The Final Push
As 2022 arrived, the pandemic brought changes to my life and to everyone worldwide. I had to reschedule my departure dates. My ideal departure date would have been February 22, 2022 ( 22-02-2022), which, as I mentioned in earlier pages, holds significant meaning for me in my desire to accomplish something important in my life.
That date was not meant to be, so the plan was revised, and a new departure date was set for February 2023.
The boat had already been upgraded with a few recent purchases: a Hydrovane for self-steering and a Schenker watermaker, a desalination plant that converts seawater into freshwater—a critical addition to my journey. Other important purchases included a life raft and two EPIRBs, which are safety devices.
In the third quarter of 2022, a shakedown cruise was planned for the Destiny, intending to circumnavigate Sumatra. Unfortunately, this plan did not go well due to a problem with a newly installed furler, the device used to furl the forward sail (jib).
I had originally planned to have three crew members for this trip, but ultimately, I sailed with only one. The other person, a British sailor, was a poor fit and did not join us. Along the way, we encountered additional problems and gained valuable insights. For instance, we had intended to include communication equipment, specifically an Iridium GO satellite phone. Without this communication device and being out of range, people back on land would be worried as we ventured farther away.
This trip's shakedown also had issues with changing the route at the last moment and was impacted by weather, which changed the wind patterns.
Overall, this was a Shakedown, and I learnt what was needed more on the boat and its shortcomings!
On our return and learning, I was getting ready to do one final sail to Phuket, have Destiny inspected on the hard stand, and get the mast work done—mainly the chain plate—which is the part that holds the rig, which in turn keeps the mast in place.
Destiny’s mast is deck-stepped, and only the standing rigging keeps the mast upright. The chain is the anchor that holds it down.
Destiny Mast being prepared to be lifted
Mast and boom removed.
Once the mast was removed, repairs and inspection of the chain plate were carried out. Destiny remained in Phuket Boat Lagoon until early January 2023 and then went back to Port Klang for the final preparation.
Anti fouling
Boat cleaning
