Shake Down Resolution

We've just finished up our final "shake down" repairs. Just like the boat, the HR support team was a dream. Everything was done in a timely manner -- top quality of course.

In the end, here's what was done to remedy the (mostly minor) problems that emerged during Windleblo's shake down season:

o The power control box for the electric winch was replaced.
o All hoses on the fresh water system were replaced.
o The hinge on the aft cabin starboard window was repaired.
o The teak grate in the head was replaced.
o The teak plug just aft of the bow roller was repaired.
o The freezer electric box was replaced.
o The two aft cabin reading lamps were replaced.
o The saloon settee center reading lamp was replaced.
o The freezer lid was replaced.
o A small section of the Corian counter top in the head was recaulked.
o All the carpet snaps were replaced.
o The forward saloon settee cushion was repaired.
o The alternator wiring was inspected.

The entire HR team was superb in handling our issues. David Bourne in particular was outstanding in his service-mindedness and attention to detail.

David scoped out our problems Friday, and all work was completed today. In the interim, we watched quite a number of HR342's arrive at the Yard for recall work. It seems a problem has surfaced with the rudder seal on every 342 ever made. That's 216 boats in all. The fix involves pulling each boat out of the water, lowering the mast, moving the boat indoors, and replacing the seal. It takes one man a day and a half to repair the seal on one boat. As many boats as possible will be fixed here at the Yard. HR crews will travel across the globe to perform the work on the remaining 342s. I assume Swallow will be one of those. Needless to say, this is quite an undertaking. It's good to know Hallberg-Rassy will go to such lengths to stand behind its product.

We're ready for our final excursion of the season, a reprise run to Goteborg. A strong breeze (20-25 knots) out of the west is forecast for tomorrow, so we'll stick to the inside passage south. We'll spend a day or two in Goteborg, then we'll return to Orust and take the boat to Johannes for winter storage.