Telltale 86, End of November 2006
Works have not yet started, but here is the overview....
It is Nov 30th and I am awaiting approval from the insurance surveyor
to start the works. The last two weeks were used to get organised on
the land, demolish more interior, so that we could see more clearly and
get the paperwork done with. Reports at the Coast Guard, contacts with
all suppliers and their quotes for the upcoming works and the several
visits of the surveyor. The work will unfortunately include almost all
expertises: carpenter, painter, rigger, another carpenter for the
repair job on the mast, stainless steeel works, including making some
50 customised bolts to secure the new chaimnplates, etc, etc. It keeps
me busy for the time being.
The most worrying part for me is the fact that we had to cut away in
the present interior, which is made of cherry wood. And that will have
to be remade later and make to look like it always has been there. No
visibility of repairworks is the aim. It will be difficult as cherry
wood darkens over the years, that was the whole charm of it. But now
the new wood will be lighter in color in the beginning. Strangely
enough, the whole work of taking off the topside paint, making new
frames, opening the deck etc, are the more impressive works and will
take more time, but that part is easy and not visible later
anymore. So, my biggest concern is to find the right carpenter
for that job.
And as far as legal works are concerned. Of course the owner of the
fishing boat is not only NOT insured, he now also refuses any
responsibility for the damage. I will have to take him to court, to get
my franchise in the damage refunded. Ah, well. So, be it. Just keep
another lawyer busy.
The work is now up to the surveyor and the German insurance company
before I can really start. So, I went to Istanbul last week to visit
Sabri and Guher again, as usual. And I must admit: Istanbul is
definately MY PLACE. I probably feel more at home in Istanbul than in
any other place in the world, let alone be Amsterdam. The place remains
a charmer, the Turks the friendliest people I have met and you can find
ANYTHING. And one does not feel an outsider or a tourist, or at least I
don't.
The following pictures will give you an idea of what I will be busy
with.
The damaged mast was taken off, the spreader is broken and the mast has
a dent on the bottom, that will have to be filled out again. The broken
shroud was catapulted against it and made that dent. The mast fittings
(where the spreaders are fixed) had a serious stress as you can see
from the crack in the picture.
Mast dent at gooseneck level and cracks on fittings
And the interior of Sylphe is for most of you unrecognisable. The gap
in the picture normally has the enormous piece of wood on which the
mast stands, which is now lying on deck. You can see the cracks in the
frames on the left of the picture.
Three of these frames in the
gtuestcabin will be replaced and refastened to the planks and hull. Not
to mention the complete metal chainplates that are partily cut away
already.
And on deck it is one big
chaos: mastfoot, sails, other interior floorboards, etc. And the
computer, as othjerwise I have no wireless reception
AHOY,
Roland
S/Y SYLPHE
www.sail-in-style.com