Good plan. However, when the lift out date arrives and we turn the engine switch ... Zilch...
Nothing. So we hit the starter motor with a hammer and try various other technical solutions. Still nothing. So... We have to get a tow and the electrician has to take the starter motor away to be checked later.
We then go to the apartment. It's well situated, small but fine and the owner asks us not to play music after 11 as apparently it's a quiet area. Fine by us as we are exhausted after working hard on the boat. At night we discover the problem with the apartment. It has no ventilation, and it is hot, very hot, and we cannot sleep for the heat. And it's not a quiet neighbourhood. It's noisy, very noisy. And we cannot sleep for the noise. After 4 nights we are glad to get back to the boat despite the engine being in the cabin and despite the lack of a flush toilet.
Scruffbag again works so hard that I am embarrassed by my lack of support and am full of admiration.
All work is completed well and is on time and on budget and after a week we are ready to return to the water. We have a clean starter motor and some new battery connections that seem to have solved the problems with the alternator charging the battery. All is well until, we try to start the engine. Zilch. Nothing. More head scratching by the electrician and finally he realised it is and always has been, a problem with the switch. That sorted, we are out on the hoist and returned to the water.
Once in the water,Scruffbag tries to start the engine. Zilch.... Nothing... More banging and head scratching. Eventually it starts and soon we are back on the pontoon where we belong. This time we have learned our lesson about the strong winds and Scruffbag bites the bullet and does an excellent job of reversing in so the cockpit is now facing away from the blow.
Next stop Puerto Calero for a few days to replace the frayed cap shroud then on to Garachico in north west Tenerife..
