In this publication9 photos · 1 video
Friday, seven: the yard resumed fitting the bow platform, welded the lift-pump lever back and retrieved their tools beneath the engine. Finished only at ten.
Launch near noon. No admiring her afloat: tissues out, checking seacocks, keel bolts and shaft, pressing each joint to see whether it stayed dry. Five or ten minutes, then reassurance she wasn’t immediately trying to return ashore from inside. Mast crane booked for one. Original plan achieved in its artistic interpretation: still in the marina, at least afloat.
Mast and new shrouds before departure. After winter’s work, surely a formality. Ordered to the old ones’ pattern, mast aboard, crane ready. Just reassemble.
Mast ashore
At the appointed time, onto trestles ashore. They fitted shrouds; I installed wind sensor, VHF antenna, wind indicator and radar reflectors.
Unexpectedly, an aluminium shroud retainer at a spreader tip cracked. It keeps the wire correctly positioned where loads must run properly. They measured and cut a replacement from compressed plastic. Said it would hold as well.
I didn’t make a drama. Against everything else, almost routine: break, measure, replace, refit.
Almost ready
Around two, stepping the mast. I received it in the saloon, protecting furniture from the heel. Meanwhile: could I still reach Grömitz today?
Nearly in place, a voice above: «Andrei, probably we have a problem».
I asked, still holding it: «What kind of problem?»
A short answer: «It seems the new shrouds are too long».
Heel secured, I went on deck. Turnbuckles lay on it. Shrouds so long they reached the deck fittings without room for tensioning. Nowhere left to tighten.
When an error helps
The yard accepted responsibility: they’d ordered them. Remove, send back to manufacturer, refit and step again at their expense. Arrange free berthing with the harbourmaster until finished too.
I agreed. Honestly, a little relieved. Kiel cancelled for an unavoidable technical reason, beyond fear, forecast or doubts about the boat.
Launch, mast, eighty-mile departure: finally collapsed. So did the illusion of collecting a boat after major work like a car after servicing and simply driving away.
Critical work needs a short checking phase. Inspect afloat. Test the shaft seal under load. Check engine for fuel and air leaks. Tune rigging. See what changed before heading far.
Mast finally up two weeks later. The delay became a useful checking pause. After hull, shaft, engine and rigging work, a few marina days make sense before a long passage.
#maintenance
Launch near noon. No admiring her afloat: tissues out, checking seacocks, keel bolts and shaft, pressing each joint to see whether it stayed dry. Five or ten minutes, then reassurance she wasn’t immediately trying to return ashore from inside. Mast crane booked for one. Original plan achieved in its artistic interpretation: still in the marina, at least afloat.
Mast and new shrouds before departure. After winter’s work, surely a formality. Ordered to the old ones’ pattern, mast aboard, crane ready. Just reassemble.
Mast ashore
At the appointed time, onto trestles ashore. They fitted shrouds; I installed wind sensor, VHF antenna, wind indicator and radar reflectors.
Unexpectedly, an aluminium shroud retainer at a spreader tip cracked. It keeps the wire correctly positioned where loads must run properly. They measured and cut a replacement from compressed plastic. Said it would hold as well.
I didn’t make a drama. Against everything else, almost routine: break, measure, replace, refit.
Almost ready
Around two, stepping the mast. I received it in the saloon, protecting furniture from the heel. Meanwhile: could I still reach Grömitz today?
Nearly in place, a voice above: «Andrei, probably we have a problem».
I asked, still holding it: «What kind of problem?»
A short answer: «It seems the new shrouds are too long».
Heel secured, I went on deck. Turnbuckles lay on it. Shrouds so long they reached the deck fittings without room for tensioning. Nowhere left to tighten.
When an error helps
The yard accepted responsibility: they’d ordered them. Remove, send back to manufacturer, refit and step again at their expense. Arrange free berthing with the harbourmaster until finished too.
I agreed. Honestly, a little relieved. Kiel cancelled for an unavoidable technical reason, beyond fear, forecast or doubts about the boat.
Launch, mast, eighty-mile departure: finally collapsed. So did the illusion of collecting a boat after major work like a car after servicing and simply driving away.
Critical work needs a short checking phase. Inspect afloat. Test the shaft seal under load. Check engine for fuel and air leaks. Tune rigging. See what changed before heading far.
Mast finally up two weeks later. The delay became a useful checking pause. After hull, shaft, engine and rigging work, a few marina days make sense before a long passage.
#maintenance
Original and discussionOpen post in Telegram ↗
