Monthly Archives: March 2015

15 Tons set in the countryside

16. March 2015Dietmar Henke

Promptly at 9:00 waved the Marinero over to us, thus giving the sign, that we should get ready, to position our SUMMER with the stern first under the crane. Katja and I had discussed the maneuver before, and we both knew, what to do. Without haste and bustle of the SUMMER was also soon occupied at the four mooring and swam centrally aligned under the lift. The wide straps were already under the ship and were now in position to the crane brands (Markers, where the belt should lie) brought. It's a huge difference, whether it makes each year on the yacht service his ship, then spend it in the winter period or if you have to do everything yourself J. But man grows well known with his duties.

After a thorough inspection, we went up slowly and after about five minutes our deck was level with the quay. Now it was time, to leave the boat. Our SUMMER was liberated with steam from algae and other vegetation, before it was then transported to the final parking position.

Now only really came the moment, who had given me in the last few days the biggest headache. The rudder had to get out, because we had a problem with the rudder stock. Again, we were well prepared. Meanwhile, I dismantled the rudder quadrant of the massive rudder of the ship, Katja had made a device made of linen and two pulleys and placed around the rudder. Katja lifted the good 80 Pound part with the help of Jose a piece and I was able to solve the last bolt on deck, still fixed the rudder. Katja device kept the weight and lift lifted the SUMMER slowly in the air. With each additional centimeter the rudder slipped further out from the camp, until it was free after one meter. Jose was amazed, as we were carrying away the hard part, because with so much weight he had not counted on J. But precisely because of its solid construction and quality we have opted for a yacht of the SCHÖCHL shipyard. After a further 45 Minutes into our SUMMER on all sides supported on their parking lot. We noticed in any case a large stone of the heart, because everything had gone much better than expected!

The inspection of the rudder camp revealed, that it was in excellent condition. No visible corrosion on the bearing body or significant traces of wear on the moving parts of the camp were observed. Also there SCHÖCHL has probably done a great job too, Jose J of Marinero was impressed by the quality generally visibly excited. The positive judgment would be the owner of course very, after all, some ships see the boys so over the years and have an eye for, what works and what does not.

Finally, we sat in the evening satisfied in the salon of SUMMER. The damage seemed to be only a few faulty seals in the rudder stock restrict. After more than eight years may happen like once. We were very happy, that we were not in the South Seas on the go. Because there would certainly have been less funny, after each trip 30-60 Pumping gallons of water out of the boat and have no yard with lift near. From the lack of specialized tools and spare parts too, of course. According to Internet shipment tracking, we had the last few days checked again and again, should the new seals already arrive tomorrow with UPS here.

Water in the ship – Ship out of the water and an island rally for a hook spanner

14. March 2015Dietmar Henke

For months now we have the problem, that we more or less every day of sailing much water in the bilge (lowest point in the ship) have. At high waves and strong winds are up to 60 Liter pro Tag. What we have not tried everything, to determine the cause. Little by little, but I have identified and corrected all possible options for me and causes. Every time again, I was certain, that the bilge would remain dry now, after the work was completed. But the nightmare just wanted to no end and slowly I got my own private trauma closer, when I pumped ten liters of sea water as on our last trip every two hours.

During a routine inspection of the autopilot I really had difficulties, me on the high seas, hanging upside down in the space under the beds, hold with one hand. In the other hand I held the "Maglite" (Flashlight for MännerJ) and inspected the rooms deep under the lockers. Here, my eyes fell on the lower rudder bearing. Whenever the autopilot fought the waves and the rudder turned by brute force, to get back on track to the boat, I saw water flowing from the massive screw squirt. What a shock! "This will be a greater number" was my first thought. After 10 I had but again somewhat sorted and sent me a video clip using the iphone Schöchl shipyard minutes, with a request for advice and support.

The lady in the office must have thought, that we were about to drown. Probably my dramatic portrayals were to blame, because I really good at J. Anyway, I had a few minutes later the shipyard owner Manfred Schöchl personally on the phone. It was not the last conversation that day. Both the shipyard boss and a number of its experienced staff provided us with their words and deeds since and were all very cooperative and helpful. At the end of the day the action plan was then created and spare parts for the repair by express delivery on the way to Tenerife.

