Tag Archives: confinement

Confinement Boat Projects

A boat, like a house, is a constant work in progress.  There is always something to do, to clean, to repair, or to replace.  Confinement provides us with an excellent opportunity to focus on some of the much-needed boat projects that needed to be done. 

Some of our boat projects are just “nice to have” done projects.  For example, we want to replace our rain shades with bigger rain shades to keep our cockpit drier during storms.  We made rain shades a few years ago and they are “fine” but they could be better, more efficient, easier to install, and cover more area. 

Another “nice to have” project is making a seat cushion for the transom area of the cockpit (around the wenches and above the line holders).  People inevitably sit on the hard fiberglass area even though we have three large cushion seating areas.  So, why fight it?  We’ve been talking about making a seat cushion here for years but the concern is where to stow the cushions while we are underway…since we would need to access the lines.

But those projects will have to wait until we get through our priority boat projects.

Necessary Boat Projects

Where to start? There are so many.  We start with some of the older boat projects.  One of the great things about a catamaran is that you have two of everything.  One of the bad things about a catamaran is that you have two of everything.

The sunbrella cushion covers on both helm seats had weakened and ripped.  We needed to replace the covers which is easier said then done.  The covers are made to fit snugly over the waterproof material and cushion.  Supposedly to prevent the cushions from retaining water.  Which doesn’t always work when you are in a massive storm. 

Matt dutifully removed the sunbrella fabric and then painstakingly removed the stitching so he could replace the top panel.  Our cushions were made in Turkey in 2010 and were well made.  They had double stitching around all the seams.  Which is great, until you have to remove all the stitching.

The bottom left photo shows you what the cover looked like.  Doesn’t look too bad until you look at the top left photo which shows you how worn out it really was.  The bottom right shows you the finished cushion cover.

Annoyingly, we discovered several weeks after installing our new helm seat cushions, that when it rains, the fabric actually shows are two different colors.  So don’t look when it rains 🙂

Helm Wheel Covers

I started working on the helm wheel leather covers while Matt was working on both helm seat covers. We had covered our wheels at the helm station with leather to prevent them from slipping in our hands during storms and to make it more comfortable while at the helm.  But the leather had turned green (it was tan) from mildew and old age.  It had ripped in some sections and generally needed to be replaced.  Another “easier said than done” boat project.  You see there are 120 stitches between each rung and there are 5 rungs (600 for those of you mathematically challenged) times to wheels.   That’s a lot of stitches!

Removal:

First: remove the two turks head knots that mark the center of the wheel.  You can either cut the string or try to find the end that is neatly tucked under the knot.  I was able to find the ends of 3 of the 4 knots and saved the line.  But the 4th one had to be cut. (see two top images)

Next, the stitches had to be removed.  Originally, I thought I would just cut the line.  But it was a particularly windy day and I did not want pieces of this sticky string to go in the water.  So, I literally pulled the line through each stitch to remove it.  (bottom left image).

The old leather (green used to be tan) next to the new leather (gray) in the lower right photo.

Next the wheel needed to be cleaned.  There was double sticky tape holding the leather in place and rust, and gunk all over the wheel.  Nothing that a brillo pad, cleaning agent, and elbow grease couldn’t handle.

Port Helm

Port Helm

Port Helm

Starboard Helm

Starboard Helm

Starboard Helm

We measured, re-measured, and then measured again.  Once we cut this leather there is no going back!  After we cut it, I sewed the two end pieces together, applied my double sticky tape to hold the leather cover to the wheel and started stitching.  It took me about 30-45 minutes per rung, times 5 rungs, x 2 wheels.  Needless to say, it took me several days to finish both sides.

In case you are wondering, we purchased our leather helm covers from Edsonmarine.  They are pricey, but they work wonders!

Next Matt recreated the two turks head knots on each helm.  These help us realize where “center” is which is crazy important wile underway.  Sometimes, you are looking at the sails or the mark or the channel and can’t look at the wheel.  So, it is important to be able to “feel” the knots to know your wheel is centered.

