Meeting Tom and Christian, getting the passerelle the right way round, and a day of DIY to balance it all out.

Breskens Marina – 6 July – By Piet

During the sales process we only had indirect contact with Tom and Christian, the previous owners of Adriana — then still called “Astahaya”. Since the sale closed in March, we’d been in touch directly, trading plenty of useful information back and forth by email. But on 6 July we finally met each other in person, and that was a very special moment.

Waterloo to Breskens

We picked Tom and Christian up in Waterloo and drove them to Breskens. The whole way, they talked with real passion about their own sailing adventures — stories that only made us more convinced that Adriana deserves a second lap around the world.

We spent a lovely afternoon aboard together, starting with a job we’d already tried and failed at once before: fitting the passerelle, the walking plank you need when the yacht is moored stern-to. It turned out our earlier attempt had it installed the wrong way round entirely — a mystery solved in minutes with the people who actually know the boat.

To be back on the helm was a special and emotional experience — and we are so grateful to them for taking such great care of Adriana.

Back Under Sail, Together

Once the tide had risen enough, we took Adriana out for a short sail with Tom and Christian aboard. Handing them the helm, watching them read the boat they knew so well — it was a moment that stayed with us long after we’d tied back up.

Meanwhile, Below Decks

A day of fun aboard and at sea needs to be balanced with a day of DIY and home improvements — and this weekend delivered plenty of both.

To get at the wiring for the anchor winch’s foot switch, we first had to empty the chain locker — all 80 metres of stainless steel anchor chain, laid out on the dock. Our first attempt at this was not a triumph: part of the chain slid straight off the dock and into the water, and from there into the mud of the marina. We hauled it back up and spent a good while scrubbing thick grey mud off every shackle. The second attempt went rather better, and with the locker properly emptied and cleaned, Piet had the space he needed to fit the new foot switch.

We also had an appointment to inspect the dinghy and its outboard engine. We already suspected the dinghy was beyond saving, and had held a little hope that the engine might be salvageable. It quickly became clear that neither was — the dinghy is finished, and the outboard would need a full overhaul before it could be trusted again. So we’ve taken the decision to look for a replacement of both.

Talking of engines: we’d known for a while that the starter batteries for the main engine and the generator were on their way out. They still turned the starters over, just with steadily less enthusiasm each time. An electrician ran a proper test and confirmed both were below 50% of their original capacity. No great surprise — Piet has ordered two new starter batteries to sort it out.

On a lighter note, our outside cushions came back from the upholsterer. Ilse had asked for new foam in most of them, along with washable, light-coloured covers — and the upgrade has worked out beautifully.

[Full disclosure: this isn’t our dinghy. It simply happened to be moored nearby while we debated what ours should be. 😉 ]

Life on A Pontoon

As you know, we spend a good deal of time aboard Adriana — which also means our fellow boat owners on A pontoon regularly wander past and stop for a chat and cocktails. It does slow down the productivity somewhat, but in return, it’s such good fun hearing about their own heroic and occasionally dramatic adventures with their yachts. A very fine way to spend a sunny afternoon.