On the hard in South America
We have lifted Velvet Lady in many different places in Europe, but this is the first time in South America. The hoist in Piriapolis is the biggest we have ever used, 100 tons and the lift bay is the widest at 7.8metres. Usually we have to take the backstay off (so it doesn't hit the crossbar) when we reverse in. We cannot take the forestays off because of the roller reefing gear, so going in forwards is usually not an option.
This time there was just enough room to go in forwards. A good job too. We had removed the backstay as usual but with a crosswind, prop walk and no bow thruster I was having great difficulty lining up to reverse into the hoist bay.
When we talked to him before the lift, the yard manager had been hesitant but thought we might fit forwards. Seeing our difficulty backwards he told us to come in forwards and we will give it a try. Followed by if not we will turn you around by hand!
Driving into the bay forwards was a doddle, but once we were beam on to the wind the line handlers soon got a feel for how heavy she is, and realised turning her would not be easy.
Once the boat was secure in the lift bay we had to go and do paperwork. I had tried to do it the day before and an hour earlier, but no, it could only be done at lift out time. Richard went. The tide was as low as we have ever seen it and my legs were not long enough to reach the bottom rung on the ladder.
Paperwork complete the hoist inched up to the boat with us holding our breath. It would be a lot of faff to reverse out, turn round and come in again.
There was just enough room, phew. They lifted the boat to the height of the wall and I clambered over the anchor to get off.
Velvet Lady has marks on the toe rail to show where the strops should go. Especially important are the stern ones to make sure they clear the prop shaft. As she cleared the water we were all looking to check. They were perfect.
In many places from lift out to being able to climb on takes 2 or 3 hours whilst the boat is pressure washed then moved to a cradle and chocked. Not here. The boat is taken directly to its place, the height of the keel measured and then the whole boat is chocked with appropriate lengths of wood. Pressure washing is next. It was all very efficient and quick and we were able to go on board within an hour.
Whilst they were doing this, Richard walked around to our marina place to rescue our ladder. Now we use it at the stern to climb on board.
There are lots of rules here about disposing of the contaminated water from hosing and sanding antifouling so we are leaving that work to the professionals. They started straight away, scraping off all the loose barnacles then doing the pressure washing.
We lifted on Tuesday and by Friday the sanding was all done. We needed to get all the old antifoul off to remove all trace of the barnacles we had picked up on the trip across the equator. They move the wooden props one at a time to get to the patches underneath. A couple of repair jobs and on Monday the painting will start as long as there is no rain. She is going to be really smooth, sleek and fast when she is finished.
We are not allowed to live on board, so we have found a nice ground floor apartment with a sea view, rented from a local company. Thank you Sailing Sweet Ruca for the recommendation. It is a lovely bike ride away, all along the sea front, so we are getting our daily dose of exercise and fresh air.
Whilst the painting work is being done by professionals, we are getting on with other jobs that can only be done out of the water. Top of the list is servicing seacocks and that is always my chore.
Velvet Lady has 19 holes in the hull - inlets and outlets for things like Engine, Generator, Toilets, Sinks, Water Maker, Bilge Pumps, Cockpit Drains etc. It is more common these days to have less, but don't forget she was built in 1986. Each one can be opened or closed by a valve on the inside which needs dismantling and greasing.
Of course they are all out of sight, under floors or inside lockers making dismantling tricky. How on earth are you meant to reach in and undo these two nuts.
Luckily after so many years we have learnt the knack of doing it quarter of a turn at a time and the job goes much quicker than it used to!
It is a fiddly,dirty, greasy job. So far 7 down, 12 to go!
Richard meanwhile has been doing many jobs including looking at the anodes, and greasing our maxprop. Another dirty job especially when the tube splits. Sadly no photo.
Today is rest day - back at it tomorrow
(Sailing Sweet Ruca lifted out in Uruguay November 2022 and then followed the route south that we intend to take next year. They have some superb videos on you tube. We cannot wait to follow in their footsteps)
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