Preparations update
Heads
Heads
Replaced the plunger mechanisms and valves on both heads with the new locking style. Yucky job.
AIS
The AIS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Identification_System) receiver is working. Now we can see (and avoid) the big ships, their course, speed, name right on the computer. Cool.
The AIS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Identification_System) receiver is working. Now we can see (and avoid) the big ships, their course, speed, name right on the computer. Cool.
Rigging
Checked all of the rigging and installed several new sheets and halyards (ropes for the landlubbers).
Took the main sail and lazy jack cover off and brought it to the sailmaker for repairs. We'll put that back on this afternoon.
Charts
We now have GPS and paper charts for the entire eastern seaboard. There are three separate GPS systems, the "built-in" chart plotter at the helm (RayMarine RL70C Plus), the laptop running Cap'n software and my iPhone running Navionics charts. Amazingly the iPhone is the easiest of the three to use. Each system is also running a completely different set of charts.
Navigating
We're not totally relying on the GPS though. We'll be recording our position in the log book at the start of the each watch and we plot our course on paper charts as well. We also have four compasses on board, two built-in and two hand-held, plus my iPhone even has one.
Safety
The satellite phone is onboard and working properly. It's pretty cool. In addition to normal voice calls I can sent text messages to both cell phones and email addresses as well as recieve text messages. A nice feature is that receiving text messages is free. Using this feature I'll be able to get (brief) weather updates at sea.
The running lights have been checked and replaced where necessary and spares are on board. The safety equipment has been checked and updated where necessary.
Flag
A small victory today was installing the new flag pole and flag.
Eric
We now have GPS and paper charts for the entire eastern seaboard. There are three separate GPS systems, the "built-in" chart plotter at the helm (RayMarine RL70C Plus), the laptop running Cap'n software and my iPhone running Navionics charts. Amazingly the iPhone is the easiest of the three to use. Each system is also running a completely different set of charts.
Navigating
We're not totally relying on the GPS though. We'll be recording our position in the log book at the start of the each watch and we plot our course on paper charts as well. We also have four compasses on board, two built-in and two hand-held, plus my iPhone even has one.
Safety
The satellite phone is onboard and working properly. It's pretty cool. In addition to normal voice calls I can sent text messages to both cell phones and email addresses as well as recieve text messages. A nice feature is that receiving text messages is free. Using this feature I'll be able to get (brief) weather updates at sea.
The running lights have been checked and replaced where necessary and spares are on board. The safety equipment has been checked and updated where necessary.
Flag
A small victory today was installing the new flag pole and flag.
Eric
1 comment:
Eric,
I also did the head "upgrade" on my SO 40.3. For me, it turned out it was cheaper to buy a new head and cannabalize it for the new pump than to get just the pump.
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