Coppercoating is done! – I wanted to pull the upper line of coppercoat 20 cm higher above the normal waterline. This because experience shows that there is fouling growing even above the waterline when sailing long distances and staying in bays. Removing this fouling on the normal gelcoat surface is pretty difficult to impossible.
I wrote before about the not availability of coppercoat at Cove Boatworks, although the need was know since mid of January.
Despite that I was told that there is no coppercoat in NZ, I could quickly get supply from the local Coppercoat dealer on the South Island. But it took them a week until the material was shipped. Thus itk( only arrived yesterday.
Then Chris, who really became my most trusted person in all kind of epoxy work, offered to do it today on Saturday. I’ll be the mixer, he’ll be the roller. I was happy with his offer because the next 2 – 3 days weather forecast says: “no rain”. ( I hope the GFS weather model is correct!)
Why is rain not allowed? During the first 48 h of curing this epoxy remains dissolvable in water. Please keep fingers crossed that the weather model is correct.
Once the coppercoat is cured for 5 days it can be activated with P400 grit sandpaper. Then – from this work’s point of view – MaRe can splash back into the water.

New teakdeck at the transom –
Window-John does a really a excellent job on the new teak deck of transom. It’s almost finished. Maybe 2 days more.
When John and I looked the other day at the old chrome plated brass hinges, I decided to get new ones made of A4 (SS316) marine grade steel. Searching the web, I found a supplier and in 2 days the new hinges were here. Now they are with John for mounting them in a small recessed part of the teak so it will not be felt when stepping on it barefoot

Polishing MaRe – Chris already completed polishing of MaRe. She looks better now after having been in the water for almost 3 years closer to 20 000 NM.

New cockpit cushion and enclosure – Daniel, who was introduced by Terry, took the template and needed measure for cushions and enclosure of the cockpit and started working on it. As he also took the bow cushion with him, I could pressure clean the bow area. There, I recognized that having this cushions now there for almost 7 years the gelcoat would get damaged because there is no sunlight drying up the surface regularly. It’s always water between the deck surface and the cushions. This could be rain water, or sea water when spray comes over. Therefore, I immediately called Daniel to stop working on these cushions and went over to his shop and explain it in detail to him. He understands. All the other works progresses nicely and during my visit we also decided on the fabric for the enclosure. The new color is very close to the old one and my OBM will be happy.

Swim ladders – As two of the old steps of teak were quite a bit eaten by worms, I decided to use boat board (High Pressure Poly-Ethylene, AKA kitchen cutting material). A good idea of Terry. I found a company in the internet and within 24 h the custom cut six boards arrived. They are ready for mounting as soon as the already ordered barrel nuts arrive. I decided for barrel nuts because they just look nicer than the original cap nuts.

Garmin InReach Mini 2 – It has arrived at the shop and is ready for being picked up. With the Garmin InReach Mini 2 I can receive and sent SMS in normal situations and in emergency situations and the device tracks automatically my position in time intervals I can set myself. For weather forecasts I’ll use from now on my Starlink connection.
Also voice calls I can make via Starlink and Skype or using my messengers Signal and Threema.

Raymarine Lighthouse Charts – I have one for NZ/AUS/and the Pacific Islands. I kind of like them better then the Navionics charts which I have plenty. However, for whatever reason the microSD card got damaged. Raymarine will replace this Lighthouse Chart as a genuine warranty case. I’m grateful for this. On Monday I send the old microSD card by postal mail to the NZ dealer with whom I could establish a good contact. Very nice and helpful people.

OBM – Rental car ordered already a rental car and will go to Auckland the day before and stay with friends. Next morning I’ll to pick up my OBM at the airport. A very happy moment it will be.

My daughter – She initiated that we take more often via Signal. Thus we have now weekly calls. I in hope she can make it to sail with me somewhere between Fiji and Japan.

Railing nets – It took me a while until I found a good source. www.boatshop.co.nz send me even samples of the different quality of railing nets. This was very helpful because I could see the junctions of the meshes. The new one will arrive next week.

