Round Britain Challenge 2013: Update

Plans for Round Britain Challenge are developing fast.  At national level the itinerary is now finalised and arrangements for all the local festivals are well in hand. From Toucando's point of view the pre-voyage maintenance programme is planned and it it looks as if April will be a busy month.  Toucando will relocate to Shamrock Quay to take advantage of walk ashore pontoons, mains electricity, and easy access for the various trades people who will be helping to make sure everything is ready.  I am planning to remove the mast for a week or two to allow for the application of more coats of Coelan (polyurethane "varnish"), particularly where friction from the gaff jaws has eroded the original covering over the years.  The opportunity will be taken for a thorough inspection of all the standing rigging.  Some minor electrical works are planned, as well as the usual annual service of the engine.  Hull cleaning and anti-fouling will be undertaken at Sealift (Cowes or Gosport), and a general smartening up of varnish work will be done as and when the weather allows. If anyone is interested in helping please get in touch.
I have now decided that Toucando will take the Caledonian Canal option in the Round Britain Challenge.  This is mainly because I would not want to miss the events planned in Dublin and Belfast, which would be virtually unavoidable in order to get to Campbeltown in time to set off round the top of Scotland.  I think the Caledonian Canal itself would be pretty interesting and spectacular.  A core crew is in place for the first half of the trip, although there is space for others.  I am still looking for crew for parts of the second half... from Inverness back to Cowes, so anybody interested in any part of that is very welcome to make contact (toucando (at) citybeat.org.uk).  I am ideally seeking one person with fairly significant experience as a first mate/watch leader and others with such experience as we agree may be desirable.  In general the itinerary is fairly generous, enabling most of the circumnavigation to be completed as a series of day sails, although some longer passages in excess of 24 hours will be required where no suitable harbour is available.  Equally it should be possible to plan passages taking advantage of better weather.  Friends of Toucando who would like to visit, but not sail, are welcome to do so at the various rallies and parties which are being organised along the route. I hope to update the blog on a fairly regular basis during the run-up to the start of the voyage in early May... so keep checking to see how we are getting on.