Sailaway

 

2016, Our plans (Please use this link.)

Spring 2013

We returned to Sailaway in Kas Marina, Turkey late in the season due to our drive across Europe. A fantastic experience confirmed by our Logbook entries. Sailaway looked in a poor state after eight months without us, she looked sorry and tired. The haul out was desperately needed, the last haul out being in Greece, October 2010. The ambient temperatures (mid 30C's plus) were challenging, difficult to manage with the ambient temperatures being close to the paint specification limits, still, we managed best we could with help from friends. Our sailing season started late as expected, and saw us revisit the south coast of Turkey as far east as Kemer/Altanya, a little frustratingand repeditive but pleasant. In September Ann was forced to return to the UK due to her mum, as a result I drove back to the UK on my own, a trip of 2900 miles I would not want to repeat on my own again. We returned to Sailaway late October but was forced back with a needles trip forced on us by one of Kevin's Consultants? We were able to return yet again late New Years eve, seeing the New Year in on board Sailaway. The year ahead looks very mixed, personal pressures/circumstances in the UK all hard to manage, difficult to see what is ahead?

Spring 2012

Sailaway spent the winter on the Yacht Classic Hotel pontoon in Fethiye with little changes made on deck, new domestic batteries from "Captain Eddy" that in itself an experience (beware!) - read the logbook entries. Upon our return to Turkey from the UK, we spent some time in Istanbul a great experience, but so cold. The water in Fethiye Bay not the cleanest, it took three air tanks to clean the hull, around three hours to clear the growth from the hull before we dare move her. We took Sailaway across the bay to repaint afloat, all went well, our small generator proving invaluable, we left there and began our wanders.

Spring 2011

This winter saw a couple of useful modifications made to Sailaway, additional storage on deck created primarily to store my recently acquired diving gear. The second significant "add on" was an anchor chain wash. A sea water flush to clean the predominantly muddy chain as we recover our anchor, quite an issue in this part of the Med. This modification was extended to incorporate a deck wash hose to allow us to wash down our stern anchor as we go "bow too" in ports and harbours. This was in addition to the usual running repairs and required maintenance, we continue to maintain her well with the firm belief that she will return the favour. We did however spoil our selves with a new flat screen tv - sign of age?

Spring 2010

Sailaway has had little further modifications under taken in the last couple of years other than the essential, required maintenance and repairs. That is not to say that we do not have a wish list, every one does, but the costs do not out weigh the benefits. Sailaway continues to serve us well, and we continue to maintain her well - full service schedules in place for all associated equipment from transmission to winches with all "critical spares",stocked that are possible to carry on board. We say "if she sneezes - we know why!"

The winter of 2007/2008 - A Coruna

Apart from required maintenance a number of relatively major projects were completed:

  1. The manufacture of a "A Frame" to support two 65 watt solar panels it also incorporates "Davits" to carry the inflated dinghy. The starboard arm also doubles as a hoist for the out board engine, the unit also becomes the base for the existing wind generator. A control circuit is added to the solar out puts to provide an "auto anchor light on option". The output from the panels is quite impressive, (combined with the wind generator) we only ran our shore battery charger twice (i.e. two days) from January through to April . When we consider that we prior to this addition was running our engine for approximately 11/2 hours per day to keep the batteries charged!
  2. We increase our domestic battery capacity to meet our now fully understood requirements.
  3. Anchor Light - a LED bulb was fitted, an additional automatic on, solar powered light was fitted to the davit frame, created from our solar powered Christmas decorations! This will give us additional security, both a "close quarters" from other vessels and "an impression" to others that we are aboard when not! A very common practice amongst cruisers.
  4. A water maker is installed to convert salt to fresh water providing further self sufficiency. Our existing water capacity serving us well (up to 14 days) before the need to refill in a marina. With "metered water charges" ahead of us and the elimination of the marina fees, the unit will soon recover its cost. The output from our solar panels is well within running needs. We took advantage of the Dollar rate and had it shipped in from the USA, almost half the cost of the EU prices for identical units.
  5. We upgraded our auto pilot for a Raymarine ST6002 (hydraulic drive), our previous unit had always been under powered and of little use in poor weather. The installation was a little trouble some, hopefully, now all resolved, the local support was un questionable - Raymarine, my personal opinions I keep to myself!
  6. We manufactured a "whisker/Spinnaker" Pole to aide our down wind sailing, the payback being less fuel used! We purchased the ends and had the tube manufactured locally to avoid excessive transport charges due to its length (5.2m). We, from conversations with other cruisers opted for a larger tube wall thickness (2.5mm as apposed to 2mm).

 

 
Specification (2006):

Design: Bruce Roberts Offshore Design centre cockpit, mast head cutter.

Material: Steel
Length: 13m (Increased slightly due to "A Frame")
Draft: 2m
Displacement: 12 tonnes
Engine Ford: 50hp

Tank Capacities:

Water 200 gallons
Diesel 110 gallons

Holding Tank 25 gallons

 

Sailaway was commissioned in 1991 in Cork, Ireland and purchase by the current owners in April 1996. We sailed her to here new location (Amble, Northumberland) via the English Channel, following the east coast where she was based for three years. In 2000 she was relocated around the Scottish coast to Liverpool. We the following three years were spent touring the west coast of England, Isle of Man, Welsh coast and Ireland.
In 2003 we relocated Sailaway to Milford Haven and enjoyed discovering not only the local area but southern Ireland, Devon, Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.
In September 2005 Sailaway returned to Liverpool where she is now being prepared for her ultimate adventure, discovering new, foreign waters.


 

 

 

 

(Double click on any of the images to magnify)

 

The internal wood work is decorative Irish oak, originally built to accommodate nine berths, the internal has been modified to increase the storage capacity and provide additional live aboard comforts.
The engine compartment located below the centre cockpit provides easy access to engine, gearbox, and drive shaft. Situated behind the engine compartment is a well designed “wet locker” not only providing an excellent drying capability from the heat generated by the engine but also it contains the domestic hot water cylinder.
.

(Double click on any of the images to magnify)

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Untitled Document