Witch’s log, 14th to today in August, 2019
Having spent too much time and money in Vigo, I had to be realistic; the Witch wasn’t going to make it all the way to the Algarve this year and an alternative had to be devised.
Like other fellow sailors in similar circumstances and through David from the White Angel, I’d heard about Póvoa de Varzim and its boat yard. The Witch was in need of a good scrub and a few repairs and so this seemed to be the best option for now.
David (another) flew over and we had one last day sail from Viana to Póvoa just 20 miles down the coast on a fine day with the usual Nortada helping us run south along Maslinica, a Contest 34-36 singlehanded by Lutz who had rafted next to us the day before.
Póvoa is a little sea-side town by the coast just NW of Porto. It’s an alternative to Leixões for those wanting to visit Porto as it has a direct overground which puts you in the city centre in less than an hour for 3 euros something every 10 or 20 minutes.
Marina-wise, it looks as an excellent spot to leave your boat, as long as it’s ashore; the strong SW winter winds don’t make it too safe to keep boats on the water all year around. The marina administrative staff are lovely and very helpful but watch out for the incompetent harbour master who is not only rude as he’ll release your lines without telling you or asking, not knowing what a spring does (or more importantly, does not) only for you to find yourself on top of another boat at 4am; beware.
We had drinks with Lutz and after one too many I fell over the pontoon and crippled myself. We visited Porto the following day with me hardly being able to move due to the previous night, oh dear 😂
And so the work season began; it was now time to start working on all those leaks. The Witch’s problem, other than her weak engine and as with all Kaliks of her age and make, is her teak deck. While once beautiful, it invariably deteriorates with time, and being 40 year old teak over ply meant a few bits had to be covered in order for her to survive another winter. And so work began.
The last days/week were spent cleaning, sanding, applying new marine plywood, sicaflexing, fibre-glassing and painting the Witch. She’s coming out of the water on friday for the winter and at some point then she’ll of course be anti-fouled and get new anodes.
And then, we’ll see … Thats all folks, Witch out for now and ’til the next episode!
