2011: A Late Start

Crossing the Atlantic

Repairs Underway: Part 1

Generally, all repairs & modifications took place before we left Deltaville Boatyard. We were thankful for the assistance provided by the Yard’s skilled technicians and their quality work.  

Our plan was to head north to New York City, or thereabouts, then head east to Europe along the 40^th parallel.  Simple, until we reached Baltimore and I carried out a last minute check of some of our gear…. 

Rudder Steering Arm.  On inspection I discovered two cracks in the rudder fitting – steering arm if memory serves me correctly - at the top of the rudder stock and which was attached to the steering via push rods.  Serious stuff and my discovery brought back many memories of the new rudder being fitted in the British Virgin Islands in 2008.  At the time the new rudder’s stock was ever so slightly smaller than the old one and so the old steering arm needed to be fitted accordingly.  At the time the ‘technician’ did this by belting the living daylights out of the (cast) fitting with a hammer until it eventually cracked.  Two weldings later and some shims had it all fitted okey.  Not.  Time had caught up with it and the steering arm had failed along the line of the weld.  So I decided, given our Atlantic crossing plans, it was time to fit a brand new one.

Cracked rudder steering arm

After some discussion in Baltimore & Annapolis at various yards, we hoofed it back to Deltaville, reasoning that they understood us and our boat.  Kindly they responded to our short time line (we really needed to get going on our crossing) where they measured the rudder stock precisely and a new fitting was ordered.  It’s interesting to note that Edson, the supplier, needed a reading that was accurate to within three thousandths of an inch.  On being given these dimensions they then bore the hole in the fitting.  It fitted perfectly and is still doing sterling service.
 

Hauling out at short notice

More Steering Breakages.  At this late stage we decided to sail south a relatively short distance to Norfolk, at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay, and then head off for Europe from there.  The first night out, as you do, we had a fine gale which was quite unexpected.  We also lost autopilot steering when the cog, on the other end of the shaft that the steering wheel is fitted to, sheared so that the chain to the autopilot motor was completely disconnected. 

Unhappily, but not wanting to steer all the way across the Atlantic, we turned back to Norfolk, ordered a new replacement shaft, had the broken one repaired too, fitted the new shaft and autopilot chain, then headed north to New York City (again). 

As we had no further problems we then headed east for Europe via the Azores. As you do!

Some of the crew added their own modifications
which came with a drinks service too!

2009: Year 2 - Work in Trinidad

PowerBoats Yard, Chaguaramus: Part 1

PowerBoats Yard - Our Neighbours

We set aside another 2 months of our cruising season to add a few little extras in Trinidad.  Power Boat Yard was a good choice in every respect and we enjoyed getting to know the locals, other cruisers and experiencing life in Trinidad, the capital of “ridim”, mon!  At this stage we had finished our surveyor's report of essential "things to do" and now wanted some repairs or additions to make life a little easier....

Move 'em Out!

Cutter Rig.  I wanted a more easily handled sail arrangement and so we added an inner forestay and new staysail.  WJ3 is now a cutter.  I would heartily recommend our rigging people – Trinidad Rigging – and his local staff who were very easy to work with and totally professional. 

The sailmaker’s new sail appeared to fit okay and looked fine to me.  However, despite my many requests, he never came to check the fitted sail to make sure it was a tailored fitting – very disappointing. 

More Canvas Work.    More canvas work was planned and David, the canvas man at Power Boats (marina/boatyard where we stayed in Trinidad) made side and rear shade cloth curtains for the bimini.  These additions completed the bimini/dodger ensemble so that we can keep both sun and bugs out of the cockpit while allowing the main hatchway to be kept open when it rains.  We have our very own bug house now!  David made another smaller awning for the foredeck and this makes it even cooler when at anchor – great.  Even better, we don’t need to do the “hatches” song & dance routine when it rains, as it frequently does in the tropics.  The bimini also needed stitching in odd places and its PVC window needed to be replaced.  I couldn’t see through it to check the set of my sails.  We also had a cover for Bruce (our dinghy) made to protect him against nasty UV rays.  Now he has his very own “coat”.  David was very patient and professional; working hard to ensure we were completely happy and that his product was delivered on time.  He is highly recommended.

