17 December 2010
We booked in to a local B&B for the duration, given the best room in the establishment and served breakfasts worthy of a five star hotel. Voyageur was lifted out as planned first thing on Monday the 13th. The 40 ton crane named Charlie easily took her length and Warren the manager and his team were really careful with her. The growth was very heavy especially around her stern. David immediately set to work to remove the prop, replace the seals, renew the transmission oil which was very milky. A bow thruster seal also needed replacing. Labour is so cheap here that we got the yard to anti foul the hull. Elliot, one of the marina staff offered to polish the hull and all the stainless steel for just 300 rand! After just two days she was ready for relaunching but by now the wind was blowing too strongly. We did not want to take any risks and besides, we were enjoying our touch of luxury so it was postponed for a couple of days. She was looking her absolute best once more and slid into the water on Friday morning 17th December in readiness for her final ocean passages of this rally early in the New Year.....
Susan Mackay