Monday, February 20, 2017

Pre-departure Penarth...filed for completion, Jnauary 16th and 17th

January 16, 2017

Hello to all. Progress has (finally) been made, multiple projects accomplished, and all is looking good on this end. I have been sorrowfully out of touch since I have been here...and for that I apologize, but I have spent my time attending to boat projects since my arrival. Tony Truin and Steve McWatters joined me on Thursday and have pitched in 100% as well - the "Calvary" has been a great help. Since my arrival I/we have accomplished:

Trouble shoot and then exchanged out our speed sensor (re-ran entire unit)
Trouble shot and fixed the Windex (ended up as poor connecting terminals at the mast junction)
Replaced the forward shower sump pump
Trouble-shot and fixed the aft head sump pump
Removed the boom vang fitting, repaired and painted the track, and had riggers reinstall the new part
Replaced the boom vang and remade the stopper line
Decanted propane from UK bottle into our USA bottles
Removed and cleaned battery cables and replaced all replaceable battery terminal connectors
Trouble sot and had the heater/boiler system repaired
Had repaired (twice) the fluid core of a fan-box in the heating circuit
Changed the heater fluid because of piping failure
Changed autopilot motor brushes
and a few other things

People think that yachting is so exotic!!!

Our plan is to leave Monday morning (sadly sans Steve) for an overnight sail from Penarth, Wales to Falmouth, England. We have postponed departure to let some weather pass, and should have relatively benign conditions on our 26-30 hour trip, expecting a mid day arrival in Falmouth. I have a few OCC contacts in Falmouth, and should be able to gather some good insights to make our stay enjoyable. We will then plan for a 10-14 day passage to London, which will allow sufficient time to choose the days we want to be out sailing. 

With most projects checked off, we are a bit more relaxed and will have a pleasant weekend before we head off. We will stay in touch,

Best regards,

Bill and the crew of SY Visions of Johanna

January 17, 2017 - safe and sound in Dartmouth

Hello all: A 7:30 AM departure yesterday and a reasonably uneventful
pass through the 2 sets of locks (ie. no damage) was followed by a
very satisfactory passage to Falmouth. We motored 2/3 of the
time...expected, found some lumpy seas...expected, had a bit of nice
winds...expected, and Tony and I did just fine. We were very happy to
have Alethea's beef stew on board for dinner (or is that Tea???) We
dined delightfully well and barely missed the nice Red we didn't share
with dinner!

We will explore Falmouth this afternoon and at this point plan a
predawn departure tomorrow (Wednesday) to Dartmouth, sailing back to
back days to make some miles before a predicted easterly arrives on
Thursday.

Best regards,
>
Bill and the crew of SY Visions of Johanna

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi Bill & Johanna,
Been trying to track you down, as we left the Golfe du Morbihan without managing to say goodbye. Hope your sailing adventure through France has continued to be enjoyable and that we catch up somewhere in France, UK or the Med at some point. We hope to get down to Ile d'Yeu around 3rd week of June and Ile de RĂ© at the beginning of July. Good winds and fair tides to you.
Best wishes,
John Hall & Caroline Boyfield S/V Ceilidh