So after nearly 10 days of non-stop work the time had come for "Rat CATcher" to be lifted back into the water!
Her hulls had been scraped and a new coat of Anti-foul had her looking pretty as new. A few repairs had been done which had been caused by bad workmanship in CT. Let us say no more about that!
The prop "problem" was fixed, we found they had installed the wrong size spacer in CT and we had to replace it.
Our Mast lights and wind sensor was replaced and we now our "Brazilian" wind (see previous blog) sensor is for decoration. Standing on the very top of the mast is always an incredible experience. I love the head rush and got a chance to go up again during this repair. I do the feeding of the cable etc then Andre goes up after me and does the connections. Its hard work standing up the with little support so it helps to work in relays!
We added another 10 meters of anchor chain. The wood was all scraped down and re-varnished.
These were just a few of the hundreds of things that needed doing. As well as a spring clean inside. All covers washed and aired.
We are having new waterproof canvas covers made for the cockpit so we don't get drenched in the rain and a cover made for the rubber duck to stop the sun eating her.
She has also been repaired and patched and waterproofed and should be good for another few years.
We had booked to be lifted back in on the 18th; Thursday but we were just not ready!
Friday was D-Day. I could feel "rat catcher" holding her breath in anticipation! Proud and beaming and glad to have us back on board!
She was gently lifted, the last places that had been inaccessible painted and then into the water.
I swear I heard her squeal with glee as her keels touched the water. So for 3 days we will be here on the mooring at Peake, then we are having her buffed at Crews Inn on Monday and then Tobago, here we come!
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