The Decision
Costa Rica
Test sailing
Boat Purchase
Assessment
The Restauration
Stage 1: Initial work in Puerto Galera and Registration
The objective of Stage 1 is to restore the basic functionality, get the boat ready to test it to Pandan Island over Christmas / New Year and for moving it to the haul out location wherever that might be. For this the boat remains at the mooring in Puerto Galera, also because the Typhoon safety and the low cost of the anchorage there.
This is quite a challenge. First the trip to Puerto Galera by car is quite expensive around US$ 250 for fuel, tollway fees and ferry, 10-20 US$ per night for accommodation, food of course and also paying guys from the club to help. It also basically takes two travel days in addition to the time working on the boat.
Second, another challenge is the availability of parts and the necessary tools. I am lucky that I am a hoarder of electric and electronic components. I have an electronics lab at home, and lots of stocks, it is more of a headache since it consumes quite a bit of space and lacking an office room in our small apartment… But lots of parts I have to buy locally or order and sourcing marine grade components is not easy. Amazon is out of the question since I am boycotting the billionaire owner. On Lazada it is possible, but difficult to identify genuine suppliers and good quality parts. Ordering from companies directly usually results in the parts ending up in customs storage with the need for customs clearance and even if DHK or an agent are doing it the cost is quite high, around 25% of the purchase value of the parts. With respect to tools I am probably as good equipped as a commercial workshop. But some I have to order, last week for example I tried to rebuild the manual bilge pump, had all parts but figured out that one M4 thread was gone. I have HELICOIL repair kits from my motorcycle projects for M5, M6, and M8, but not for M4. So I needed to identify a source (1 hour of internet search) and order. Still waiting for the tool and the pump repair is stalled in the meantime.
Third, a lot depends on the weather, after all it is Typhoon season, and on availability of the yacht club’s Service boat and Joel and other guys for help. During the All Souls Regatta for example everybody was very busy.
Fourth: I have an excellent mechanical workshop at home plus the electronics lab. So as much as possible I want to do at home for efficiency and quality of work. But that requires shuttling broken parts to and repaired / rebuilt parts from home.
So this really needs good PLANNING. For each visit I spend several hours in planning and coordinating. Making the parts also follows an overall schedule to make sure that I then can be as effective and efficient as possible on the boat. I try to follow the plan as good as possible, it is really useful to decide what to bring and take back every day given the limited amount of stuff I can carry.