Tag Archives: Fleming Motor Yacht

Cruising

Where did the last two and a half years go?

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Oh my! Even with COVID bursting over all of us with its indiscriminate attacks, it feels as though Lin and I haven’t stopped for a moment. So what’s been going on?

We bought a house!

La Porte with its adjacent barn
click to enlarge
Someone we knew asked if we’d like to see his house which was up for sale. The agent took us to see the centuries old granite farm house. Yes, it was lovely but not ‘us’. Listening to our comments, the agent suggested another, even though we’d made it clear we weren’t looking. We agreed.

The next morning, we drove into the driveway and to say we were taken aback would be an understatement. We walked the grounds and even before we were shown into the house, we knew it was ours. Within a month, we owned La Porte, an 1890, five bedroom Victorian house with its separate barn.

Our children said, ‘But Dad, at your age you need to downsize.’ Thank you so much for that comment I thought, whilst responding, ‘We have. We’ve downsized from six to five bedrooms, and 2 acres to one and a half…’

Having sold all our furniture when we left the UK and lived on our boat for 6 years, we had to start from scratch which we did with great excitement, as well as organising some building works and tending the gardens. Hey ho!

What of Play d’eau?

Play d’eau at anchor in Shell Bay, Herm
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Thankfully, COVID barely scraped an effect in Guernsey. With the island’s drawbridge firmly up and the portcullis heavily down, the island isolated itself. With no boating allowed our annual cruising plans were out but on the other hand we had now had time to work on both La Porte and Play d’eau. Win, win, although we sorely missed the cruising.

For Play d’eau, we set about a mini refit:

  • A new battery voltage panel was created, detailing the state of each battery and battery bank
  • A main engine alternator paralleling system was installed to double the battery charging capability
  • New flybridge covers were made for the helm seat, console, hatchway and dinghy
  • New mesh covers were fitted for the pilot house windscreens and side doors
  • A Plastimo Transocean liferaft with hydrostatic release replaced the old Zodiac
  • The 220v LEDs on the DC and AC Services panels were replaced with 240v – all 89 of them
  • The main engine sea-cocks were replaced with far superior bronze Groco
  • Two additional cleats were installed by the aft fair leads
  • The two lifebelts and lights were replaced and sign written
  • New matching carpets were added for the guest cabins
  • The shafts were pulled and all four cutlass bearings replaced
  • GFO (Gortex) was used to re-pack the stern glands
  • The davit (crane) was removed to be re-powder coated and have new stainless gas springs fitted
  • We had the trim tabs reinforced
  • A Doppler transducer for speed and depth was added
  • The cap rails re-sealed
  • The external fresh and sea-water taps were refurbished
  • Pressure gauges were fitted to the main engine Racor filters
  • New plexi-glass was fitted to the main cabin hatches
  • We bought a superior Dock-side Dockpure filter system for filling the fresh water supply

…plus many more small changes made to bring her to a full and sparkling spec, ready for cruising the gorgeous west coast of France in 2022.

What of La Porte?

With furniture bought, paintings hung and most of our long and short term storage units empty, work started on many refurbishment and building projects likely to take us to the end of 2022.

As Lin says, ‘Piers likes a project’, to which I reply, ‘Only one?’

Meanwhile

We can’t wait to see the children, grandchildren, and our sisters in the UK. Let’s see what happens.

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Upgrades for 2019

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Play d'eau's new carpet
Play d’eau’s new (almost white!) carpet
click to enlarge
We started planning this year’s upgrades by having new carpets in December 2018, ready for Christmas.

New carpets

After 16 years of sterling service the backing of our brown saloon and companionway carpets was sad and disintegrating.

Due to a broken arm, the original carpet supplier was out of action (how thoughtless was that?) and we couldn’t find anyone in Guernsey with the equipment to whip carpet edges.

But all was not lost. Turning to trusty Google, we found Marine Boat Carpets and entered into long and encouraging discussions with boat carpet maker Toby Butlin. On the appointed date, I was at the airport to meet him and after a fortifying coffee and Jammy Dodger, the choice of an almost white, 80% woollen carpet was made, and Toby painstakingly began creating templates.

The plan was for Toby to make the carpet and send it to us. ‘What about fitting?’ I asked. ‘Just unroll it. It’ll fit, but if it’s not as you want, I’ll come straight back.’

Play d'eau's old carpet
Play d’eau’s old (brown) carpet
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In time for Christmas, we carried our material prize to Play d’eau, and as Toby had instructed, we rolled it out. Perfection! A bonus? With the off-cut, Toby had made a fitted carpet for the engine room…

By the way, we really aren’t paranoid about marking the new carpet. Really. No. Not in the least…

Electrics

The electrics upgrades to happen from March onwards, include,

  • Wiring the ability to parallel both alternators whilst underway to charge both 24v battery banks, using an automatic charging relay
  • Adding 2 voltmeters to monitor both 24v battery banks above the existing 12v battery panel
  • Potentially, replacing the existing transducer with an Airmar UDST800 Doppler speed and depth transducer
The existing 12v battery panel
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The ‘usual’ Marine and General annual hoist

And then in April, Play d’eau will be lifted at Marine and General for her annual spa and flattery treatments. The works list includes:

  • Power wash and clean below the waterline
  • Clean and polish the running gear, trim tabs and props
  • Anti-foul with Teamac
  • Instal a replacement sea-cock for the port engine
  • Refurbish all sea-strainers

Plus, completing the works to remove the last traces of the second time she was covered in iron filings.

Whilst chocked ashore, Lin and I will replace all 26 anodes and work on the engines and generators to ensure all is ready for the new season.

Piers and Lin
from the Planning Office of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Out with the old, in with the new

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The loop splice of our new rope
click to enlarge

We’d suffered the most horrendous effects of a NNE storm whilst moored in St Peter Port’s Victoria marina in October 2018.

It had taken 11 of our 18mm multiplait ropes to hold Play d’eau but seeing the immense strain they’d suffered, we knew they should be replaced. But this time, they’d be bigger and tougher.

PLAM HT Popeye Double Braid

With advice from members of the YBW Motor Boat forum, I approached the Italian company PLAM for their High Tenacity Popeye Polyester Double Braid.

After discussion and much measuring, I ordered 6 new 26mm warps. 4 x 7m and 2 x 9m, each with spliced loops and tails.

26mm would have an approximate breaking strain of 14.6 tonnes.

Result?

Ah, what can I say? they arrived courtesy of FedEx and they’re just beautiful. the braid is lovely and the splicing just perfect. So much so that it’s almost a shame to use them.

But, needs must, so they’re in full use, and drawing many admiring comments.

We protect them from chafing using Chafe Pros.

What about the old warps?

The end splice of our new rope
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Good question. We can’t bring ourselves to throw them out so they’re all in the lazarette in a large and overflowing box until we can decide.

Maybe we’ll choose the best and have them for light mooring use. The rest? Maybe cut out the worn bits and use the remainder for short breast warps or similar. We’ll see.

Piers and Lin
from the overflowing warp locker of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Clean water, please

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Our new Dockside Filter
click to enlarge
We’d become irritated with having to change Play d’eau’s costly onboard 2 micron water filter every few months. The removed blackened filters showed just how dirty local water supplies were, wherever we happened to fill the 1,150 litre water tanks.

Lightbulb moment

Whilst waiting for the tide in St Peter Port late last year, a Nordhavn 60 moored in front of us. ‘We need to fill with water,’ the Skipper announced as I admired his boat.

One of his crew appeared carrying a filter arrangement. Being nosy I was told, ‘We use this to pre-filter the water we take on board, making sure it’s clean before it reaches the tanks.’ Now why hadn’t I thought of doing that? Hindsight is great, isn’t it?

The solution

Finding the Dockside Pre-Filter on the ASAP Supplies website, I had one in my hands within a few days. Its 3 micron filter would certainly do the job, and the best part was that back-flushing cleans the filter so its life should be really long.

There’s always a ‘but’

Herm Seaway comes to the rescue to make new fittings
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The problem was the fittings. They were not standard UK. However, Herm Seaway came to the rescue, again, and machined two brass connectors so standard hose fittings would fit. How perfect is that?

Is the Onboard filter still needed?

Good question, to which the answer is ‘yes’. Why? As well as filtering to 2 micron, its carbon content removes chlorine and any nasty tastes and smells which might lurk in local water supplies.

All water on Play d’eau now comes through the Dockside Filter as well as the onboard carbon filter.

Result

The great news is that we haven’t had to change the on board filter in over 3 months, and there’s no sign of it becoming dirty. And as far as the Dockside Filter is concerned, we give it a quick backwash each time we fill.

Job done.

Piers and Lin
From the water purification department of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

A child is born

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Our new Grandson in Lin’s arms
click to enlarge
At Christmas, what could be a better present than a new addition to the family?

Unto us a grandson is born

Our son Toby and his wife Amy, having married in April 2014, have given birth to their firstborn, a beautiful grandson for us, just in time for Christmas.

Weighing in at a fine 3.94 kgs, he was back home within a few days to his newly decorated nursery.

Other members of the family

Nugget and Twiglet, Toby and Amy’s two minatiure daschunds, have a ‘brother’.

