Sailing Into the "Randstad" - Epilogue: Lifting-Out For Repairs at Papendrecht

Papendrecht, is situated across the water from Dordrecht, where the Noord meets the Oude Maas. It is already in the "Randstad" a vast megalopolis that includes the cities of Amsterdam, Roterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. This area boasts one of the World's largest population densities. In the middle of all this, the little yacht harbour of Papendrecht is an oasis of tranquility.

Mekicevica in the quiet yacht harbour of Papendrecht. In the background: Dordrecht with the towers of the railway bridge.

A surprising variety of birds take refuge here and their chirping almost masks the roaring of the frequent ships that pass in front of the harbour.
The people in the club are very friendly, and they helped me make some repairs.
On Sunday, just out of Oud Beijerland we had the problem that every Manta 19 owner will experience at one time. The centre plate got stuck and while giving it a good yank to release it, First-Mate was left with the loose chain in her hand. The only way to solve the problem is to lift-out and re-attach the chain to the plate. The good people of the Papendrecht club not only agreed to lift-out Mekicevica (for a very reasonable fee) they all helped in the operation and the repair of the chain. It is now a much better job than what I had done earlier and will certainly do the rest of the season.
Mekicevica is as ready as she could be to continue heading North towards Amsterdam, the Ijsselmeer, and maybe beyond.