It's probably about time I updated the blog with some news of what's been going on. But before we do I have to say that so far I'm super impressed with the communication and level of service the yard CNI in Raiatea have been giving. I get updates every month from them and Cathy whom is keeping a close on eye her by airing her out every two weeks and checking her for mould or anything that could create problems. Cathy also sends photos at the end of every month of her interior and exterior. It's wonderful to know there is good people keeping an eye on the wonderful Spirit while she's on the hard. When I flew out of Raiatea the first stop was in Tahiti to spend a few days with Butch onboard Racket Roller then a flight to Phuket in Thailand to spend a two weeks organizing things before heading to Sardinia to join SY Panthalassa for the Perini Navi Cup. Panthalass is about 18 months old and weighs in at just under 500t. She's 56mt in length and believe it or not she sailed surprisingly well for such a big girl. We did have race crew onboard for the regatta, all of whom are all super experienced and that normally race onboard a smaller Perini Navi that was designed by Philippe Briand called P2. After the racing we spent six weeks in the Perini Navi yard in Viareggio and then went onto be hauled out in La Spezia before a short hop to Palma then Gibraltar and on to Antigua. It was great to sail on such a luxurious yacht after the few months roughing it onboard Spirit. The simplicity of Spirit is great though and shows that you can get out on the water and cruise for very little costs and without all the mod cons. It also creates less stress having fewer things but there is some issues like anchoring where you need that extra help of an anchor winch or at least an anchor roller. These things have caused some stress and will get rectified when I return in April. Being back in Italy was great. We spent most weekends out walking local trails and sightseeing. Walked Cinque Terre for a day, swan eat great Italian food on the water front and tried to hold the heat back by eating lovely fresh local Gelato. It's a massive walk and by the end of the day we were ready for a shower and bed. The delivery across the Atlantic proved the be a non event. It was calm most of the way with the only true breeze we saw over 25kts within the area from Gibraltar to the Canaries. It's know as bit of a milk run from East to West as your in the trades for the majority of it. We had thirteen crew onboard for the delivery across which was way too many but it made for an easy time for the crew. And as they were about to go straight into a boat show and busy season it was welcomed.
The male crew onboard as seen above on arrival in Antigua. We made a packed when we were in the med not to shave until we arrived so that's why we're all looking a bit rough and dodgy. After a bit of work I hope to be able to return to Spirit around April 2012, which will mean she's been on the hard there at CNI for nearly eight months!
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December 2012
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