Packing the boat 20 April 2012

Friday 20^th

Packed the boat up as trial run this morning but as I am writing the weather has taken a turn for the worse and it’s pouring with hail, great big hail stones falling so had to put a cover on the boat and scuttle indoors for a bit.

It looks like it will all fit in, quite surprise in a way as the pile has been growing in the corner of the rooms for the last few weeks.

Forward buoyancy tank

• The following spares jib sheet and forestay, wire to make shroud, tent poles, tent repair kit, buoyancy aid, mattress, tiller extension with new UJ fitted, re-arming kits for lifejackets and mast head buoyancy, mainsail battens, pipe to make new gooseneck for tent

Forepeak all in dry bags

• Guitar, Land tent, fleeces and gillets, bag each with sleeping bags, sheet liners, bivvy bags and inflatable pillow and stuff pillow for Viv and me, a bag each of emergency dry clothes and a bag each of clothes for the cruise.
  Each one in a separate dry bag with tags on them to easily identify what is in each with a line that hangs down over the forepeak lip to make it easier to pull out the required bag. Telescopic fishing rod and tackle.

Port side forward of thwarts

• Spinnaker
• Bucket with four flasks, two large two small to fill with hot water each day before sailing and two cups with handles to hang on bucket with lids.
• Large dry bag with wet weather gear two smaller bags inside for Viv and me
• On the front of the thwart (seat) a bag containing hats and gloves
• Under the thwart milk and water

Around mast

• Fuel can with 5 litres of petrol

Starboard side forward of thwarts

• Danforth anchor secured to floor with quick release catches
• Bucket with 6 meters of chain and 30 metres of rope
• On the front of the thwart (seat) a bag containing hats, sunglasses and small binoculars
• Under the thwart the boat tent in large dry bag

Rear port side

• One large and one small fender with fats release clips to side of boat
• Oar, paddle and spinnaker pole strapped to side of boat
• Bag containing grapple anchor, 3 metres of chain and 28 metres of rope

Rear starboard side

• One large and one small fender with fats release clips to side of boat

• Oar, paddle and boat hook
• Pump fits just under floor boards

Across the front of rear tank

• Boat tent frame in a bag under a series of pockets that hand across the back adapted from a car boot tidy.
• Two spare sheets/mooring lines and two spare thin lines
• Safety line with small fender to trail behind in bad weather if needed, will also double up as tripping line for anchor
• In the pockets all tied to line across the rear, packet of flares, tow first aid kits one with bandages and plasters the other ointments and creams, small can of petrol to easily fill engine if runs dry and will give about 20 minutes motoring. Small can of meths, assorted sun creams and lotions, a supply of teabags, coffee and hot chocolate and soup, biscuits and malt loaf. A waterproof windup torch and small stuff bag.

Boot.

• We opted to use a series of flat see through boxes and one larger one for the cooking gear that way we can fit two each side, one across the middle and two the other side plus the one large one across the back in the middle. This then allows space behind the boxes on the sides to fit spare meths and gas canisters for cooking and oddments not likely to be used on a daily basis. When we sailed off Mull we found it easier to have things in boxes in the boot with the most used items in three boxes easiest to get at and lift out. Things like the tin containing the cooking cutlery, washing up bowl, dustpan and brush can then all fit in the odd gaps. Boxes packed as follows
• Documents, charts, maps, cruising guide lap top
• Two boxes of spares, rope, hand drill, oil, assorted nuts, bolts, washers, pop rivets, glue, epoxy resin and hole fillers, space blankets, sewing kit
• Assorted dried meals
• Towels, wash kits
• Electrical items, GPS, solar charger, adaptors and plugs, dongle, phones
• Misc storage

Safety Considerations

We shall in the main be sailing solo so safety has been quite a big factor in our planning.

Prior to the trip I completed a shore based yacht master course, VHF radio course, Health and Safety first aid course and applied for an RYA International Certificate of Competence.

We bought the Imray charts of the South Ionian and the cruising guide giving detailed notes and maps of anchorages and local conditions. It is also worth spending time talking over the proposed route with friends as seeking their views and advice. Our thanks go to Doug Wensley, Simon McEvoy, Dave Eberlin, George Stanton and Joanne who worked in Lefkas previously running a sailing school to name but a few.

We bought a 40-litre self-inflating masthead buoyancy system, a bit expensive but all things considered essential and better for peace of mind. Similarly we have in the past just sailed with buoyancy aids but as we will be on our own have invested in two self-inflating life jackets with re-arming kits. We will also carry a spare buoyancy jacket in the front tank in the event one malfunctions. We also rigged safety lines that tape to the base of the shrouds and are easily released with a quick pull, they are about 12 feet long and have a foot-strap for easier access back into the boat should it capsize.

In the event no wind we can use a Honda 2.3 horsepower 4-stroke petrol outboard and decided to take oars as well as paddles having used paddles before for close in work but again on the safety front being alone three back-ups are better than one.

I fitted two extra cleats to the rear on the side just in front of the back tank as in the past it has been awkward mooring up to jetties trying to tie ropes around either the side or foot straps. I did look at folding cleats but they were all quite expensive and quite heavy but might invest in one for the foredeck at some time.