Mitad del Mundo
19/08/11 22:11 Filed in: Ecuador
Another lovely sunny morning. My day started with a visit to Movistar. Due to a network software implementation problem my new phone would not work. Don't worry they said, it will be working in 4 hours.
We had lunch at the El Bosque centre overlooking Quito airport.
Afterwards we visited Mitad del Mundo just north of Quito. This monument was completed in 1982, and marks a point on the equator. The 4.5 metre sphere on top weighs 5 tons.
Smaller towers on each side of the monument give position and altitude.
Nancy straddling the equator. However, using WGS84 datum, she isn't. That datum places the equator 240m further north.
The yellow line was marked using a different datum in use in Ecuador in 1982.
Facing west. Don't try this at sea.
Further north and west the road drops down into temperate rainforest, often obscured by clouds.
Returning to Quito from the north with and afternoon thunderstorm looming.
Back in Quito it rained heavily at around 17:00. As usual.
We had lunch at the El Bosque centre overlooking Quito airport.
Afterwards we visited Mitad del Mundo just north of Quito. This monument was completed in 1982, and marks a point on the equator. The 4.5 metre sphere on top weighs 5 tons.
Smaller towers on each side of the monument give position and altitude.
Nancy straddling the equator. However, using WGS84 datum, she isn't. That datum places the equator 240m further north.
The yellow line was marked using a different datum in use in Ecuador in 1982.
Facing west. Don't try this at sea.
Further north and west the road drops down into temperate rainforest, often obscured by clouds.
Returning to Quito from the north with and afternoon thunderstorm looming.
Back in Quito it rained heavily at around 17:00. As usual.
Piriapolis - Launch Day
11/08/11 00:25 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
An absolutely perfect day for launching. Flat calm, sunny and no wind.
I had been told to be on hand at 08:30. I was, but nobody else was there. Around 08:45 Walter, the yard manager showed up and asked if we were ready to go. We were.
Bow at haul out in May...
About 3cm of red gelcoat at the waterline was ground back to the laminate and replaced by epoxy, effectively raising the waterline by 3cm.
...and today.
Travel lift moving into position at 09:10.
Slings on and weight taken. The slings here are not particularly clean and marked the topsides during haul out. I took the precaution of having some thick plastic sheeting on hand to wrap the slings. Steel sling pins were also a hazard so Laurence wrapped them in cloth.
Last minute touching up of prop spots and keel base.
09:45 and we were all set.
This is a 90 ton travel lift. Kiriwina is around 4.5 tons.
Lining Up.
In we go.
Laurence and some of the Hidrografia team.
Ian and Elisa, our port crew.
A very tranquil Piriapolis harbour.
Launching dock.
A photo opportunity with the skipper. At this point we were shipping water rather faster than was desirable. The cause, discovered later, was a pre-launch dummy log placement malfunction.
All fast in our allocated berth at 10:20. This was well into the harbour and more sheltered than our berth in May. Stern buoys were much closer to the dock making for a much better and more secure mooring
Kiriwina lying safely in her berth. She will spend 6-9 weeks here before we return to Brazil in the spring.
Piriapolis waterfront at 22:45. Sea calm. Wind zero knots.
I had been told to be on hand at 08:30. I was, but nobody else was there. Around 08:45 Walter, the yard manager showed up and asked if we were ready to go. We were.
Bow at haul out in May...
About 3cm of red gelcoat at the waterline was ground back to the laminate and replaced by epoxy, effectively raising the waterline by 3cm.
...and today.
Travel lift moving into position at 09:10.
Slings on and weight taken. The slings here are not particularly clean and marked the topsides during haul out. I took the precaution of having some thick plastic sheeting on hand to wrap the slings. Steel sling pins were also a hazard so Laurence wrapped them in cloth.
Last minute touching up of prop spots and keel base.
09:45 and we were all set.
This is a 90 ton travel lift. Kiriwina is around 4.5 tons.
Lining Up.
In we go.
Laurence and some of the Hidrografia team.
Ian and Elisa, our port crew.
A very tranquil Piriapolis harbour.
Launching dock.
A photo opportunity with the skipper. At this point we were shipping water rather faster than was desirable. The cause, discovered later, was a pre-launch dummy log placement malfunction.
