Salt & Tar: Ep.287- Overdue Haul Out

Overdue Haul Out: The Process Begins

In this episode of Salt & Tar, we dive deep into our long-awaited challenge of hauling our wooden sailboat Riva out of the water for a general maintenance haul out. We’ve been mentally preparing ourselves and amassing the supplies needed to tackle this mammoth task, but now it’s finally time to get down and dirty with Riva.

An Unexpected Practice Run

While heading to drop off our laundry, we found ourselves in need of some supplies for our haul out process. With limited time, we quickly swung by the local Marine store and managed to get our hands on two gallons of bottom paint and a fresh zinc for the prop shaft.

Preparations Amidst Exploration

We then moved on to purchasing top side paint. Upon arrival in Lacruz de Wan Coxley, we found that our chicken had more walking than expected. However, with persistence and determination, we finally located the right shade of red paint for Riva.

Sunset Stroll & Laundry

Upon successfully gathering all our needed supplies, we made a quick stop to grab fresh coconut water to rehydrate before diving into the hard work ahead. Post-coconut hydration session, we picked up our clean laundry and began getting Riva ready for her haul out.

Haul Out Date Approaches

As the excitement builds, so does the nervousness. We were eager to see what Riva would reveal during the inspection process and address any potential issues.

Haul Out Day – Part One

The morning of our haul out arrived sooner than we expected. With all hands on deck, we started preparing Riva for her transformation by cleaning every nook and cranny. During the process, we found that some worms had infiltrated our beautiful boat.

The Worm Invasion

We were taken aback to discover several holes caused by these unwanted guests. Upon closer inspection, we learned they were Toito worms and quickly set about removing them using heat treatment.

Haul Out Day – Part Two

The following day, after the successful elimination of the worms, we took to sanding and repairing any damages. We tackled this massive task diligently while still enjoying some time sailing Riva on her anchor.

Finding a New Home for Our Haul Out

We had initially been planning to haul out at the boatyard. However, they wouldn’t allow us to stay on the boat. Thankfully, our friends Max and Karen were there to help, offering us shelter while also lending their golf cart for easier transportation around the yard.

Sailing Before The Haul Out

We seized the opportunity for a sail before diving fully into the haul out preparations, and relished in that glorious feeling of freedom that only comes with being on the open water. This pre-haul out sail served as both much-needed therapy for us and a rejuvenation process for Riva.

The Haul Out Begins

The moment of truth arrived – Riva was to be hoisted out of the water. There we were, with trepidation and excitement in equal measure, anticipating what our beloved wooden sailboat would reveal. After crossing the threshold from sea to land, a new world opened up for us as we began working towards Riva’s transformation.

Inspection and Repair

Barely two hours in, we discovered rust around the sheathing screws. But our hearts were filled with hope when we realized that this was only mild surface rust.

An Unusual Discovery

We had suspected Gribble worms but could not confirm them until they were removed. We found the first worm within minutes of our inspection. But what made this discovery all the more interesting was that it confirmed the presence of the male and female pair living happily together in a hole, burrowing towards each other’s home.

The End Result

In retrospect, the haul out turned out to be less daunting than initially anticipated. With no extensive damage done and a solid inspection conducted, we’re now prepared to tackle any challenges that might come our way in future.

The successful removal of unwanted guests like Toito worms has put our minds at ease and reaffirmed the effectiveness of Garrett’s sheathing work years back. We found no further instances of Gribble worms after initial inspection, a small victory but still important nonetheless.

A Plan Of Attack

Now, we’re focused on moving forward with repairs and addressing areas of concern such as the rudder. As day one comes to an end, our enthusiasm is fueled by knowing that all systems are go for tackling these tasks head-on.

Stay Tuned For More

Join us as we embark on this incredible journey of transforming Riva. We invite you to be part of our quest for making her sparkle again and setting sail towards new horizons.