Interior Table Cleaning

We have a beautiful table inside the cabin that folds open to make an even larger table (double the size).  We try to maintain it and keep it clean, but daily use, oils from hands and cleaners and what not create build up.  The outer edge, or darker wood gets the brunt of it.  It was way overdue for some loving.  We take a very gentle approach as we don’t want to scratch the wood.  Using a metal scraper, we tenderly scrape the gunk off (with very little pressure).

I promise you it did not look this bad until you zoom in.  My sister who is fastidious about cleaning never noticed it so don’t judge 🙂

It was remarkable who well it cleaned up. Looking at the bottom three images:  before cleaning, after cleaning, and after oil.

And the finished table:

I took the opportunity to do more of our rails, leading edges and more….over a week’s time:

Nav station

Nav station

Prop Cleaning

Matt whipped out the hooka to clean the props which had grown a bit hairy.  He jumped in before I had a chance to take a before photo so all you get is his photo.  Hooka, weight belt, cleaning tools and he is off to shave our props.

Matt with the hooka gear on

Matt with the hooka gear on

The props after their hair cut.  The yellow is prop speed which helps keep the growth to a minimum.

Raw Water Pump Repair

The port side raw water pump needed to be serviced.  Matt replaced a bearing and the shaft.  In the left photo you can see the old and new shaft along with the bearing.  While he had the pump off he also replaced the hose to the raw water pump.  The old and new.  What a difference.

Random $hit:

On one of our walks we encountered the lovely ladies who were crafting gorgeous floral crowns and necklaces.  Not only were they stunning, but they smelled devine!

Just a beautiful photo of Sugar Shack on a particularly calm day.  I was snorkeling back to the boat and popped my head up to get my bearings.  It was just so pretty I had to share it with you.  You can see how clear the water is as the coral heads are apparent.

 

Did you meet the sharks, rays, and fish in Vaiare in our last blog.

Events from this blog post occurred during the third week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Artic P Mega Yacht

Confinement Among the Uber Rich

Matt and I moved Sugar Shack to Cooks Bay in Mo’orea for two reasons. 1) there is “talk” of a partial confinement; and 2) it is more protected from the forecasted maramu.  We weathered a pretty horrible storm while at anchor across from the Intercontinental Hotel.  We were seeing 3-meter seas come across the reef which caused miserable anchoring conditions.  The wind was blowing the boat one way, the current pulling it another, and the seas tugging it yet another way.  I ended up taking sea sick medicine while we were at anchor – that – is – how – bad – it – was.

Crap weather day at Marina Taina

Crap weather day at Marina Taina

As soon as the weather cleared, we high tailed it to Cooks Bay, Mo’orea.  Where we are more protected from the wind, swell, and current.  However, we do get strong gusts funneling between the looming mountains.  We saw gusts in the low 30’s and white caps in the bay, but we did ok.  We were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow.

Cooks Bay, Mo'orea

Cooks Bay, Mo’orea

This typically gorgeous bay has green mountains that jet from the lagoon.

Mo'orea

Mo’orea

We took the dinghy exploring.  This screamed to be captured just as the sun hit the side of the mountain.

Mo'orea

Mo’orea

Wayne arrives from the States

It was a challenge for Wayne to get to us.  After 12 hours of flying on two flights, he took a taxi to the ferry dock, hopped on the ferry to Mo’orea, then took a bus to Cooks Bay.  Planes, taxi, ferry, bus.  We don’t ask much of our friends to get to us.

Prior to his departure, we informed him of the current partial confinement.  We had a curfew every night from 9p-4a and we had full confinement from Friday, 9p to Monday 4a.  Meaning we could not move the boat or leave the boat during the weekends.  He decided he still wanted to come and so he did.

On his first day, Friday, we decide to be on shore as much as possible since we were going to have to be on the boat for the entire weekend.  We enjoy a fabulous lunch at Allo’s Pizza and then we hit the Mo’orea Beach Club for happy hour.

It was really pretty and a spectacular view.  We had tables nestled in the sand as the water lapped against our toes.  Enjoying a frosty beverage under the umbrella on a sunny afternoon.