All fast in our allocated berth at 10:20. This was well into the harbour and more sheltered than our berth in May. Stern buoys were much closer to the dock making for a much better and more secure mooring
Kiriwina lying safely in her berth. She will spend 6-9 weeks here before we return to Brazil in the spring.
Piriapolis waterfront at 22:45. Sea calm. Wind zero knots.
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 20
10/08/11 21:51 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
Definitely the final day in the boatyard.
We were in the yard early and ready to launch in moderate weather conditions. Sadly, a large supply vessel launched yesterday had suffered an engine malfunction and was unable to move from the haul out dock.
It eventually sailed around 13:00 but by then the wind had increased and the travel lift crew had disappeared. They were not seen for the rest of the day. Tango India Uniform.
Never mind. We used the extra time to complete some gelcoat repairs and in another outbreak of mission creep embarked on a few more.
Elisa drying some gelcoat.
Since I took delivery of Kiriwina in 2005 there have been a number of gelcoat flaws. This one is on the bridge deck.
The cause is space between gelcoat and laminate. When the laminate is applied during construction gaps can be left when the laminate is not properly laid onto gelcoat. This is more likely to occur in tight spaces.
A close up on the bridge deck. Loose gelcoat has been partially ground away to expose the laminate.
Laurence wielding his Dremel with surgical precision. Elisa is hoovering the dust.
Ready for new geloat.
Here the problem is repeated in the cockpit adjacent to the fuel filler. Back in 2006 a similar problem developed at the mast heel.
Cleaned up and ready for new gelcoat.
And again. This time in the starboard forward cockpit corner.
Ready.
I did this. Holes to mount a support pole for the Superwind. Arrangement did not work and was abandoned in favour of an A frame.
Dremeled.
We were in the yard early and ready to launch in moderate weather conditions. Sadly, a large supply vessel launched yesterday had suffered an engine malfunction and was unable to move from the haul out dock.
It eventually sailed around 13:00 but by then the wind had increased and the travel lift crew had disappeared. They were not seen for the rest of the day. Tango India Uniform.
Never mind. We used the extra time to complete some gelcoat repairs and in another outbreak of mission creep embarked on a few more.
Elisa drying some gelcoat.
Since I took delivery of Kiriwina in 2005 there have been a number of gelcoat flaws. This one is on the bridge deck.
The cause is space between gelcoat and laminate. When the laminate is applied during construction gaps can be left when the laminate is not properly laid onto gelcoat. This is more likely to occur in tight spaces.
A close up on the bridge deck. Loose gelcoat has been partially ground away to expose the laminate.
Laurence wielding his Dremel with surgical precision. Elisa is hoovering the dust.
Ready for new geloat.
Here the problem is repeated in the cockpit adjacent to the fuel filler. Back in 2006 a similar problem developed at the mast heel.
Cleaned up and ready for new gelcoat.
And again. This time in the starboard forward cockpit corner.
Ready.
I did this. Holes to mount a support pole for the Superwind. Arrangement did not work and was abandoned in favour of an A frame.
Dremeled.
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 19
09/08/11 20:16 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
Final day in the boatyard.
Two coats of Hempel antifouling paint applied all over. Three coats at the waterline and on the rudder.
It only remains to antifoul under the yard props and keel once Kiriwina is in the travel lift tomorrow morning.
Gelcoat repairs more or less complete and coach house/cockpit polishing completed.
Hull brightwork polishing completed.
Precision alignment of new waterline on hull and rudder.
A new button anode was fitted in December 2007. At haul out in May 2011 this was about 50% degraded. This anode was about 20% degraded. Worth recycling.
The propeller was coated with waterproof grease and the stripper will receive one coat of antifoul tomorrow morning.
Adjacent boats reflected on Kiriwinna's freshly polished hull.
The hull anode shown here was also fitted in November 2007. With only 20% degradation it was cleaned up and reused.
The rudder was secured with only one nut. Kiriwina will be moored in Piriapolis after launch and some new 21mm stainless steel nuts will be sourced and drilled in Buenos Aires. Rudder cap and tiller reinstalled.
Fenders deployed ready for launch.
Two coats of Hempel antifouling paint applied all over. Three coats at the waterline and on the rudder.
It only remains to antifoul under the yard props and keel once Kiriwina is in the travel lift tomorrow morning.
Gelcoat repairs more or less complete and coach house/cockpit polishing completed.
Hull brightwork polishing completed.
