Tomorrow we’ll head home from our first shake down cruise of the year. We’ve spent three days in Glenthorne Pass, an hour away from our slip in Otter bay.
The dashed line is our path.
This trip has accomplished many things. Foremost, we motored for an hour, at cruising speed, allowing a solid test of the engine. It worked perfectly, but it will take me a long time to stop worrying about the now fixed cooling system.
While here I’ve added the second fan to our kitchen porthole vent system. This helps to control the humidity in the boat. We found it also helps to leave them on all night. These are very quiet computer fans, drawing little power.
While here I’ve added the second fan to our kitchen porthole vent system. This helps to control the humidity in the boat. We found it also helps to leave them on all night. These are very quiet computer fans, drawing little power.
Very quiet fans.
Testing our new custom sun shade. Way to go Sarah! Our new box fan came in Monday, and we were able to pick it up before we left. This looks like any other box fan, but it’s smaller and runs on 12 volts. It will be a lifesaver during the hot summer months. I have an outlet to install in the bedroom so we can bring in cool air through the forward hatch.
The relatively new iPad mount for the helm station just wasn’t cutting it. It was so articulated that the vibration and motion of the boat under way caused things to move. I found a fix, and after a bit of drilling and simplifying, it now holds steady. (I won’t be able to return it.)
One thing I looked forward to testing was the output of the solar power system. The sun is getting higher in the sky each day, but nothing like in the Sumer. Would the March sun provide enough power to keep everything running? It’s been cloudless these three days, but cold at night, so we’ve used the heater to stay warm and it’s a power hungry device. Luckily, I found the solar output has been strong enough (and long enough) to charge the batteries before sunset every day.
There are other systems, little used during the winter, that we were able to check for operation, like the VHF radio, auto-pilot, instruments and anchor light. Everything is working well. Although more shake down trips are in order, I’m thinking we’ll now find any and every excuse to get off the dock.
Warmer weather, a boat to sail, and someone to share it with.
Wouldn’t you?
The relatively new iPad mount for the helm station just wasn’t cutting it. It was so articulated that the vibration and motion of the boat under way caused things to move. I found a fix, and after a bit of drilling and simplifying, it now holds steady. (I won’t be able to return it.)
One thing I looked forward to testing was the output of the solar power system. The sun is getting higher in the sky each day, but nothing like in the Sumer. Would the March sun provide enough power to keep everything running? It’s been cloudless these three days, but cold at night, so we’ve used the heater to stay warm and it’s a power hungry device. Luckily, I found the solar output has been strong enough (and long enough) to charge the batteries before sunset every day.
There are other systems, little used during the winter, that we were able to check for operation, like the VHF radio, auto-pilot, instruments and anchor light. Everything is working well. Although more shake down trips are in order, I’m thinking we’ll now find any and every excuse to get off the dock.
Warmer weather, a boat to sail, and someone to share it with.
Wouldn’t you?
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