Translated by Laci aka Fred AA7UY

 

 

2006.11.08 (46th day)

I was awakened – as usual – by the sound of an air hammer…The radio technician (Cobra Services) is late, as it turned out his car didn’t start, he’s got a colleague coming in the afternoon. Alas I paid 3 days port fees for this berth, where there's no water, electricity, WC, lavatory…The port policeman is here already to see what’s up. I hope I don’t have to pay another day for this “fine” spot. J The sky is cloudy again today and it’s raining continuously!

Regarding my telephone: Naturally, it has a waterproof case (can do the usual world-wide specs, pictures, video, etc) but it isn’t always in it. The reason for this is that I’m also using it as an alarm clock. (True, there is a built-in electric horn in the ship that can be set on a timer, but I don’t like to wake up to that. I’d rather to some pleasant arabian music)…J And when I wake up hourly to check the ship and traffic (some places it’s very important!), then afterwards I don’t put the phone back in its case. From now on I shall always put it back, better yet, I won’t even take it out of its case!

V-belt issue: it broke after 2.5 months. I knew it wouldn’t last long. That’s why there was a spare in the ship. A basic principle in the ship: everything to have a spare, but I’d rather stretch the time out before changing….

Seal issue: It may be hard to understand, but the circumstances here are completely different from sailing on the Balaton or on a Charter Cruise (in a 30-40-50 ft ship!)

The reason for this: the ship has been traveling longer, more than two months.

Furthermore, because the ship’s freeboard is low, more waves spill into it, as compared to a larger vessel. (With a little exaggeration, under certain conditions the ship’s bow is getting water continuously from all angles with great force – great waves!). So the utilization is greater! The leaks nowadays mean 1 or 2 wet spots on the cabin ceiling. I usually seal it with silicone rubber. Its problem is that you can’t get a perfect seal everywhere, even with a good quality silicone rubber. In time – after a few months – it doesn’t seal perfectly. Therefore in certain cases I use resin instead of silicone rubber. This is a longer lasting but stiffer material. It’s hard to remove, not a good solution in every case.  My ship is made of polyester and for this reason I’m using polyester resin for refurbishing and repairs of course.

About refurbishing: I consulted with several ship builders, naval architects, marine engineers and surveyors during refurbishing. I did the work based on their ideas and advice with the help of my Father. Therefore the refurbishing wasn’t done by professionals, but it was thorough and well planned. From my point of view durability was far more important than looks!

Many are asking why there are so many things wrong with the ship? Lesser problems are acceptable, since she’s in continuous use, and what is being used, it will develop problems in time. Other ships need repairs too J

It must be understood that this was the TEST. The purpose of a test is to bring out any faults, rather than during the real run. My real run will be transiting the Atlantic Ocean. I shall rather undersail the ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Thus maximum care and no hurry. Until then my basic principle was to load the ship, so I can find out its limits.

Departed at 14:30, motored for 2 hours because there was no wind and wanted to charge the batteries as well. I was finally able to wash dishes that I had no opportunity for in the port. Evening time the wind came (easterly) we made 4-5 knots, it was very pleasant. The waves weren’t large yet and didn’t spill into the cockpit. J

Slowed down the ship at night using only a jib, to arrive in the morning rather than at night.  Passed the Europe-point (Gibraltar light house/mi) at 8 in the morning.

 

2006.11.09. (47th day)

The engine didn’t start outside the harbor. The weak battery couldn’t turn it over. Didn’t feel like dropping the anchor and suffer pulling the ship in with it, so signaled another ship. (My VHF radio has no antenna yet). They’ll signal the Marina and an official boat will tow me into the harbor. She tows me into port but lets me loose in a temporary location where I can stay for 1 or 2 hours until I can fix the engine. After 1-2 hours I tied up in my place (210) with a new battery. The English are very kind (rather there are more Spanish here…but very slow J Someone told me they’re neither English nor Spanish  but Gibraltarians!

I can finally wash my laundry! I’ll take the mast down tomorrow morning and examine it, then the master mechanic will put the two crosstrees in place.

