fold back the bimini.
The hotel is not very flexible. It has a number of rules we have to adhere to and had to sign an agreement accordingly (we do stay in some up-market venues. Not being visited by Giles Coren for “Amazing Hotels” any time soon). Had hoped to get a “breakfast to go” but were told it was only available to those who need to check out early so forced to pick up a couple of things yesterday from the supermarket to keep us going.
The tractor with the hydraulic lift arrived promptly and the boat was transported from the container port across the bridge to the marina and the travel lift.
All went according to plan and she was on a berth before elevenses.
First job was to clean the water tanks and fill up. The starboard water tank was straightforward but the port one has always leaked from a damaged circular hatch. Only half the hatch is visible and this is a job that has been put off as the table plus several floorboards had to be removed to gain access. The slight leak became more serious when the thread on the lid finally gave up and snapped.
Hard work squeezed into such a small space, trying to remove the fitting, which was glued in, never intended to be removed. Finally removed and discovered the top of the aluminium tank wasn’t flat. A blob of stray weld begin the culprit. The boat builder had forced the retaining screws and distorted the plastic hatch. Bit of filing and lots of sealant to build up a flat seal🤞. We’ll know tomorrow if it worked as it takes 24 hours to cure allowing a final tightening of the 10 retaining screws. Fill the tank and pray.