Transfer Strategy

The plan was to leave Rome Monday 24th July but Murphy hit again. In fact the week-end would have been perfect for the transfer with favorable wind conditions from SE to S and SW.  However, as one crew member will only arrive Sunday evening from Germany, we planned to leave Monday around noon.
Unfortunately, a Mistral is building up over the Golf of Lion during the week-end which will release its strongest force through the Strait of Bonifacio into the Tyrrhenian Sea Monday and Tuesday. This would mean some 30+ knots of wind and 2-3 m waves directly on our nose which of course is a 'No-Go'.

Strong winds from W cover the Central Tyrrhenian Sea caused by a Mistral over the Golf of Lion: GFS Forecast model (Copy from www.windfinder.com)

Looking at different forecast models, we developed a strategy which will take us a bit more of time but nevertheless ensure a fast and safe transfer.

The plan is now to leave Tuesday 25th July morning around 08h00 and first head to NW and change course towards W with the rotating wind staying at the same time within a channel of moderate wind conditions.

Mistral over the Golf of Lion with jet effect caused by the the Strait of Bonifacio (channel between Corsica and Sardinia). (copy from www.windfinder.com)

We will carefully watch the forecast models and if needed, adapt our transfer strategy accordingly.

Done - Project accomplished!

After many working evenings and long week-ends, I finally finished the teak deck restoration project on T-Fish. As promised here some pics: 

In total, I used some 1200 new screws and teak plugs, injected about 2 liter of epoxy in the screw holes and after deepening and cleaning most of the grooves, I refilled them with about 25 cartridges of caulk. After that the deck was sanded three times with coarse and fine grain sanding paper.

Key is to have professional tools available! My main tools were a cordless drill with a special driller to deepen the holes for the screws, an oscillating multi-tool for cutting off caulk, for deepening the grooves and for sanding some parts which are difficult to reach and a professional orbital sander.

I am very happy with the result. Ok -  I confess, there are here and there some parts which look 'less-professional' but I have also seen sloppy and careless craftsmanship delivered by professionals. This includes the deck renovation done by a professional company some 10 years ago when they not only used lousy caulking material which already started dissolving after 3-5 years but also have not exchanged many screws/plugs or applied new caulking without completely removing the old one. 

Doing it myself, at least I know that the deck structure is completely sealed and protected. With occasional smaller repairs the remaining teak should last another 7-10 years.   

T-Fish now needs an intensive cleaning and polishing which she will get in the next days before heading to Sardinia.

Greetings from a very happy skipper!