Dyneema rigging
Dyneema shroud progress
Jane has been busy making more of the shrouds for our mizzen. Unfortunately our garden is flooded and been heavy rain all day so it hasn't been practical to use our stretching rig on them.
Latest
Progress
Fitting Aquadrive thrust bulkhead
Today we are filling the gap between the original engine bearers and the new thrust bulkhead that the Aquadrive will be fitted to. We have got the thrust bulkhead tilted and angled correctly for the propeller shaft to be centered in the stern tube and for the propeller shaft to
Plans
Half term arrival and plans
Quite a slow journey to Vida today for half term. We called in at Abakhan Fabrics and got some fleece material (bought by the kilo) for Oodie style winter lounging outfits for when we are still keeping the heating off. The journey suddenly slowed as we got to Bangor as
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Enjoying a few days off.
The weather has been beautiful for a week. So we have taken 3 days off from boat work. On Friday we collected and tested a new inflatable kayak (with some rigid sections for improved shape and performance). It is an Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite. We can use it as
Dyneema rigging
Bigger than I expected!
Today this has arrived A 5000kg crane scale. Now we can test our rigging by measuring both the input (the tension we apply to the end of the lashing) and the output (how much tension is in the actual shroud or chainplate loop). But I hadn't realised that
Progress
Tools and memories
Today I was building a part for the boat out of Plywood. It brought back lots of good memories. Some of the the tools (2 clamps) I was using I inherited from Dad. They originally came from Pop's building firm in Wolverhampton (Biddulph and Thrift). One (circular saw)
Dyneema rigging
Mizzen supports
I haven't been posting much here as I've mostly been working on our YouTube channel, however, I thought I would show some pictures of the new mizzen mast foot support work. I am also adding some fibreglass tape to increase strength where we have cut away
Electric
Shore Power electrical progress
Feels like solid progress for an all electric boat today 😊 Our shore power is now connected to a waterproof 32 amp Victron socket in the cockpit. From there it goes through a Victron 7000watt Isolation Transformer and then our Victron Multiplus II (combined 5000watt Inverter and 70 amp battery charger)
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Game changing watermaker?
This sounds really amazing for sometime in the future. From MIT News "Researchers build a portable desalination unit that generates clear, clean drinking water without the need for filters or high-pressure pumps." Definitely could be a game changer for our retirement, certainly looks like it might be worth
Progress
New Video
Our 3 month refit rush to the water begins with the original design details that make a full refit of 1977 Rival 38 Centre Cockpit Ketch much easier. We throw in our 3 top tips to make a full refit much faster. Some of the Sailing channels that we have
Plans
Sabbatical day 1: transport
Today I have started a three month sabbatical (a generous gift from the Methodist Church that I work for, they come every seven years). The plan is for me to spend most of the time working on Vida with Jane joining me when she isn't working. If possible
Plans
Lots of updates
Been a bit slow updating the blog, we have several new videos and this evening I have bought a new-to-us mainsail (from a Westerly Fulmar). We will probably have to add a very small extra reef point as the default setting point because it is very slightly too large but