On the sail from Antigua to Guadeloupe we noticed that the headsail furler motor was running slower than normal. A year ago when we were in Antigua it stopped all together and when David opened it up he found a seized bearing. Because a replacement wasn’t available to buy at the time he managed to free and it has worked for a year. Guadeloupe is a much bigger island with more industries and the opportunity to buy replacement parts. For this job there is a seals and bearing supplier who if you ask ‘do you have…’ almost always say ‘yes’. And it’s only a thirty minute bicycle ride, much on cycle routes, to the shop. David was able to buy new bearings and seals and now the furler motor is fully functional.
Our VHF radio has been dying slowly. First the screen faded and then the sound went so when we knew I was going back to England we ordered new radio and a new remote handset for the cockpit. This was one of those rare quick fits that work and it is an essential bit of kit.
Another job was to replace the up and down buttons on the windlass. Seawater has got in and corroded the connections. I’d brought new ones from home. The fix was a simple of out with the old, in with the new and improving the seal on the unit.
I’ve been working my way through the cupboards, pointy end to blunt end, sorting, chucking and rediscovering treasures I’d forgotten we had. And there’s the usual sewing repairs needed on the sunshade and a couple of zips to replace on the bimini. All good steps forward and essential to keep Jackster in top condition.
It hasn’t been all work and no play this week. We’ve been out more evenings than we’ve been in; dinner on Lumina with David and Carol from Canada, drinks with all the Amel owners on the dock; German Michael of Ripple hosted and French Roman of Coque en Re completed the party. Plus we went out for dinner a couple of times – with excellent French cuisine on offer it would be rude not to!
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