in the water

We couldn't do much this morning- it was mostly waiting for the yard to be ready. We checked the raw water pump and found a new gasket and impeller had been fitted. I did notice that the tiller pilot connection to the tiller was something we had completely forgotten about. I've done temporary fix after temporary fix. It really needs the tiller removed and a new mount for the pin attached.

A narrow gap, for a big hoist

 Getting the hoist to her was tricky for the yard chaps. By the time it was in place you couldn't slide a feeler gauge between the hoist and the boats either side of us.

They moved her without scratching any other boat and we clambered aboard and were driven down the slip. Robinetta swung gently in the slings. The water took her weight and Alison tried the engine. The battery wasn't up to it. I changed to the other side and Alison gave it some throttle and eventually the trusty 1GM10 sprang to life. We backed out of the sling and after some moving around we were clear in about 0.9m of depth under the keel. The echo sounder worked with no fuss.

Alison backed into deeper water and then motored forward to B pontoon. I set warps and fenders. That was when we realised we had left the new warps in the car. We had enough on board.

The wind had backed so instead of blowing off the berth it was blowing onto the port sides of the finger. Alison expertly manoeuvred so the wind pushed us gently against one and I tied us up.

We left the engine in neutral charging both batteries and went to the car and loaded a trolley, and another. I swapped the warps for the new ones and ran out the bowsprit to get its lines sorted while Alison stowed the luggage.

We turned off the engine and checked both batteries. Each started the engine easily now. Lunchtime.

Lunch was a cooked breakfast in the Marina café. We walked it off with a trip in to town and then got Worm to the pontoon.

Alison wanted shore power and our lead didn't quite reach so we warped Robinetta across to the other finger. It was better anyway as we were now blown off.

I set the no 2 jib so I could get the furling line wound onto the drum the right way round and then put the jib away again and we bent on the mainsail.


It feels like we are ready,