The windlass (electric anchor winch) finally came out with a “bit of persuasion” yesterday. Even after upgrading from two screwdrivers to a socket set and other random tools, my tool kit still was not up to it. We enlisted the help of Richard and Miles from Island Yacht Management. Their workshop would make any man jealous. Where my tool kit does not suffice I would have no hesitation in using IYM again. They were great to deal with and gave trustworthy advice.
But back to the windlass...
With several cold chisels and a big hammer, the gearbox was slowly prised downwards, but that still was not going to be enough. So out came the halyard and a bigger hammer. With some serious hammering from the bottom and a halyard on the top, we winched it off the deck! It came up like a cork from champagne, flying a metre in the air. Richard, who was sitting inside the anchor locker, ducked and closed his eyes. The safety rope, and good reflexes, saved the day missing Richard’s head by mere centremetres.
Today, with the help of Miles, we have fitted the new windlass, the new e7 and wired in the WiFi. Katie spent most the day going back and forth from the supermarket and hardware store to get more supplies. She made six trips there and back, she tells me. As we no longer have Plod, she could only buy as much as she could carry and walk back with.
After a long day working on the boat, Katie and I (both covered in fibreglass splinters) decided to treat ourselves with a dinner out. We headed into town and had dinner at an old English style pub. We both had fish and chips and boy was it worth it!
Right, off to read the manuals and get the e7 linked up to the iPad...playtime!
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