We posted earlier about how much we are enjoying Fiji. The perfect combination of isolated islands, great diving, and yachting infrastructure. We have now spent a total of 10 days at Port Denerau marina – more days in the marina than anywhere else on the trip. While Gray Matter is a superyacht to us – it is a bit humbling to be med-moored amongst the giants – 100ft+ on all sides.

Port Denarau

Super Yachts crowding the marina

Nice view from our boat

We docked next to a gorgeous Swan 90 – ALEA

Ex-navy ship – Plan B

Dragonfly

Dorothea III that we first saw at Nuku Hiva, FP.

Last week on the 10nm run to Port Denerau, we lost more than a liter of hydraulic fluid in the stabilizers – definitely a problem. After cleaning up both stabilizer areas – we found a substantial leak in the port side stabilizer. We mentioned our problem to our Kiwi friends (from diving) and they said – just walk up to the hydraulic shop and ask these guys – Fijians are very resourceful.

Sure enough, after asking around, we found the man – Mahesh. He took a look at the problem, with a mirror and flashlight and the blueprint from the Naiad manual – and says it’s the feedback assembly – and he can remove it and replace the seals. After a few hours and some shopping the next day (a Saturday), Mahesh returns to the boat with the assembly rebuilt with new seals – we install it and it works perfectly – no leaks.

Now that we have the Hydraulics-GURU in hand – we decide to have him look at the crane we use to lift the dinghy off the deck. It has been leaking since we left and is getting progressively worse. To make a long story short – Mahesh replaced the seals – no leaks – works perfectly. And yes – the Guru works for 1/4 the hourly rate you’d pay in the US.

Guru

We also found the “Farm Boys” veggie delivery service, where you order your veggies online and they deliver to the boat – fantastic service. Christine was chatting with the owner and mentions – we would love to have the headliner in the boat re-upholstered. He said “I know a guy – he does all the hotels.”

After a review and quote from Parmendra – we took down the headliner panels in the salon, master, and pilothouse. Four days later – it is perfect. When we bought the boat – the headliner was “bubbling” from years in the tropics, and it had only gotten worse on this trip. For 1/4 the quote we had in the US – it’s better than new.

We had the boat detailed – where Api cleaned all the rust off the stainless (10,000 miles of rust) and hand polished the hull.

So we leave Fiji – with Gray Matter in better shape than when we left the Bay Area. Amazing to think after all these miles Gray Matter is better than new.

If all goes well – we will leave for Brisbane Tuesday of this week, and are expecting our KVH satellite system to begin working after the day and a half. Looking forward to arriving Brisbane sometime around September 15.

Many charter/ferry opportunities at Port Denarau

Hard rock cafe – one of the many dining options here

Gray Matter – Ready to go!

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