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WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING A SECRET!! We have some EXCITING NEWS.... If we wind back the clock and look at everything that’s unfolded over the past 12 months… it’s been one hell of a ride...What started as a simple need to extend our visas and leave South Africa, quickly turned into a challenging chain of events. Instead of flying out of SA, we bought an iconic Land Rover Defender and set off to overland Africa. After all, what’s the point in sailing all this way and not going on our own safari? But It didn’t exactly go to plan. Between breakdowns, roadside repairs, and more time befriending mechanics, we didn’t get to travel as far and eventually in Namibia, installing a brand-new engine just to drive back to South Africa and Nandji 2. When we finally made it to the South African border, and a new unexpected hurdle. We were granted just a seven-day visa, which meant dropping everything and flying back to our home country of Australia to reset our tourist visa. What was meant to be a return to sailing, turned into an unexpected family visit back on the Sunny Coast of Australia. We have been trying to grow our family for years, so whilst we were in oz we decided to take a big step and try IVF. Months of appointments followed. Emotions ran high. Our Savings dropped fast. And all the while, our sailboat sat waiting on the other side of the world. So I made the call to head back to South Africa ahead of Bonita, to get everything organised onboard for when the ladies return… only to arrive to Nandji 2 to discover the engine had backfilled with seawater. Another engine toast. Another setback. While I was buried in boat work, thousands of miles apart, we got the news… the IVF hadn’t worked. And just like that, the plan life changes again. The best decision was for Bonita and Tallula to come back to the boat and for all of us to be together again as a family and, make the most of an unexpected summer in Cape Town whilst we repowered Nandji 2. As the last of the boat work wraps up, the adventure is soon to begin again. We will leave South Africa behind and set sail on a 7,000 nautical mile journey across the southern Atlantic Ocean, chasing new horizons in the Caribbean.
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To learn more about Keane Insurance and to seek your bespoke boat policy check them out here - https://keanespecialty.com/get-a-quote?pid=YSN With the final checks complete and with forward and reverse tested and engaging, Nandji 2 finally glides free from her pen, moving under her own power for the first time in nine long months. It’s a monumental achievement in what we have managed to get done. This journey hasn’t been easy. It’s been a relentless road of problem-solving, patience, persistence and hard work. But this… this is the side of sailing people don’t always see, its the part that makes the ocean crossings, the new horizons, and the distant landfalls feel so deeply rewarding when they finally come. Because one day soon, when we set off across the Atlantic ocean toward a new country, it’s the satisfaction in knowing the work and preparation has been done, which makes the sailing and the future arrival mean everything. For now though, let’s keep it simple stupid. Baby steps. Our first sea trial out into Hout Bay, putting the engine through a series of controlled tests, building a clear picture of how everything is working, and whether it’s all truly in sync. Starting by motoring directly upwind: 1,000 RPM… 2,000… 3,000… and then full throttle, logging speed and performance. Then we turn, repeating it all downwind, gathering the data that will tell the real story. Whilst it is great to be out on the water, every element matters in a perfect installation. The engine, the gearbox, the propeller, they all have to work in perfect harmony. These tests will reveal the load, the balance and whether everything is dialled in just right. But sometimes, you don’t need the numbers to know the outcome. As from the very first movement of leaving the pen… I already knew. Something wasn’t right.... Learn more about Yanmar, check out this link - https://yanmar.link/Nandji How important is an engine alignment and how do you do it? https://www.sailingnandji.com I couldn’t be happier with how this engine refit has come together. What was once a tired old engine room has been completely transformed. Fresh white bilge, crisp shiny new insulation, a refurbished generator and at the heart of it all, the new Yanmar 4JH110, bedded into her new home and ready to rumble. To make the engine work though, the shaft must be connected to the gearbox. This requires microscopic accuracy to protect the gearbox, engine mounts, cutlass bearing and importantly to remove vibration. With the experts laser aligning for perfect accuracy to meet warranty purposes, the next best thing to prevent all of the above and ensure years of reliability and protection, is to use a Sigma drive coupling by Brunton's. To learn more about Keane Insurance and to seek your bespoke boat policy check them out here - https://keanespecialty.com/get-a-quote?pid=YSN When we first begun this project, of re-powering Nandji 2 many big decisions had to be made. The biggest of them all of course is — what engine do we trust for the next 10 years of sailing? For us, it was simple. We never like to do jobs half arsed, so lets Go all in.The Yanmar 4JH110, more power, better efficiency, and the kind of reliability you want when its 50 knots and your a