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Thursday, March 29, 2012

The baby stay is all sorted.
Wired in the AIS transponder. Connected the Laptop PC programmed the transponder with Calviere Two's details. The PC get AIS and position information which is displayed on the navigation software. The GPS plotter receives the  AIS information from the transponder, and the VHF receives position information for the DSC from the plotter and it is all working correctly!
I polished the hull and it is looking good.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Nigel has loaned me his folding bicycle, but there is a problem with the hub gears. I left the bike at the the cycle repair shop, so they can take a look. I hope I can find room on Calviere Two to store the bike as it will be useful. I fitted the toggles in the lower shrouds and as it was a beautiful still day, I fitted both sails. The babystay needs a new bottlescrew as I stripped the thread. Filled the tank with water. The headlining in the forecabin had dropped again, the double sided tape hadn't stuck to the foam back on the headlining.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Pottering

Fitted the AIS Transponder, but it still needs to be wired in, and programmed.
Checked the batteries, OK.
Checked the engine inlet cock - ok.
Greased the heads cocks.
Teak Oil on all the external woodwork.
Did a small bit of trying to tidy up the head lining, using strong double sided tape. Gravity is still winning.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Mast Up

Peter H joined me for the day and together with Rod we stepped the mast. After an enjoyable lunch with Chrissy, Dorril & Julie we returned and fitted the AIS Transponder aerial. This required Peter H to disappear deep down into the cockpit locker.
We also fitted the shaft anode, boom and the running rigging.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Kent Boat Jumble

During the week, my dad helped me drill out and re-tap the forestay. All is well now, except the weather, as the winds are too high for the crane.
I was missing a locking nut for the rigging, and they are a strange thread. I rang Craig, http://www.sailingschoolandrigging.com/, he had one and he was coming down to Kent for the Kent Boat Jumble, so I arranged to meet him there. If you are in the market for rigging, do contact Craig, as he is an extremely helpful guy, and his prices are very reasonable.
Naturally, I didn't just collect a locking nut at the Boat Jumble. It was surprisingly good, and the weather was very pleasant which helps. Many years ago I attended a Boat Jumble in Chatham Dockyard. It was was long trek from the car park, it was cold and damp, and the indoor stands were all dark and uninviting,  so I had never returned, although I did buy a boarding ladder for 'Reflection'.
The Boat Jumble at Kent Show Ground, Detling was nicely laid out, and fairly busy with lots of stands, indoors and outdoors. I did find a new steaming light and a mount for the AIS transmitter aerial at reasonable prices.
At Otterham Quay, I fitted the new steaming light, the old one had a very crazed lens, and did the anti-fouling. Blue paint in the hair!
The crane is now booked for Tuesday, and Pete H will be giving me a hand.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Think again

The mast didn't go up. Rod was ready with the crane, the new rigging all slotted in nicely where it should, except the forestay. I couldn't thread thread it down through the roller reefing foil, and I couldn't get the sections apart. I'm going to return today, with a heat gun to see if that can help shift the set screws and, if not, a drill to drill them out.
My warrant from the CA to fly a defaced blue ensign and the flag arrived.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Lots of Miles in the Car

Yesterday was a busy day. Firstly took the freshly galvanised anchor chain back to the boat. I saw Rod and we agreed to restep the mast today.
I then had a telephone call to say that a second tin of antifoul was in at Sittingbourne. (The first tin had opened in the box, so I didn't accept it). 
I went from Sittingbourne to Strood and collected the outboard motor after it had been serviced. It also had a new fuel cap fitted as it had previously leaked from the breather.
Then in the late afternoon I drove to Brentwood to meet Craig the rigger. All rigging looking good, although I may have a problem fitting the ebay furling drum etc which is slightly larger then the old, and has a larger hole for the pin to the stemhead toggle. As I have the inner forestay that won't stop the mast going back up.