New mast for GPS antennaes and Starlink – This is unfortunately delayed. The person, with whom I talked about it didn’t show up as agreed. I’m a bit disappointed because I keep my appointments and expect the same from others. At least a phone call that something unexpected happened.

Starlink – As there is currently no alternative to the Starlink system for global internet, with some bad feelings I bought it and will use it.

Beside this Starlink story, I support DJ Dump’s intention of “America first”. Yes I do! Whenever I need to buy something, I first check, which company made it. If it’s an American company, it’s the first product I put aside and don’t buy it. America first! – out of my purchases.

It’s been a while since my last narration. The reason is simply that I’m pretty tired after a long working day, which starts at 0700 and goes until 1800 and some days longer. Then preparing dinner, writing most important emails. When I go to bed, I often fall asleep before my head hits the pillow.

Most of the work progresses well. However, last week I got first a shock. Cove Boat Works told my they only have 1 l of Coppercoat. 5 l are needed. They know the need since December. It seems that I could organize shipment of 5 l from the NZ dealer in Christchurch. It’s supposed to arrive on Monday. Please keep fingers crossed that I get 5 l. Without Coppercoat I can’t launch MaRe.

Even back in the water I can’t leave Marsden Cove Marina because the cockpit enclosure, the new bow nets, railing nets, and the new cushions will be delayed.

The wooden window frames could be repaired and are built in. Curtains follow in the next days.
Will first wash them today.
Outside as a UV protection, Chris proposed to paint the sensitive areas rather than using a tape. I asked him to look into this possibility and what kind of paint could be used. The original is not available in NZ.

The kitchen got a good renovation. The many years of daily usage left traces. But now it’s nice again; it’s with the work put in.

Polishing of MaRe is already almost done. Chris even worked yesterday on that. But don’t miss understand it as all is perfectly clean already. All the non-skid surfaces still need to be cleaned.

He also showed me the effect of Scotch Brite Type Very Fine. The best to clean stainless steel. However it’s rough and works like a sandpaper and it’s equivalent to a grit P320 – P400. I’ll try to get also some “Very Fine” which compares to P600 – P800 paper, and Ultra-Fine which is equivalent to P1500 – P2000. This would be the best to remove stains from polished gelcoat.

I first test showed that the Very Fine removes even stains from the non-skid area. Thus I’ll use my Kärcher K2 high-pressure cleaner and then the Very Fine Scotch Brite.

The temperatures where down the last night pretty far. Friday morning I had 11 degC inside of MaRe at 0700 o’clock. My work outside was under the boat thus in the shade and it felt cold until about 1000. Being used to live along the barefoot route NZ is a change. I’m now using 2 summer duvets and a woolen blanket. That’s comfortable again. During the day it’s nice, sunny, and warm.

I also see the low temperature when backing bread. Keeping the dough in the kitchen for proofing, it takes overnight.

Although I baked the last bread only yesterday I working on the next ones as well. I gave 2 half breads away to Window-John and Chris. It seems they like what I’m creating.

Window-John works on the teak deck at the transom. PRT side is basically ready. He just doing a pretty good job and it will last for many years to come and looks very good.

As for my work today, I have to finish my bread, do a lot of admin work at the PC, and then I hope I still can change the saildrive oil.

First Chris, John, and me put all thoughts about the teak deck at the transom together and got the very best idea. Chris worked and works tomorrow on the needed gelcoat work. John might start tomorrow with teak on the 2 swim ladder hatches, which I sanded on Saturday.

Beside organizing some things, writing emails and checking the right navigation charts until Japan, I worked most of the time cleaning the sofa area in the salon and getting the cushions back on place. Further I cleaned the area in the kitchen where kitchen things are located which can’t fall off when MaRe rocks. Finally I covered the whole area with a new non-slip-mat, which also protects the wood from scratches. Now I’m thinking about adding another smooth surface sheet material on top to make it easier to clean it. But this comes only later. From now on I’m enjoying the new and clean kitchen again. Keep in mind that when I worked on the PRT side window, I had to stand there…

Now I take my shower and fix my dinner. A lentil stew with potatoes and salami cubes. Bon appetit Reinhold!

