kateandjohnsail.boats

Our time in Tunisia a while back was everything we wanted it to be (beautiful location, fascinating history and culture, good food, cheap diesel) and more. But the “more” was that we found a large uncharted boulder in a bay as we tried to anchor near Kelibia. The boat was at dead slow and it was a single “ding” that did nothing to the structural integrity of the vessel, but you don’t want to leave keel damage unassessed because you don’t know how extensive it is. We learned of a top notch boatyard run by two brothers in Brindisi (now that we’re around the boot heel and on Italy’s east coast). Fortunately for us, they had the capacity this week to haul out and work on Quintessa.

Examination of the damage confirmed our hunch that repairing it immediately was a good call, so we are spending some time on land while that happens. All will take place in “Italy work time,” meaning that there are three national holidays in the two weeks following Easter this year, so the pace will be what it is. There are worse places to be “stuck” than in southern Italy!

Bonus shot: here are Massimo and Antonio discussing logistics as Quintessa is moved (she will end up on the yellow cradle in the background). Antonio is the top boss, and he rides that bike around the shipyard to keep everything humming. Massimo is also tremendously skilled with all things boaty including engines, and yes, he really does look like Dustin Hoffman (IMHO).