So what has happened since my last post, over a month ago. Well the main thing is that we finally relaunched Wendy Woo and moved aboard. We completed the work to make her water tight (or so we thought, but more about that later) and then waited anxiously for the tides to build. Finally, on Tuesday 7th April she was moved down the slip on her cradle and the afternoon high tide floated her off. This was a very emotional moment, being the culmination of many months' hard work, blood, sweat and tears!
She spent the first night alongside the quay wall, ballasted on her starboard side to ensure she leant in against the wall as the creek dries out at low tide. We did manage to have our first 'meal' on board before leaving her for the night.
The following day we moved her around to her mooring, and that is where we have stayed since. The river is closed to all but essential commercial traffic due to the current lock-down arrangements, which is very frustrating, but totally understandable. I spent my first night aboard that evening, ensuring that she settled on her beaching legs and that there were no problems. Suffice to say, I didn't sleep much as I was aware of every noise and movement of the boat.
We spent the following few days moving all of our things aboard and finally moving out of the chalet that has been our 'home' for the past six months. It feels so good to be out of there and starting on the next chapter of our journey.
The mooring we have dries out every day which is far from ideal. We have beaching legs fitted to keep us upright, but we don't have a pontoon from which to board our boat. We have to moor bow-to and, because we have a large draft and freeboard height, a ladder is not particularly viable. We are currently climbing onto our neighbours boat to get to ours. It's just as well that there is no one aboard that boat as we would be disturbing them on a regular basis. We are waiting for the boatyard to install a finger pontoon to help us, but this seems to keep getting put down the priority list.
We have been blessed with great weather most of the time since we launched. However, the past few days have brought heavy rainfall which has revealed several leaks from the roofs. I'm pleased to report that, so far, all of the leaks have come from places that we have not done any work on, but the snagging list is starting to grow. I have managed to seal each leak as it's become apparent, but these are temporary solutions and I feel that we will have to replace the aft cabin coach roof before too long.
Other things on the snagging list are that the radar does not work and nor does the depth sounder. I can live without the radar, but knowing the depth of water under the keel is rather vital. I have got a replacement transponder but I'm struggling to pluck up the courage to remove the existing one. If I don't get it right we will have a one inch hole in the hull of our boat, which will focus our minds somewhat!
The other main thing to work on now are the masts. We are having a new main mast made as soon as the yard can get to it, but the mizzen mast and booms are remaining original. I have stripped them back to bare wood and I am in the process of re-varnishing them to protect them for years to come. It is a little frustrating that each time I have tried to put a coat of varnish on the mast it's either raining or someone nearby is sanding! Still, I have two coats on now and I am aiming to get at least five on before it is refitted.
In my next post I will talk about the challenges of small space living, and the additional issues that have come to light as a result of drying out twice a day. Until then, stay safe everyone............