… but they are good because work progresses.

In the evenings, after dinner and kitchen work I am just too tired to write more frequently. As the sofa cushions are still out of the salon due the window work, I can’t have a pre-sleep nap, which let me recharge for a bit more work to be done.

The big front windows are in an “Window-John” is just right now sealing the outside gap between the window frame and window using the same DOWSIL 795. It looks good already. Finishing the inside, which is cutting the squeezed out part of the bonding material at full curing is not much of a work.

Although I like to do woodwork myself, I will ask a friend of Terry to do the repair for me.

The Kubota diesel is fully done and ready for installing it again. Diesel-John did a great work.
Paul, will look now for the generator and then this can be built in again.

As for the enclosures of the genset I got new sound absorbing material and cut the new parts already. The enclosures are now given to ACES for sandblasting and painting. The base tray I wanted to be gelcoated again. However Chris, the GRP specialist came to me and we discussed it. Decision: The base tray is better be sand blasted and spray painted by ACES as well.

I’m currently sanding the new gelcoat layer at the transom stair steps for the new teak deck. The old teak just got too thin. Unfortunately we need to add another gelcoat layer. Will be done on Monday.

Removed thrusters – I removed already almost all inside MaRe the 12 V to 24 V chargers, charge controllers, high current relays and 90 % of the cables. The rest is weekend work.

I still have to push a few things… Unfortunately!

Window-John not only can do the windows but ist also licensed for refrigerator work. We looked at it briefly and he quickly found 2 leaking connectors. So as soon as the windows are fully finished, he will fix the fridge in the hallway.

And, and, and Window-John is also a specialist on teak decks. Thus, he will to the teak deck at the transom as well.

Thanks to Terry I got a contact to canvas and upholstery specialist close by. He already was here and took all the measures and tonight I’ll see him at his shop in walking distance. He has a different way of holding the cushions in place and I’ll have a look at this. I need to feel comfortable that even winds of up to 10 Bft these “things” will keep the cushions in place. Beyond that I need to secure them additionally. BTW, I don’t like sailing in 10 and more Bft because such winds are taifun, cyclone, and hurricane class.

Beside all the work I’m fine. Just bloody busy and in the evenings I’m dead…

This, my morning, I had a nice signal chat. It started with my sweet little dragon, later on my son and even my OBM came in.

My sweet little dragon will go again into her summer sailing camp. This year she’ll be sailing a catamaran (and next year she sails with me?)

Cup of tea is finished. Back to work Reinhold.

… to divide the world among themselves.

D. J. Dump (spelled on purpose this way) will get the the Panama Canal zone, Canada, and Greenland. Putin will get Ukraine and the permission to take Europe, and China can take in Asia Taiwan, Japan and some other countries it wants to defend itself better.
The rest of the world will be explored for natural resources.

And all the right wing leaders in Europe, the aspiring despots, admire the big 3 despots and try with a lot of populism to gain power in their countries to demolish Europe to make it easier for Putin to take over Europe.

I know that above is a pretty rough sketch and many variations can and will occur.

My mind is occupied with these thoughts because I have children and grandchildren in Europe. My Japanese wife, the European mother of my children, and I are old enough and might make it until our ends before markets become battlefield to create new markets.

I wish I were an ostrich so I could bury my head in the sand and not have to see all this crap anymore.

… I just said to “Window-John”, the window specialist with whom I removed and re-bonded the 2 big front windows of MaRe, which go around the sides. They are pre-formed polycarbonate windows with curvatures in 2 directions. Their shape looks good, and reduce the wind resistance from front and side. However it seems that the sides are tending to get leaks and I got rain water in. Especially on the PRT side we could clearly see that the bond got loose and rain water came in.

After days of intensive work, we re-bonded yesterday the STB side window and today the PRT side window. Curing time is until Monday. The windows are already water tight again. No more overnight plastic sheets I close the huge openings where the windows were removed.

On Monday we will do the sealing, meaning the filling of the gap between the outer edge of the windows and the GRP off MaRe with a marine sealant and adhesive from Dow Corning. “DOWSIL 795”.

