Joined by Steve and Lynn, Dave and Trish, we left the mooring on a stunning April day at a lazy 11.30 following a rather stressful start to the day. I had boarded at 8.30am to repair oil leak from rocker box cover. The newly fitted gasket had pinched so it was just a case of using some silicon sealant to hold it in position as I pinched it down. Job done I investigate the cause of a hunting rev counter. Discover a rather loose vee belt. Holding bolts are a nightmare to loosen off but eventually ease. Tighten belt and start to tighten bolt which immediately shears leaving the bolt stuck in the alternator housing. Call on Framlar and Robbie who are passing in Lulu for aid. Smeds turns up and whips the bolt out with his old trusty pipegrips. He produces correct threaded bolt and all is back in order just in time for arrival of the guests.
Barfy helms out the harbour but Stbd engine overheats and I have to turn it off. We potter to Chichester and enjoy a 2 hour passage into 3 knots of tide. Pick up a bouy in Itchenor reach and have a cold beer. Bleed the fresh water system by blocking the engine out to calorifier and running engine until the water gushes from the the pipe. Had plenty of air and hope problem solved.
Fantastic few hours of drinking and eating and sunbathing in 70` temps. Left about 8pm and the harbour is empty. Stunning sunset and the full moon is pink with a milky flat calm sea. Just a stunning trip. Open her to FOT for return trip. Engines run sweet as a nut and we cruise home at 16 knots. We sleepon the boat for first time this season and apart from a nasty cramp attack at 3am its a lovely feeling to wake up on my sweet little thing.
