Finally our 6 month stay in the yard is coming to a close. I thought that we would have plenty time for sea trials and even a few days’ holiday by the end but as usual the boat decided it need all our time! Still she looks amazing and after all the mechanical works we have completed over the winter she should be working like a treat. In fact the head engineer at the yard said she’s probably better then new!

We have a brand new sparkly Perkins Sabre 300hp engine with new dry exhaust system to reduce back pressure, a new exhaust system for the generator too which means you cant hear the annoying “putt putt” at the stern anymore, fully overhauled air conditioning, new shore power system to enable us to use said air-con while on the dock, new battery fridge system to keep important things like beer cold at night when the generator is off. A new Yamaha 60hp four Stroke outboard was purchased for the tender to replace the old not so reliable one and some new lights and cushions were also purchased to make it look as good as new as well. Other projects included a re-wiring of some areas, a full rig service by the guys at “Southern Spars” as well as a boom, spinnaker pole and mast re-paint. Finally a general servicing of everything that moves above and below deck concluded a fairly hectic if somewhat stressful 6 months with a budget that you could have bought a brand new 50 foot plastic fantastic for…

Still the boat looks great and I for one cant wait to get out and see if it all works properly!

Gordon