With the benefit of internet and telephone communication again, Miranda and Robin immediately set about obtaining all the parts we need to get Spiip back in full action. The first bad news was to be told that Harken had no winches in stock anywhere in the world and that it would be a minimum of 16 weeks to get them made up and delivered. We were all astonished that these winches cannot be easily replaced and can only imagine that racing yachts must have to keep their own stock at hand. We were gutted and feeling that the whole Pacific trip was in jeopardy. Not to be defeated the lines were hot and our luck turned when we discovered a friend of the owner knows “Mr Harken” and he is trying help. Halls Spars are flying someone in to check the rigging on Tuesday. There is no apparent damage but safer to be sure when we are about to cover so many thousands of miles. All other necessary parts are being sourced and so we are hoping our trip is still a go.
