Relaunch - 13th Mar 2015

After three months ashore 'Greek Princess' was returned to the water on March Friday the 13th...!
All OK back on the water, no leaks, and the Alpha One leg fully operational all running well after a complete reseal with Bellows and Ram seals.

Not much room to get GP out

Were on our way back to the water

Don't drop it!

Heart in the mouth time!

Back on the Mooring

All closed up back tomorrow for a spring clean

White Anti-Foul On 1st March 2015

Got the Anti-Foul now the hull, on the homeward stretch now ...... Thank Heaven!

White Anti-Foul now on, and changed to Hempel Tiger Xtra...all looks good

Bottom Primed Ready for Anti-Foul 27th Feb 2015

A break in the rain has meant I could get the Hull primed (2 coats) ready for anti-foul, not sure when I'll get that done as weather is looking poor for the next few days.  Also I took the waterline up an inch as since the teak deck was added, we've been sitting lower in the water.

Light Grey Primer on the bottom 

Took the waterline up an inch

New DVB Aerial & Refurb of Wheel - 20th Feb 2015

Another two jobs off the list, just the anti foul to go after having sanded the bottom this weekend, then need to clean the deck and were done. Can't wait for the relaunch and we will be back on the water.

Metallic Blue to cover corroded chrome

New DVB TV Aerial added on the Port Side

Alpha One Gen 2 Leg Back On - 11th February 2015

Finally the Alpha One Gen 2 Leg is back on, all working after total overhaul, and now raises without sticking.

Leg back on fully tested

Ran the engine up and the leg working OK

Polishing Begins - 7th February 2015

Glorious weekend of sun and rising temperatures (thank heaven), so started with cutting the bloom of the Port Side and Sunday 8th went back to Polish. Still lots to do, and when the weather looks up you start to get a move on and get the boat back in the water.

Port Side Gleaming Starboard side next week weather permitting

Transom Gimble Housing Rebuild Done - 1st Feb 2015

After two months the Transom shield and Gimble Bell Housing is back on, all new bellows and pipes sealed, new shift bearings and cable.

The leg is complete and hopefully will be back on shortly, then I can crack on with the hull.

Looking good all ready to accept the leg

Bellows all reconnected

Ram Arms back on and working

Boxing Day Dec 26th 2014 - Gimbal Housing Removal

Finally bit the bullet and removed the Gimble Housing, Zena bought me for Christmas a thermal boiler suit for working on the boat, just as well as it was just 1 deg today. Poor Zena has had to work today so I thought I would use the time to get on with the maintenance. All went fine.

Sunrise over Hayling

All done and toastie warm in new thermal suit

All the bellows cut out already for new units to be added

Annual Lift - 6th December 2014

Greek Princess being lifted for annual maintenance, she will be out for three months to allow some much needed TLC on the leg and new bellows. Lets hope the weather is kind over the coming months.

Greek Princess looking a bit green on her bottom

GP looks lost in the huge Wise Lift

Annual Maintenance Work Start's - 24th November 2014

New Insta Trim Cover installed

Sealed small water leak on heat exchanger

Cleaned off three months worth of algae off the bow

Due to work over the past three months (I've been really busy) we haven't been out on the boat.  The rainy season set in here in early October (the 3rd), and has been more or less persistent ever since. The bow was furry with a build up of green algae (as it faces North) so had to get out the heavy duty cleaner to bring her back to white. Replacement Insta-Trim cover arrived from the State's so fitted it and finally sealed leaking heat ex changer tube.  Now just a couple of other internal jobs left prior to the annual lift, which is booked for Monday December 8th...(weather permitting).

August Bank Holiday in Haslar Marina

Dean & Readdyhoff asked if I would go in to Haslar for the Bank Holiday Weekend to update the images they had for the Marina, so I took the boat round on my own (scary) and met Zee from work. We spent a few days there enjoying the Sun.

Zena enjoying some chill out time

The Princess's together

All moored on my own....!

Here safe and sound

Even gave her a polish

Summer Holiday Week 2 - August 13th/18th

The weather broke when we returned on Friday the 8th August and we couldn't get back out on the Solent until the Wednesday 13th and even then we struggled through a F6 gusting F7 winds to return to the IOW, opting to moor up the Medina River at Newport hoping it wouldn't be so windy.

We had never been in to Newport before, so we thought we would see what it was like. Unfortunately the Shower block was like something out of the 50's (so after 2 days) we headed back down the river towards East Cowes for the remaining three days.

After weeks of glorious summer sun the weather had become like a usual British Summer ...unreliable.

Greek Princess moored at Newport

Greek Princess moored on the river

Newport Harbour

The Zena's sharing a moment

Little Zena at Newport

The Bargmans Arms Newport

Honor

Zena

The Skipper - Ross

Little Zena

Moored at East Cowes were all off for a desent Shower

The Kids at Blackgang Chine

Alum Bay

The Kids

Honor at Alum Bay

Honor

Jude with his Gobstopper

Zena with Gobstopper on a stick

Little Chicken reading

Honor

Jude

Honor & Jude

The Family

Jude

Zena