YAFT - Conclusions

Overall a very successful trip. It was, however, a definite benefit having her lifted out for all sorts of reasons.

Firstly, and critically, the two of us would have struggled to get her scrubbed off and antifouled on the hard between tides and although we'd have managed it the time and energy expended would have cut down on the other work we could get done.

Secondly, if we'd been afloat I suspect we'd have lost at least half a day, once again, due to the boat bouncing up and down when the river gets choppy. It's not a big problem when we're sailing and tolerable when moored up and relaxing (you just lay back and read or listen to music or whatever) but when she won't sit still it makes maintenance jobs difficult!

Jane having to stay home due to an ear infection meant a lot of the work we'd hoped to do below decks couldn't be tackled (although in hindsight I think we'd have struggled with three of us trying to work around each other given the jobs list) and Rik being ill on Friday doubtless cost a job or two carried forward but I'm pleased with what we achieved.

After testing in the fading light of dusk on the way back from the pub one night, I'm mightily impressed and pleased with the new NASA LED combi-light at the masthead. Hoisting a hurricane lamp as an anchor light is all very well but it's a lot easier to flick a switch and the result is a lot higher, brighter and clearer to passing vessels without putting undue strain on the limited electrical supply.

Anyway, jobs ticked off the "to do" list were ...

Scrub bottom and antifoul (2 coats)
Repaint boot top 2" higher
Repair starboard rubbing strake
Sand, prime and paint rubbing strakes
Dispose of 2 stroke mix from main fuel tank (donated to local commercial fisherman!)
Fit engine fuel connector to fuel hose
Fit engine electrics lead
Repair washboard runners
Modify and refit engine well side panels
Replace mast wiring socket and plug at mast base
Wire mast socket back to control panel
Reconfigure control panel switches to work with new mast lights
Fit new VHF antenna cable plug and socket at mast base
Run new antenna lead back to nav station, fit RF plugs and sockets etc.
Fit LED light above navigation table
Install housing for log impeller in well under cockpit floor

Jobs carried forward which we'd hoped to have done were ...

Setting up the standing rigging
Fitting the log impeller
Re-marking the anchor warp
Mousing various shackles
Sorting out the boat tool kit
Checking galley stores
Sanding down and re-varnishing the galley unit
Tidying up below decks
Measure hull for possible trailer purchase

Jobs added to the list which occurred to me over the weekend ...

Clear the cockpit drains and check the seacocks
Make up lanyard for life buoy light
Rewire power to the nav table area to separate switch now available on control panel
Label up control panel switches to match new configuration

It's nearly five weeks before we are back on board and in the meantime there's this years big festival to attend to so I won't be doing much in the way of boaty thinking for a while now