Westralia - 2026 season

2026 season

Westralia

Steve Coughlan

Fri 10 Jul 2026 10:22

Saturday 4^th July: Matt and I arrived

into Preveza around 6:30pm and took a taxi from the airport to our first night’s accommodation at the Preveza City Hotel. Matt was pretty tired after flying Perth – Singapore – London – Preveza so an early night.

Sunday 5^th July: Matt and I left the hotel at 8:30am and dropped our bags off at the Blue Suites apartments where had booked through to next Friday (they did not have rooms available on Saturday 4^th July). We then had breakfast and caught a taxi over to the Cleopatra marina boat yard where Westralia was stored on the hard. Obviously, the boat was covered in dust. First job after connecting the power cable was to connect the hose and give the boat a washdown to remove all the loose dust. A thorough wash and polish of the top and bottom sides, stainless steel and teak clean was scheduled, but was yet to be done. John Eustace arrived around 12:30 pm. He and Matt started work on re-mousing the running rigging whilst I got to and started fitting the bimini covers. The boom had been removed for a repaint, again the yard was behind schedule and that was still outstanding, Similarly, the rudder repairs (the rudder had been taking water and had been scheduled for repairs in the off season} had been done but the rudder was yet to be secured back into position, so the planned boat lift for Tuesday morning 11am was unlikely. We headed back into Preveza around 3:30 for an early dinner and an early night, watching some of the world cup soccer from the comfort of the bedroom.

Monday 6th July: Up for an early breakfast at 7am, John was picking up Matt and I at 8am. Bad call, nothing moves that early in Preveza on a Monday (and most other days!). Matt and I finally located a small coffee shop where we had a coffee and sesame, almond and fruit biscuit. We left for Cleopatra marina at 8am. First stop, the yard technical office to get an update on the work activities. I made the point a lot of work remained outstanding that should have been completed before we arrived. Panos, the yard technical supervisor, met with us and apologised for the delay. Later in the morning he came over to Westralia and advised that the boom had yet to receive the final coat of paint. He took us the paint tent where the prepped and undercoated boom was located, the final paint coat to be applied early Tuesday morning. He advised the rudder would be fitted and the boat polish would be completed Tuesday, after a thorough wash down this afternoon. We returned to the boat, removed the cover from the dinghy and set up the dinghy battery, which had been placed on charge Monday. Continued on with various chores and left mid afternoon as the yard team came to do the boat wash.

Tuesday 7^th July: We checked the boom first thing and noted the final paint coat had been applied. Waypoint had attended the boat and fitted both foresail. Noted the bow thruster batteries were not charging so we organised another pair and fitted them. In addition, the battery box had come adrift so we glued it back into place.

A hatch handle came adrift (screw head sheared off) when locking the hatch in preparation for the ongoing clean and polish. We replaced the screw and reattached the handle.

Continued general clean up and removed all mattress covers to take to the laundromat.

Wednesday 8^th July: The outboard was mounted on the dinghy transom and the battery was connected. Waypoint came and fitted the attachments to the boom before mounting it back on the boat. Continued general clean up and removed all mattress covers to take to the laundromat.

The boat was lifted back in the water at 3pm. The dinghy was lifted into position on the davits. We ran up the generator and engine and noted an issue with the gear selection. The Volvo engine display was completely faded due to sue exposure over the years. Power off, power on and we managed to get gear selection sorted. We tied up alongside at the marina and changed out the port Volvo engine display (rarely used) for the faded starboard Volvo engine display. Full functionality now on the starboard helm control. John will take the suspect Volvo engine display back to the UK at the end of the season and have it serviced.

We undertook various checks of various pumps, air-conditioning etc.

Left back to Preveza around 4:30pm and caught up with niece Catherine and her friend Lara for a drink and dinner.

Thursday 9^th July: collected the laundered mattress covers, did a provisioning run at a local supermarket then headed over to Cleopatra marina. We stocked all the provisions aboard, along with laundered mattress covers.

The new sticker had been applied to the boom and Waypoint came and installed the main sail.

Noted the main bilge pump had failed so purchased a new pump at the marina chandelier and pumped the bilge out.

When the yard lifted the boat no protective wrap had been used. The new lifting straps had left dye marks on the newly polished hull. Cleopatra staff came and polished the marks off then we motored over to Preveza town Quay, tying up stern to with lazy lines, a new addition from last year.

We rang the generator to power the air-conditioning. Catherine came aboard and assisted, making up the beds in the berths. We organised diesel through a local small tanker, checked the gas fired stove and an empty gas bottle for refilling. Minor detailed cleanup and storage before a final drink and dinner. Noted when we connected shore power the high voltage breaker tripped when the aircon was turned on. A bit odd as not an issue when the genset is powering. The genset supplies consistent 220 voltage whilst shore power voltage drops to less the 180 volts. Will check breaker regardless.