[Update 27.09.2021: Elena has just confirmed that boat will be ready for launch next Monday, October 4. So we will fly out from CDG to Sardinia on Saturday. Yay!]
About 10 days ago (September 15th), Elena responded to our gentle enquiries. First the good news: she has given birth to a baby boy, who they have named Alberto.
As well as photos of the bambino, she also sent us some pictures of Missy Bear’s operation, to demonstrate that works had indeed started. We had noticed on Marine Traffic that the yacht had moved to a different ward – well, moved from one part of the yard to another - so we were hopeful that some progress was being made. But having visual confirmation was reassuring.
With the boat still in the slings of the hoist, the eight keel bolt nuts would have been removed and the boat hoisted clear of the bolts. The keel would stand up on its flat bottom, but also be propped up.
The boat would then have been moved and lowered onto a metal support frame and other angled supports. The design of keel boats assumes most of the weight is taken on the keel. Without the keel, I’m hoping that they have located the props in just the right positions, so as not to put undue stresses on the infrastructure. But, as Alix keeps telling me, they as professionals who know what they are doing.
We are also pleased to see that the workers have been thorough in covering the interior space and floor with sheets to stop dust etc getting into the rest of the boat. It seems to be a careful and thoughtful job.
They have then identified the section of the hull, where the hairline cracks were evident and have cut it out and removed it. They also seem to have started laying new layers of fibreglass onto the hull bottom. That’s all I can judge for now.
Elena seemed quite indignant when Alix asked her when works might be completed. “By the end of the month, like I told you”, she replied. However, when pressed on what date Alix and I should show up in Arbatax for the relaunch, she was less committal.
So, Alix and I are waiting (slightly restlessly) in Aubeterre, and trusting that sometime next week, we will get a summons back to Sardinia, to review the works. We also hope the insurer’s surveyor will be doing the same.
We are looking forward to our October cruise around Sicily, and I have been reading on the subject, specifically the Norman Conquest, of which more in my next blog….
