Now that we’re back afloat and living on board again, we need to finish and re-assemble a lot of things before we can sail out of the boatyard.
Highlights – the overview
Step 1 – put the Dione IV back into the water, so she’s a boat again.
Step 2 – add masts back (and all the other parts we removed), so she’s a sailboat again
Step 3 – replace cushions and install new mattress, so she’s a home again!
We’re so happy to be on the water again and to live aboard!
Now it’s time to say goodbye to Multiship Holland (the boatyard) and sail back to Koudum to finish up some other projects before sailing out on our adventures on July 1st! Finally, we cast off the lines and make our way through locks and bridges out to sea! On the way to Koudum, we head out of the narrow channel to avoid two oncoming boats, and were grounded briefly, but Wim was able to get us off the shallow bank and on our way again.
For the complete details of our reassembly process and more photos of our day sail back to Koudum, see the Captain’s Log, and at the end, a few words from the Badger’s Bunk!
Captain’s Log (T-44) – the complete story
May 18 – First thing is mounting the new windows
While Sher is busy removing the remains of tape, Wim mounts the things on deck that we took off for painting – the frames for the life raft and dinghy, dorade boxes, etc.
It’s a lovely day and we’re very happy that we’re on board together working to make the Dione IV a home again…
…like putting our beautiful custom made mattress in, and…
…putting all the cushions back.
May 20 – We assemble the newly painted wind generator and radar mount
We put the bowsprit back carefully, using rubber protection not to damage our new paint.
We also re-polished the bowsprit, ready to receive the forestay when the masts are placed back.
May 21 – Placing the masts back
Here comes the mizzen mast…
Here, we lack some photos from the placing of the masts…
So why were we missing photos? Sher was taking photos when Wim asked her for her immediate assistance. She quickly put her phone in her back pocket to help, and then completely forgot it was back there. Later, while she was trying to help pull a backstay into position, there was a splash… a big splash. Everyone except Sher saw something blue go into the water. Blue? We couldn’t figure out what it was until later, when Sher went looking for her phone, couldn’t find it, then realized it has a blue case. Phone lost. Here, Sher is using a rake with an extension pole to try to find the phone, but no luck. 🙁
Setting up the masts takes the entire day. Moving them to the crane, hoisting and positioning with the crane, guiding all stays, guiding all cables, attaching and adjusting the tension on all 18 stays, and reconnecting all electric cables coming from the masts.
May 22 – New phone! Happy again!
Wim knows an online company that delivers phones the next day. Sher does a 5-minute review of the options – less research than she has ever done before spending a small fortune (think computer pricing) for a replacement phone. She decides. She orders. New phone arrives the next day and then starts the process of reinstalling and configuring everything… but first, boat work!
We spent the whole day in putting the halyards and reefing lines back. Wim had to climb a number of times to the top of both masts, safely guided by Sher holding a halyard to his safety harness.
May 23 – We took the booms from the storage and put them back on
May 24 – Reinstalling the sails
It’s a beautiful day with almost no wind… an excellent day to put the sails back on!
In the early afternoon, just before it starts raining, we’re ready. We’re a sailboat again!
May 25 – Bye-bye Multiship Holland!
We have had a great time and we’re very satisfied with all the work done. Many times, we came home in the evening and felt totally worn-out and our limbs hurt. Many times, we were so tired that we slept at 21:30 already. But the satisfaction of our work is so great! Dione IV really looks better than she ever did before and she’s fully maintained and prepared to sail us over the world for many, many years.
Yesterday afternoon, in Multiship’s office, Froukje (the manager) was a little sad. She said, “we’re losing a customer. Not because of bad reasons, but simply because you won’t return here. And we wish you a safe voyage and happy sailing!”
And off we go!…
Lock “Tjerk Hiddes” in Harlingen.
The sails are up! At the “Wadden sea” we have a gentle breeze with a favorable angle.
Kissing the “Waddenzee” goodbye.
Yes, it was actually unwanted but we literally kissed the bottom of the Waddenzee. We took a little cut-off from a buoy and we ran aground on a tiny sandbank that was not (yet) on the map of the board computer. We had to come loose with a lot of engine power…
After we were afloat again and continuing on our course (neatly between the buoys!) we saw that the recently downloaded map on Sher’s phone showed the little sandbank… Not a problem, it was just smooth sand and no rocks so we didn’t damage our fresh Coppercoat but it was an unnecessary mistake. Why didn’t Badger warn us not to pass that buoy at the outside? 🙂
Lock “Kornwerderzand”.
Heavy showers on the “IJsselmeer”.
But, sunny spells too!
Lock “Frisosluis”
Arrived at “Galamadammen” marina in Koudum. Here, we will stay the next 5 weeks for all kinds of jobs to be done.
From the Badger’s Bunk
Sure, blame it on the badger. Everything gets blamed on the badger. I’m watching the depth gauge and told him not to go outside the channel, but did he listen? Nope… why listen to a little surly badger.
Captain said it was close enough to high tide and that there was plenty of water. Captain said little badgers don’t know how to read charts, they’re too busy hunting for chocolate and port. But see, badgers know best!
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