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Before we left Panama we already decided to put our Pakia tea on the hard in the Tuamotus Atoll of Apataki, to change all the sea cocks, repair a few things on the keel, paint a new waterline and fix the grounding plates again. After we hit a coral bommie on Makemo we really needed to haul out. At this accident our sacrificial keel on the port hull was shredded at a length of 3 meters and coral chafed through the fibreglass at one spot on the side of a hull.

02_All_our_hatches_need_a_new_coat_of_paint_and_have_to_be_sanded_first
03_Also_our_figure_heads_get_some_new_color
04_The_new_rug_to_protect_the_wood_while_pulling_up_the_dinghy
05_The_kitchen_needs_some_new_white_paint
06_Now_it_looks_almost_new_again
07_Our_gaffs_get_new_paint_and_protection_against_chafing

When we arrived in Apataki we were not able to haul out at first, because our „special“ boat was too unstable on their hydraulic wagon. But since we really liked the place of the Carenage, the area looked comfortable and clean to work at and the weather there is very dry, we decided to order two long wooden blanks from Tahiti to maybe be able to haul out here. In the meantime we started work on the water with sanding and painting the hatches, the gaffs and parts of the kitchen and cabins. The gaffs also got a new chafe protection and the carpet on the bathing platform was replaced. After two weeks waiting time the big haul out day finally arrived and we were able to haul out our Pakia tea for the first time after Thailand. We only need to do this very rarely because instead of a very toxic conventional anti-fouling we decided to use copper coat instead. This is an epoxy based paint with copper particles which reduces a strong growth of organisms without giving off a lot of toxic substances into the water. This should last for at least 10 years and doesn't need to be taken off when replacing it. We have had the copper coat since four years and are very happy with it. In comparison to other boats we do not clean so often and it comes off very easily.

08_They_had_to_use_two_wooden_blanks_to_stabilize_the_hydraulic_lift
09_Our_view_shortly_before_we_made_it_out
10_All_the_way_up_we_were_very_nervous
11_Pakia_tea_gets_deposited_at_the_place_where_we_can_wash_the_hull_with_the_power_washer
12_Finally_we_made_it_safely_out_of_the_water_for_the_first_time
13_Tony_is_the_man_in_charge_to_haul_out_the_boats

Three weeks on the hard gave us time to paint a new waterline, to give a profile to the rudder plates and copper coat, to open up all blisters in the paint above and below water, which we have since Thailand, let them dry and seal them again (about 350!), to repair the supporting surface of two beams and glue new rubber mats under the beams, replace the part of the sacrificial keel which came off during our coral bommie encounter, to cover all the repaired spots and places of the underwater part with new copper coat, to polish and wax the hull above water and finally paint a new coat on the hull of our dinghy. A lot of work and the time went by too quickly. We also did not need to go to the main town (1 hour by speed boat) to do some shopping, because a lot of boats came out and were left here for the hurricane season with the owners flying out, and they had to get rid of all the groceries. There was only one other boat also working on the hard besides us. All others leave their boats here for months.

14_Taking_the_earthing_plate_off
15_This_time_the_screws_will_be_sealed_off_so_they_do_not_touch_the_earthing_plate
16_Finally_we_could_remove_the_rotten_wood_from_our_meeting_with_the_coral_bommie_in_Makemo
17_We_opened_all_the_blisters_in_the_paint_and_found_them_full_of_colored_water
18_All_of_the_over_300_blisters_are_finally_opened_and_ready_to_dry_out
19_Now_they_are_dry_and_ready_for_epoxy_filler
20_Tom_cuting_and_sanding_away_the_rotten_parts_of_the_wood
21_Sonjas_look_when_she_was_interviewed_by_the_Polynesian_TV_about_working_on_the_hard_in_Apataki
22_Time_to_change_the_sea_cocks_under_the_generator
23_Preparing_the_part_on_the_hull_where_the_coral_almost_made_a_hole
24_After_filling_the_blisters_they_all_get_sanded
25_Our_dinghy_also_needs_a_new_coat_of_paint_but_first_must_be_cleaned
26_Giving_our_rudder_plates_some_profile_with_the_help_of_foam
27_Fiberglas_is_coming_on_top_of_the_wood
28_After_applying_the_epoxy_filler_the_sacrificial_keel_has_to_be_sanded
29_Sanding_the_part_of_the_hull_which_will_get_new_paint
30_Under_two_beams_the_rubber_protection_came_of_as_well_as_some_fiberglass_and_paint
31_Ready_for_new_paint
32_Hull_is_ready_for_paint_after_sanding
33_Copper_coat_is_coming_on_the_repaired_sacrificial_keel_and_blisters
34_New_paint_coming_on
35_One_of_the_last_things_is_painting_the_turquoise_strip_on_the_side
36_The_final_step_is_polishing_the_hull
37_All_blisters_closed_rudder_plates_finished_and_new_paint_on_we_are_ready_to_go

When we came back into the water after three weeks we were very happy that everything worked out so good and we were able to do all the work. The weather the whole time was mostly dry and sunny, just a little rain on the last few days. We will come back to the Carenage in about three to four years time for sure...

38_Tony_and_workers_preparing_our_boat_for_the_way_in_the_water
39_Family_business_with_Alfred_and_his_father_in_charge
40_Pakia_tea_on_the_way_back_into_the_water
41_Because_of_the_rain_it_was_slippery_so_they_were_extra_careful_on_the_way_in
42_The_final_meters
43_Checking_the_sea_cocks_befor_getting_of_the_slip
44_Back_in_the_water_after_three_weeks_on_the_hard
45_Floating_again_with_a_new_look