On the beach
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
After buying the antifouling paint I had to wait for the next spring tide before attempting to dry out. I made another quick trip to Camamú as I had forgotten to buy a new anode for the prop shaft. Unfortunately they had just sold the last one. The remnants of the old anode will just have to last till I get to Salvador.
High tide on Sunday morning was a bit after 02:30. It would still be dark. I planned to wait until the first early morning light at 5 when the tidal difference would still be slightly more than the 1.5m I needed to dry out. It would also give me a bigger margin for error when the time came to float off again.
I motored up to my chosen sandy beach. It was slow going against the fast ebbing tide which I was happy about as it gave me good control of exactly where I wanted to touch down. We nudged gently onto the sand pretty much where I had hoped to be. The starboard side to landward. Fortuitously the boat tends to heel that way as the sail bundle is on the starboard side of the mast. I let the boom out towards the shore and moved a few heavy things onto the side deck. Soon we were leaning nicely towards the beach.
The water was falling rapidly and I floated alongside in the dinghy and started cleaning from the top down. It gave me great satisfaction to be getting rid of all those barnacles and obstinate ‘ostras’. Some looked big enough to make a good seafood cocktail. I was just getting stuck in when Leo paddled up in his canoa. He offered to help me and together we kept pace with the falling water. At last the bottom of the keel was exposed and the tide was still ebbing. Leo went off to catch some crabs and promised to return to put the paint on for me when the hull had dried off. I did a bit of final touching up and got the painting stuff ready.
As it was Sunday and getting towards a more civilised hour, a steady stream of weekenders started arriving in flashy powerboats making a tour of the bay. Most didn’t stay long as there is no bar or entertainment at this end of the island. Sinbad received much affectionate attention. He takes it as his due but is appreciative.
The paint went on quickly. Leo used the roller and I took care of the fiddley bits with a smallish brush. What a transformation! If only it could stay that way. Now it was just a case of waiting for the water to lift us off again. I sat on rickety termite-casualty bench ashore. And just sat. Enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Waiting for the tide. Sinbad was tuckered out after all the unusual events and settled down next to me in the shade.
At last the water reached the edge of the toe-rail on the down side. And kept on rising. No sign of the boat lifting up. Oh dear. I hopped on board and frantically started moving heavy things up the steep incline to the ‘weather rail’. One of the more clued up powerboat operators noticed my predicament and lent a hand. His two opulent lady passengers happily contributed their weight to the upside. At last there was a tentative wobble and Speedwell came slowly upright and back to life. Soon we were properly afloat and I was able to haul in the kedge anchor which I had set, and motor back to my anchoring spot to get ready for a repeat performance for the other side the next day.
Day 2 turned out to be another good day for working. Overcast and not too hot with just the occasion few spots of rain. This time I chose to go up on the opposite bank close to the jetty. I had to be able to approach the shore against the strong current. Doing it all the second time seemed easier. The beach had less of a slope and Speedwell tilted over even more than before which allowed me to clean right under most of the keel. As it was Monday the bars were closed and it was peaceful.
Leo helped again with the painting in between setting out nets in his canoa. By lunchtime it was finished and looking beautiful. I have to admit to a small twinge of guilt for all the weird sea creatures I had so ruthlessly exterminated. They had been having it so easy. It must have been a terrible shock.