Dinghy
Errands by dinghy
Convenient but damp
Dinghy
New video: Crazy Sustainability? Old two stroke outboard
We are preparing for a first UK winter living aboard at anchor. Getting ashore has been a concern. Our ePropulsion electric outboard is great in many ways but has limited range & speed plus we probably won't get enough solar power to charge it. So this is a
Dinghy
More fossil fuel compromises (generator & outboard)
As we get closer to living on Vida and our first winter living aboard will be at anchor during a UK winter. The reality of the limitations of solar power generation during a UK winter continues to be a concern. It was always obvious, that without an electric shore power
Dinghy
We made it to Puffin Island
We used the excuse of wanting the mast epoxy primer to full cure before using the filler to go out in the Dinghy again. So a very, very early start (alarms off at 7:30am and straight out as soon as we could to catch the falling tide out to
Dinghy
Foredeck and Forecabin plans update
We have done a lot of thinking about our foredeck (mostly related to anchoring, sail plan and dinghy storage). During one of the lockdowns we did some thinking about how to use the forecabin beyond the anchoring plans in terms of layout. We checked a lot of those measurements when
Dinghy
Dinghy launching wheels
So our dinghy is a Highfield Classic 290, an aluminium (for long life, light weight and fully recyclable) hull with Hypalon Tubes (much longer lasting than PVC, especially in the tropics). Jane has already made a fantastic all over cover for it (when it is stored right way up) and
Dinghy
Opportunity for reflection leading to decisions
So we have a holiday, it being half-term, however, as Manchester is in a tier 3 Lockdown and Wales in a Firebreak, we are at home. It does mean we can take time not just to do jobs and study (including propeller shaft and RYA Yachtmaster course) but also
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Into 2nd wave lockdowns
So a quick update on where we are at. The situation for Manchester is still chaos without agreement between the national and local governments regarding the level of lockdown we should be in. However, we are expecting to be more restricted soon (bearing in mind that Manchester has had it&
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Going 100% electric: the "house"
I recently detailed where we are at with the Electric Motor, now for the domestic "House" side. The House power supply I have started building the battery box which will sit above the motor and motor batteries in the motor compartment. We have 4 x 120AH Lithium (LiFePo4)
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The need for Active Solar power generation
With the our commitment to Zero fossil fuel sailing we have been having to review and update our initial Solar plan. Designing our Solar Arch has been part of that. The traditional "passive" approach to solar is not going to work for us. By that I mean the
Dinghy
Sustainable Sailing and Human Power
I've been quiet on here during the COVID-19 pandemic so far. More urgent priorities and has seemed inappropriate when so many have been dying, ill or struggling in other ways. However, some countries are now starting to move beyond lockdowns and it now seems more appropriate to
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Zero fossil fuel sailing
Goal The goal for the environmental element of Sustainable Sailing has to be a zero use of any fossil fuel, at least for energy when using the boat. I don't think we will be there in terms of all inputs for a long time yet (zero fossil fuel