It's been a bit like Christmas with parcels arriving with engine controller, toilet pump and anchor snubber. So much time has been spent researching and fixing the engine controller ( gears)... checking that the throttle cable is the correct length. Huge success as it's working but a much needed trip out is needed for beer and late Spanish tea... sardines, scallops and pork (random combination but worthy of a celebration of our/ mostly Nigels accomplishment).
Our ever extending list of firsts continues, this time with servicing winches. Top tip... use a cardboard box to catch anything that is unleashed or springs out! I am continually gobsmacked at the engineering on our boat but those in the know will laugh when I curse the PAWLS (sorry boating joke). At this point we didn't have any spares (we have loads now).
One of the winches caused, and is still causing, a few issues. This winch wasnt functioning correctly and is what started the whole exercise. Being electric the main stem has to be removed to fully service it. We both spotted a suspicious bolt as soon as the drum was removed, the Allen head socket having been rounded off. After some thought and several cups of tea out came the drill and stud extractor, not long after the bolt ws removed and it became clear that the gear set was locked together by a pawl that had dislodged. More tea and out came the bearing puller, supplemented by a Heath Robinson assembly with a 20mm socket and a bolt, which had the two parts separated in a jiffy. This only revealed more parts that needed replacing and we now await those from Lewmar before we can leave Combarro and head south. The Shengen clock is ticking!!
We are pleased with ourselves as we did a great job at cleaning and greasing (not the pawls as they require oil apparently... curse them again). But yet again in true Boat Life form more parts are required/ researched/ ordered.
Our learning list continues with toilet pump (easy job...phew not poo), emergency rudder found, assembled and fixed in place, but no prizes for speed as it actually required a full toolbox to remove! And most importantly the pink trip hazard aka my kayak has a new home hung inside the bimini
Finally we are definitely getting into the Spanish groove, on hot days timing is everything, small wins are celebrated. We discover the sea is blooming freezing and spotting dolphins in the actual marina made us both jump for joy, sadly we missed the photo opportunity.
Am I tempting fate by saying the Orcas seem suspiciously quiet on our planned route at the moment. Sightings, yes. Attacks, no. Long may that continue.
