After a wonderful 2 months staying with very generous family and friends putting us up (or putting up with us?) for 2 months, we are back in Turkey. Thanks to all of you.
What a change in temperatures with Turkey seeing unseasonably warm highs of 20deg for our arrival. Apparently it had been wet and cold until just before we arrived. The flight in was amazing, the approach to Damalan airport being over, then between, snow capped mountains. Note to anyone flying to Dalaman, book seats on the starboard side of the plane for the very best view. We were on the Port side.......
Our immediate task on arrival was to finish prepping the mast for pulling it out mere hours after we arrived at the marina. All went well and early next morning the rigger arrived, we motored to the crane access point and went for a coffee to calm our nerves! The crane arrived spot on time (surprising small actually) and the lift began resulting in the mast laying on trestles moments later. All very slick and reassuring for our first time.
Out she comes...
The main purpose of lifting the mast out was to replace the mast foot which our surveyor had identified as corroded and needing replacement This alone would have taken only an hour with the mast hanging above the boat. However our sail to Turkey had identified a chafe problem on out main halyard which we wanted to investigate and fix. Sure enough we found two plastic sheaves worn completely through.
Turkey being what it is, the rigger went back into Marmaris and had two replacements made in brass with mods to reduce the risk of future chafe. Amanda polished the rig fittings, fitted some shroud protectors that we brought over from the UK and the mast was lifted on the crane. By 5pm it was back in the boat and the rigger returned next morning to tune the rig whilst Nigel reconnected all the mast electrics and trims down below. We also serviced the kicker with new Delrin sliding parts and lower tube.
Mustapha and his demon rigging team!
It was all go as we had booked a lift out for the following day, we will save that for the next blog but think you'll be shocked what we managed to achieve!
