Tariq and Emma were holidaying with their toddler, Spike. Unfortunately the batteries for their camera had run out so I insisted on an informal family portrait on the beach, making the most of a rather splendid sunset. The problem was it was so dark I couldn’t really see what I was doing and ended up with this effort…
When Family Portraits Go Wrong Read Post »
It was all about the painters this week as they raced against the ensuing storms to spray the first couple of layers of Awlgrip 545 primer. The painters weren’t the only ones getting messy, Mey managed to paint most of her face as she tackled the various deck lockers.
Esper Refit 9 – painting with Awlgrip primer; reforming the cabin Read Post »
This week we get to play with a new toy whilst the painters cover the topsides with a high build paint. Frustratingly we discover a rather unpleasant hole in the deck but at least the galley’s now covered in tomato and aluminium.
Esper Refit 8 – holes in deck; galley is tomato orange Read Post »
Esper has changed colour and the first non-white Formica is up in the galley too. Check out our favourite video clip of the project so far, but do it soon before it gets taken down. I’ve just received notification of a copyright infringement! Meet The A Team, now called The E Team…
Esper Refit 7 – the E Team; first coat of primer Read Post »
In this little clip we get to see a boat launched Thai style: in the cradle and with rather loud bangers to ward off evil spirits. It was sad to see our friends leave, but we were happy for them to be hitting the seas once more. We were even more delighted to see our neighbours, Sharm and Rumi, join ‘Maggie Drum’ for their first ever venture on the waves. An obvious but classic choice of sound track…
Launching Maggie Drum – Thai Style! Read Post »
Liz was doing the payroll the other week and as she went through the carpenters’ names, Pong, Ton and Tui, she giggled to herself. Isn’t that a cartoon dog that does kung fu? Here’s our video dedication to our hard-working family of wood-workers…
Esper Refit 6 – removing a dorade vent; white vine veneer Read Post »
Come into my office. Yes, we have an office, albeit a bit noisy and breezy. It was a frustrating week for some (me) but the rest of the team has been cracking along. Liz’s Study, complete with a new, curved all, is almost complete. Meanwhile the painters have started filling the topsides and have already spraypainted primer on the main mast.
Esper Refit Week 5 Read Post »
Teak decks are being ripped off, toilets have been removed, the top-sides have been spraypainted black and someone is creating so much fibreglass particles and sawdust that even after three showers we’re still itching like hell. The question, therefore, should be: exactly how close are we to a nervous breakdown after a month on the hard here in Thailand? The video clip should put it all in perspective…
Esper Refit 4 – tent up; filling in a portlight Read Post »
Six days of work in a three minute video clip… and whilst Liz gets a smack in the head we bring the entire yard to a standstill as we move four boats out the way so we can take prime spot in the corner of the yard. A snippet of time-lapse video trickery in this week’s video summary too. Low-point of this week was having to let one of the staff go, but this was off-set by being relocated to our new home.
Esper Refit 3 – removing deck fittings; interior mood boards Read Post »
Week Two of Esper’s refit moved as quickly as the first week. The crane was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, which it did, and Un’s team duly removed both main and mizzen mast in two hours. We recorded the whole shebang, though you’ll be pleased to know we reduced to down to a short clip, complete with some explanatory commentary. If you’ve not seen this operation before, take a look and marvel at the ease in which both masts were removed.
Esper Refit 2 – removing the mizzen and main masts Read Post »
We’ve been off the radar for the last few weeks, if you’ll excuse the nautical pun there. It’s been a busy time with us leaving Malaysia, entering Thailand, hauling out, finding a house, emptying Esper of our worldly goods and preparing our beautiful but tired boat for a strip down. Esper’s refit is a monumental project. At the very least we’ll be stripping her of her gelcoat, her teak deck, her masts and rigging and her electronics…
Esper Refit 1 – an introduction to our boat refit Read Post »
Our website, like our lives, is in a state of flux. Whilst we prepare to haul Esper in Thailand and undergo a major refit, so followtheboat.com is getting some special treatment too. We were offline for a couple of weeks whilst we saw out Christmas at Rebak Resort and New Year at anchor. We even had Esper’s lights lit whilst partying ashore, which made it very easy to find her at two in the morning, half-cut! We’ve included some recent photographs and a hint at what’s happening next in our lives. Expect some interesting updates during 2014…
A New Year, A New Host, A New Boat? Read Post »
We plan to spend some time on the hard doing some major refitting to Esper. Unfortunately Malaysia doesn’t really figure as a viable option for the amount of work we’re planning so the obvious alternative is to get the work done in Thailand. No great shakes since we’re only 200 miles from Phuket where all the big boat yards are, but there’s another option: head 25 miles east from Langkawi to the mainland and check in to Satun’s boatyard, PSS. Here’s a brief intro to this sleepy town, packed full of images.
Satun, Thailand – Photos From Our Next Home? Read Post »
Galvanising your anchor and chain is a cost-effective way of lengthening the life of your gear. Here in Penang we used Steelway, who picked up our tackle and double-coated it in less than a week. Along the way I learnt a bit about the process and I’ve included some photos to show you the shiny result.
Galvanising Our Anchor And Chain Read Post »
Sailing Today magazine is featuring our adventures from India to Malaysia in two editions. What’s even more exciting is that we are on the front cover! The first part, a seven-page spread, covers our time from India to the Maldives and the image features Esper at anchor at the beautiful Hideaway Resort.
Our First Magazine Cover! Read Post »