Received a few favorite SMS, from strangers in general. Hope he won’t be offended, rather be pleased that I quote my favorite: “…Very nice, that you honor our Mother Earth with such a tour J I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for…I don’t know you, but please allow a tiny little advice: don’t forget you’re never alone…May the Angels help you on your voyage. God bless you…”

I remembered Mészi’s advice concerning the kukta. (pressure cooker/tr) Nothing will spill out of that. I’ll buy one if I see it. True, if everything goes topsy-turvy, then I’ll rarely be cooking J

In the evening I familiarized myself with Gibraltar: very small J The fish-and-chips in England are tastier than the ones here. That was my Holiday Dinner today! Cigarettes and alcohol are very cheap, so the majority of my friends would like this place. (Perhaps no tax on it?)

 

2006.11.10 (48th day)

Got up before 8 in the morning so that I can take down the mast, it would be nice if it could be fixed before noon. Alas, the master delayed the mast removal, he had an unexpected, more important job to do. Later, Monday at 10. He’s English but his mentality is Spanish J

Bought a new battery charger in the morning (charges at 10A max), and started to charge my battery. (96 Ah). Did shopping too, bought nearly 60 bottles of water.. Bought powdered milk, oil, bread, greens, chocolate cream and 4 pints of milk J These are consumed on board Carina.

Reorganized the ship a little, exchanged the Koper water with one from Gibraltar. Replaced the rudder mount with another. Bought one made of copper yesterday, drilled it today in four places (There’s another spare!). Crossed over to Spain in the evening, where the Internet is a little cheaper. In Gibraltar it’s £4.5 hour, though I found a cheaper one today at the Telephone Central for £3.

While walking, a plane was just landing, so I had to wait a little.

The Spanish don’t like to speak English in Spain. I accept that, but my Spanish is still nothing. True, I could make myself understood with my translator book fairly well, but whithout it…J

Late evening I did my laundry…

 

 

2006.11.11. (49th day)

Erika, thank you for the pictures, though you sent them to me in September.

Forenoon I was looking for a Sailing Shop on the Spanish side (La Linea), Finally, luckily I found it (Linamar, Carretera de Cementerio, Zabal).. I was able to buy a thermostat (will install if necessary), and bought V-belt (for ship’s spare) next door.

Meanwhile walked all over town and also the beach. Afternoon I was occupied with the ship: installed the new rudder mount, then did some sealing too ( a little resining). Afternoon went to the Castle (now being renovated), then looked at the Europe Point and the Minaret. Interneted in the evening, MSN with acquaintances…

 

2006.11.12 (50th day)

Radar reflector: the salesman at the local Sailing Shop (Sheppard’s) said that the cylindrical type is no longer allowed, even prohibited to use, because the radars don’t pick it up as well. Therefore they don’t sell that kind. I was already thinking about such type though.

Forenoon: went up the hill, looked at the cannons, the view and the monkeys J Then did some small repairs in the ship (siliconeing, resining).

Repaired/renewed the HF antenna tie points and insulation. Checked the compartments, there was no need to remove any water! - Good news!

Early afternoon arrived József, reporter from the RTL Club. Took a few pictures of the ship and I. He helped with the water purchase too! Bought 110 liters of water and placed it in the after compartment. Also added neomagnol to these. Then I washed a load, hopefully this was my last laundry here.

At 6 in the evening I spoke of my plans and present situation in the program called Hátszél. (Following Winds/tr)

Had dinner with Józsi in a Moroccan restaurant, it was tasty.

 

2006.11.13. (51st day)

Got up early in the morning. Couldn’t even list the many things I did today… József (reporter fom RTL Club) helped a lot, thank you for it!! We dismounted the mast together, then the master mechanic came, removed the mount and took it to his shop. It wasn’t broken, only bent. (Hammered it out a little and reinforced it).

The reporter asked several people what they thought of my plan. Everyone said it was excellent, go ahead, do it! (and of course that it can be done…)

Meanwhile I bought the (VHF/tr) antenna and secured it to the top of the mast. (Tried it in the evening: it works). Then secured the radar reflector. Early  afternoon the master returned and we replaced both mounts, paid him a heap of money…

Then, again with Józsi,  we re-stepped the mast. We went for a sail around 3, mainly for a few photos. I’ll set the mast in the morning.

Evening time I gave a report to MTI  (Hungarian News Bureau/tr), then tried to put things in order…

Dinner: Wieners with mustard, this is the specialty of Carina’s Chef J

Departure: tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning. (After setting the mast and shopping).