Electric
On Friday, while preparing to fit the backing plate in the cockpit locker we decided to remove the drive unit for the original Neco autopilot. This is a beefy electric motor that uses a chain drive onto one of the shafts of the Whitlock steering system. From all we can
Electric
Now that we are definitely going 48 volt for all our battery banks we are selling our 2 new and unused 12 volt Victron Inverters. Here is the eBay link (for the 1st, selling them 1 at a time). Details of these at the Victron website
Environmental
Today Jane did a great job with epoxy fillets and epoxy coating the mizzen supports in the aft cabin. Sorry no pictures. Meanwhile, I built a poop box 😁 I haven't finished the lid. The box fits directly onto the Natures Head composting toilet base. So you can tie
Progress
Today we created the port side forward chainplate backing plate (what a mouthful) and cleared the space for it (cutting a gap in the bulkhead between the aft heads and cockpit locker; also cutting and grinding some old fibreglass for things that are no longer there like the old heater
Progress
This is so brilliant! Now Jane "just" has to glue some of parts together, cover with wadding and stockinette, and make the new cover. The size is great, a big improvement as is the access via the step and seat (which still needs a cushion & backrest). Going
Progress
We have dry fitted the chainplate backing plate for the starboard forward mizzen stay. We measured the deck thickness at the old diesel fuel filler at 20mm. With this backing plate of 9mm immensely dense, stiff and strong FR4 board it makes me feel that having an additional 2 layers
Progress
We now have a (temporary) step to get onto the seat and from there onto the new aft double bed. At the moment it is an experiment to check the height and size (particularly to see if we bang our shins on it or step up too high and hit
Progress
Today we have been continuing the work on the aft cabin. Jane did a whole lot of sanding under the bed. She also fitted some more insulation to the sides. Together we glued the rubber seal into the aft cabin hatch because it kept dropping out. I was working on
Safety
The UK Home Secretary, Priti Patel, is introducing new dangers for anyone sailing in UK waters. The new "Nationality and Borders" legislation has publicly attracted concerns that the RNLI might be prosecuted for rescuing asylum seekers. The key is this There is a detailed article on iNews: Priti
Progress
Well here I am looking at the aft cabin cushions again, wondering where to start on re-configuring them for our new cabin arrangement (see Aft Cabin new bed is usable). The original cushions were the first cushions and covers I had ever made, with a new scarily industrial sewing machine
Motor
We haven't gone to the boat this week. Jane had to work today (Covid cover) and I've got work tomorrow. However, I have been able to complete the repair of my pillar drill (satisfaction of mending tools). Having done the repair I went straight on to
Generation
On Saturday we managed a few jobs that are about as low as we can get. Water getting low in the wrong places During the heavy rain on Friday we discovered a key source of the water in the (very deep) bilge at the aft end of the keel. I&
