The Medicane came ashore just south of here hitting the lower Ionian Island of Zakynthos, Ithaca, and Cephalonia, causing damage and loss of boats, as well as destruction ashore. We were fortunate to be out of the direct path and only saw winds around 35 knots. The 2 days of rain was a nice change, and although there was some surface flooding in the yard, after 1 day of sun when it was also blowing up to 35 knots, it was gone. There was a rainy day mid week, and another high wind event due this weekend. It appears that we are officially into the swing season!
Here at the yard, there are fits and starts of boat hauling activity. Today is busy as the wind is due tomorrow and we saw the same before the Medicane. Our rudders are back in but need “tuning” as they don’t seat properly yet. The guy working on it has another boat to finish with before he returns to complete our project. All the work done (painting, polishing, fiberglassing, sail drive service and seal replacent) has been of a good quality, and we are impressed with the efficiency of the worker’s (although the fibber glass fellow, “Billy” has more work than time.) Yesterday, we thought he had stopped by early and was vigorously shaking our rudders, but it turned out it was a little earthquake, huh!
Boat jobs proceed with rewiring projects, which are a bit fiddly and in tight quarters. The electric port winch needs a new gearbox, motor rebuild, and was just rebeded, as it was the source of a water leak into the guest cabin. The winch was not part of the expected maintenance and a very spendy fix. The new bearings in all the manual winches was planned for, and those we brought with us. We are reminded that there are areas that don’t have any access at all, and will require a carpenter to rectify at some point down the road.
Todd made a trip up the mast to do the rig check and run the new main halyard he spliced earlier in the week. Which was when the port winch issue was discovered. I ran him up with the electric main halyard winch, and then lowered him manually. (This is good position for me to negotiate from!) Communication while he is up the mast has been flawless with the “marriage saver’s”.
