 |
After a long passage, sometimes we need to fuel up
and concentrate on something that ISN'T life-or-death related. |
"So, you two have been tied up in Milford Marina for weeks now. You have gone on a few day trips, but what do you all day?"
Staying in Milford Haven through the winter has allowed us to get the boat organised. When we first moved aboard last March, we threw things into lockers so we could get out sailing with the Garcia staff. Not a lot of rhyme or reason to where things were put - we poked spares in with bedding, jammed clothes into drawers and under bed lockers, popped plates and cups behind the sink without consideration for how practical these locations would be.
When we left the boat on the hardstand to sail the North West Passage, Garcia were doing some warranty work. So we packed all our belongings into lockers that allowed them to access the areas they needed to. Then (sigh), once back, Garcia wanted to take us sailing to show us how to set up our new Oxley sail. So, once more, things were jammed in willy-nilly to allow us to go sailing.
Now we are back and it is time to put things in order.
 |
| First, let's open up the sole and see how much storage room there is. |
 |
| PLENTY of room! |
 |
| The 'house' system batteries are in there and they need to be protected from anything else that gets stored down there, so time for Kate to get to work with her sewing machine. |
 |
| Creating new canvas work on deck and down below decks |
 |
| Voila! A deep bag with clips to attach to the underside of the sole. |
 |
Installed, with clips in place to protect the batteries ...
and a second, inset bag with strap handles to allow for quick access to the bottom bits!
Ingenious! |
We have many of these under-sole storage areas. They range in size from shoebox- to bathtub-size. These spaces have become super handy for storing all sorts of things from bed linens to foul weather gear to shoes, ... spares and even wine! Travelling with everything you need to outfit yourself for arctic-to-tropical needs requires serious storage.
 |
| Sean gets to work by whipping some of the spare lines we have. |
 |
| Don't those ends look tidier? |
As glamourous as the sailing life is, the essential details that derive from not having house staff eventually rear their heads. Dishes, laundry, paying bills, taxes, ... even a bit of local resource-finding.
 |
| Doing laundry ... and finding a way (and a place) to dry it! |
 |
| Finding trails that head away from the marina and exploring by bicycle. |
 |
| Researching marinas, anchorages and distances between them; sea currents and tide gates; finding little villages that look like they have interesting waterfronts |
 |
Trying out the new dry suit
(which is MUCH more waterproof when your dressing assistant fully closes the zipper!) |
 |
| Marking the chain at ten metre intervals |
 |
| Whipping pull tabs out of para-cord for the lifeline gates, downhaul and running backstay shackles |
 |
| Crafting new blinds that magnetically attach to the aluminium frames using magic! |
 |
| Rearranging the forward sail locker |
 |
| Diving under the sole (floorboards) to do engine maintenance |
We serviced the engine, changing the oil, the oil filter and fuel filters. We sorted all our spares and made lists of what we have and where they are stored. We also ordered a few more things from Garcia to ensure we have everything we need. And we made a full inventory on what is stored where - for everything!
 |
| Peek-a-boo! |
 |
Sorting and labelling our courtesy flags
and making sure we have what we need for the next few months |
 |
| Sewing of above-deck canvas, too. Lots of sewing! |
Other sewing projects have included:
- Blinds for the windows
- Padded Bike Bags
- Bag for the sewing machine
- Under floor storage bags in six locations
- Fitted sheets, mattress protectors and woollen underlays for all the bunks
- Cover for the outboard
- Pockets for water bottles on the cockpit table cover
- Dividers in settee lockers
- Fridge baskets
- Zip bag for a First Aid Kit
- Repaired some chafe on the sail cover
- Repairs to Courtesy flags
The sewing machine has certainly been put to good use. Thanks Mum!
And please remember that Blogger posts your comment as anonymous if you don't have an account, so please sign off with your name so we know who you are!
Comments
Post a Comment