fair winds to zefender

T

tcm

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zef is off southwards soon, en route to canaries ready for atlantique crossing later in the year. I am quite envious i must say. He has evidently comprehensivley lied his head off about the arc rally to mrs zef so she's agreed to go too! Anyway, fair winds for the imminent trip and crossing later. Actually i spose it's a bit mean to wish only "fair" winds really, so i hope he has very nice winds indeed.
 
Fair winds and good passge to you Zeffy!! We've had a few good do's on here, good luck to you! Have a Mountgay and coke for me in the caribbean!!
 
Many thanks all. Fairly sure we're ready. Must check keel bolts (a Bav, but not a Match!) but everything else ready. Leccie Watermaker to be tested across Biscay and also that trailing watermaker thingie I managed to get hold off (will report back). Watermaker is Mrs Zef's main requirement for crossing, apart from decent accomodation in St. Lucia ahem. Start trip to N. Portugal from Falmouth next Thursday assuming weather OK, successful food and fishing equipment excursion etc beforehand.

I've got internet access thingie so should be able to send exceptionally boring pics of er sea en route..
 
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Have a Mountgay and coke for me in the caribbean!!

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...Might just have a few en route, as a sort of pre-carib training regime
 
Hope you have a safe and interesting crossing. I reckon it was also a good idea to take so many new toys to play with! Good luck dude and have a fantastic time.
 
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Can't wait to hear the report on the trailing watermaker..

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Want to organise a sweep on how long it'll last before getting pulled?
 
Thanks Brendan.

I found a log of a world cruiser via lots of searches and found this guy who mentioned it and, after a few emails, told me he had a lot of trouble with it. It was sent back and aftersales reported as responsive. But it still never produced more than a dribble and reportedly, kept jumping out of the water. The skipper eventually constructed a vertical brace to hold the thing to the side of the hull but still no luck. Having now swallowed the anchor, the skipper kindly sent me the machine in exchange for an RNLI donation. It looks and feels stoutly made but I suspect there's a problem with the outlet pipe. But I've been anxious not to use it for real until in clear water. Phase one will be next week when we chuck it in without adjustment and report back. If it doesn't, we'll try to work out why. Brother Patrick (aka Paddywackcocker hereabouts) is a bit more practical than me so we'll see - but don't hold your breath.

I was relieved to have a first hand report, albeit negative (at least to balance another positive first hand I've had too). I was going to rely on this bit of kit for the transat, at least as keeping my promise viz Mrs Zef's showers/hairwashing is concerned. I don't think I could cope with the 3 week long glare if each drip from the machine was met with a "see, it works OK" comment
 
good luck mate, hope you don't hit a gale as we did.

long trips go really quickly, we didn't really need the water maker but used it anyway, we used 350 litres in seven days getting here. once off shore for that long it gets scary when the depth shows 20 metres close in to the coast again!

Hope you find some dolphins, have a camera ready all the time.

If you slip around the corner to the Algarve - we are here 'till 2nd september, fantastic people, service, weather scenery.
Will see you in Las Palmas anyway.


cheers Ian
 
oh and

fuel is full price here, voka is 3 quid a bottle, fags 2 quid a packet, marinas 30% cheaper VAT 21%

Most local forecasts are NW winds northern section atlantic portugal, fog in the morning, lots of fishing boats. pots are normally in pairs 100 metres apart with flags.

Shipping tss very busy but loads of room to cross in the middle south of finnesterre
Finnesterre radio worth a call if close in and they will watch you. they want a report departure and destination etc..persons on board.

ships freindly and will want to chat.

don't bother with la corruna, folks down here all got stuck in there against the wind!

cheers, stay out in the ocean, have a safe and fun trip

ian
 
Thanks Ian. We'll be going to Las Palmas from Lisbon (well, Cascais actually) and we'll be off round 3/4th Sept - so we'll see you there!

Weatherwise, bit early to be confident (for next Wednesday) yet but looks like we'll have a pretty gentle time across Biscay and maybe a bit bouncier off Finnesterre for the last day or so.
 
oh 2 and - paperwork
every marina you come into here want original insurance certificate . boat registration, passports, port of registration, boat sizes and logbook

I prepared a folder with it all in and a crew list which helped while he entered it all into his computer. When you move ports ask for a copy of the departure list you have to do when you leave and the next marina uses that to type in, nevertheless they still want original paperwork to look at.

the other thing is shade, we had the interior up to 30 degrees when the wind dropped, luck we canvas squares, a bimimi, have fans inside and a windscoop.

keep in touch and we may well see you in las palmas.

cheers

ian
 
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