First proper day on the boat

Today I had my last free breakfast at the Neo+ hotel, before moving out to a cheaper hotel down by the boat.

From now on I’ll be getting breakfast in the street. I had a meeting with the boatyard managers today to discuss how we are going to proceed with the hull blisters. We have agreed to grind/sand down the hull to the gelcoat, so we can see the extent of the blistering. Once they have done this, it is likely they will grind down all of the blisters taking out the fiberglass below the gelcoat, this will then be rebuilt with fresh fiberglass and epoxy filler. We may then go for an epoxy coat over the whole hull, or some form of barrier protection. I’m not convinced either is a great solution, but I’m trying to get a surveyor down to give his opinion, once we remove all the paint/primer on the hull. The whole process may take a couple of months, depending on the extent of the osmosis, as the hull has to fully dry before the repairs start. I’m hoping they will complete the grinding before I leave so I get a feel for the scope of the work.

I was able to spend most of the afternoon/evening on the boat today, getting to know her better, and to rummage through the lockers and stowage areas. I found these pretty Japanese things, presumably left by Toshio the previous owner.

I asked my good friend, and alleged Japanese speaker Dominic, what they meant, with his usual classy wit he responded with the translation; “ha ha you have bought a shite boat that will never get you out of the harbour”, whatever happened to real humour. They actually are some kind of blessing to the boat.

Did I mention the boat has mast steps, so I can walk to the top now. That will be fun.

I’m getting a bow thruster fitted along with the hull work, it’s the perfect time and place to do this. I will also get the standing rigging replaced, that’s the 9 long wires that hold the mast up. After that it should get a good survey and be insurable for the passage around the world.

It’s really difficult working on the boat in this scorching humid heat, I think I got burnt today, also, no sooner does the sun set and it improves a little, then mosquitos appear. Some of them carry dengue fever, which is a killer, so that adds a little excitement to it all.

Saying that, I love being surrounded by nautical stuff, either boatyards, or harbours. At dusk, the fishing boat go racing out from a little port 100 meters north of me, and with the lights of the new bridge twinkling behind me, it’s very atmospheric.

And as is usual here, just after sunset, a lightning storm kicks off.

Tomorrow the boat is being moved to be closer to the grinding station, and I’m hoping I can get some mains power and start up the aircon. I will also be able to  work inside then, however I don’t expect to get much done if they are grinding the hull.