DuPont never got back with their second answer on how and where I can buy several kilograms of their marine adhesive, which is recommended by Privilége Marine. Customer satisfaction à la DuPont.

Over the weekend I will re-bond the lining inside and clean it thoroughly.

Next week I’ll tackle the repair of the two rainwater damaged corners of the wooden frames. It’s a wood work, which needs to carefully planned and done.

Beside this I also was busy with a bunch of other boat jobs and some work on the new blogging side. I have found 2 templates. Currently I think I’ll use one of them more or less as it is and do beautification later when the homepage is functionally fully running and I have some time.

I have to say that I was lucky having found WordPress which focuses on blogging. And this even with pictures. Keep looking here for the URL for the new blogging side. I’ll publish it ASAP.
(I’m using WordPress.org and not WordPress.com!)

Beside a lot of work I’m doing fine. Only the still lingering feeling that MaRe moves in the waves although she is. Since a month on the hard.

I heard a rumour that certain exercises will help. Need to search the internet for it or ask ChatGPT.

Lately, the following thought has been crossing my mind more and more often when I read the news.

Mr. X emerged in Country A much like a gang leader in the Old Wild West would ride into a town many years ago—determined to take control with his gang, consisting of a right-hand man and plenty of foolish but loyal and willing followers. Those who resisted were disposed of. If possible, neighboring towns and villages were also brought under control. The leader himself was not distinguished by intelligence but by his relentless drive to expand his power and, with it, his wealth.

Who could this Mr. X be, and what is Country A? It can’t be Hitler – he, Goebbels, and the others of the Nazi gang are long dead.

The day before yesterday, we got the STB front window completely out. Chris, GRP specialist gave me a hand because Window-John needed to leave earlier. The opening in the salon is closed with sheet of plastic to prevent possible rain coming in. Fortunately in the next days there is no reason forecasted.

Next work is the cleaning of the bonding areas at the window and GRP frame, and then bond the window back in place. The internal wooden frame is only for esthetic reasons and can be refurbished.

Yesterday was a national holiday in NZ. I used the day for cleaning up on the boat and do some PC related work.

It seems that my choice of installing a WordPress homepage on the server, was a good one. (I’m using WordPress.org, the open source SW and not WordPress.com.) There is plenty of documentation available. The blogging function is already built in and an Android app is available for uploading text and images. This works already fine.

The hulls are almost ready for patching up and pulling the copper coat edge about 15 cm higher up to not have so much biofouling just above the water line at gelcoat.

Also the transom steps are ready for bonding new teak strips on the steps.

On the progress side.

Openings in the hulls due to the removal of the thrusters are closed. At the stern part also the upper opening. Filling the bow compartment above the former position of the bow thruster with foam, and closing the last opening with GRP is the remaining work.

Over the weekend I sanded the saildrives and propellers. The first antifouling coating is applied. After brushing it with a finger sandpaper, a second layer will be applied.

The teak cover parts of the transoms gave me a bit headaches. First I wanted to re-attach a few of the loose teak strips, but then I saw step by step that it’s better to replace all teak. Thus, the old teak is removed, all sanded down and on the PRT side Chris rolled a new layer of gelcoat today. Tomorrow follows the gelcoat application on the STB side.

On Sunday afternoon I got again visitors. A bigger part of Boh’s family came. Tanya surprised me again with meat and fruits. Fruits, plums, which are from there own tree and are very delicious. If I would have a bit of time, I try to bake a Streusel Plum Cake. I simply love this cake!

They invited me to join them for dinner in casual restaurant in Waipu. It was a friendly restaurant called “McLeo’s Pizza Barn” thus with focus on pizzas. Although I love pizza, I decided to have a Kiwi Burger. This was not a dinner, this was an adventure! Never got a bigger burger than this one. It was good!

The pizzas also can’t simply be called “pizza”. As their topping is completely different from what I know from Italian style pizza, I will call then “Kiwi-Pizza”. “The kiwis are crazy” would have been the words of Obelix. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterix)

It was again a very nice time with Boh’s family. Boh herself works now on the South Island.

