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Curly on Spiros pontoon

On going back in the water we headed straight over to the Spiros pontoon. We found a nice spot to go alongside and tied up. A swedish guy on the opposite of the pontoon took our stern line as we went in and introduced himself as Crystal. It was a hive of activity on the pontoon with work being done preparing three charter boats for the coming season. Spiros called down later that day to make sure everything was ok. If we wanted electric it was 5 euros a day, if not it was free. We did not have the correct connector for the power so Spiros said he would bring a one next time he was down. Paul and Marianne followed us across ac ouple of days later and work on more jobs started in earnest.

working on the solar panels

Pauls first priority was getting his new furlex fitted. This is a very expensive bit of gear that has to be cut exactly to size to fit the boat in question. All new territory for me but I expected Paul to be totally familiar with this, so you can imagine my surprise when we said he had never fitted one before. We read through the instructions again and again then set too. It took us two days to do, with Paul making about six trips up to the top of the mast in the bosuns chair, which the rest of us at the bottom making sure he didn't come down in too big a hurry. You have two lines attached to you when you go up the mast. One main line and another 'safety' line in case the first one fails. Then you are hauled up using the winches. Anyway, after two days it was fitted. The furlex is the support for the front sail, in their case called the genoa. The furlex is connected to the front of the boat and the top of the mast. The genoa is wrapped around it and can be unfurled and furled ( wrapped or unwrapped ) by means of ropes that lead back to the cockpit. Once that was sorted it was time to start on our solar panels. We had brought two 85 watt panels from home along with a stainless steel handrail to help with the fitting but after a last minute redesign went to the chandler and bought an additional



the fitted solar panels...nice job!

handrail, along with 6 metres of 25mm stainless steel tubing. This was to be the support for the panels.  Other fittings to feed the wiring through the roof were needed as well as a load of stainless steel tube connecting brackets. An added complication was that the place where we intended running the wiring was already full to capacity so we had another teak cover plate made that was much wider and took the aditional wiring needed. This was added expense that we had not bargained for but the job had to be done right.

Another job we wanted to look at was the anchor light at the top of the mast. Our anchor light is just the normal type and when it runs all night consumes a lot of battery power. The thought was to change it to an LED that would use about a fifth of the power. However first of all we had to find out what type of bulb was in the fitting. Hence it was my turn to go up the mast in the bosuns chair. Never having done this before I was quite keen to go up, even though I am not madly fond of heights, its something that you must be able to do. With everybody briefed as to their role I started my ascent. It was quite blowy and the higher you go the more the wind pushes you around.



it looks a long way down !

When you get to the spreaders ( like arms on the mast ) you let those down below know to slow down so that you can get past them at your pace, then carry on to the top. Unfortunately the bulb was not the type we were expecting but the view was good ! I brought the bulb down with me a nd we went to the local chandlery to try and get an LED replacement. We were out of luck. A quick look on the internet informed us that they were not all that common, but found one that I would order to be delivered to home when we went back in May. The following day I returned to the top of the mast to replace the anchor light bulb and took the camera for a few souvenir piccies.

It was time for a bit of r&r so we decided to have a cruise into the Gulf of Amvrakia along with the Zilver. It was a beautiful day as we motored out followed by Paul and Marianne who had some last minute complications with their plotter. Not that they needed it but this was to act as a 'shakedown' to see if any gremlins surfaced in the boats. It was so good to be out even though there was little wind. We followed the bouyed channel into the gulf. As we motored we noticed that our voltage was ruuning high, certainly higher than I was comfortable with, and the rev counter started bouncing once we were over 1500 revs. This had happened once or twice before during last year but never as prolonged and consistent as this. We monitored everything closely and recorded the readings to discuss later. He headed for Ormos Markou, which is a large deep bay near Vonitsa, that is quite well protected. He stayed for a leisurely lunch and after about two hours looked across to Zilver, some 300 metres away, for signs of life. There was none and we did not like to call them up as the may be having a sleep or 'wild sex'. The plan had been to spend the night behind the causeway at Vonitsa so we set of, knowing that they would call us when the came back on deck. The wind had got up and we raised our mizzen and headsail. We decided to do a bit of tinkering and trimming of the sails to make sure everything flowed nicely. All went well until we attempted to take in the headsail fully. It jammed. After some discussion, cursing and head scratching it was seen that the halyard that had been used as the safety line when I went up the mast had become wrapped into the headsail, hence jammimg it tight. Bugger ! I kept Curly on a constant course while Susan led the halyard around the front of the headsail then re-attached it. Problem solved and the headsail furled smoothly again. 

"Curly Sue Curly Sue, this is Zilver , do you receive, over". Ah, Paul and Marianne have noticed we have gone. We called them back, telling them we had not wanted to disturb them and we were near the nights destination.

However after a bit of banter it was decided that we would return to the lunchtime anchorage and stay the night. That night we christened the new barbecue that we had mounted on the stern rails. I managed to beautifully carbonise everything but Susans accompaniments saved the day. Well, actually I like a bit of burnt on mine so I didn't mind. As the evening drew in the wind dropped and it was beautifully peaceful. The Gulf is very much a favourite place of both us, and Paul and Marianne. There is a true air of tranquility.   





Zilver on anchor



Susan and Marianne picking mussels







Curlys mizzen keeps her 'head to wind'

 





local fisherman in the gulf

 The following day we all went ashore and picked a bucket of mussels from along the waterline. We only took the decent sized ones though and left the smaller ones to fatten up. We had noticed the previous evening that there were a lot of pigs and piglets roaming wild on the shoreline and there was evidence of where they had been digging and forraging for food. We decided to rename the bay 'The Bay of Pigs'. After a pleasant morning along the shoreline we headed back to the boats to lift the anchors. We headed back to Preveza for a late afternoon mussel lunch. On the way back we again monitored all the instruments. Everything was behaving exactly as it should. Mmmm, this was going to have to be investigated when we got back.

Once back at Preveza we could look at things a bit more closely. I decided the problem must stem from the alternator. A local contractor I already knew called Michael, who is east german, came round on my request with a colleague of his. A greek called......yes, Spiros. So we now have Spiros the pontoon and Spiros the mechanic. Spiros the mechanic is huge, about 6'6" and the same across the shoulders with a big curly mop of black hair. We discussed the excess voltage and rev counter bouncing, but whilst doing so Spiros mentioned the fuel seepage on the top of our engine. "Yes, we know, its from the injectors that were supposed to be done last year in Corfu". It was arranged for Spiros to call back in a couple of days and investigate the injectors further. The folowing day Paul and I decided to attack the alternator and remove it for further investigation. I had decided I wanted it bench testing and had checked with Christos the auto electrician if he had the necessary gear. He did, so I told him to expect us later that day. It was actually quite complicated removing the alternator as it had the ADVERC battery management system wiried into it. We made a plan of all the wire connections and photographed them as well. Then, with the alternator removed took it to see Christos. We took one look and announced  he was an agent for the type of parts required and would check it thoroughly. The following day we picked it up with new diodes and a new voltage regulator fitted. Feeling rather chipper we returned to the boat to re-fit it. Whilst struggling in the confines of the engine compartment I got a message on my phone to contact my brother, Gordon. When I did it was tragic news. My brother in law, Bob, had died suddenly during the night. We were all a bit stunned and poor Paul obviously felt a bit awkward. Once I was fully furnished with the situation I said we would be back in touch. We would obviously have to go home earlier than we had intended. Back to the job in hand......refitting the alternator. It all went smoothly and soon it was done. Thanks once again Paul.