11-04-01 We've been in RSA 2 weeks now, and we've accomplished quite a few of the boat projects on the list. We removed the MonitorWindvane™ self steering system from the stern of the boat, dismantled it, polished and completed a well-deserved overhaul. Pat replaced all the worn bearings, pulleys and such from our spares kit The MonitorWindvane™ is our third "crew member" and her name is S.U.E. for Steer Us Everywhere. What a great piece of gear and we love her so. We also slipped the boat, sanded the bottom and applied anti-fouling bottom paint. We used the Richard's Bay concrete slipway - a new approach for us, as we are used to a travel lift hauling SIMMER out of the water and onto land. We were a bit nervous at first, but it worked our perfectly. We helped another yachtie do it a day before so we had first hand experience. The tidal range here is 6.5 feet (2 meters) and our draft (keel) is 5.3 feet (1.6 meters). We motored into the slipway at high tide and moored to the wall. Then the following morning, when our keel was sitting on the concrete and the tide was low enough we started sanding and then painting. It was a perfect weather day for drying paint and we were finished and cleaned up well before the afternoon high tide. Once we were floating again, we motored out and returned to our berth. Couldn't have been easier. Glad to have that project done. Now we are looking forward to flying home to visit family and friends. We booked flights for Nov 12th and a return on Nov 28th. We'll be home in the States for American holiday of Thanksgiving. Can't wait to see everyone, it's been over a year since Colleen has been home and 2 years for Pat.
11-12-01 The boat is safe and tidy, our fridge is empty, and we have friends who will keep an eye on her as we fly away this morning. Our route will be Durban/Johannesburg/Paris/Boston/Philadelphia ... phew! Not looking forward to all the airport waiting and flying time, but it'll be worth it. We have quite a few new family members that were born in the last year and are anxiously looking forward to meeting them as well as seeing the rest of our family. Luckily we know another yachtie who is flying out today (to Belgium) and he will give us a lift to Durban airport - a 2 hour drive. Will update our logbook after our return from the States.
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