Precision alignment of new waterline on hull and rudder.
A new button anode was fitted in December 2007. At haul out in May 2011 this was about 50% degraded. This anode was about 20% degraded. Worth recycling.
The propeller was coated with waterproof grease and the stripper will receive one coat of antifoul tomorrow morning.
Adjacent boats reflected on Kiriwinna's freshly polished hull.
The hull anode shown here was also fitted in November 2007. With only 20% degradation it was cleaned up and reused.
The rudder was secured with only one nut. Kiriwina will be moored in Piriapolis after launch and some new 21mm stainless steel nuts will be sourced and drilled in Buenos Aires. Rudder cap and tiller reinstalled.
Fenders deployed ready for launch.
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 18
08/08/11 21:30 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
Six years with Kiriwina! I took delivery at Itchenor on 8th August 2005.
First thing this morning the new waterline was given a final sanding and then tie coated as were other areas made good.
This is very good work. Imperial Yachts have taken great care to do the job thoroughly with a tight schedule and often inclement weather.
The waterline before work started.
The boat yard shuffled the deck today and we were moved at 14:00. We took the opportunity of putting the launch back by 24 hours. Just in case.
Areas adjacent to the props were anti-fouled last night so the props could be repositioned slightly ensuring all areas of the hull are fully painted.
Some final tie coating before the first coat of anti fouling.
Meantime I finished cleaning and freeing up 6 A frame clamps on the Pushpit.
Brightwork polishing is coming along.
Another long, but very productive, day. The second coat of antifouling was completed in fading light.
Refurbished skeg and rudder heel.
We are almost done. Just some detailing here and there, some polishing, a bit of touching up on the anti fouling, anodes, rudder tiller assembly and we will be pretty much good to go.
First thing this morning the new waterline was given a final sanding and then tie coated as were other areas made good.
This is very good work. Imperial Yachts have taken great care to do the job thoroughly with a tight schedule and often inclement weather.
The waterline before work started.
The boat yard shuffled the deck today and we were moved at 14:00. We took the opportunity of putting the launch back by 24 hours. Just in case.
Areas adjacent to the props were anti-fouled last night so the props could be repositioned slightly ensuring all areas of the hull are fully painted.
Some final tie coating before the first coat of anti fouling.
Meantime I finished cleaning and freeing up 6 A frame clamps on the Pushpit.
Brightwork polishing is coming along.
Another long, but very productive, day. The second coat of antifouling was completed in fading light.
Refurbished skeg and rudder heel.
We are almost done. Just some detailing here and there, some polishing, a bit of touching up on the anti fouling, anodes, rudder tiller assembly and we will be pretty much good to go.
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 17
07/08/11 21:30 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
Cloudy, windy and cooler today.
We are booked to launch on Tuesday. Laurence and Elise from Imperial Yachts are working all weekend to ensure we will be ready.
With the new waterline now true a final coat of epoxy resin was carefully applied.
Newly refurbished shaft coupling with propeller shaft in situ. This was very good work. With the woodruff key in place the shaft slid home cleanly and the retaining pin located perfectly within the shaft recess.
My fourth tender bag since leaving England in 2006. The first, as supplied by Suzumar, tore the first time it was lifted. It was also too small. The second, donated in Spain late in 2006, also tore within a few weeks. The third I had made in Puerto Sherry in 2007. This gave good service but earlier this year the straps broke. Destroyed by UV.
This new bag, from Dansk Canvas in San Fernando, Argentina incorporates a number of improvements. Large tooth nylon zipper with protective flap. Highest quality american UV resistant thread and UV resistant white webbing.
One never knows what will come to light while cleaning. The rudder is secured by two 21mm bolts.
This one was cracked nearly all the way through.
We are booked to launch on Tuesday. Laurence and Elise from Imperial Yachts are working all weekend to ensure we will be ready.
With the new waterline now true a final coat of epoxy resin was carefully applied.
Newly refurbished shaft coupling with propeller shaft in situ. This was very good work. With the woodruff key in place the shaft slid home cleanly and the retaining pin located perfectly within the shaft recess.
My fourth tender bag since leaving England in 2006. The first, as supplied by Suzumar, tore the first time it was lifted. It was also too small. The second, donated in Spain late in 2006, also tore within a few weeks. The third I had made in Puerto Sherry in 2007. This gave good service but earlier this year the straps broke. Destroyed by UV.
