Resuming the account of our Atlantic circuit, we have some catching up to do. Leaving Hejira in Rubicon Marina on the southern coast of Lanzarote, it proved to be an ideal location on all fronts. Paula and I used it as a base to explore the island and the swimming pool within the marina was the focal point of Paula’s holiday when she returned with Marie, one of her friends from her student days. The visits enabled a good deal of equipment and stores to be shipped including a spare Mamba self-steering drive unit and the water maker following its service and check. Before our departure, we had a ‘Bon Voyage’ party at Thornleigh with the people who have been variously involved with ‘Hejira’,
Barry then travelled out to Lanzarote and spent a week with Helen and they kindly hauled Hejira out for a wash and brush up. They discovered that the ‘coppercoat’ hull treatment seems not to be effective against coral in these warmer waters as it had become established on the hull. With anodes replaced and with a clean bottom and polished (thanks Helen!) topsides, Hejira was returned to her berth to await our arrival following the World cup final. Having left the (partially) reconditioned Yankee jib with the sail-maker in Rubicon marina, it took lots of ‘badgering’ to get any work done and the work that has been done is not in accordance with our instructions so this is another issue that needs some review. Despite working continually during Paula and Barry’s periods on board, the watermaker refused to function on our overnight crossing to Gran Canaria. In that the only difference was that we were at sea and pitching and rolling instead of sitting calmly in the marina, we set about analysing what could be the reason for this and the original mal-function in similar conditions. By a process of elimination, we considered that if the primary filter was re-positioned at a lower level, the unit would start to produce fresh water and this was added to our extending list of tasks to be undertaken in Las Palmas.
With a week of jobs, seminars, victualling and stowing, there will be little time left for the socialising which is part of the ARC+ experience – although we will, of course, do our best!
I will, however try to find time for the blog!
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