Judy, Jason, Paul, Marcus and Trevor have just spent a very, very intensive few days transitioning HBIV back from delivery/charter mode to race mode. With great support from the team at Brewers Pilots Point Marina (particularly Jeremy Maxwell) we arrived to find her tied up on the dock and in no time at all Senior Management had commanded that the EAORA, Fastnet, ARC and Middle Sea flags were raised. We were very impressed by the marina and the entire team who went out of their way to help. Day 1 involved emptying, categorising, mending, sorting, replacing all bits and pieces. Due to credit to Horizon Yacht Charters and then to Captain Chris Rundlett and the delivery team, as Heartbeat IV was looking much better and sorted than we had anticipated. Day 1 HB had to be hauled to get keel and prop measurements. Day 2 Whit Batchelor, Measurer for US Sailing was due to start work on overhangs and stability early on Sunday morning (0700) so Saturday was spent emptying the boat to the dockside. We also had the 17 page safety checklist to be completed on the Sunday – were honoured that Rives Potts, Bermuda Race winner in Carina kindly came and did this. Jobs that needed to be done included installation of a new manual bilge pump operated from inside the cabin (a US Sailing/Bermuda Race requirement). The awful news about Cheeky Rafiki is a good reminder of why safety is the primary concern of all of us. The final day meant I had to drive to New Haven to complete immigration details for US Customs and Border – another early start but delayed so that a money order (cash and card not acceptable) for USD19 could pay for the entrance to the USA and our ‘free cruising’ permit. So we left Heartbeat with a few things to be done which the marina have in hand. Dolphin are building a new main. Still hopeful we can take a westerly diversion to Manhattan via the East River down Long Island Sound pre-race. Time will be tight. Heartbeat IV is looking forward to seeing everyone!!
Heartbeat in Pilot's Point Marina CT with EAORA Flags
Heartbeat IV - Road Trip
Heartbeat IV - Elevenses
Heartbeat IV - Back to Work
Heartbeat IV - Gear Off
Heartbeat IV - Up She Goes
Heartbeat IV - Looking Good
Heartbeat IV - Empty and Stability - Inclination testing
Heartbeat IV - NYC R & R
If we can we want to sail past this in a couple of weeks