This new bag, from Dansk Canvas in San Fernando, Argentina incorporates a number of improvements. Large tooth nylon zipper with protective flap. Highest quality american UV resistant thread and UV resistant white webbing.
One never knows what will come to light while cleaning. The rudder is secured by two 21mm bolts.
This one was cracked nearly all the way through.
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 16
06/08/11 21:29 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
A really lovely day in Piriapolis.
Flat calm and sunny.
A sailboat leaving Piriapolis harbour for a drift about.
Meantime work continued. Four coats of epoxy resin have been used to make good the faulty red gelcoat the waterline. Today this resin was sanded to form.
Then minor imperfections were made good with epoxy filler (yellow).
Flat calm and sunny.
A sailboat leaving Piriapolis harbour for a drift about.
Meantime work continued. Four coats of epoxy resin have been used to make good the faulty red gelcoat the waterline. Today this resin was sanded to form.
Then minor imperfections were made good with epoxy filler (yellow).
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 14
04/08/11 21:30 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
No work yesterday due to a SE gale and heavy rain.
This morning we moved onto the final stages of epoxy buildup on the waterline and areas of hull which required refinishing.
Stern tube showing somewhat agricultural modifications to accommodate the Stripper rope cutter. Gelcoat and laminate have been hacked away unevenly with the stern tube exposed in places. We cannot source a neoprene cutlass bearing here so the original will have to suffice.
Epoxy resin almost complete and we now have a smart new step ladder replacing the one that failed on tuesday. Tie coat has been applied most of the hull.
Epoxy sanded back and surface filler applied to skeg and stern tube area.
Surface filler to complete refinishing of hull blemish.
Final touches to another blemish near the starboard bow.
Epoxy resin waterline reconstruction at the bow.
Gelcoat repairs to chips, blemishes and scratches at the bow caused by unplanned anchor contacts.
This morning we moved onto the final stages of epoxy buildup on the waterline and areas of hull which required refinishing.
Stern tube showing somewhat agricultural modifications to accommodate the Stripper rope cutter. Gelcoat and laminate have been hacked away unevenly with the stern tube exposed in places. We cannot source a neoprene cutlass bearing here so the original will have to suffice.
Epoxy resin almost complete and we now have a smart new step ladder replacing the one that failed on tuesday. Tie coat has been applied most of the hull.
Epoxy sanded back and surface filler applied to skeg and stern tube area.
Surface filler to complete refinishing of hull blemish.
Final touches to another blemish near the starboard bow.
Epoxy resin waterline reconstruction at the bow.
Gelcoat repairs to chips, blemishes and scratches at the bow caused by unplanned anchor contacts.
Piriapolis Boatyard Day 12
02/08/11 22:09 Filed in: Uruguay | Maintenance
Weather fine and cold but still lots of progress today. One week to launch.
Most of the hull was painted with Hempel tie coat leaving only the epoxied areas. The second and third coats of epoxy resin were applied to the waterline.
Similar treatment on the rudder.
A new navy blue coach line.
Refurbished and modified shaft coupling reinstalled.
Today's mission creep. Looks like the cutlass bearing has excessive play. Two small problems. Can we get a new one? Can we get the old one out cleanly?
A long spell ashore allows time for smaller repairs as well.
There are 41 brass screws in the cockpit grating and one mild steel.
Good thinking. Use a mild steel under sized screw and flimsy packing so it will grip. All in a grate frequently in contact with salt water.
This is what happens when wet locker hooks are not stainless steel.
Today's equipment malfunction. Our one week old step ladder failed.
Most of the hull was painted with Hempel tie coat leaving only the epoxied areas. The second and third coats of epoxy resin were applied to the waterline.
Similar treatment on the rudder.
A new navy blue coach line.
Refurbished and modified shaft coupling reinstalled.
Today's mission creep. Looks like the cutlass bearing has excessive play. Two small problems. Can we get a new one? Can we get the old one out cleanly?
A long spell ashore allows time for smaller repairs as well.
There are 41 brass screws in the cockpit grating and one mild steel.
Good thinking. Use a mild steel under sized screw and flimsy packing so it will grip. All in a grate frequently in contact with salt water.
This is what happens when wet locker hooks are not stainless steel.
Today's equipment malfunction. Our one week old step ladder failed.