Sailing Delos: Final Passage Prep & Setting Sail for Fiji (Ep. 515)

Rig Inspection and Boat Preparations

• 🛠️ A thorough rig inspection is conducted, including checking the forestay, shrouds, stays, chain plates, and pins for any obvious defects like cracks or corrosion.
• 💡 The mast, which is nine years old, appears to be in good condition, with no major issues found, though some paint touch-ups are needed.
• ✅ Other pre-passage tasks completed include fixing toilets, tweaking fridges, and repairing a gray water leak.

Battery System Upgrade

• ⚡ Battle Born smart batteries arrive, marking the last major item needed before setting sail for Fiji.
• 💡 The old lead-acid batteries are being replaced due to a cell balancing issue caused by running them in series on a 24-volt system, which led to degraded performance over time.
• 🔋 The new smart batteries offer improved monitoring capabilities, allowing for individual cell voltage checks via a Bluetooth hub, which will help prevent future balancing issues.
• 🔌 The installation is described as a direct plug-and-play replacement, significantly reducing weight compared to the old batteries.

Provisioning and Departure

• 🍎 Provisioning for the long passage involves restocking the boat's food supplies after most were discarded due to spoilage during a previous 10-month absence.
• 🛒 A significant shopping trip is undertaken to gather food for approximately 20-30 days, with plans for a small fresh top-up before departure.
• ⚓ The team successfully casts off the dock lines, a symbolic first step towards freedom, despite rainy weather.

Life at Sea and Future Plans

• 🌊 The feeling of casting off lines and heading into the unknown is described as liberating and a core part of the sailing experience.
• 🏝️ The crew enjoys a beautiful sunset and the calm sea after the rain, with Bora Bora visible on the horizon.
• ⛽ Preparations for the next leg include fueling the boat and dinghy, dropping off trash, and potentially topping up on fresh vegetables.
• 🇦🇺 The crew expresses excitement about departing and heading towards Australia, with plans for visitors.
• 🌦️ The unpredictable nature of the ocean is highlighted, with plans needing to adapt to the weather, as seen with the persistent rain impacting departure plans.