Out of the blue on Sunday my Skipper and Crew turned up, but what was unusual about this was the fact that the dinghy was hoisted up onto my davits. This is usually reserved for when we go away for any length of time and its needed to get everyone to shore when anchored. So I was somewhat confused as there had been no toing & froing or delivery of provisions or clothes. Skip did turn up on Saturday but he removed the controller to the wind generator and went again. Anyway, lines were slipped and off we went, passed the Genny Lee without incident and then almost immediately I was swung round into the ebbing tide and brought gently against Shepards Marina outer southern pontoon. I was duly made good, springs and warps set, fender levels adjusted and shore power connected and fridge not only turned on but left on.
It turns out that whilst the house, which is why I haven't been anywhere of any distance this year, is having its extension done, which includes the ripping out and fitting of a new kitchen, my owners are going to use my galley to cook food. My Skipper stays on board for long periods during the day to work, I assume to get away from the noise and dust and there must be much of that what with a floor & ceiling replacement.
He did the other Saturday clean one-half of my hull with a new product he bought at this years Southampton boat show, a quick clean & polish spray. Two microban clothes were used both lifted the dirt, I'd like to say effortlessly but seeing the Skipper 4 hours later that might be not the correct statement to use. His efforts left a shiny hue similar to that he achieves during the winter clean he gives me on the hard. He has brought back with him more products, a boat wash and UV wax treatment, with the intention to clean the Gel coat on the deck whilst I'm here for the next few weeks.
The Webasto fan has been cleaned out once more and re-fitted, with the fan that Skip bought temporary fitted in line and wired in. After a few hours the unit shut itself down again and he's been unable to fire it up again since, so it looks like that will go back to the end of the queue. He's going to make the adjustments to the ducting as per the experts drawing this winter, then wait and see if he can get a good deal and upgrade.
He's also been talking to Eurospars about the Facnor top-down furling system FX+4500. This is to assist tacking with the 110m² Code 0, instead of using the snuffer to douse it, tack then pass everything in front of the furled jib and the snuffer raised again. It can be quickly furled tacked and unfurled with speed. However, it comes at a price and that price is similar to that of the sail itself, so that may be parked on the wish list for now.