Showing off our Trini renovations in a very friendly Marina Turks Caicos

Insect Screens.   You wouldn’t think these were important until one is set upon by mozzies, can’t-see-ums, etc which can be a daily occurrence in the Caribbean, US Intracoastal Waterway, and Bahamas.  We have screens for most coach house deck hatches.  The Galley Slave is allergic to burning mozzie coils, however we can get away with one lighted in the saloon while keeping screens over our hatches above our bunk in the forward cabin.  This seems to sort out any bugs that make it into our cabin.  With the Hella fans running it is relatively comfortable even in the heat of the tropics. Their biggest issue is having to take them out before we can close the hatches if it rains...so back to the drawing board but, they'll do for now! 

Engine Insulation.  I replaced engine and generator insulation as the old insulation was coming away and the old foam was becoming powdery – an easy job to do myself.  I simply cut out the required shape and applied contact cement and/or pins/buttons, which all made for a secure attachment.

Generator Upgrade & Repairs.  We had a coolant reservoir fitted to the generator (same as more modern versions) by a professional mechanic and it’s now much easier to control coolant levels, especially when at sea. 

I also replaced my raw water impellor when I noticed there was only a relatively small flow of water being expelled through the exhaust.  Removed impellor plus bits of impellor blades and replaced with spare. I now do this routinely for both the engine and generator at the start of each season – I keep the old impellors that are undamaged, as spares. 

2008: Couriers in Guadeloupe

Refuelling before leaving St Martin

Work Completed Underway: Part 3

It was now early August and we needed to leave the relative safety of St Martin and the Lagoon.  In our early days (read inexperience) we did not really take the weather into account.  A rough crossing to Antigua became apparent (large seas on the nose) and forced us to rest at St Barts for the remainder of our day. Just before nightfall, while we still had visibility, we took advantage of calmer seas and headed off.  After a pleasant stay in Antigua (and no sign of our rudder) we moved on to Guadeloupe getting as far as the Isle de Saintes before heading across to Pointe-a-Petre, a secure mooring and an airport (with customs office) to take delivery of our rudder.

Thru wind & rain....

Self Steering Rudder.  Taking delivery of our self steering rudder from the customs office at the airport in Pointe-a-Petre meant having to use a taxi.  Getting out there was easy but getting back to the dockyards near where we were anchored was not!  I made the mistake of getting into the taxi before agreeing on a price for the taxi fare.  The driver just took off at a great rate of knots and then tried to rip me off by demanding I pay an outrageous fare.  I asked him, rather enthusiastically, to stop and let me out but he just kept on driving like a maniac.  I directed him to the Port Captain’s Office where I rushed out (with my rudder) and sort refuge therein.  One of the staff stepped in and sorted things out for me so that I did not have to pay the ridiculous amount demanded by my ‘kidnapper’.  They were nice staff at this office and also allowed us to refill our water tanks before eventually departing.

Generator. Our generator has been well mannered since first using it in 2008.  However, we needed to have a leaking/damaged rubber elbow and also some rather large fuses (which started to blow) replaced with circuit breakers. No generator meant no fridge and no food!  Replacement was undertaken by a French electrician in Pointe-a-Petre (Waypoint) and we can’t recommend them highly enough.  They are a major electrical shop at the yacht docks.  After diagnosing our generator’s problem he then directed us to a supplier (on the other side of the city) and loaned us his car to go and get the required circuit breakers.  Our first experience of driving among the Frenchies turned out okay and we returned his car undamaged an hour or so later, now with full fuel and with said parts, which he duly installed.  Everything worked perfectly so what can one say.  It is this sort of experience that makes the cruising life so enjoyable and restores the occasional loss of faith in some marine technicians/businesses. 

Port of Pointe-a-Petre

Our first Caribbean fish (inedible)

We enjoyed our stay in Pointe-a-Petre.  Supermarkets, restaurants, a bakery and laundry line the docks and within walking distance was a larger supermarket and marine equipment suppliers.  Best of all, we enjoyed our first really good pizza! 