A Happy Christmas indeed

What a brilliant way to celebrate Christmas. Unto us a (grand) child is born!

Nugget looks at the new family member
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So Lin and I are now responsible for four sons, and between them and their wives, five gorgeous grandchildren. Wow.

Congratulations to Toby and Amy!

Happy days.

Piers and Lin
Proud parents and grandparents
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Oh no! to Elation

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The split fitting which connected the galley tap to the ship’s pressurised cold water supply
click to enlarge
‘We have a leak – a big leak,’ I shouted to Lin.

What the…?

I’d reached into the cabinet under the galley sink for a bottle of Fairy liquid (yes, I really was about to do the washing up) but all I felt was wet. A lot of very wet, wetness.

Quickly looking inside with a torch, there was the culprit (hiding behind the Fairy liquid). A brass fitting was dripping to the point of a constant flow as well as spraying a fine mist courtesy of Play d’eau’s 80psi pressurised cold water supply.

With the water pump isolated and the heads’ taps open to bleed the pressure, I began removing the cupboard contents. Plastic containers were brimming with water, rags were sodden and sponges were dripping. Puddles of water were seeping underneath the cupboard flooring.

How long had this been going on? What was the damage?

Exactly what had failed?

Having mopped up most of the water, I turned to the culprit. On removal, it was obvious. The smaller of the two threads to which the galley tap’s flexible hose connected, had split. Hence the dripping and hence the spray.

But what were the threads? The larger was obvious, but the smaller looked odd. Really odd. Not even our fount of all plumbing knowledge, Richard Poat, knew.

Herm Seaway to the rescue

Out with the old, in with the new
click to enlarge
‘Try Herm Seaway,’ said Richard. ‘They can make anything in metal.’

Showing the brass fitting to Colin, Herm Seaway’s machinist, it was the smaller thread which baffled him. ‘There’s little I’ve not seen over the years but I’ve never seen this before. It’s certainly non-standard.’ ‘But can you make one for me?’ I asked cautiously, almost dreading the answer.

‘It will have to be turned especially out of a block of brass, but yes, I can do it.’ ‘How long with it take?’ I queried, thinking we’d be without water in the galley for days and days. ‘Erm, well, let me see. About an hour.’ Really? Wow.

I’d only just turned into the marina when my phone rang. ‘It’s ready, when can you collect it?’

Is that service, or is that service? Astonishing.

Clean and dry and working

Having cleaned the mess, checked for damage (there wasn’t any) and blow dried everything using a really powerful fan to reach the parts arms and rags cannot reach, Richard installed the new fitting. It had been made to perfection.

With the water pump fired up, pressure built. Was it leaking? Any signs of water?

No, all bone dry. Thank you Colin of Herm Seaway and Richard (plumber supremo).

Piers
with head under the galley sink
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

It’s Christmas!

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Play d’eau follows the bright star…
(photo courtesy Kim Hollamby)
click to enlarge

Happy Christmas, everyone!

May we immediately assure everyone that our radio silence for the last two years has not been because we’ve finally navigated to the great marina in the sky.

No. With considerable quantities of fuel left in life’s tanks, we’ve loved many months in the magnificent country of South Africa, spent time with family and dear friends, cruised the west coast of France (again), remedied some difficult faults on Play d’eau, and, and, and….

I mean, they say that when you retire you become more busy than ever and we can attest this to be absolutely true.

Now it’s Christmas 2017

So after such a long period of silence, the keys of my new laptop have started clattering away as I renew friendship with our website. Hence, we take this opportunity to trust you will all have a magnificent Christmas and an exciting New Year.

The Reason for the Season

As we know, the reason for the season is Jesus. Hallelujah indeed!

2018

Whilst we contemplate 2018 and make plans, one of our New Year’s resolutions is to keep the website up to date. So we thank you for your patience and ask you to keep a listening watch on this channel.

On a personal note

Whilst thinking of the reason for the season, Lin and I especially thank Him for the recent miraculous healing of a dear friend of ours. And we mean miraculous. Reality is reality.

Happy Christmas!

Piers
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

An Engagement

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Kimberleigh’s engaged!
click to enlarge
‘I’m engaged!’ whispered Kimberleigh to Lin and I.

We were staying in a small boutique Johannesburg hotel where Head Chef Kimberleigh had been feeding us far too well and we just knew the extra pounds were winning the fight against our trying to eat sensibly.

When?

During our stay, we had many conversations with Chef Kimberleigh, most of which were ‘foodie’. But when we learned she had been going out with Waldo for over four years, we couldn’t stop asking the obvious question. ‘When he’s going to propose?’ ‘No idea.’ said Kim.

