On the Hard in Trapani, Sicily

So here we are Saturday, 23 July, on the hard in Trapani on the west coast of Sicily. No nothing tragic has happened. However about two weeks ago Craig started noticing a change in the Amel Drive unit oil when he checked it. Instead of a nice pure black color, the oil was beginning to change to a chocolate milk color. This meant that sea water was starting to get into the drive unit. This occurs when the seals start to leak and requires a haul out to correct. We were originally planning to pull the boat in Gibraltar to do all those maintenance items that can’t be attended to when the boat is in the water. Also this would insure that Lone Star would be ready for the ARC. With this new hiccup, we began discussing our options. All this while we continued to cruise up the up the east coast of Sicily, where we once again crossed paths with Royal Clipper, and out to the Aeolian Islands for a quick spin and then down to the west coast of Sicily. While enjoying our stops on the islands of Vulcano, Lipari, Salina and Filicudi, we considered other places we could pull Lone Star. We ultimately found Boat Services Trapani, requested and received a quote and were assured all the work we wanted done could be handled in a timely fashion. In addition to replacing the seals and oil in the Amel drive unit, Lone Star needed a new bottom job, engine and generator oil changes and a transmission fluid change.

We pulled into Boat Services Trapani on 19 July at 1700 thinking we would have a berth. Well there were definitely communication problems due to the language but we were able to sort things out and were soon tied up in the slip way with electricity which allowed us to have air conditioning. We were then off to meet with Pietro Zichichi, the boat yard manager and our email contact. Pietro does speak reasonable English which was a relief; however things are done a bit differently in Italy. His thoughts were we should be on the hard for a couple of weeks while we were insisting on no more than seven days. We left the meeting agreeing to meet again at 9AM the next morning and not quite sure how things were going to work out or if they were going to work out. That evening, over adult beverages, we decided that we would do only what was absolutely necessary and then move on. We wanted to be in the Balearic Islands the first part of August.

Sure enough the next morning at 9AM Pietro was at the boat. He wanted us to move to another slipway where a new state of the art 80ton boat lift would haul us out. We gladly obliged and what a kewl boat lift. The operator did all the maneuvering with remote controls! Not once did he actually get on the lift and drive it. Bet he’s pretty good at video games. Also the shape of the lift frame was specifically designed for sailboats. Things were looking up. That is until Craig asked to see the Boat Yard insurance policy. Apparently Italians don’t take too kindly to this request and Pietro became quite agitated. He did produce the policy and then demanded Craig produce our insurance policy, which he did. Craig then further explained that in America suing folks is quite common so producing insurance policies is quite common. Well whether Pietro understood or not he gave us a bottle of Sicilian olive oil as a gift, he and Craig shook hands and we were back on track.

Lone Star was lifted, her bottom power washed and then she was moved to her home for the next week – we hope! Pietro then informed us that a gentleman would be by to discuss our paint and oil needs and we would buy directly from him and get a 30% discount. Well the gentleman did show but his English was not good at all. However, he got someone from his shop to come over who spoke excellent English and paint options were discussed and orders placed. In the mean time I went to check out the hotel recommended by the boat yard. It was just across the street and as it turned out was one of the ones I had found on the internet that looked like a possibility. After checking it out it was a go. Clean, AC, Wi-Fi, daily breakfast, a boat yard discount and Sky TV with Fox News! Things were definitely looking good. I was having good feelings about how this was going to turn out.

We have had a hit a few speed bumps so far but have been able to work things out. When Craig went to the shop to pick up the SAE 20-30W oil needed for the propeller/seal job that he had ordered, he was informed they didn’t have any. So we were off on a search for the oil. We were sent several places without any results then as luck would have it we stumbled upon a marine engine equipment store which carried the oil in 25 liter drums. The job only required 10 but they gladly filled 5 2 liter water bottles full of the stuff and we were back in action. The bottom has been sanded, the first coat of bottom paint is being applied and the boat is being detailed. Craig has successfully removed the propeller and replaced the seals. This time the job was much easier with a gadget he fashioned from a water filter cartridge that helps him to evenly press the new seals into place. He also completed a bonus job by replacing the port aft bumper that had been damaged in Turkey last year.

Today Craig was informed that no work will be performed on Saturday or Sunday. Then he went over to the supplier and was informed they did not have the synthetic motor oil he requested. So . . . he went to another shop that was able to provide the oil for the Amel drive unit and found the synthetic oil he wanted plus regular oil for the generator. Now he plans to change the oil and filters this weekend and we will try to get splashed on Monday afternoon.

Now if you think I’m just sitting back taking it easy – you are mistaken. I’ve been busy updating our blog and photos plus watching Sky TV – there’s even a horse channel and sometimes it’s even in English! More later.