{"id":3966,"date":"2026-05-14T12:30:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/?p=3966"},"modified":"2026-05-14T14:03:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:03:53","slug":"the-winter-winds-persist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/the-winter-winds-persist\/","title":{"rendered":"Lanita is due to be lifted out of the water, but the winter winds persist…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was the day before our boat was due to be lifted out and transferred to the boatyard, and we were met with stronger winds than we were comfortable with for moving Lanita. Either we needed to take her round to a pontoon near the crane, or pay a \u00a350 fee for the marina to do it for us. As well as wanting to avoid the marina charge, we felt there was a mental barrier that needed to be pushed through by taking on this challenge, but still we were wary. If we lost control whilst in motion it could cause a catastrophe! Should we try to move her, or pay for a tow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had taken a break from living on the boat for a few of the winter months. It gave us a chance to make things more liveable, ripping out old lining in cupboards in the saloon and replacing it with insulation and a PVC layer. This gave us the dual benefit of improving the amount of usable storage within the boat and largely removing the damp, musty scent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying elsewhere also gave us the opportunity to lift the boat out of the water for some jobs on the hull, scraping back many layers of old paint and re-antifouling, as well as adding some extra layers of protection with an epoxy primer (a kind of waterproofing layer) where necessary. We were aiming to do the minimum, and were just hoping we didn\u2019t find any unknown, disastrous issues! Although much more prepared than the last time we\u2019d had a boat in a yard, I was still feeling anxious about leaving the comfort of the water. What if things went wrong and we were stuck in the yard for months again? Though surely this time we couldn’t end up there for nine months, could we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In preparation for the lift out we took the headsail down just before Christmas, taking advantage of a wonderfully calm evening. Things went incredibly smoothly despite working in the fading light of dusk. After lowering the large, crisp, fabric to the deck, we lifted it down onto the pontoon where we had more space to fold. All this done after work and in barely an hour! We proudly headed off to dinner, hardly able to believe it had all gone so smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winds were strong, but it was time to move Lanita<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

And so, a few weeks later there we were, early January, Lanita prepped for her time in the yard. We just had to work out how to get her to the crane. After much indecision, we boldly decided to move her ourselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As dusk edged closer, we asked the marina for assistance in catching our mooring lines. They also offered to help us leave our pontoon as the angle of the wind meant that as we reversed the bow would be pushed in the wrong direction, resulting in us facing the far end of our channel, rather than the exit. Neither of us had ever reversed out of the channel, and it didn’t feel the ideal time to try it with the gusts coming through. The plan was for a couple of staff from the marina to hold our mooring lines until the last second to try and prevent the bow from being pushed the wrong direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. The wind caught the bow and turned us toward the dead end, just as we’d feared. At the helm, I attempted to pirouette Lanita but, as expected, it was too windy to complete the full turn. I should have tried to reverse instead, but I was very unsure of the probability of my success! Remembering the advice of one of the staff I feinted calm and, breathing through it, relinquished control allowing the elements to slowly push us to the end of the channel rather than trying to fight. My whole body shook with fright as I monitored the situation trying to ensure we didn’t hit any other boats!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We drifted over to the side, where the staff caught the lines once more. They suggested perhaps we wait until morning when the boat could be towed, the feeling of defeat welled up within. Now we’d done the hardest part of leaving the pontoon I wanted to continue, but I understood this was a risk. As we discussed options, the wind subtly died down. There was one more option. To reverse.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Lanita’s new location for the night – ready for lift out<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The staff slowly manoeuvred Lanita until her bow faced the pontoon, the dead end. The stern faced the end of the channel, the escape. And then we were off. Slow and steady, I lined up a point on the stern of Lanita with a post at the end of the channel, focused on keeping it aligned, and breathed\u2026 the post crept closer and then, with a sigh of relief we entered one of the main, wider, channels. After a slight error in steering which nearly had us pointing the wrong way, we successfully motored round the visitor pontoons, past the choppy waters of the entrance and on towards the pontoon where Lanita would spend the night. Wind now worked in our favour as I went into neutral and allowed us to be blown toward the waiting hands of the staff. Miki threw one line and then another, before jumping off with the stern line to ensure our vessel was secure for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The yard work begins<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the following day, Lanita was to be lifted and moved to the yard. We went to find lunch and relax, a far cry from our previous lift out experiences when we’d be waiting anxiously at the side. There was nothing we could do, this time we accepted that, and so we waited in comfort. Lanita was finally in the yard just before 5pm, and after a quick inspection we headed back to our accommodation for an early night, ready to be back the next morning to begin our work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scraping back and preparing the hull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The first day was filled with tests to begin to understand the techniques and tools to use for each stage. Or at least, it would be if we could find our boat! We walked around the yard several times before going into the marina to ask where she was. “I’m looking for my boat” I stated as I walked into the office, causing a moment of panic for the man behind the counter. It turned out we’d passed Lanita