April 2009 Nelson, NZ
The last week of November 08 we finished a slow 34-day passage from Vanuatu with a crew of nine. Most of the crew left within a week except for a yachtie friend named Jena, Kat and myself.
Making up a list of work projects it soon looked like the summer of Hatches, Vents and Pumps. One of the main engine oil pumps had been leaking and squeaking. The hydraulic steering pump was worn and losing pressure and the water pump needed a new seal. Most of the hatches needed rebuilding and new seals. Several cabin and tank vents needed replacing; along with new valves and hatches.
Kat learned how to weld. I got her started with some basic techniques. Then she found some books at the library to further her style. Then Bart started helping on the week ends showing her some of the techniques he has been using for the past 35 years as a welder. By the end of summer Kat had become a proficient welder
We sent sail drawings and dimensions off to A. Lam in Hong Kong. This year we ordered a new flying jib and fore staysail, along with new gaff headed fore and main sails. We could use new gaff-topsails and a new Mizzen, but they will have to wait till next year. We also ordered more rope from Randers in Denmark.
Our efforts to recruit back packers was not very successful this year. It seems the prospect of 5 weeks at sea is too much time. By the middle of March our first new crew arrived. Michelle is an architectural designer from Florida. Then PNG Pete flew in from Sydney and Tania flew in from Melbourne. Laura from Germany had been here for some time on a student working holiday visa. She had heard about Alvei from one of last years crew and decided it would be a good experience. Three Swedes travelling together came to our going away party. Two of them, Emil and Rasmus, decided to stay. Together they are a good humoured and hard working crew.
Alvei and crew were ready to sail 2 weeks ago. However we have been embayed by strong easterly winds from the southeast and northeast. As soon as we have a 2-day weather window to get us through Cook Strait we will be away to run our easting down in the roaring forties on the way to Samoa.
We will be in touch again the first part of June from Samoa.
Making up a list of work projects it soon looked like the summer of Hatches, Vents and Pumps. One of the main engine oil pumps had been leaking and squeaking. The hydraulic steering pump was worn and losing pressure and the water pump needed a new seal. Most of the hatches needed rebuilding and new seals. Several cabin and tank vents needed replacing; along with new valves and hatches.
Kat learned how to weld. I got her started with some basic techniques. Then she found some books at the library to further her style. Then Bart started helping on the week ends showing her some of the techniques he has been using for the past 35 years as a welder. By the end of summer Kat had become a proficient welder
We sent sail drawings and dimensions off to A. Lam in Hong Kong. This year we ordered a new flying jib and fore staysail, along with new gaff headed fore and main sails. We could use new gaff-topsails and a new Mizzen, but they will have to wait till next year. We also ordered more rope from Randers in Denmark.
Our efforts to recruit back packers was not very successful this year. It seems the prospect of 5 weeks at sea is too much time. By the middle of March our first new crew arrived. Michelle is an architectural designer from Florida. Then PNG Pete flew in from Sydney and Tania flew in from Melbourne. Laura from Germany had been here for some time on a student working holiday visa. She had heard about Alvei from one of last years crew and decided it would be a good experience. Three Swedes travelling together came to our going away party. Two of them, Emil and Rasmus, decided to stay. Together they are a good humoured and hard working crew.
Alvei and crew were ready to sail 2 weeks ago. However we have been embayed by strong easterly winds from the southeast and northeast. As soon as we have a 2-day weather window to get us through Cook Strait we will be away to run our easting down in the roaring forties on the way to Samoa.
We will be in touch again the first part of June from Samoa.