One fact was irrevocably fixed but. The rudder stock, including the integral inner bearing sleeve in the fuselage must be removed or. be renewed. This requires that the boat out of the water and the rudder must go also. Each sailor, I told the repair, looked with pity and wished me good luck.

Since old brings back memories! The father of my girlfriend at the time I had promised the age of 21, to change over the weekend, the clutch of his van. Greatest despair came on, when he failed even after four hours, install the gear again. But in the end succeeded but then. On the next morning I called my girlfriend, that your father had broken down on the way to Hamburg for the wholesale market the car under the butt, since the clutch was again defective. Gott sei Dank, he could his goods (Flowers and Plants) nor sell, before the truck stopped. As an excuse for him, I painted the old part with white paint and put a cactus in the middle. It was hard, to contact him with your eyes and take the whole to himself shame.

Next Monday we have a date, cranes to our boat. The last 3 Days I had nothing else to do, as in the evening to study various technical forums on the subject and then to go on the day with a rental car in various tool shops in search of special tools. From each of the required parts I have made with my ipad a screenshot, pictures say more than 1000 Words. Especially, if like me you do not speak Spanish, made it easier to communicate enormously. A particular challenge was the special hook key to screw up to 120mm diameter and very special adhesive SIKA 292i with the matching primer.

To make matters worse, that one should not trust many more "experts" on the way. In a Yacht Shop, run by a Dutch, I was offered an adhesive primer, the derogation was specified by the manufacturer's recommendation and the shipyard. A call to Sika explained everything very quickly. The primer offered was specified for Plexiglas and the adhesive did not show the necessary strength to. This "expert" but had assured me, that he 20 Years of experience, and would have wanted to start a discussion, why the other adhesives would be needed at all. Soon after he disappeared behind the counter and was seen no more. Probably he had heard, that I said Katja, he should just play his dues lassenJ. Some say it myself Canary Islands, that is closer to Africa than Europe. So study, drive a lot, many questions and always be nice and fluffy. After three days of driving and 350 Kilometer route criss-crossing the island, we had it all together, what we expected of tools, Materials, Equipment and replacement parts are required.

We have decided, during the time, if the SUMMER stands on the land, continue to live in the boat. Is certainly a strange feeling, at night when it is no longer Rocks. On this occasion we will deregister the underwater hull also the same with new antifouling. The feathering propeller I will get them ourselves and change the sacrificial anodes also equal. But one thing is already certain: The next week will be a real challenge!

A stormy night with Calima and a crossing with consequences

9. March 2015Katja Henke

We had originally planned, to have sailed on Sunday to Tenerife back, but the weather forecast had convinced us, nor to stay another day in La Gomera. On Monday, we really had to go but then, since Uncle Tom's flyer would start towards Manchester on Tuesday morning. Und der nimmt sicherlich keine Rücksicht auf das Wetter 🙂

After the Sunday was actually been pretty calm, then came the hip weather until Sunday night around two-thirty with us on. Strong gusts of wind swept suddenly through the port. What we saw here was Calima, a weather with easterly winds from the Sahara, which can be simplified as "sand wind from Africa" described. From the Sahara comes with an easterly flow dry, warm air and often brings fine sand dust. The view is then clouded. The dust content of the air is warm, dry weather but not pleasant and can easily lead to irritation of the respiratory organs (See Wikipedia).

Thus, our Uncle Tom was sitting in the middle of the night awake in his cabin and wondered already back and forth, as he could because reached by ferry Tenerife.

However, towards morning the wind died down. So we sat three then pretty tired at half past eight at breakfast together and an hour later we were on the move. The short crossing was actually after the usual scheme. Only too much wind, then great sailing weather, but again not enough wind to sail for high steep wave front. Irgendwie hat man sich mittlerweile fast daran gewöhnt 🙂

Move controlled Dietmar as now during each sailing day the bilge. On the way he had finally figured out, as the water can into the ship. Apparently, the seal of the rudder bearing was defective or even worse. Exact details will report later he himself. I throw intended again the crucial concepts and relationships with each other :-). After a long phone call with the shipyard Schöchl in Austria, he had tried to La Gomera, something to improve. Unfortunately, without success, in fact, it had now become worse. But at least we now have a new huge quality pipe wrench to screw up 150 mm diameter on board, a toy for big boys all :-).

