An expensive Day

'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Tue 18 Oct 2011 20:19
First of all, thanks to the 'Two Marks' for doing their best to make it less expensive. Mark Jarvis from Multiull World who spent some time trying to figure out what props were originally fitted on the boat (the original Broadblue records were sketchy, to say the least. Under Mark's care, they are more comprehensive, but unfortunately that didn't help us with records from four years ago). However, he remembered that Mark of Breakaway sailing had replaced his original props with a pair of Bruntons, so he put us in contact.
Thanks to Mark Prince
www.breakawaysailing.co.uk
for giving me a good deal!
Eventually I (re)found the right person to talk to at Raymarine, and it looks like the relevant autopilot bits will cost about £900, sent to Fiji. So that was not too bad, but then I got Martin the Mechanic's wish list from Fiji for engine gaskets and seals (inc two new Saildrive 'doughnuts). £1800 (or thereabouts) dispatched to Fiji. Ouch!!!!
I now own a new Icom VHF, mast antenna, two pumps for the pressurised water system (1 pump, 1 drain pump for the shower sump), four new bunk lights, a waterproof case for the Ipad but I just missed out on the partridge in a pear tree :)
Off back to Fiji tomorrow, the time has just flown by. Apparently John the GRP has now sealed both hulls and is keen to press on with the rest of the work.
News on the book front is not so great (in the short term), the publisher has run into financial difficulties and has broken a couple of contracts (including mine). HOWEVER, Emma the Agent is positive that this is in fact a 'good thing', and will be submitting chapters of the newly-edited and properly proof-read manuscript to the publishing world, imminently (as in a week or so, she tells me).
Watch this space for pictures of a slightly-more watertight Trouters!