Starlink also arrived in the meantime. Because of so much other work, I just put the parcel aside.

On the new solar panel project, the frame came. However, it was too heavy. I asked Tony to cut away some parts to reduce wait. Now it’s a bit lighter. Still I’m a bit concerned about the weight. If I find a way to drill 20 mm holes, consider to reduce the weight further. However to reduce the weight by 1 kg need 74 holes. This should be possible, and even a bit more. However, it’s not so easy to find someone who can still these holes. A numerical machine center would be needed. Not so easy to give such a one.

Paul also brought the new solar panel, which is a half-cut bi-facial one. Because of the bi-facial feature it collects also sunlight reflected on the surface of the sea. I’m curious how much energy I can get during a day.

Now on the slow down side.

Today Window-John came to start the work of the windows.
Why do I call him “Window-John”? Simply because there is also “Diesel-John”, the specialist for diesel engines around.

When we removed the outer filling of sikaflex from the STB side front window, we saw that the window is, at the lowest corner, not properly bonded to the GRP of the window frame anymore. This caused the leak when it was heavily raining. Thus it necessary to take out the entire window, and re-bond it again. Privilege uses a special primer and bond from DuPont, but DuPont does not reply to my question on where/how in NZ I can get this DuPont products. It seems they are only interested in seeing tons of materials. As Privilege asked me to keep them informed on the progress of the window work, they will learn about DuPont’s customer friendly behavior.

Here we got today a slow down. We could not cut through the bond of the window except for a sheet as expected. Only for a shorter part of the window it work progressed the way we wanted. Window-John proposed to stop working and think about a new idea over dinner.

Talking with Chris, the GRP specialist, he got an idea which sounds good. I had a look into the manual of the cutting tool and might have found also an additional idea. Will see tomorrow what Window-John got as a new idea. We will discuss all and then try all feasible new ideas to cut through the old bond of the window.

The work on the boat progresses well. The holes, which where left over after removing the side thrusters at bow and stern are closed already. Maybe Chris will sand the area already tomorrow.

I could clean the rub rails of both sterns and the edges of the sterns where the rub rails will be mounted again. A few gelcoat blemishes, which I found will most likely also be closed tomorrow.

The stern parts where new teak strips will be clued on are also progressing very well.

3 things are fully ready. The 2 keel coolers for the 2 fridges and the sacrificial anode at the hull. Normally it takes me quiet a while – 1 h at least – to clean this 3 things somehow by using my electric drill and a rotating metal brush. Today it took me about 1/2 h and I have almost new looking keel coolers and sacrificial anode. Chris gave me an excellent tool. A small, compressed air driven rotating sander. I did not see the RPM number but I guess about 5 000 – 10 000. With a scrub disk of only about 5 cm diameter from Scrotch Bride, the mainly calcium based precipitations für removed like nothing. Now they look almost like new. I’m curious if I see additionally a decrease in power consumption when back into the water and the fridges area running.

I also exchanged experience with an NZ sailor who has a very well maintained boat from the 1960. Wooden built but fibreglass coated. Not the fastest but very sturdy built. Good

For the rest of the day – it’s 1620 – I’ll do my email work. The list became looong…

Now to the “but” mentioned in title line. Yesterday my evening, when I read the Tagesschau news, I was shocked. The German party CDU pushed with the support of the German party AfD a much more restrictive migration policy through the German Bundestag (Parliament). The AfD is known for extrem right-wing ideology, often glorifying thoughts and actions of the German Nazi regime. So far even the CDU kept distance from the AfD, but Merz, who wants to win the upcoming elections, must be considered too far right. I would not be surprised if he even makes a coalition with the AfD to become the next Bundeskanzler.

The nightmare I wrote about a while ago is already above the horizon. I just can hope Merz exaggerated this time and he will be the looser in the elections next month. But this looks to me like my own wishful thinking. Unfortunately!

Too many countries have too much right wing governments promising their people a great future until the people sing again “Where have all the flowers gone…” to morn the loved ones… after electing the right-wing parties and follow them with hip hip hurray into their war against the bad guys just to make their own country great…

Please look at the German history 100 years ago.