T&T: Alanui update, delivered safely to Victoria B.C. via Yachtpath

[Scott E. Bulger]

Ok,

So many of you know that I made the decision to ship my boat on Yachtpath
from Ft. Lauderdale to Victoria B.C..  I don't know if it was the T&T list,
or the Nordhavn owners list where I ranted about the difficulty choosing
between Yachtpath and Dockwise, but I'll summarize my experience for both
lists.

First, the cost difference between Yachtpath and Dockwise was about 40%.  I
think the Dockwise quote to move my boat was just above 40 grand and
Yachtpath moved my boat for $22,400.  

I must say this about Yachtpath, there are two very different services you
expect from them.  I'll call one administrative and the other logistical.
When I say administrative I'm referring to the process of advertising a
schedule, collecting money, communicating before, during and after the
delivery.  I would give them a D- on the Administrative part of the job.

Regarding the logistical, this is the process of meeting the ship, lifting
the boat onto the deck of the freighter, and dropping it in the water at
your hoped for delivery place.  I would say they get a C for this service.
They hauled the boat, blocked it, transported it, and unloaded it in
Victoria.  I wish I could say the boat came through unscathed, but such was
not the case (however I don't think this is Yachtpaths fault).

When we arrived to pick up Alanui she was floating in the water next to the
M/V Marie Rickmars.  At first glance she was filthy, but seemed OK.  No big
gashes in the gelcoat and the mast was still standing.  Well upon further
inspection we found the mast was standing, but with only one stay supporting
the standing rig.  For those of you unfamiliar with the 40, there is a mast
and two forward poles (I call them stays) that support the mast.  On the
port stay the bolt on that fixes the stay to the mast was sheared through.
Fortunately the stay had fallen between the mast and the exhaust stack,
trapping it in place.  The starboard stay was in place, but to my horror the
bolt holding it in place was cracked through about 70% of its surface.
There is no doubt in my mind it was very close to coming down.  I believe
all the good Karma points we had been earning along the way finally paid off
and it was by the grace of God that the rig didn't come down.  

With the help of the loadmaster from Yachtpath, we secured the mast with two
straps.  It is stabilized so we can make the trip to Anacortes where we will
contact Forespar and ask them for replacement parts.  I had been advised
that a Nordhavn 40 had previously suffered a mast failure and I called
Forespar at that time to ask if there were any know defects in the mast and
spar system on a 40.  They suggested they had examined the failed components
on the other 40 and come to the conclusion the part had failed because it
was subjected to stresses during installation.  They advised me at that time
there was no need for me to replace my fittings.  Well, we will be having a
different conversation on Tuesday.  

So, in summary, I think we got what we paid for shipping Alanui to Seattle.
We are getting use to the cold weather and asking ourselves why we didnt
just stay in the Bahamas and enjoy the sunshine?  But then we get a call
from one of the kids and it's off to a hockey game or some other event, and
we know we are home.  

So ends the Seattle to Boston voyage of Alanui.  It was over 14,000 nautical
miles and about 18 months.  We met some of the nicest people on the planet
and we will always look back on the adventure and say "boy are we glad we
did that when we could!".

For those of you considering a trip of your own, our advice is "Go now.
Leave the news reports behind.  Focus on the weather and your own little
floating home and the adventures you will have.  It will all be there when
you get back.  If you wait, will you ever go?"


Scott E. Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA