Winter Lay Over

Oven Repairs = no cooking for 6 days

After almost three months in Gibraltar our winter task list is almost complete with Sabbaticus showing the results of the constant attention and many hours of labour.  How naive we were to think we could have managed paid employment during our winter stop over - surprisingly the boat tasks have been all consuming. 

Attaching tell tales to the main

Our maintenance lists now shows 65 tasks completed, while satisfying there is always more to do which ensures there is never a dull day without activity.  The range of tasks have included; three coats of polish on the fibreglass, diving the boat to inspect and clean the hull, repairing the oven, sewing covers for the NAV plotter and outboard motor,installing a new winch control unit, oil changes, fitting the fishing rod holder, getting the sails re-cut and new shorter battens installed, servicing all (7) winch's and the windless (for the anchor), replacing the bow, gas and lazaret locker seals, cleaning the teak decks, restocking the boat, refueling the diesel, reading and planning the passage to Greece   .... the list just goes on so we will stop there!
 

Servicing the winch's

While none of these tasks are difficult it is surprising how much time is spent researching to find the right part number, sourcing the spares, talking with manufacturers on the repair process and then waiting for the spares to arrive.  We have sourced parts now from the UK, Canada and Sweden, ironically the UK parts always take the longest (up to 3 weeks) to arrive through the postal and subsequent customs process.  A simple task of collecting spares from the courier required four different office calls at the airport before the spares were released by customs.  Logistics can be so frustrating at times and is not assisted when the incorrect part is shipped and then everything shuts down for Christmas holidays resulting in another delay!  Thankfully the UK Oyster Customer Support provided by Sam has been invaluable at collating our spares order and sending one consignment avoiding more costs with customs clearance for each shipment. Lessons learned have showed us the advantage of being in one location for an extended period to access wifi, receive parts and re-stock spares used.

Anti-Chafe destroyed

Katabatic winds in the marina

Our winter has been very mild with only about 2 weeks total of wet weather which has made it easier to complete our 'outside jobs'.  We have experienced some katabatic winds, resulting in gusts up to 50kts in the marina, the wind indicator misaligned and corresponding surges for a few days. At time like this it would have been good to be living on land and not have the disturbed sleep hearing the constant noise, groans and movement of Sabbaticus as she strains on her mooring lines. Although we had spent considerable time researching and then procuring anti-chafe webbing from the UK - after three days of surge the anti-chafe was worn through which was disappointing.  

Refueling at Gibraltar was a pleasure with tax free diesel at .39p the tanks (total capacity of 770 litres) are now filled for our passage across the Med. We are now waiting for our last two spares to arrive so that we can start heading east to ensure we are in Greece by May to meet Maree and Colin (John's sister and brother-in-law) who are joining us for six weeks cruising the Greek Islands. 

Refueling in anticipation of leaving

 Time to start passage planning for our trip across the Med ........