Mo'orea Beach Club

Mo’orea Beach Club

This is how Matt feels about covid confinement…

In Good Company: The Super Yachts

Another maramu is forecasted to arrive.  We slowly start to see more and more mega yachts arriving. Everyone is coming to this anchorage for protection from the forecasted weather.

Artic P looks to me to be a yacht that would be used in Alaska to clear the ice. In midnight blue it shimmers against the sea as the hull sweeps from bow to stern.  We decided to take a closer look at this 88-meter boat (287’) with a 14-meter beam (42’). 

Artic P in Confinement

Artic P in Confinement

As we circle this huge yacht, we discover she has 6 tenders!  Yes, 6!  And three of them are larger than Sugar Shack!  In addition, she has loads of jet skis and other waters toys.  They even have a helicopter landing pad on the back.  This boat accommodates 12 guests and 25 crew!  She is the boat on the left.

Artic P toys stowed for confinement

Artic P toys stowed for confinement

Super Yacht Sail Boats

Imagine B is a stunning 34- meter (110’) monohull.  She is elegant, sleek and very sexy.  She anchored too far for me to snap a photo.  7 guests and 5 crew onboard this beauty.  She is available for $49,000 per week – I am not sure if that is per person or for all 7 guests. I think it is per person 😉

Askari has been seen in these waters for a long time. I am sure she still moves as we see her engines running periodically, but she is a fixture.  Not a particularly pretty boat, but huge none the less.

Imagine B and Askari

Imagine B and Askari

Hemisphere is one of the largest privately owned catamarans in the world.  She comes in at 44 meters (145’) and has a 6m beam. This beauty has hidden compartments under the bridge deck that stows one large dinghy and another that stores a jet fueled dinghy.  Nothing short of breathtaking. She is the large blue catamaran on the top right.  At a rate of $260,000 per week you too can enjoy a vacation on this amazing yacht.  10-12 guests in 5 cabins!  She even has storage in her mast.  Matt saw the crew pull out cleaning supplies (long mops) out of the mast.

One of her dinghies, is the TT Hemisphere which is a fishing yacht.  She comes in at 16.4 meters (larger than Sugar Shack) with a 6m beam (she is the fishing boat in the small picture).

Orion seems so small when compared to Hemisphere (in the photo), but she is actually 22 meters long (74’).  We have admired her at the marina for months.  She is a beauty all on her own.

Hemisphere and Orion

Hemisphere and Orion

Drenec is small compared to Artic P.  She comes in at 36-meters (118’) and 8-meter beam.  She sleeps 8 guests and 5 crew and has a range of 20,000 nm.  I didn’t get a good photo of her.

Throughout the weekend confinement we are hit with a few rain storms and a maramu.  We get lots of wind and rain, but the seas are relatively stable

Confinement

The evening of Wayne’s first day and 2 days before Deborah arrives, we get the news that we are going into full confinement.  What?  Well, the covid cases have been through the roof, the hospitals are overrun, the ICU’s are full, and the death toll is high.  It took the government awhile to take such drastic measures as they decide between the health of the economy and the health of the population.

Full confinement starts for us Friday, 20 August 8p and will continue through Monday, 6 September 4a.  What does that mean?  Technically, we are not allowed to move the boat (unless given approval).  We are not allowed to leave the boat unless we meet one of the exceptions.  The only two exceptions we can qualify for is shopping for essential needs and 1 hour of exercise. 

In order to go ashore for either exemption, we fill out a form, check the box for the exemption and go ashore.  Confinement means that you are given an hour to shop and cannot go further than 1 kilometer from our residence.  We can exercise for an hour each day, but cannot go further than 1 kilometer from our residence.  Technically, we are not allowed to swim, use the dinghy (except for above) or visit with other boats.

Should be fun entertaining our friends on Sugar Shack!

In our next blog we try to find ways to entertain our good friends during confinement.  In our last blog with the  family we enjoyed family time at Vaiare Bay.

Events from this blog post occurred during the third week of August, 2021.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.