Year 3 -18 March 2026 - Stormbird - Kochi - India

It rained in the night and was quite cool and damp when I woke which was pleasant. I had the usual papaya breakfast which seems to go on. It was a big papaya and hopefully I will finish it today.

After writing the blog it started raining again so this was a good chance to go through the engine room and check everything.

I changed the 3 filters on the water maker which means when I use it again it should be clean. I then started to check the jubilee clips on pipes. I have never done this with Stormbird and there must be at least 40 jubilee clips (clamps for pipes to prevent leaks) to check. Some needed tightening and once had failed so it was good to replace that. I checked the hydraulic reservoirs and I thought I could top some up when I can get some out of the lazarette.

I checked the engine fully, belts, filters, oil, gearbox oil and a good visual inspection to check anything which looked out or order or evidence of a leak. This was all good although there was a tiny bit of oil in the sump, which I cleared up. There is always a tiny bit underneath.

I then checked the generator and all looked good and I out a bit of padding underneath to show up and absorb any leaks. I then checked various pumps etc and contacts on various motors etc which needed cleaning a little.  This took a few hours and it was hot work in there and felt like being in a sauna but a good job to do.

In order to get the hydraulic oil out I had to empty the starboard lazarette and as I did so I noticed blue paint at the back inside. This was antifoul paint which I had stored there. I found the hydraulic oil and then filled some smaller bottles with it and topped up the hydraulic containers in the engine room. I emptied the lazarette and found 5 very rusted antifoul paint cans, one of which was leaking so I took them all out and disposed of them. In addition there were the bits of wood and bolts I have prepared in case a hatch or window breaks at sea. I have prepared the right size bits of wood with a hole in the middle and the bolt goes through it and then through another prepared bit of wood on the inside and then you tighten up with the bolt. I got them out and so of the bolts were rusting. I therefore got them out and cleaned up as much as I could and salvaged 5 out of 8. That should be enough anyway. Once cleaned the bolts will remain in the dry but the wood was returned to the lazarette. As I had emptied the lazarette I fitted the pipe and regulator to the spare cylinder so when the other one is empty I just need to switch it on and turn the direction of the solenoid. This will now be a minute’s job rather than a 20–30-minute reconnection and means I can now put all the spare regulators away.

I looked at the spare petrol I had for the outboards and as I have had them serviced I think I will replace all the fuel as some is old and is looking black in the fuel containers. I am still waiting for the agent to sort out the diesel I need as with time moving on I need to get this before rationing takes place.

I had a break during all this for a spot of lunch and finished the papaya.

The white strip below the toe rail had oxidised and in fact a lot of the topsides had oxidised due to the pollution in India. I therefore had some gel which you paint on and then leave it for 60-90 minutes and then you wash and brush off. I therefore painted the gel coat under the toe rail and when I went to wash it off toward the end of the afternoon it brought quite a lot of the black stuff off. It was not perfect but looked a lot better. At the same time I cleaned the deck of bird stuff etc. I found bits of crab here and there where they obviously crunch away up the mast and when they have finished …. . In fact the day before I had been sitting at the navigation station and a whole load of crap came through. I plan when it is early tomorrow to paint the rest of the topsides with the gel and clean that too. It really is looking quite grey.

I tidied up and had hoped the upholstery man was coming but apparently he was ill. I was so hot I went off to the pool for another welcome dip and shower. The pool man sees me coming and gets out a towel.

It was 5.30pm by the time I returned and after changing a cool beer in the cockpit was a treat sitting with a fan cooling me. It is a lovely time of day and I can see the sun go down.

Stormbird is on the tourist circuit now and every day there is a constant flow of small pleasure boats which take people around the harbour. They come quite close and the guide always points at the mast.

I had steak and broccoli for supper which was good and watched another film.        

The picture of today is one of the pleasure boats which pass by every 20-30 minutes during the day.  

Need/Opportunity Year Three

In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. 

I am looking for one crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town (mid June to end of July). If of any interest do email me.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com