The Ship’s Log covers journeys undertaken by sail or canal boat, and includes general posts not covered by the Travel category.
When I first took Esper out with a couple of skippers on board, my anchoring techniques left a lot to be desired. I was determined to make the effort to try and anchor the next few times I went out for a sail.
Anchoring Off Bitez Read Post »
This second trip from Bodrum was a trip around Kara Ada itself, this time with just Salih and Bilge. For me this was an important moment as it was the first time I had ever sailed a boat as the most experienced person aboard. Even on the Aquarium trip I accompanied by three qualified skippers, two of whom were Yachtmasters, so this was a great mental leap forward for me.
Having got quite pally with my neighbour Mustafa it was only natural that I should invite him along on my next trip, which was to be a simple sail across the top of Kara Ada. We were to be joined
Bodrum And Across The Top Of Kara Ada Read Post »
It had been two weeks since I touched down in Bodrum with the intention of getting Esper ready for a season of sailing. In that time we had managed to take her out once, a quick motor from Yat Lift to the marina, a grand total of two kilometres! After getting her into the marina I had been itching to get her back out for a proper sail but the weather just hadn’t allowed it.
Checking out the fish in the Aquarium Read Post »
The “Bodrum Files” is a short collection of log entries that highlight the first few ‘proper’ sailing trips in and around Bodrum. There will be many more trips in this area in the near future but these just document the early trips undertaken in April, 2005. It was a time to get to grips with Esper and also offer up some fun for a few friends.
Sailing In And Around Bodrum Read Post »
We had more fun and games sourcing a solution for our entertainment system than any other issue with the boat! Whilst there are expert marine electricians, carpenters, rigging experts and so on there appears to be a lack of information on marine stereo solutions.
Boat Stereo Entertainment System Read Post »
There were two major plumbing jobs that we left to Yat Lift: the replacement of the holding tank and converting the electric toilet pump back to a manual one.
With the addition of stereo, new VHF and various switches and monitors the left and lower dashs in the nav table area had to be redesigned. We decided to take out some of the old electronic equipment, either because they weren’t working or because they were dated and would one day be replaced with new kit.
Boat Electrics and Electronics Read Post »
After reading the yacht-owner’s bible (Nigel Calder’s ‘Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual’, published by Adlard Coles Nautical) we had a serious rethink about our power sources. Eventually we will be looking to install solar panels but in the short term we had to make an educated guess at what our daily power consumption would be and put that within the context of buying new batteries and battery charger.
Boat Power Sources Read Post »
A common problem on Oyster 435s (apparently) is leaking chain plates. We left Yat Lift to look at this and upon our return they had recaulked the fittings.
Running & Standing Rigging Read Post »
The initial survey report had indicated that a few of the deck planks required replacing and recaulking, whilst we were aware that some of the stanchion bases had come loose. Indeed two of the stanchion bases were leaking slightly, so we got eleven of the twelve bases replaced, and replaced two of the planks.
One of the biggest jobs we left Yat Lift to complete was applying a new gelcoat. These additional few layers of epoxy (300 microns, to be precise) help strengthen the integrity of the hull. If you can afford it, it’s money well spent.
Hull, Epoxy, Gel Coat & Other Things Read Post »
Heart atack at Heathrow Airport! I loaded my cases onto the check-in scales and it turned out I was carrying over eighty kilos, fifty over the allotted amount! Credit card in hand I took the excess baggage hit, which came to over two hundred quid, and that was with 20kg taken off because the check-in girl fancied me or something.
Introduction to launch Read Post »
I should consider myself lucky that I have Mustafa on hand to come sailing with me. The decision is normally made the night before and it’s usually during the week, when everyone else is as work. Despite being employed full time as a skipper it seems his boss is never around so Mustafa is pretty much a free agent.
Yes, here we are at last, my first entry in the log… a long time coming I know, but not as fast as the last year has been. My fastest year on record. Wow, what a journey it has been since I met Jamie in Antigua on Christmas Day 2003. From falling in love with those deep brown eyes and embracing smile on that fateful holiday to the launch of what we have fashioned into our own special dream…
Esper’s Maiden Voyage Read Post »
