Getting Prepared

We are now certainly on the countdown to our major holiday of 2012. With just a couple of weekends of preparation time left we are once again on the back foot and will be rushing around at the last minute to get ready for the off.

The first job on the list is changing the engine belts. During our bank holiday curry cruise the raw water pump developed a leak which sprayed water all over the belts and alternator as well as all over the engine bay. Luckily the water pump was a cheap fix with just a couple of seals to change but now the alternator belt is slipping under load so as a precaution we will change them all. Better to do it on our home berth than half way to Whitby.

As we will be taking the dinghy on this trip we will need to install the bow bag and the oars and also glue on the stand-off arm pads so that we can hang it more securely on the transom of Naughty-Cal. The outboard bracket has still not turned up so it is looking increasingly likely that the outboard engine will yet again be on the cockpit floor in a far from ideal location.

We also need to change the anodes on Naughty-Cal’s stern drive and trim tabs and also buy a new flag staff and ensign as our old ones have long since gone in the bin.

On top of this we need to refill the diesel tank so that we set off with a brimmed tank and plenty of fuel to get us to Grimsby, our first port of call along the way where we will again refuel for the 75 mile journey to Whitby.

As if that little lot isn’t enough we have to change the props for a refurbished set and send away a set of damaged props for refurbishing so that we have a spare set onboard should they get damaged during the holiday.

Naughty-Cal is also in need of a good scrub, both inside and out. Not easy when we have a hosepipe ban in place but it has to be done.

Busy times ahead for the next couple of weekends.