on each round of the yard, but due to the angle of the sunlight, plus only being used to seeing her top half, we’d missed her each time. We quickly went from being known as the couple who’d managed a tricky manoeuvre in windy conditions, to the people who couldn’t recognise their our boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once we’d located Lanita, we began to get to work. Scraping, sanding, fairing, priming, and antifouling. We would also be changing all of our sacrificial anodes. Three weeks to do this. Definitely possible, if the weather gave us a good window to work with. Specific minimum temperatures are needed for the fairing and priming processes – one of the downsides of being out of the water in January! We also needed low humidity and no rain\u2026 A bit of an issue as the two main weather systems coming through were dry, cold air from the Arctic, or warmer, wet weather from the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somehow, we did it. Scraping every inch; sanding the lower part of the hull in back breaking positions (and needing a lie down afterwards!); priming patches of bare gelcoat to give them a layer of protection; and antifouling. The last two steps were done three and two times respectively. Miki had also changed all of the anodes. Three weeks after exiting the water, we were ready to go back in. Just! This was partly due to reducing expectations, with the fairing forgotten and primer done as best we could in the less than ideal weather conditions – heaters and cling film were used to create a makeshift greenhouse effect around the cast iron keel to help the primer to cure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We made it! Back to the water we go…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We woke slowly the morning of the launch. A little anticipation in the air but no rush as we had most of the day to prepare. Then we had a call from the marina, the launch was cancelled due to strong winds which would continue to grow throughout the day. Though a little disappointed, we weren\u2019t really surprised as we\u2019d been keeping an eye on the forecast. We did make it clear that it was a case of the sooner the better for us being back in the water, not wanting to spend any longer than necessary in the yard. We were familiar faces around the marina by this point, which is perhaps why, not long afterwards, we received another call. We could launch that day, but it would have to be that morning, asap!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relaxation gave way to action. With no time to feel nervous we jumped in the car and drove the 15 minutes through town, over the causeway and to the marina. The route was by now so familiar, that we were able to focus on creating our plan for once we arrived. We had fenders to put out, mooring lines to attach, and the last of the antifoul and scraper to keep handy for when the boat would be in the sling (there were a few spots we\u2019d been unable to paint where the cradle supports had been holding the vessel).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming to a stop in the large, grey, car park come boatyard, we saw one of the yard guys on board already beginning to prep for us. Quickly scaling the ladder, I began putting out the fenders whilst Miki went in to grab the tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly, she’s away! We watched as the deep green platform now holding our home moved slowly past the dry stack unit housing many smaller boats. A procession formed between Lanita and the man walking slowly behind, control pad in hand, steering a seemingly larger than life remote-control toy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Splash day!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We waited for the staff to put her into the slings (two large straps attached to another machine) that would be used to lower Lanita into the water, and on the go-ahead, slipped through the gate into the restricted area. Can of paint, brush and scraper in hand to finish the final areas that weren\u2019t possible in the yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our way back up the concrete steps, we waved our thanks. Stopping quickly to put things in the car and have a wee break, we then headed down to the pontoon, hoping to see the \u2018splash\u2019. Alas, by the time we were hurrying down the sloped, teak walkway, we could see she was already settled among the rolling waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On board once again<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One week after the launch we were back on board, after three months on land. It was far from a good sleep! I awoke in the middle of the night to a rhythmic creaking accompanied by a sudden jolt. Body tensed, a little on edge after the abrupt movement, then relaxed once more as the gentle rocking returned. Hours passed, not asleep, not quite awake, adjusting again to these sounds and motions. Away from the still, stuffy air of the bedsit we’d just left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layered up, night outside, though not dark. Fleece, coat, then sailing jacket on top. The rustling movement of the many layers follows as I move up the ladder and out. Outside, wind gusting, but at the same time there is a stillness in the air. More than ripples surrounding the boat, but glistening, reflecting, not quite waves. A peace and a comfort in the process. Not great to have crawled out of bed in the middle of the night, but at the same time, a pleasurable feeling in taking on this role once more. Tweaking lines to reduce movement, adjusting in a vain attempt to resolve the inevitable squeaks. No other souls around, even the birds now sleeping. I feel a contentment to be out here, exposed to the elements. No longer shielded, and separated, by a world of bricks and mortar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It was the day before our boat was due to be lifted out and transferred to the boatyard, and we were met with stronger winds than we were comfortable with for moving Lanita. Either we needed to take her round to a pontoon near the crane, or pay a \u00a350 fee for the marina to … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4021,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[338,316,26],"tags":[403,339,404],"class_list":["post-3966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boatlife","category-england","category-uk","tag-back-to-the-yard","tag-boatyard","tag-lift-out","latest_post"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3966"}],"version-history":[{"count":77,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4059,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3966\/revisions\/4059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickispen.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}