lee to shore. But before we could install our new Yanmar… the engine room needed a complete refit. The old seized engine had to come out but blocking its removal… was our generator. An ageing Cummins Onan 6.5kW generator and whilst it is Still running, still useful… that is debateable . So the question is, Should it stay? Or is it time to let it go? Should we put the generator back in? Because the real question is do you actually need a generator on a cruising boat? And more importantly… do we? Learn more about Yanmar, check out this link - https://yanmar.link/Nandji For South Africa, check out Seascape Marine at the following links:: Website: https://seascapemarine.co.za/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/seascapemarineservices/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seascape_marine_services/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seascape-marine-services-pty-ltd/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seascape_marine_services To learn more about Keane Insurance and to seek your bespoke boat policy check them out here - https://keanespecialty.com/get-a-quote?pid=YSN After months of planning, stressing, and a whole lot of waiting, the stars finally decided to cooperate. With glassy conditions, barely a breath of wind, and a rare empty dock waiting for us, We carefully tugboat Nandji 2 out of her pen and made our way across the marina. Once alongside, it was time to say goodbye to the old seized engine that has been living in our cockpit for months, and believe it or not, we weren’t too sad to see it go. With the Seascape Marine crew on hand and ole trusty Fossil the crane swinging into action, before we knew it, a brand-new Yanmar 4JH110 was hovering above the cockpit. This a serious bit of kit, and a massive upgrade for Nandji 2. Once everything is fully installed, the reliability, the safety and the confidence this bigger engine will bring to our cruising plans for years to come is exactly what we have been working towards this whole time. Learn more about Yanmar, check out this link - https://yanmar.link/Nandji For South Africa, check out Seascape Marine at the following links:: Website: https://seascapemarine.co.za/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/seascapemarineservices/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seascape_marine_services/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seascape-marine-services-pty-ltd/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seascape_marine_services To learn more about Keane Insurance and to seek your bespoke boat policy check them out here - https://keanespecialty.com/get-a-quote?pid=YSN Six months ago when we sailed into Hout Bay Harbour and tied Nandji 2 up to the dock, we never imagined that she would sitting dormant for so long. What we thought would be a short stop has turned into months of projects, delays, and a boat patiently waiting for her next chapter and that chapter begins NOW! With the help from Seascape Marine who is the Yanmar distributor in South Africa, our brand NEW Yanmar 4JH110 is lowered into place onboard Nandji 2. What a feeling!!! Learn more about Yanmar, check out this link - https://yanmar.link/Nandji For South Africa, check out Seascape Marine at the following links:: Website: https://seascapemarine.co.za/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/seascapemarineservices/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seascape_marine_services/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seascape-marine-services-pty-ltd/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seascape_marine_services To learn more about Keane Insurance and to seek your bespoke boat policy check them out here - https://keanespecialty.com/get-a-quote?pid=YSN We have been stuck in Hout bay for 3 months without an engine or a path forward... www.sailingnandji.com What was meant to be a departure and sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, turned into an unexpected summer in Cape Town. Instead of pointing the bow toward the horizon, we’ve been tied to the dock, and seven long, frustrating weeks deep in emails and discussions trying to piece together a plan to bring our boat back to life. But living on a boat means we are never short of jobs. So while we wait for an engine, we’ve been chipping away at everything else getting her ready for the moment we can finally set sail. That day is coming. For now, let's GO FISHING! Check out Valhalla fishing charters for a great day out on the water in Capetown - Instagram - @fishingvalhalla The MILLION DOLLAR question. Can Luxury built catamarans actually perform under sail, let's find out!... www.sailingnandji.com Phoenix Marine have been building the Xquisite sailing vessel range since the brand launched back in 2014. Beginning with the original unique X5 design, which evolved into the X5 Plus, and most recently into the X5 E-Plus, which is a first-of-its-kind hybrid catamaran combining both diesel and electric propulsion. We just had a tour of the factory and witnessed how these vessel are brought to life, but can luxury boats actually sail? Phoenix marine operate as an independent ship building entity with the intention to design and manufacture their own range of vessels whilst having the capabilities to accommodate further boat brands. For more information, check out their website - https://phoenixcatamarans.com All sailing drone cinematography was done by Dale, check out his Instagram @ducky_staples |
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