Monday 21 October 2013

The Season is Over


Mekicevica is out of the water and the season is over. The weather is still surprisingly warm for late October and we could have squeezed a few more days of sailing, but after 18 months in the water Mekicevica is tired and needs some TLC, especially below the water line.
First time out of the water since the 6th of May 2012.
There were a few barnacles but on the whole the anti-fouling did do a good job. The coating of the keel, centre-plate and rudder worked a treat, and needs only a few retouches in a few critical spots.
Waiting for a good treatment with the pressure hose.

Clean bottom, ready for Winter maintenance projects.
It was a really good season. It had a late start, with the first trip on the 6th of May, but after that we did catch-up and logged a total of 34 days of sailing over exactly five months. Amazingly, we got rain while sailing only once. We did not go to any far destinations, but we got to know Zeeland a lot better. A new rig allowed us to sail in windier conditions, but we also learned when to look for shelter. The skipper had the first solo tours, which increased his confidence when sailing with First-Mate.
Time for maintenance projects and making plans for 2014. The Kvarner? Or the Baltic?



Sunday 6 October 2013

Return to Bruinisse

This weekend we need to bring Mekicevica from Zierikzee back to her berth in Bruinisse. We are so lucky that the wind is forecast to be moderate from the SW and high water around 1630. That means we'll have wind and tide with us. Moreover it is going to be warm for the time of the year.

We started the weekend with a delicious (and huge) Thai dinner in Zierikzee. On Sunday, I went for a morning run to warm-up and check the waves on the Oosterschelde. The wind is weaker than last weekend, but we have no appetite to repeat the experience.
Without any rush we managed to leave just after low water and motor down the harbour canal. It was interesting to note that even with Yoyo-Ma giving all of his 2.5HP we were slower going down the canal that last weekend using just half of the jib. That is how windy it was then.
Once out we hoisted full main and full genoa and off we go... very slowly. What a difference! Now the Oosterschelde had only the slightest of ripples. The only challenge was to estimate our course so that with our low speed over the water we did not drift into any obstacles, like the bridge pylons.
Passing under the Zeeland bridge in light airs.
Going on a very broad reach, we found that dowsing the main and using only the full genoa was more efficient than struggling to prevent it from collapsing in the wind shade of the main. This is a peculiarity of the new rig with swept-back spreaders.
Classic Dutch boat on the Oosterschelde.
As we approached the Keteen and prepared to turn a bit more into the wind, it also started to freshen a bit, so we hoisted the main again. We cut a lot of the corner out of the shipping lane, as we were on a rising tide and on port tack, so it would not be serious if we happened to touch the bottom. We didn't and it was all plain sailing towards the Grevelingen lock, with the wind gradually veering North. We were lucky to be so well timed that we only started to be headed as we were almost in front of the lock, so we did not even have to change course to douse the main.
A small Dutch boat going down the Keteen.
Soon Mekicevica was settled back on her berth and the crew enjoying a drink and dinner in Bruinisse.
On Sunday, as forecast, there was more sunshine but no wind whatsoever. So we decided to go home. A short weekend, but very, very satisfying. The arranged date to take Mekicevica out of the water is approaching quickly. Could this have been the close of the season?