While I'm making general comments, I'd like to point out how thoroughly the French take their maritime security.  We were boarded in St Barts, questioned in Isles des Saintes and watched in Martinique.  It was not intrusive and we welcomed their presence and efforts to make anchorages safer. 

(We also think they wondered about our flag and strange accent! Go you good thing!)

2008: Year 1 - Work in the BVI

Nanny Cay, BVI: Part 1

After purchasing WJ3, I followed the surveyor’s report (made prior to purchase) to address those things that needed to be fixed.  Most of this work was carried out in BVI by me, my son (when not surfing or generally schmoozing) and contractors where necessary.

Bow Fitting.  Condemned in the initial survey, there were supposed to be hairline cracks in the bow fitting. I tried to replace it. Hunter sent me the wrong fitting though, so I had to send it back.  Eventually we had the original bow fitting stain tested; no cracks found, so we put it back on after reinforcing the bow area with more fibreglass.  This included replacing two damaged plastic rollers @ $200 each (wow!). Got my money back from Hunter after a lot of mucking around and wasted time. 

Anchor & Anchor Well. I purchased a larger anchor as one of my first purchases (a Rocna) – use it all the time with 300+’ of 5/16’’ tested chain (equivalent to 3/8’’ normal chain) – holds very well and digs in quickly -  great peace of mind, especially when you leave the boat on its own.  Anchor Well reinforcing bracket needed fibreglass repair as it had partially delaminated – did it myself. Enlarged drain holes to make them more flush with bottom of anchor well. Put plastic grating down to raise chain a bit above floor where there is often water sitting. A couple of studs in the anchor winch needed to be loosened as they had seized in place, needed to remove the winch to do it in a workshop.  Winch appeared to be fairly new but I had the electric wiring serviced and refitted.

Lifelines.  Replaced with all new wire and terminals by rigger.

New rigging installation by Richardsons in BVI

Mast and Standing Rigging.  Replaced all wire with new.  Had mast-steps fitted all the way up tot the top of the mast.  Spinnaker pole purchased and a mast track attached to the front of the mast, new wind instrument, main topping lift and halyard added, goose neck fitting re-bushed (plus a spare one purchased), repaired Selden boom vang fitting on bottom of boom by fixing the vang in place (rather than it sliding backwards and forwards which in effect meant it didn’t work), plus serviced mast and jib furlers.  Fitted new luff feeder for jib. 

Rudder.   I replaced the rudder that originally came with the boat – it had a fibreglass/carbon stock and there have been a number of failures on other boats.  Mine had a bit of water leaking around the join of the stock to the rudder indicating a crack perhaps.  Whether fibreglass rudder stocks are good or bad  (since some other boat manufacturers also use fibreglass stocks) could be debated perhaps however I wasn’t going to take any more chances than necessary and also Hunter sell stainless-stock rudders, which must indicate something.  Another Hunter 460 at the yard where I bought the boat also replaced his rudder for the same reason and the new rudders and their stocks appear to be very substantial – clearly a major improvement on the fibreglass ones.  Makes for peace of mind when sailing. 

 

Main Engine.  Changed oil, fuel filters, etc and had engine checked (twice).  Primary fuel filter also used to get a bit dirty and has needed cleaning but seems to have fixed any problems with regular engine running, turnover of fuel, and regular inspections/cleaning/changing of primary filter.  Cleaned up engine and sprayed with CRC heavy duty corrosion inhibitor – great stuff. Engine mounts may need replacement in future but appear to be ok for now.

Propeller Shaft Strut.  This needed repair as a line appeared to have wrapped itself around the prop shaft and bent the strut.  Prop shaft withdrawn, checked for straightness, and then put back.  Prop strut bent and needed removal and straightening before being refitted.  New cutlass bearing also fitted at this time.  Prop also needed a blade repaired.  All have worked fine since being repaired and put back together.

Engine Throttle Control.  This had to be replaced with a new one.  I employed a local guy to help me do this and it turned out to be the wrong way round ie when the throttle/gear lever was pushed forward the engine engaged reverse.  I fixed it myself in the end.

Northern Lights 6kw Generator.  Initially, new filters, oil changed.  Raw water pump bearing replaced by contractor as pump leaked.