I have recently started a new project which is to install a shore power supply this will be useful for a number of reasons, the main one is to keep the batteries fully charged in the winter especially when using the heater which I have not got round to yet. I started by installing the connection for the incoming supply in the forward cockpit bulkhead, I used a previous opening which housed the defunct Stowe echo sounder, wherever possible I try to to reuse openings I have an aversion to cutting unnecessary holes in the boat.
Friday 12 August 2022
Shore supply
Friday 6 May 2022
New mainsail
The existing mainsail suffered some damage during storm Eunice this year, my fault as I had not taken the sails off for the winter as I normally do, I had removed the spray hood. The damage was not serious some stitching had come undone on the leech but as the sail was old possibly as old as the boat I decided to replace it, two years ago the local sailmaker said it was on its last legs something like if you get another season out of it you will be lucky. I did a temporary repair to the old sail with some sail repair tape and ordered a new sail from Crusader Sails also a stack pack. The aim was to convert to slab reefing from the old roller reefing so I also ordered a new Barton 32mm slab reefing kit
Friday 25 February 2022
Further thoughts on the heater
I have been looking into possibly installing the diesel heater in the steering gear space utilising CAD, that is cardboard aided design. I mocked up a bracket with the idea of glassing it to the inside of the transom. this will give a vertical surface to take the heater mounting bracket.
Friday 28 January 2022
Door frames finished this week
I finally wrapped up the door frames this week by completing the aft door. After completing the forward door frame I made up the final piece of the liner for the opening I had to glue two pieces together to get the right size it was then glued and screwed into place and then I cut two pieces of laminate for the infill on each side of the door. I already had the rest of the parts of the door frame made up so it was just a matter of securing them and plugging the screw holes, sanding all over and then applying two coats of Colron deep mahogany wood dye. Once the dye had fully dried it was just a matter of applying three coats of varnish and the job is done.