2004 – Preparation

Laid up in Kemer, Turkey, we thought about our cruising plans for 2004 and what it was necessary to do on JJ Moon.

Contemplating the work

During early December 2003 I spent a week with our friend Bill making improvements and minor alterations to some of the systems. One piece of work involved the correction of a rather bizarre fault that first developed half way across Biscay. It amounted to continuous back filling of the bilges followed by automatic emptying by the electric pumps. At the time the crew were not amused and it took a bit of investigation before we could sort it out. Among other things we serviced the engine and generator, renewed some of the wiring, changed the controller on the fridge/freezer, added radio control to the anchor windlass, and changed the mainsheet system. It was an enjoyable boys' week away.

In the spring Mags and I spent a week fitting out. The main purpose now was to have the boat out on the hard, check the skin fittings, renew the anodes and observe the application of the anti-fouling. We also tried to keep an eye on the yard carrying out the schedule of work given to them in the autumn, and check the new bimini. All this involved a certain amount of frustration, hair tearing and negotiation but probably no more than would have been the case with a yard back in the UK with the owners living abroad. We did plenty of work ourselves including spending one happy morning in the sun stripping, overhauling and greasing the windlass.

By now we had decided to enter the fifteenth Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally and our preparations were directed towards that end. We arrived back in Kemer on May 5th ready for the start on 15th.

The wing keel

On the hard