He just did!

Two days later, as dinner was being served, Kimberleigh came over to us whispered, ‘He’s just proposed!’

Apparently, as Kimberleigh and Waldo were walking in the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, he produced the ring and proposed.

Completely unexpected.

The date is set

Kimbereligh’s sparkling engagement ring
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Having become engaged on 6 March 2015, the marriage is set for 7 May 2016.

Congratulations

Our hearty congratulations to Kimberleigh and Waldo and we trust they will have a great marriage and many, many years in which to enjoy it.

Both Kimberleigh and Waldo are Head Chefs.

Piers and Lin
from the saloon of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

A deafening silence

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The sounds of Africa fall asleep
click to enlarge
‘The silence is deafening. What have you been doing?’ asked a friend of mine when I hadn’t posted anything on the Play d’eau site for three months.

I started to explain only to be met with the comment, ‘Excuses, excuses, excuses. Just get on and do something!’ It takes a close friend to tell you the truth, doesn’t it?

Hectic, but exciting

I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but in the last three months life has been hectic yet so exciting. Lin and I have,

  • Been back to South Africa – again!
  • Had our 12 year old grandson to stay
  • Had a son, his wife and two children to stay
  • Given Play d’eau her annual service ready for our summer cruise
  • Had another son and his Fiancée to stay
Over the next few days

We’ll be making short posts of all the above, to try to make up for our silence.

Piers and Lin
…on the naughty step of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Play d’eau and South Africa

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We left beautiful Beaucette Marina soon after midday
click to enlarge
1 September 2014. A decision had been made.

Having prepared our Fleming 55, Play d’eau, for the journey, Kim and I left sunny Beaucette soon after midday delivering a long and triumphant blast of the Kahlenbergs echoing around the marina’s quarry walls, and set sail (set motor?) for the journey. Not to South Africa, but Southampton via Alderney where we’d have a few hours break for supper.

Casting off from Buoy 20 in Braye Harbour, we travelled throughout a moonless night in a rather emotional sea and arrived in a flat calm Solent just as the sun rose, casting her fire orange hue over the water.

Having completed the handover to GRP Boat Repairs Ltd at Shamrock Quay, I caught the 1440 Blue Islands flight back to Guernsey and was tucked up and asleep by 8pm.

Why Southampton?

The sun rises over Cowes in the Solent
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Well, Play d’eau is in need of extensive repair work which will be carried out by UK specialists. Whilst there, Lin and I will take the opportunity to visit South Africa for the two months Play d’eau will be under cover in a heated shed.

A great friend of ours, Kim Hollamby, had flown to Guernsey to accompany me to Southampton. Lin was staying behind to make final preparations for our extended South African adventure.

Why South Africa?

Readers will remember that our youngest son, Toby, married his fiancé Amy in April this year in the Tala Private Game Reserve just outside Durban. We spent a month sightseeing this beautiful country and meeting members of our new extended family. We agreed that this, our first time in South Africa, would not be the last.

Why two months?

The chart plotter shows exactly where we are
click to enlarge
Simple. The work needed on Play d’eau will take two months, and since she is our home we have taken the opportunity to return to beautiful South Africa.

There’s so much to explore. Magnificent mountain ranges, wines, exotic game reserves, wines, family to meet, wines, journeys to be made, and have I mentioned the fine luscious South African wines?

What’s up with Play d’eau?

Good question. The main problem is hundreds of blisters on many of the surfaces above the waterline. Above the waterline? Yes, above the waterline.

Apparently, when she was built a water-attractive filler was used in some places under the gel coat rather than an epoxy water-repellent filler. Hence, any water resting on surfaces was ‘sucked’ through the gel coat, into the filler, causing blistering, looking just like a bad rash of teenage acne. Given her debut was at the 2002 Southampton Boat Show, she’ll be thirteen in a year’s time, so teenage acne isn’t a bad metaphor.

The Blisters

The hundreds of blisters look like a teenager’s bad rash of acne
click to enlarge
So, Play d’eau will be in a heated tent, with the blister correction work being carried out by a Fleming recommended facility. Work will be monitored by a marine surveyor and finally signed off as complete and corrected.

Other work will include blasting the hull back to the original epoxy coating, applying additional epoxy, re-antifouling, reseating caprails, remaking any loose caulking in the teak decking, repairing any ‘dinks’ in the internal wooden flooring, certifying the fire protection systems, replacing a gearbox oil seal and servicing the Glendenning engine synchroniser.

And that will all take two months. But at least she’ll be ready for next year’s cruising with not a hint of acne.

Piers and Lin
from a friend’s bungalow near Cobo
Play d’eau
Fleming 55