The Sail Making Box

We've had the sail making box to carry out some minor repairs.

Just replacing some press studs on the halyard bags..

We've been on a journey

Twilight in Pwllheli

The marina descends in to darkness...

.. and our berth is cloaked in night.

Life raft !

Ladies and gentlemen, bravo to "Waypoint" who just returned our life raft after a three year service, all done and returned in a little over a week. For those of you who are interested, a key part of the service is to replace the items which go out of date - such as the pyrotechnics.
The internal light was replaced as part of the service, as it was going out of date. One rarely gets the opportunity to see this type of thing outside of a crises situation, so perhaps never. and is shown below for information:

We did extensive research before choosing the Waypoint raft, and in the end the choice was based on the the combination of confidence in the design, confidence in manufacturing quality control and someone working the boat show stand who new the detial of the product quite thoroughly, but it's by no means the cheapest. That's obviously not to say that other liferafts are not any good, but that this is the one we chose to bet on, if we had to in a crises. I've become accsutomed to breathing air not water, how about you ?

The sea-cocks shot

Every year, before she goes back in the water, the seacocks are inspected and serviced - usually just by re-greasing the cones and tightening to suit. The last day or so before re-launching are alway a bit frenetic, so to re-assure myself that the jobs has been done - and that all the valves are back together and closed (as they should be when not in use and on the water) I take photos of each one.

Some our sea-cocks

Metal seacocks can suffer from dezincification, when the zine in brass is lost to electrolytic action in the same way as a sacrifical anode, which makes material brittle. Its good practice to check every year for the distinctive pink colour which indicates this process and replace if it is eveident.

Spring in the air

Its dark outside, is cold and has been overcast and showerign all day, but in the distance the oystercatchers are calling to each other again. It spring and a new season is about to start...

Sad news

It was saddening today to learn, rather belatedly, of the passing of Ron Robinson a few months ago.
He had carried out work for me in repairing a good quality Kelvin Hughes sextant which had been vandalised by a postal courier and I later had no hesitation in asking for his assistance in getting the Sestral steering compass on Annabella back to working order. It is still the best compass on board.
I found him not to be an easy man to get to know although we only had brief dealings, but I think once he was confident that one wasn't a complete waste of time, he softened almost imperceptably
and there was trace of a sense of dry humour. Perhaps it was just me.

Another sextant by the way

"Robinson" was able to draw upon a wealth of expereince and knowledge in a field which is becoming incresingly arcane, and I really now do not know upon whom to call.
Life was much richer for knowing him, even briefly.

... In the boatyard

It about 1850 and dark outside. The wind has picked up, which is driving the wind generator and charging the batteries, it s a bit noisy but at least I can use the cabin lights without worrying. It's very cold, and I may go bed soon, just to be somewhere warm.

New year, new season, new plan

With the turn of the year its also time to start planning for the new season.

This season we're hoping our long cruise will be to meet up with one of the first mate's friends who lives in the Scillies. Time to start planning the trip now!

More top kit:

I'm really quite impressed by the arrival of a new hands free vhf which arrived during the festive season.

As far as I can see it incorporates two ideas whose time has come:
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Firstly: handheld VHFs are devilled by not being charged sufficiently or completely flat just when they're required - which is often an emergency. The distinguishing feature of this kit is USB charging - which means it can be charged in the car, in the boat if you have USB charging (  :-) like we do) from a 12v / cigarette lighter, from a pocket phone charger or just about any where on land.
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Secondly: A soft aerial which substantially reduces the risk of "antenna ear / eye syndrome"  which is guaranteed to make any emergency worse.

It also does all the usual stuff and does not have DSC incorporated - which I see as an advantage.
I will carry out a radio check with the marina office next time I'm at the boat to see how that works.

Thanks to the First Mate and Mrs Clause - just to say, this post is not sponserd by Standard Horizon or anyone else.