Vigo

Since we weren't able to fabricate our missing outboard motor parts with the Kolibri, we took a ferry across the ria to look for them in Vigo. We also needed some other spare parts for the Nimrod. We arrived around 10:15 in Vigo and it took us a good half hour to get to the Yamaha dealer. At first we stood in front of a locked door, but fortunately this turned out to be some sort of garage. Thus before losing all hope of being able to use the outboard motor again any time soon, we walked a bit further and found our heroes. Lucky bastards we are, they had two of the teeny tiny springs and the last plastic thinghy we also needed. We were so happy!

On our walk back we did some shopping for me. Bart told me I should treat myself to some nice and good bikinis because I normally just get whatever I can find as cheap as possible 😬 It took us a couple of stores but eventually we found some very good ones!

Afterwards we continued our search for spare parts for the Nimrod. We needed some parts for our toiler, a relay for our windlass (anker lier) and a piece of aluminium but rather a replacement for a part that connects our beam to our topping lift (kraanlijn). We had two options for a boat shop. One 30 minutes away and another an hour away. We decided to first try our luck the on closer to us. Of course, we arrived some time during siesta. We did however walk by the shipyard of Vigo. Therefore, we past all types of mechanics and handy men along the way to the boat shops. In broken Spanish and a bit of English we were sent from one to another, to another, to another for either the aluminium replacement or a piece of aluminium. In the end we found out we had to try our luck at Emega.

On our way to Emega and at some point the boat shop farther away, Bart saw a potential replacement part hanging in the shop window. We walked in, but nobody answered our entrance or call. So we continued our march. When we finally made it to the boat shop, it was still closed, but it should open in two minutes. Knowing the Spaniards we decided to take a little stroll through the old part of town just around the corner. When we returned the shop was open! Even better, they somehow had the relay for the windlass! They tried to help us with the aluminium piece as well, but that turned out to be too tricky.

Pretty satisfied we started our journey back. We hadn't found Emega on our way to the shop, but I think just after taking some pictures of the big shipyards I said "Hey Emega"! We rang the bell and a very friendly man let us in. Again in broken English and Spanish and some drawing we were able to explain what we needed. It was going to be quite difficult for them to make the part, without having the original there. We then asked him if we could just have some aluminium to try to make it ourselves. Of course he said and he took us into his workshop, if was very impressive. They truly are experienced craftsmen. We found a piece of aluminium that pretty well seemed to fit our needs. Our new friends must have enjoyed our enthusiasm to try and make the part ourselves, because he let us leave with the aluminium without asking anything for it. So kind.

Things got even better when we passed the shop window with the part again and this time we saw some people inside. The elderly man didn't speak English but probably his son did. And together we were able to get the part that seems to fit our beam pretty well! He was even able to drill a whole in it for us, which saves us a bunch of work! Our trip to Vigo turned out to be quite succesful! Except for missing the ferry about 3 ferries later than we anticipated ahead and having to wait another hour before we could return to Moaña. But oh well, we are absolutely not in a rush!Read more