Thus today remained clear, that we here have to insert in Tenerife a forced break because the boat out of the water must. But we hope to achieve a clean and 100% solution of the problem.

Even if the mood after this realization at the beginning was a bit depressed, we had then but still a funny last night with Uncle Tom in our Japanese master restaurant around the corner. We hope, that it was a good time for him. We enjoyed it anyway.

For us morning Uncle Tom has to “english breakfast” invited the neighboring town of San Blas. Dann geht es für ihn leider zurück in kalte England 🙂

Now they have broken it :-(

8. March 2015Katja Henke

The port of La Gomera seems to be a good training ground training boats. Since we are here, we could already see various training strategies. Zentrales Element der Segelausbildung ist wohl das „Rückwärts Fahren“ unter Motor 🙂

We were able to watch a boat, the import an entire afternoon again and again backwards into the harbor, turned around and went back out again. Since it was an almost giddy while watching. You already said, To see an extended channel there, where the boat went over again along, like a trail.

Another team we noticed particularly because of their high safety awareness. Life jackets are definitely important. It is only the question, if you have to wear them even in the harbor, if at- and drop exercises. Auch das Tragen von Ölzeug und Segelhandschuhen bei 25° und Sonnenschein erschien uns etwas übertrieben 🙂

On Sunday morning the crew of a charter boat practiced in the empty boxes at our dock backward and forward again purely out. I sat at breakfast in exactly the right place and watched the spectacle. Actually saw the whole quite skillfully ... .to the young man at the wheel probably mistook forward and backward and the boat began to swing back against a pontoon. Man, has the gescheppert L Even from a distance you could see, that this was probably assumed not get off so lightly. My two men were equal all ears. Now you some entertainment but first had to keep the same curious and could not dive from the boat.

After the crew had but then again safely moored the boat at the dock, there was no stopping.

For this charter crew of the holiday ends well before it has even begun. Very sad, because the boys had made a really nice impression. For Dietmar the extent of damage, however, was like water on his mills, as one of its two “ungeliebtesten” Boat brands was affected (and it did not was a Hanseatic :-)). Had we gone the maneuver with our SUMMER, hätte sicher der Steg nachgegeben 🙂

After the morning excitement we gave us quite a leisurely Sunday routine of the island towards. As at midday took off even the Crusader, who had arrived in the early morning, we had the island again for us. So we walked instead of lunch eating an ice cream, because a holiday is not a Proper without creaming for Uncle Tom.

Before we sail back tomorrow to Tenerife, Dietmar still wanted to address a few little things on the boat. So I had to tinker Mr and made a trip to the beach. Although the water was still quite fresh, but if it was then first inside, ging es schon 🙂 Und die warme Hafendusche war ja direkt ums Eck.

Our last night in La Gomera we left the café on the square in Baraquito and cappuccino finish as well as many of the locals, followed the Sunday evening there along the top match of the Spanish League.

La Gomera the clocks tick or otherwise

7. March 2015Katja Henke

Before we set off again Saturday morning with the car on the way, I wanted to quickly buy a few things on the market. Even when leaving the port area you could feel this wonderful lazy weekend mood. Today had somehow all time. The café gentlemen sat together at the first coffee. Not yet a great many, because it was still quite early. Also available on the market it went leisurely. On bread stand chatted merrily, while bread and cakes changed hands. I could since the offer of the 15 Not withstand years on the island live from Switzerland. Fresh brioche and raisin bread was long since gone my way. In the afternoon, even some cake wandered to my shopping basket. So it but not quite as unhealthy approached, I bought then but still sufficient vitamins (associated with fewer calories) in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables.

After breakfast we made our way to Hermigua. Particularly struck us was the old boat davit. Has been in operation since the port of San Sebastian, it was no longer needed and the entire metal structure was 1957 dismantled and sold. Since only are the brick foundations, it is not so easy, imagine, as here earlier bananas were loaded. But in the age of the Internet you need actually no more imagination, man kann einfach „googlen“ 🙂

How it looks today

And the sooner

The natural swimming pool, which opened sometime thereafter at this point, has not enforced. The stainless steel staircase, which once led into the water, was also dismantled and the small restaurant is empty.

