26 September 2024 –Tahiti – Job Day

We woke at anchor about 300 yards from the marina. It was a warm morning and we prepared to enter the marina. This meant putting all the fenders out on each side and getting the lines ready at the stern to hand over to the line handlers.

We had breakfast and about 8.35am called the marina on the radio. They were prepared for us but another catamaran was in our place and they were waiting for the skipper to return. They asked us to standby. We sat and watched the world go by and by about 9.05am they said they were ready for us.   

We upped anchor and headed over and even though we were only two of us we managed to put the anchor down about two to two and a half boat lengths out and reverse back to the quay and then I threw over the ropes and they were put on the wharf attachments. We had to adjust back and forwards to ensure we were in the right position and then we were set.

This was good timing as the engineer arrived to look at the generator. He first of all put a cap on the coolant housing which had a pressure gauge so he could pump pressure and see if there was a leak. Initially he could build no pressure and then looked around and found a broken jubilee clip which had broken on a top hose. He replaced this and then tried the pressure again and it built up but it was still leaking.  Once he tightened the jubilee clip further it sealed and he could build pressure. I had not seen this broken clip as it must have been broken underneath and the coolant must have leaked on to the bolts that I saw draining away.

Once this was done we started the generator and all worked well. I was amazed it was that simple and I had thoughts about not being able to get the gaskets and solve the problem etc. I was therefore relieved and thankful that it was this simple and we had solved the issue within about 45 minutes of our arrival. However, with good communication and planning you get people there early so it buys you time should the issue be more serious and parts are required.  

Keith took the small gas cylinders whilst I was with the engineers to the garage which fills them but they would not take them as they were a bit rusty. I therefore have a gas problem which I need to resolve.

I took the laundry to be washed so that was good and it will be back on Saturday. Keith went off to do some emails etc and I got on with sorting things out. This involved quite a lot of cleaning and sorting out cabins.

Sean we hope will arrive in the morning and he will take the double cabin. We therefore needed to remove Mark’s stuff and pack it away as he thought he was coming back but cannot come until January 2025. This cabin therefore needed to be prepared. I also prepared the forepeak which meant bringing the Red Baron out which had been stored there.

I did quite a lot of hand washing of stuff which I had not put into the laundry on the basis that the washing machine would work. Unfortunately, it does not drain so I had to stop using it.

We then had some lunch and the weather looked like it was going to rain but it did not. We then set about cleaning the galley, main saloon and every area of the boat practically. We filled the water tanks and charged all the batteries from the mains.  We removed the Bimini which needs sowing so the sail man should come tomorrow to collect it.

We did not really stop all day but we had solved most of all the issues and what we needed to do other than gas which I will look into tomorrow.

I had not been able to sell the Red Baron so decided I needed to get rid of it. I got a shopping trolley and put it in it. I had removed any useful rope I could use. As we were wheeling it to the bin a man opposite said he might like it. I therefore gave it to him but he will need to put back the ropes. I hope it goes to a good home.

Keith and I got ready and then went for dinner at the Casa Blanca which we enjoyed. The picture of the day is us having a beer after a busy day. It is also to celebrate that we are back and after a great three weeks exploring the Society Islands which we have really enjoyed.

However, we have a new crew member tomorrow and three more on Monday so things will be different.

Crewing Opportunity Year Two

In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com