For those who are interested in the never ending process of keeping the show going:

1                     Satellite connection

Fixed with direction from IT-@-Sea for which many thanks.

2                     Engine Service – AKA Wayne’s Wanton Wangles

Did I hear anyone laugh when I said: It can’t be more than $1,000 can it?  …..and that I thought the parts were already bought at “over $800”? 

Enough said – save to say that one further part required (one of several) was a drive belt. That individual item alone was $560. 

Oohhh! The more I think about it, the more I should have been a mechanic!

3                     Service Alternator

One thing Wayne did was to replace the service alternator with the brand new one I had shipped from the UK. He freely admits that his knowledge of things ‘’leccy’ ended when he confirmed that the red light went out when the engine started. The problem is that even with the light having gone out the batteries were not charging.  At Wayne’s suggestion, an ‘Auto Leccy’  attended the boat who spent a long time trying to convince me he knew which way was up.  

The upshot is that me having been told that the alternator and regulator were integral – it matters not by who - it transpired that they are not because the Auto Leccy isolated an independent regulator and condemned it (on the - rather tenuous in my view -  basis that it was rather hot given the circuit wasn’t charging and  there was nothing else in the circuit that could be causing the problem! Hmmmm).

Fortunately,  Peter wings his way out next week. Hopefully the new Regulator he brings will survive customs … and hopefully tha will draw this particular sags to a close. Watch this space.

4                     Chart Plotter – AKA  Ray’s Recent Relapse

Another hissy fit and another card munched by the plotter.  Conflicting advice from Raymarine dealer in Australia and the people I trust in the UK. The upshot is that it needs to be bench tested by Raymarine. Am hoping I can get the UK people to do it in a 12 day window in August – otherwise it is going to have to go to them in Australia.

I really should be ambivalent – it’s Raymarine people in both places -  but if I give it to them in Australia I risk losing control of it for weeks…….  Fingers crossed…..

……..and finally:

5                     Mobile Phone/3G data/Wifi  Coverage

In Australia … is rubbish, around the coast at least!