Further north, the town of Agulo is located high above the sea. The old town is very well maintained with a total of detached houses with red tile roofs, but also with many vegetable gardens.

On the square in front of the San Marcos Church be the night before St. Marko (24. April) lit large Sandelholzfeuer, jump over the especially the young men vied. We left it rather less sporty at the planned walk and returned before heading into the bar on the main road. Here too…..Weekend mood! The men were sitting together over wine and one way or another cigar was smoked. Auf ortsfremde Gäste war man eigentlich gar nicht eingestellt 🙂

Before we started our way back across the island by the Garajonay National Park, we visited the visitor center Juego de Bolas Las Rosas. Here you can get interesting information about the island and the National Park and can arrange tours.

To the visitor center around a large garden is, in which are found many plants of the flora of La Gomera.

It was particularly interesting for us but the area, in the old traditional crafts and skills of the islanders were explained in detail. An example is "El Silbo", The whistling language of La Gomera, which developed due to the difficulties of communication in the mountainous landscape of the island. So that they will not be lost, it is now available in the schools again as an additional course and enjoys great popularity.

The way back through the laurel forest, originates in the cloud forest Terziär, was really great. More than 20 different tree species, 18 Ferns and 120 Shrubs and herbs form part of an almost impenetrable thicket.

The whole day it was quite hazy, but in the afternoon, the view was adopted complet. So we were much earlier than expected at the port, as a lookout point with no prospect does not really invites you to linger. So the cake in the morning bought was used and we observed a cup of coffee from the SUMMER of, as well as San Sebastian disappeared behind a thick veil.

“Uncle Tom” an Bord

6. March 2015Dietmar Henke

The time had come, keeping one's word, I in December 2012 have given a human, with whom I on a racing yacht of Gran Canaria across the Atlantic to St. Lucia had sailed. We are talking about “Uncle Tom” from England. Katja and I have spent the last year shortly after the beginning of our trip several weeks at Ann and Tom in Felixstow / Suffolk. A beautiful time, in which we have closed the two very into our hearts.

On Monday at 12:30 landed the plane on time in Tenerife and against 13:30 we were with Uncle Tom together aboard our SUMMER. Tom has long had to do with his life boats and sailed almost everything, which has a mast and floats. Ann and Tom have just been a busy parade behind, to live closer to your children and numerous grandchildren. Another good reason, to spend a few days relaxing on the sunny Canary Islands with us.

On Wednesday at 8:45 we have cast off the lines in San Miguel and applied course in San Sebastian / La Gomera. The sailing developed as recently as often: only little wind, then no wind and 12 Miles from Gomera there again 30 Knots of wind and wave tidy “on the ears”. It was once interesting for me to see, as it looks, wenn der Steuermann eine Dusche nach der anderen einstecken muss 🙂 Normalerweise war es ja meistens ich, was wet. However, the role change also had other advantages. Mit jeder heftigen Dusche von Tom lernten wir auch ein neues Schimpfwort kennen 🙂 Keine Sprachschule würde diese in ihr Programm aufnehmen!

On Friday we took the car in the west of the island to Valle. The roads are really excellent and very curvy. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to drive faster than Katja allowed me. If the tires started to “whimper” like a puppy, hatte ich schon Ihre Knie im Kreuz 🙁 Naja, das 24H-Rennen ist ja glücklicherweise schon gebucht 🙂 Derweil Katja den botanischen Obstgarten von Valle besuchte, Tom and I were on us, the “Alexander von Humboldt II” to visit from Bremerhaven. The ship was 2011 known as the sister ship of the Becks advertising “Alexander von Humboldt” built. That's the ship with the green sails and the song “Sail away…live your dreams….”

What a coincidence! Aboard the Tall Ship I discovered a man, the known seemed to me because of its exceptional hairstyle. It was actually Frank Mestemacher, I ago 2 Years in the course “Leak and fire fighting” have met on the Baltic Sea. Frank has stayed with me as a real sailor in the traditional sense memories. He wrote the book “Celestial navigation” written and is a master at dealing with the sextant, the highest art of navigation. Frank could also remember me and so he invited us, his “World of traditional ships” know each other better. Since he was in Tom come to the right address, because he has previously worked for several years at a shipyard and built wooden boats.

