First up on the list - fit the Aries self steering. As with anything, the install didn't quite go to plan but it's now attached and ready for use. We're not sure whether to ditch the davits or just keep them there in case; a decision for winter really.
Next up, the external helm. All fitted and ready for the cable install beneath the aft cabin floor. We also fitted the aft winches so once the steering wheel arrives from NY, we are almost ready to go.
Sunday brought about another boat jumble - who doesn't love looking for bits? Our requirements list was pretty small and after a few laps, I was getting worried we wouldn't find a wheel drum for the Aries. Someone had tried to sell me one on ebay a few months back for £300 but lo and behold, after much walking around, someone put one on their stand and we managed to snap it up for £100. I wasn't even going to haggle on the price.... Anyway, we also bought three dorade vents (£25), two trolling rods (£60) another tether (£5), super comfortable reclining seats (£20 pair), morse controls for the aft deck (£80), and waaaaay too many sugar donuts.
Yesterday (Monday) was terrible with rain and 40kt winds - a perfect day to hide in a cupboard, installing the watermaker. I've put a pretty big dent in it so far, just need another miserable day to do the final connections.
What else... we also fitted a replacement solar regulator (still not getting much charge out of them though) and starting making the stand-offs for our SSB aerial. Our propane locker now holds 3 x 4kg bottles which should see us through 1/3 of a year in one hit, and the aft lockers survived their dreary day - always a good sign.
Depending on the weather this week, we're hoping to get a few more internal jobs done and the dorade vents fitted - more to follow.
So, would you do it all again?
ReplyDeleteStuart
Nice work....but I'm wrestling with 4kg bottles lasting that long. We're getting just over 4 weeks on a 20lb bottle, and heard that number from others too....
ReplyDeleteHey Stuart,
ReplyDeleteMaybe.... but I'd be much more picky about the boat type / shape first and the condition that it was in.
n
Thanks for the real-world feedback Norm. We used to get 4 weeks from our 10lb bottles so I figure similar for the 4kg bottles. To be honest, I'd have much preferred to have fitted 15kg bottles but a.) space didn't allow and b.) lugging one of them to the gas refill truck is a PITA. I guess it all depends on usage (what's being cooked and where you're at...)
ReplyDelete