Betwixt

 With sailing season well underway, many international boats have sailed into Zululand Yacht Club, some staying a week, some many weeks.  The boatyard is a good place to do repairs.  Boats sailing in two rallies came through The Bay all within two weeks of each.  World Arc Rally and Grand Yachting World Odyssey.  The marina was jammed with enormous yachts and catamarans.  The Monday night braai was lively. We have spent many weeks working on the sails and rigging, going out sailing to test the rigging every opportunity.  Once the radio was fitted and working we could sail out the harbour, past the bay mouth which is called the washing machine for a reason.  Hectic!  Then out at sea in windy conditions with too much sail up initially.  More hectic!  Reefing was the key and learning to rig it and apply it took several trips out sailing.  Very grateful to have our sailing buddy Ernst join us on most trips out to help with the reef...

Weeks of rigging, re-rigging and making soft shackles using dyneema rope.  Also making more dead-eyes and blocks as we figure out what is needed for each rig.  Sailing lessons continue and doing all the compliance.  John had to re-write the exam and re-do an eye test because it was first done 3 years ago and was now expired. Bureaucracy. Fortunate for John to have a sailing buddy also learning and they can crew for each other for the practical exam.  The big day came and the weather was perfect and they both passed in spite of the curve ball the examiner threw at them - do a man overboard rescue without an engine!  Two new Skippers in Richards Bay. The sails ordered from plan arrive from Cape Town. A main, mizzen, genoa, jib and storm jib.  Now to see if they fit.  First one to be tested is the main, hoisting it on a calm day, and it is a bit too big, about 70mm too long.  The rest were perfect. Next was to see if the engine worked, fitting fuel h...

 What colour to paint our boat?  Pea Green was one option.  We went with Pearl Grey.  Dealing with coastal weather of alternating heat and drizzle we managed to apply 3 coats of paint and 3 coats of anti-fouling.  We were advised to apply a special anti-fouling to the propeller which involved several steps applied quickly ending with a silicone clear coat.  Hope it is that good. The damaged mast was repaired and varnished.  Learned that the humidity and resultant dew can cause problems with varnish; three days of stripping off the mess.  Sailing season is starting which brought about a flurry of activity in the boatyard.  A crane was about to be hired to lift masts so we joined in to share cost and a date was set and we needed to get the main mast ready, quickly.  The spreaders were made, varnished and installed. The radio was sourced and rigging completed.  And up it went.  The mast fitted in perfectly, but the saloon table in...

 After 30 years of living on our 5 acre plot in the country, our one bedroom apartment in Richards Bay is a change.  Our place is just over a small channel from the Zululand yacht club and boatyard.  I love the view of the marina.  So chilled.   Frantic packing and basically abandoning possessions and our home, we finally left Johannesburg to begin our new life arriving in RB at midnight.  This past week has been busy.  It feels a little like we are on holiday here, and I will want to go home soon.   Sailing lessons have kept us occupied.  Fortunate that a new sailing school has just started up here in RB saving us trips to Durban.  We need the certificates to sail our own boat when she is ready;  Day Skipper, Coastal, and Off-Shore.  Its a process  of learning the ropes and accumulating the specified nautical miles to qualify. Our beautiful Betwixt was just where we left her.  Work began immediately. The st...

 The complicated arrangements of moving boat to Richards Bay suddenly fell into place.  We were told by the transport company that the boat will be loaded on Wednesday, go back to their yard, and leave early Thursday to Richards Bay.  The off-loading at the boatyard was booked for 3pm Friday.  Sounded good.  Abnormal trucks can only drive during daylight hours and not on weekends.  We were planning on following the truck to keep an eye on our precious cargo the entire way. Day 1.   9am Crane arrived and much discussion followed on how the boat would be lifted into position.   10.30am  The low-bed truck arrived, taking down our gate post on entering.  The loading of the boat went very smoothly.  There were enough hands to simply carry the two masts and secure them to the truck bed.   12.30pm  Truck loaded and the driver announced that he was going to start driving to Richards Bay.  And so the chaos began...

 Moved the boat out from its shelter where it has stood for about 30 years.  Using block and our anchor chain and a few trees and bushes, and Maxwell our groundsman, the boat moved 30m into the sun.  One of the reasons was to not disturb the new owlets in the rafters.  The other reason was to see what the sun would do to the sealant on the deck.  So nice to be able to stand up straight now while working on the deck! The design and making of the dodger is proving to be very tricky, of course.  How to determine the height of it so that one short person can see over it from the cockpit, and one tall person can get into the cabin without having to do backbends. We have been anxiously waiting for the finalising of the sale of our property;  and  transport arrangements to Richards Bay.  The last few years has felt like a rollercoaster ride.  We have been chugging up to that big one for the last year, and the free fall on the other side is on t...

 The steel framework holding the boat up has been reinforced for the move to Richards Bay.  Definitely do not want it to fall off the truck taking into account the potholed roads. Waterline now visible.  The anti-fouling paint will only be done after a hull inspection in RB. Spot the ladder used in the frame reinforcing. The move date will be end June the earliest.  We have applied for membership at the Zululand Yacht Club, and they insist on meeting us before they approve.  So we will have to journey there next month and put on our best behaviour at the ballot meeting. Our life is about to change completely.  The uncertainty of this whole new way of living is a little bit frightening.   How does one do a FICA when one is floating about the Atlantic Ocean?  We have always been self-sufficient, do-it-yourself type of people, but will it be enough?  And the sea sickness ... We are all in.  Our house is up for sale.  No fall back....

 The stainless steel fittings, polished and shiny, gives a finished look to the wooden deck.  The stern pushpit, bowsprit and stanchions were shaped, tig welded and fitted. Back to painting the steel hull.  There will be 6 coats of epoxy paint, 4 coats of intermediate paint, then the top coats, which will be the light grey epoxy paint.  We want to keep the top coat matt so the uneven surface is not highlighted.  The painting and sanding in between coats will keep Maxwell busy for a few more weeks.  After that, the boat could be moved. Inside the cabin, John is working from the bow back, completing the plumbing and cabinetry.  Electrics and wiring will probably be done at the coast. The dinghy needed more fibreglassing before we could put it together and test it.  Yes it floats!  Next is fitting the seats and oarlocks.  Of course John will make the oars... We have decided that Richards Bay is the best option as there are more facilities t...

 Almost 4 years of full time boat build, up to March 2023.   4 years, 8 hours a day, 28 days a month, 12 months a year.  10 752 man hours. The stainless steel fuel tanks have been welded up, with a little bit of help from a friend.  The planning and designing of these tanks have taken about 4 years.  Just need to pressure test them, install them, and connect them. The boat was moved forward half a meter to make space for more welding on the stern pushpit.  Not so easy with the extra weight of lead in the keel.  Used a few jacks, chains, chain block and a few sturdy trees. Still debating the name of our boat:  Betwixt Wreckless and Obliquity.   Tig welding fuel tanks.