The Ship “Alexander von Humboldt II” was only 2011 newly built and spends the winter in the Canary Islands and the summer in the Baltic Sea. A maximum 78 People can be accommodated on board. The team consists of volunteers and paying guests. However, such a ship is also extremely expensive to maintain and so, at least a portion of the costs are covered. And the fan base gets bigger every year!

We wanted Frank of course not interfere too long at his watch and gave us just under 2 Hours then passed again by board. The sailors will take in the next week to Lisbon and then move back to the Baltic Sea. We thanked him very much for the great leadership and wish Frank all the best for the journey.

Of course we did not go, ohne ein handsigniertes Exemplar von Franks Buch zu erwerben 🙂 Wenig später trafen wir dann auch Katja wieder, which also had a nice trip. In the Garden, she has visited, they had learned a lot over the Canarian flora. For Example, that the widespread Kaketen a particular concern lice is grown, from which then the red dye is obtained for CAMPARI. Yummy, delicious! Heute war ein guter Tag für uns alle 🙂

Canarian sailing weather like in a picture book

1. March 2015Katja Henke

We had even waited until Saturday, so that we would have quiet sailing weather for the trip to Tenerife. We were able to further postpone our departure but not, because for the next Monday we were expecting love visiting the SUMMER. Our "Uncle Tom". We were going to personally pick up from airport.

Before we loswarfen the lines in Tazacorte, We take this opportunity two kilos freshly caught tuna to buy directly from fishermen in the Marina. That would certainly be missing us in Tenerife, just like the many wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables.

About nine clock we were traveling as planned at sea. In bright sunshine, the wind in the sails hip cover the island had to wait a little to be. But then again it was, as if someone had flipped a switch. We could see far ahead of the white foam on the waves and refften our sailing time a strong. As it turned out a short time later, it was a very good decision. In the next few hours continuously ruled wind strength 7-8 with 28 to 35 Node. In some gusts of wind meter even showed up 42 Knoten an. The sea was boiling and had an unpleasant short, constructed steep wave. Dietmar had "gentlemen like" taken over the helm and was washed through soon to his underwear with salt water. Later he changed then its fair-weather clothing for months for the first time again against oilskins a. The need but really no one! I had folded me in the cockpit in the only dry corner to save space and was excited about the effect of Scorpoderm-patch against seasickness. Even if the weather conditions did not inspire me particularly, seekrank wurde so ich wenigstens nicht 🙂

Two nautical miles from our destination Valle La Gomera was the nightmare again just as quickly by, as he had come.

We were looking for a quiet anchorage and enjoyed after rough day at sea for supper fresh tuna from La Palma as Cappachio. After a hard day of sailing before ten clock went on the SUMMER off all the lights. After all, tomorrow it would probably be similar to strenuous.

Sunday started exactly the same way before Saturday. Even from land cover out we could see the whitecaps of partially breaking waves south of Gomera see. So we refften mainsail and jib and prepared ourselves for the next salt water showers. Which could then not long in coming and talked the next two hours with up to 37 Node on your toes. Then suddenly there was lull. Sub machine continuously dried our SUMMER slowly back and made it everywhere thick salt crust. So a mess, poor SUMMER! But the ship should not remain dry until Marina San Miguel. As soon as we drove around the southern tip of Tenerife around, we got back strongly suggesting the nose. We fought the last ten miles back against increasingly strong wind and waves ever higher. All "Three" (SUMMER and we) had really sick and tired. The water is just not hot enough, the salt water showers to enjoy a welcome refreshment.

In the port our first Summer got an extensive freshwater shower, they had earned honestly and in the last two days. Have as much wind and wave also buffeted Regardless us, our SUMMER has always done a great job and gave us a good feeling.

The rest of the evening we spent with our dear French friends Annick and Louis of the SY TAMARIN. Unfortunately we already left the two of them tomorrow to Lanzarote. But our paths will cross again in the coming months. Wir haben uns für Juni/Juli auf den Azoren zum Dinner verabredet 🙂

SY CESARINA

A log of our travels