Well, I am still moored alongside James & 'the Taj'. I have been generally passing the time playing guitar, reading and some socialising. That and doing small jobs on the boat. Today Jess' dad arrives and I thought it only proper that I finally get my hair cut, so its no more looking like Earl and back to Prison grade one.
She is generally all sorted out with only a few remaining jobs that are purely cosmetic and can be done at my leisure while at anchor. I actually enjoy working on the boat and learning new skills, something I wasn't really able (or needed) to do on Doris.
Big changes include, getting the two 7ah batteries (yes thats 7ah and not a typo - they are tiny!) charged up using the small solar panel. I now have internal lights (LED - my anchor light I bought out with me) and can now charge up rechargeable batteries and run GPS etc In fact the only thing I can't do is charge my laptop. Is spending about $1000us just to charge my laptop really worth it? hmmn?...
I have just got my Mainsail and Staysail back from the sail loft after having a 3rd reef put in the main and a deep reef in the Staysail ($300us), so I should now be fine in a storm. I'm still interested in either making or 'obtaining' a proper Storm Jib and Trysail but they can wait for now. I have been all over the rigging and replaced everything that looked vaguely dodgy and I think the rig is now 'bomb proof'. I do however, need to 'obtain' some blocks for the running backstays. They are not needed due to the oversize rear stays but would be good to have in a real blow or even in case of a shroud breaking at sea.
I have also decided to take the plunge and (insanely) swapped my outboard engine for a large oar (sweep) from Veracity. So now I am engine-less and need to perfect the art of sculling & rowing Katla pretty quickly! I have also decided to prepare and keep ready a very long length of warp so that in the event of becoming becalmed in any current I can drop anchor in really deep water especially close to land such as between the islands.
I know its an inane swap, but I hated the look of it bolted on the back and it had seen better days. It will run again I'm sure, but if I ever really needed it in a hurry I couldn't fully rely on it and sailing with an unreliable engine is almost as bad as sailing without one anyway in my head. If I feel naked without an engine I will pick up a sparkly new one along the way. It will be a good challenge learning to sail 'as God intended', providing I don't end up over a reef or generally bouncing off other boats in the busy anchorages.
So, now Katla is basically ready (not sure I am) and the plan is to set off shortly, first retracing my steps towards St Martin, via Nevis and Saba etc... After that who knows where, the BVIs or back here for Christmas with my fellow Sea Pikeys.
The season is just starting and the anchorage is slowly getting busier. It will be good to have a few people around but in some ways its a shame the tranquillity is going to be shattered. Maybe Ill search for my own little anchorage somewhere off the beaten track ... who knows.
Stay tuned ...
