Progress
Today we drilled 8 holes 44mm in diameter through the deck (and in 4 cases on through the plywood backing sheet). Where we already have a 9.5mm FR4 backing plate we didn't go through that. It was all going very slowly with a cheap hole saw unil
Progress
To celebrate our 33rd Wedding Anniversary we have fitted the chainplate backing plates in the lazarette for the mizzen running backstays. These were the least accessible, so it is good to have got them done. They are temporarily held in place, while the thickened epoxy sets, with the old chainplate
Plans
Yesterday evening I updated the template for our extension to the existing bow roller. It doesn't look quite so massive now. It has holes in the right places for attaching the forestay, yankee furler, anchor rollers and anchor retainers. The anchor retainers will be adjustable plates bolted to
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
