Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion
Having got to our new berth, it was now time to get to the serious business of getting to know our new baby. First order of business was to work out how to get the tender slung on the snap davits and off the foredeck. We found some d rings that could be glued onto the Tender and after a first false start, mounting one set too high, we finally got another set stuck on lower down.
On the following Saturday, we got the tender mounted on the back of the yacht and then worked on the outboard engine. Then it was time to test out the tender and engine. Never steered a tender before so yet another 'exciting' first for us. We got it running though and had fun getting our head around the controls (Everyone else makes it look soooo easy!). We puttered around for half an hour and then decided we had crashed into enough boats so headed back to the yacht.
We also got the plumbing sorted, the head working and fixed the cabin door, which had been a very sorry state.
May 31
So this was going to be our first real weekend with the boat. Great plans to head out to the blue yonder but as with all best laid plans... Life intervened and meant that Heidi and I were in different parts of the country come the weekend. So, what to do, what to do.. Of course - we have a yacht and so there is no end of jobs that need doing :). First plan was to change the black ugly sludge that is currently passing for oil in the engine and transmission. After reading up I was all set to go, especially when I found a spare oil filter all ready waiting for me - except for one minor problem - no replacement oil! The only place to get oil it seems was a good few km's away and without a car this didn't seem feasible (to lug 6L of oil for an hour!) so I went onto plan B - the woodwork. It looked like most of the wood on the yacht was down to fully stripped by nature and so I thought I would have a go at starting from scratch with it all. I'd been experimenting with the cabin table all week and so by the end of the weekend, I'd managed to strip and prep all wood and get the first few coats on most of it. Why do I never do before and after photos! - anyway I'll make sure to take some next time I am with the boat. Suffice to say she is looking a bit more cared for now if a bit of a tip inside!