Hamsi set sail today at 3 pm local time, 7pm British summer time.

 

We motored out of Halifax mostly under autopilot (which was in a good mood in the sunny weather and worked faultlessly).

The shore lines and fenders were stowed and the tiny mainsail that Neil and I had set at the RNSYS was let out a bit.  Having some main out made getting more out much easier – a learning point from yesterday’s test sail. 

 

After 2 hours motoring we were becoming clear of the Halifax approaches and began running under sail with engine off.  At present, although the weather is blue skies and sun with modest seas, we’ve been sailing at just 4 knots with a conservative sail plan.  Best to start a bit gently. 

 

The people in Nova Scotia have continued to be has helpful and straightfoward, as was our experience last year on arrival.  Wayne, Kevin, Paul and Peter at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron  in Nova Scotia have been terrifically supportive throughout our two stays. The Commodore and his wife, and many of the ordinary members on their own boats have been a positive group of people.  Fiona and Tim have also continued to be bricks.   Thanks to you all.  What a lovely place Nova scotia is. 

 

At last the jobs on the boat are (hopefully) over. She needed just over 300 man hours of work to get her into a state where she could go to sea again with a degree of safety.  Neil has my personal thanks for devoting two weeks of his life to that.  As always I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

 

Time now to rustle up supper. 

 

The jobs list is below for those who enjoy a similarly peculiar way of spending their time !

 

44:25.67N 63:22.26W

 

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Jobs Done on Hamsi:

 

Wiped mould out of forecabin lockers and locker lids.

 

Sponged out water from fore cabin locker, main bilge, engine bilge and from prop shaft bilge.

 

Put constrictor knot around stern gland to reduce water ingress

 

Replaced hatch handle seals on both saloon hatches

 

Cover mummy's cushion in plastic

 

Fix leaking calorifier intake pipe

 

Mount monitor

 

Sew together mummy's cushion with whipping twine from the binnacle

 

Replace broken spreader end

 

Wipe mould out of sail locker

 

Replace life raft restraining ropes and install life raft.

 

Cleaned mould off engine antifreeze flushing hose

 

Replace working parts of wind vane and anemometer.

 

Put together masthead light cluster with LED lights.

 

Gouge out old caulking from 4 chain plates

 

Clean empty chain plate fitting

 

Re-caulk 4 of 8 chain plate through deck fixings

 

Put up mast

 

Put sails on

 

Replace sail locker hatch handle seals

 

Put up danbuoy

 

Install ensign staff

 

Pack up tarpaulins and install sprayhood and bimini.

 

Install friction reducing mat in starboard berth locker.

 

Seal knots on previously leaking stern gland

 

Installed varnished blanking plate on anchor windlass mount

 

Fashion and install stay planks to retain diesel cans

 

Reinstall all disconnected electrical wires at mast base

 

Design and install fix for gas pipe leak

 

Supervise installation of AIS and Radar transponder

 

Purchase 2 new gas cylinders

 

Splice on new rope to replace 4 frayed fender ropes

 

Obtain replacement sail ties to replace UV damaged ones

 

Repair fixing point for forecabin lee-cloth

 

Fill up tank and cans with diesel and lash to newly installed lashing points on deck

 

Fill water tanks

 

Mount inner forestay and storm jib

 

Install washed lee-cloths

 

 

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