Malua - an Adams cruising yacht
Malua - an Adams cruising yacht
This year it again rained as I left Canberra by bus for Sydney airport to fly Virgin to London. It just reminds me that it is autumn when I fly into the northern spring. Unfortunately it always seems to rain or be bitterly cold in the UK when I arrive.
I arrived with trepidation after the winter storms to find
Malua just as I had left her. Nice and dry with a light covering of
dust . Down below everything was shipshape. I struggled on my own
to get
the RIB out through
the companionway but I knew it could be
done, all I had to do is find the way it came in. At last after
some
struggle I found the right combination of tilt and angle and it eased
its way into the cockpit. There was not much I could have done if it
had not got through... get the chain saw is an option.
I washed and polished the topsides, applying a new polish which helped
to bring a shine back to the topsides. The vessel
looks good for a nine year old. I then set about sanding the anti
fouling. What a job. Thankfully I have a very good mask to keep the
dust out but in the end I was covered in dark blue dust. The showers
will not get any weed in their drains after my shower.
International anti fouling Micron Extra is expensive in Turkey about
Aus $550 for five litres. I would normally apply 10 to 12 litres per
session but this year I used a small roller and used only 3 litres for
the entire bottom. We will see if it makes any difference. Last year
after the trip to Istanbul the bottom was covered in small limpets and
a good coating of green slime. This must have taken at least
one knot off the cruising speed.
After the few days preparation I was lifted into the water.
Last year I was moved at about 7:00 in the evening but got a great
place in the water. Last year I went out of my way to be pleasant to
the people moving the boats because they have long memories. 
This
year I must have
been one of the first to go in the water and again I got a great spot
on I pontoon along side some of the liverabords and early arrivals. I
only had a few days to prepare Malua for the season. The
provision was a major task as was the task of putting the sails up and
on. I asked
Elstrom Sails to restitch the genoa UV cover which had come loose in
places. They did a great job and everything fitted back in its place.
The main sheet and halyard are showing some ware so I looked at
replacing the spectra. The cost is just over the top - about $12 -$15
per meter and I need 75 meters. In the end I settled for some Turkish
spectra which looks and feels as good as the OZ product. We will see
when I have the time to splice the ends.
Yot Marine is feeling the pain of being so successful. The office has difficulty coping with the number of vessels settling their bills and checking out. It has a lot to do with a new computer system they have recently introduced which seems to be double entry with both side showing on the same page. The girls in the office struggle while the cruisers are still in their home frame of mind and want to do thing quickly and efficiently. You can see them sit in line for their turn and start to boil then storm out to come back the following day to go through the same wait. I am sure they return to their boat just to pick up a book and read! Some efficient American woman suggested that they have a list to which you add your name. First come first served. Great. The management then said only 30 names would be allowed on the list per day. If you are not there when your turn comes put your name on tomorrows list tomorrow. After a few days the whole idea was abandoned and the lady sailed off into the sun set. Try Turkish time. If you want some experience go to Tonga and wait for Tonga time.
Monday came and I had to leave to be in Kos to meet Richard
and Marita who were flying into Athens on the Wednesday. Like my car
trips the third day is the most dangerous. 
Sailing into to Symi on a
lee shore the wind got up and the sea was very short I felt it was time
to furl the genoa so I could motor past the point. I furled the genoa
and as I started to put away the sheets I noticed the starboard sheet
was over the side, under the boat, trailing in the water. Engine in to
neutral and a mad dash to the bow to retrieve the loose sheet. The down
side could have been very dangerous but I keep reminding myself that
Malua is a sailing boat and I can, like Captain Cook sail off a lee
shore but rather not in 25 knots of wind and a short chop. I was
relieved to drop the anchor at Panormitiss which is a small bay on the SW of Symi with a monastery right on the shore.