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
Departed at
Slowed down the
ship at night using only a jib, to arrive in the morning rather than at
night. Passed the Europe-point (
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
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
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
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
While walking, a
plane was just landing, so I had to wait a little.
The Spanish don’t
like to speak English in
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 (
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).