Atlantic Adventure News

27/10/02

Plans for doing the ARC have had to be postponed until 2003.

Once all the known repairs were complete Pinball was re-launched on Friday 11th Oct. We quickly discovered that there was a leak at the rudder which had not been detected and after fully investigating, we reluctantly concluded that the boat would have to be taken back out of the water for repairs. The new repairs involved removing the rudder and the rudder tube and resealing all the parts. As this requires the surrounding fibreglass to be fully dried out it was clear that there was now no chance of completing the repairs in time for getting to Gran Canaria for the start of this years ARC.

Pinball will therefore by Wintered in Loctudy and launched in the Spring. We will then make our way South during the Summer and take part in the 2003 ARC. Plans for the Winter/Spring work are well in hand and we will take advantage of the extra time to ensure that the boat (and crew) are even better prepared for the adventure. Discussions on crew for the various legs are also underway.

02/10/02

Repairs to the boat are still ongoing, albeit very slow.

I tested the engine last week and it wouldn't turn over. The engineer who checked it said it was seized, so I checked on the availability of a new engine. The local Yanmar agent found that they had one in stock in Paris, so I have bought a new engine and it will arrive in Loctudy on Tuesday (tomorrow). The old engine has now been removed and the new one will be fitted by the end of the week. I also took the opportunity to replace the hot water tank as it can only be fitted when the engine is out. I have cleaned and painted the engine compartment so it will look very smart with all the new gear in place.

I have also removed the water tanks and am in the process of cleaning and painting the bilges, as we should have no more oil and diesel leeks and a coat of paint should make the boat smell much better.

The new rudder, propeller, propeller shaft and stern tube have all arrived and the rudder is currently having a few coats of epoxy prior to being anti-fouled. The item which has been holding things up is waiting for the fibreglass at the propeller exit to dry so that it can be repaired. This should start tomorrow and should allow all repairs to be complete by the end of this week.

The latest plan is to start the Bay of Biscay crossing on the 12th October and be in the Canaries by the 3rd November, 3 weeks prior to the start of the ARC Race

13/9/2002

David C and I have agreed terms for my buying out his share in Pinball Wizard, taking effect from next Wednesday. I have arranged to go to France on Monday to expedite repairs and it is looking good for restarting the trip on the weekend of 28th September.

11/9/2002

Pinball Wizard is currently undergoing repairs (see the Pictures pages for some photographs).

The main items damaged were the rudder, the propeller, propshaft and stern tube, the bow just below the bow roller (the lifeboat bashed into PW), and the pushpit (damaged by the spinnaker pole which was used as an emergency rudder). There is also a bit of fibre-glassing required around the prop shaft exit and the rudder housing. The rudder stock (|2.5" solid steel) was bent through 10-15deg), one of the propeller blades was bent horizontal and the propeller shaft (1.25" stainless steel) was bent like a pin. The shaft was bent through 20-30deg in the last 9", as one of the boatyard supervisors put it "incredible! incredible!".

All the repairs should be complete by 20th September and the boat will be ready for the next stage by 27th September.

David C has decided to take no further part in the Atlantic trip and as our sailing plans are now quite different we have agreed that I should buy out his share in Pinball wizard. I fully intend to proceed with the trip and am working on establishing the crew for the various stages.