Monthly Archives: April 2017

Always the odd little snag of course, but I seem to constantly under estimate the time it will take to do something.

So we’ve had to delay the launch a couple of weeks to get all the essentials finished.

Now due to go ‘splash’ on the Thursday 11th May, it’s still the earliest launch date since we bought Capella.

After the terrible season last year we’re hoping for a much better on this time. Now I don’t have to spend so much time anti-fouling I can start shortening the list of outstanding jobs.

Top priority for this is a major overhaul of the electrics including:

• Master Battery switch: The old one was too large, too hard to turn, and it’s location meant that you couldn’t easily see what position it was. The new one is small enough to be located by the steps so it’s now obvious if it’s left on and easy to use.
• Cabin lighting: The old lights were 30year old Hella with 10w incandescent bulbs and most are suffering with corrosion. The new ones are moisture sealed LED and use only 25% of the power.
• Electric Bilge Pump: now properly wired up to the switch panel and a non-return valve fitted.
• Separate Steaming and Deck light switching: Previously this was both or nothing, a new 3 with cable in the mast means they can be now be individually switched.
• Volt meter to judge the condition of the each battery and the alternator, with new momentary switch so not to waste the stored power.
• USB charging socket: Phone charging is important, if only for the AIS app.
• 12v socket: Re-positioned to make it easier to connect the dinghy inflator.
• Switch panel illumination: A red led courtesy lamp switch with the navigation lights so you can see what the labels say in the dark
• GPS sensor connected to the VHF. If we have to call for help, they will know exactly where we are
• Tidying up the wiring: Multiple owners means multiple ways of running the wiring with multiple wiring scraps joined together in places. I’m changing this to one way of doing things with as few joins as possible (my PO Telecoms apprentice training comes in handy). This include moving wires away from the engine flywheel as the is some evidence of chafe – a big bang waiting to happen.

Other upgrades and repairs:

• Soundproofing to the engine bay: 2 sheets of Slimslab 23. We maybe able to talk when the engine is running
• A new topping lift rope (nearly forgot this when preparing the mast to be raised).
• Repaired sail-cover zip. The stitching keeps parting so it’s getting time for a new one