September 2012
By Darrel
Every so often
we have to access CanKata’s bottom, whether it is to clean the hulls, change
the sail-drive oil, change the sacrificial zincs, undertake fiberglass repairs
(due to being hit by a reckless hobie cat sailor), replace the sail-drive
bearings and seals, repaint with antifouling, or to have it surveyed for
insurance purposes.
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| Our first intentional beaching - 2008 in Bums Bay, Australia |
When any of
this work is required we usually go to a marina with a travel-lift or to a
gently sloping sandy beach where there is sufficient tide to not only enable us
to drive CanKata up onto the beach, but to also be able to get her off at the
next high tide.
Although it
sounds easy to do, an intentional
beaching of CanKata is quite stressful. Mind you, anyone who has accidentally
ran aground (okay we, or more precisely - I, did actually do this once) would
argue that the running aground part of the process is not near as stressful as
the moments that pass when you are waiting to see if there has been damage done
to the hulls, rudders or props and you are beginning to sink, or to determine
if and how you are able to get off.
So in most
cases, provided a travel-lift is available, we opt for this more expensive
method. However, having seen a boat fall from the travel-lift in Trinidad
reminds us that even this method is not failsafe.
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| CanKata at Ao Po Grand Marina, waiting to be hauled. |
When we first
arrived in Phuket we toured all the marinas to investigate their facilities.
One of the newest marinas, Ao Po Grand Marina, had friendly staff, potable
water, a fuel dock and nice stable docks, but unfortunately no hauling
facilities. This marina actually became our preferred marina when we had to
leave CanKata unattended in order to do some land travel. Well, some time last
year the marina added a haul-out facility which incorporated a 50 ton hydraulic
trailer instead of a travel-lift.
While we have
been living in our condominium for the past four and one half months, CanKata
has been safely stored at Ao Po Marina. We knew that we needed to have her
hauled for bottom work this September and decided that it was time to give the
new trailer method a go. We first discussed the methodology with Derrick, the
marina manager, and he quickly demonstrated that he and his crew were not only
competent but also very experienced with the trailer. They have hauled a number
of boats with the largest boat being a 36 ton, 60 foot motor yacht. He also
told us that they take their time to ensure the lift goes as planned without
causing any damage. They only haul one boat per day to avoid feeling rushed.
And they dive on every boat to ensure the lift points are properly placed and
not causing any pressure points on items such as through-hulls, speedo
impellors, etc.
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| Loretta and a marina worker watching closely - no sign of stress yet. |
Loretta and I
arrived at the lift dock at 12:30, which coincided with high tide, and once
there basically handed over CanKata to Derrick and his crew. We asked Derrick
if it would bother him, or cause undue stress if we stood by and watched the
process. He just smiled and told us that having us oversee the process was
certainly okay and that it would not cause any stress. I think he was thinking
that if anyone here is stressed it was the two owners of CanKata.
Our stress level was definitely lowered when Derrick commented, "Boy, this is one well-built boat".
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| Darrel doing the paper work. |
The crew gently moved CanKata into place and then Derrick slid (with the help of a large Cat tractor) the trailer under CanKata so that the pre-set lift points were precisely as planned. A diver was deployed to ensure the beams made contact on a safe area and the trailer was adjusted to pick up the load and slowly raise it out of the water.
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| Jenny wind generator chatting with a palm tree. |
CanKata was
then pulled up the ramp into an area where the crew used a high pressure system
and scrapers to remove the sea growth that had accumulated on the hull over
the past 24 months.
Once the
cleaning was completed CanKata was moved to its location on the hardstand and
gently lowered onto blocks supporting the two keels together with four jacks at
the bow and stern of each hull.
Loretta and I
both had a sigh of relief once CanKata was safely stored and ready for her
grooming which is to occur over the next four weeks.
