3 June: After breakfast John, Matt and I headed off to the boat yard. Trades were attending, including hull polishing, ongoing work on the engine and generator, complete strip down, checking and servicing of each winch etc. We attended to a multitude of tasks. John and Matt moused the running rigging, I attended to cleaning as best I could, given trades people on the boat. Somewhat annoying that many of the tasks being undertaken should have been completed weeks ago. In the evening, went for a long swim at Capo d'Orlando. Incredibly refreshing.

4 June:  After breakfast John, Matt and I headed off to the boat yard. Trades were attending including hull polishing, ongoing work on the engine and generator, complete strip down, checking and servicing of each winch etc. We attended to a multitude of tasks. The oven cook top was badly corroded and all the gas jet fitting were completely shot. A new set were on board, having been ordered following an earlier visit by John. I used a brass wire wheel in the power drill and stainless steel metal polish to remove the corrosion. A couple of the gas jet fittings were seized on to the mountings so I had to drill them out. Fitted the new gas jets, all good. We conducted similar clean ups throughout the boat plus sorted out most cupboards and comparments, including removing lots of redundant items. John had organised a completed set of boat cushions and 6 new fenders to replace the existing odd sized collection. These were all loaded into the cabin onboard. That evening went for a long swim at the beach adjoining our accommodation at the Beachside apartments.

5 June: The boat was lifted into the water late morning. This was a day late as the yard were still completing the light sand of the copper coat and completing the mast winches. Whilst the individual trades were competent, the management of the yard left a lot to be desired, having left many listed tasks to the last minute, many of which could have been done weeks ago. We motored around to our berth in the marina (a day late!) and tied up. Noted the bow thruster batteries were completely dead. Tied up stern to, in dead calm conditions. Matt and John ran the main and jib sail up, checked all functions. During the off season John had come out 2 or 3 times, during which he fitted a new anchor winch motor and gypsy. The old gypsy was completely flogged out. He also fitted a new inverter as the original had failed, replaced some badly corroded SS door hinges. Also, John fitted most of a new Starlink communications system and removed the orginal redundant systems, Imarsat, Redbox etc. The Starlink system provides hi speed internet coverage everywhere for Euro72/month. We did a run to buy two new batteries for the bowthruster, getting as close as possible to the dimensions of the old batteries. We made up the fore and aft berths. In the evening I accessed the bowthruster battery compartment and removed the old batteries. Noted the new batteries would not fit width wise, by just a few mm, so potentially may have to cut an end off the battery compartment, which is a real pain.

6 June: Early morning I accessed bowthruster batteries box beneath the forward berth. The new batteries were a few millimetres too wide to fit in the box. However, the profile of each battery base and top, extended beyond the main battery section by around 5mm. Placing a 20mm board below one battery we gained 5mm, allowing both batteries to just fit in the compartment. Connecting the leads was difficult as the original batteries had bolt in connections. The new batteries had typical clamp connections. A few modifications and a couple of hours had the batteries secured and functioning. Matt and John fitted the genoa. John fitted the Starlink receiver to the stainless communication pole at the stern of the boat. Matt and John gave the boat a wash down. In the afternoon we did a provisioning run to a nearby large supermarket, returned and stocked to boat.

7 June: Today, first thing, Matt and I washed the teak with teak cleaner and then applied teak brightner. Amazing how much dirt and dust the teak accumulates. John arrived at 8:30 and we then installed the complete set of new boat cushions. I cleaned the battery connections on the dinghy and sorted out the electric start. We organised a pair of new mooring ropes, organised from the marina chandlery which had loops spliced on one end. Fitted new fenders and fender socks. Went up the mast to fit curtesy flag cord which had broken in the offseason. Did a general clean up inside and removed a lot of redundant bits and peices. Took the welcome mats to the laundromat. Did a rubbish run at the end of the day. After dinner, set the boat up for departure raising the dinghy into position. Thanks to John for all the work over the off season and for his time recommissioning Westralia for this season.

Yard leaving tasks to the last minute

Matt and John mouse the running rigging

Every winch disassembled, cleaned, checked and greased

Boat lift delayed by one day

Up to first spreader to fit courtesy flag rope