March - June 2005

Haulout and Getting Ready

Once back in the groove of marina life, we got going on the myriad of jobs that awaited us.  

First though, we made a major change in our plans for the upcoming year.  When back in North America, we had decided that we would cruise to Italy this summer, and spend the next winter season in one of the marinas near Rome.  We love Italian food, and neither of us has spent any time in Italy, or even been to Rome.  

Well, as sometimes can happen, we got to talking with friends, and they began enthusing about their plans to participate in the Vasco da Gama Rally.  This low-key rally (cruise in company, really) leaves Turkey in October, transits the Suez and cruises the Red Sea through till March, then crosses the Indian Ocean to India (or possibly other destinations).  The group is limited to 30 boats, and spots were filling fast.  (Details are at the Vasco da Gama website.)

This corresponded with some real challenges we were encountering regarding where in Italy we could go.  Initial plans for Porto di Roma were thwarted by feedback from recent visitors, and other many of the other options were too small, it turns out.  Nothing was jelling regarding Italy, and going "the other way" to the South Pacific, beckoned.  

So, it was decided - we signed up for the VdGR.  We would stay in Turkey for the summer, ready the boat for extended periods away from facilities and marinas, and get prepared for an offshore voyage.  

Once this decision was made, we began to look at things a bit differently.  We ordered a new trampoline from France, a new radar from the US, and began to compile THE LIST.  

Our planned haulout went well, and we were pleased to be back in the water in less than a week.  Ah hubris.  

Not long after re-launching, we found a weeping thru-hull.  After some checking, we determined that there was some galvanic corrosion (perhaps due to our bottom paint?), and all our bronze thru-hulls were suspect.  So we decided to order Marelon replacements from the US, haul the boat (AGAIN!) and replace all 7 underwater thru-hulls.  This was not a cheap decision, but it was the right one considering that we'd be a long time before we see the next maintenance facility that could haul us out. 

A curious finding - the bottom paint that we'd put on first time out was supposed to be navy blue.  On application, it seemed a bit greenish, but we figured, so what.  When we hauled out the second time, the paint had all turned quite a bright blue.  Guess it doesn't matter so long as it keeps the barnacles off!

The second haulout went well too, and when we went back in the water 10 days later, there were no leaks.  Phew!

The remaining time until we left the marina (in early June) was spent doing jobs, waiting for stuff to happen or to arrive, and saying goodbye to departing friends and hello to old friends passing through.  

Finally we left MYM on June 7, and promptly returned when our autopilot wasn't functioning properly.  After a drive motor replacement, we left again on the 11th, and this time made it out of Marmaris Bay and on to summer cruising.