It all starts here.

In early preparation, today Luce (Lushay) has been craned out of the water and placed in a 20 tonne cradle in Chatham Marina boat yard. Luce weighs in about 17 tonne and this is right on the limit the Chatham Marina crane can lift out.

I am undertaking the yearly antifoul, (This is a special paint that helps prevent marine growth on the hull), new anodes to the propeller and sail drive (Anodes are sacrificial and stop galvanic corrosion to the boats metal parts underwater) and a new sail drive (Gearbox and propeller shaft) fitted due to galvanic corrosion which ate away some of the aluminum casing to the lower gearbox exposing the rubber O ring seals. To my mind, its better to be safe than sorry rather than having seawater leaking in and mixing with the gearbox oil when your out at sea. So, I decided to bite the bullet and replace the entire unit as the engine was scheduled to be removed anyway to have the manufacturers recommended 7 yearly hull seal replaced.

The generator is also being serviced as is the 6 man life raft and other safety equipment. And a through check of all parts throughout the boat, which will be replaced as found necessary.

The Genoa sail (This is the sail at the front of the boat) has now been sent away for its yearly check and clean. I fitted a new main sail earlier this year. (This is the sail that attaches to the mast and boom). I will also check the Code Zero and Blue Water Runner (These sails are attached to the front bow sprit (Most forward point you can attach a sail) when sailing down wind) which are used as and when needed.

All the running rigging (ropes and alike) is being checked, some having already been replaced earlier this year by Riverview Rigging in Chatham. The fixed rigging (Mast and its fittings and supports etc) have already been checked and surveyed this year by Wilkinson Sail Loft in Faversham and again by Elvstrom Sails, Denmark, prior to them designing , manufacturing and fitting the new Epex laminate FatFurl main sail a couple of months ago.

The only other sails to check are the Storm Tri-sail and Storm Jib. (These are very tough and bright orange sails, they are small and used in storms). Hopefully I wont be running into any storms and these wont be needed! Fingers crossed! The only other thing to do is to check and restock all required spare parts, from nuts and bolts to spare rigging and engine parts.

At sea, if it can go wrong or break, it usually will, so its wise to have all the parts, bits, tools, training and skills you can to solve problems, as your on your own, some time miles out at sea and cannot simply go to the nearest garage or chandlery , so to speak.

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