2019 - A few photos of the Marlborough sounds

 February 2109 we did a bit of a shakedown cruise, to test all systems are go at sea.  We sailed around the top and down the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, stopping at New Plymouth and then on to Pelorus Sound.  After a few weeks of enjoyable cruising, we headed back.  All systems go!

Sailing

OK, so we didn't have the main up but we were doing 7 kts upwind.  Happy with that!

It floats and has done for a while

The boat left our house in 2016, off to a local (cheap) boatyard.  Then we sold the house and moved out at the end of March 2017.

We launched the day before Easter 2017, when Cyclone Cook was supposedly battering us silly.  Although it was a bit damp, we missed the storm and had a smooth launching.

We moved on board early May 2017, sorted the new dodger/hard top out and got many jobs ticked off.  You can see the bow fittings in this shot, taken just before we dropped the rig in.

Once the mast was in place we were able to get the table finished.  A single piece of Kauri!

We've even got a name!

The copper coat has been holding up well.  In summer I was diving on the prop to keep it clean.  When we left Auckland it was compulsory to have the boat hauled, so I took the opportunity to change the prop anode.

Is that the time?

Movement has started again in Weta land.  For the last few years we have been busy with school and football, so we decided not to bother launching the boat as we had no time to use it.  Now that stage of our lives is coming to an end - our son has left school and we are beginning to see a path to the water.

Recent progress has been to get the Coppercoat applied to the bottom.  My friend Cedric came up to supervise, as he has done it before.  Another good mate, Mal, got dragged in to help as well, which was a good call.  It is a full-on day and we got cracking as soon as the dew dried off, finishing after dark.

Ready to start

First coat on the forward end, second coat under way

About to finish about the 4th coat?

Nearly done!

I have taken the opportunity to fit the propellor as well, so I can get the shoe fitted and epoxied over before winter brings rain and damp.

It is a 20" Autostream feathering propellor

The quadrant and autopilot ram are also in place, more pictures soon.