THIS AND THAT
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Tue 15 Apr 2008 21:56
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Over the past 3
days I've made some reasonable progress in various areas. Forepeak
now re-stowed and ready for whatever the elements throw at us. I was doing
the same for the aft cabin yesterday morning, but got distracted by the smell of
diesel fuel. It transpired that the pump that supplies the heater was
leaking (it has been pretty cold, so had the heater on for a couple of hours in
the morning). Really difficutl to get at, but I eventually extracted
it, and isolated the fuel lines - took all morning! Think it's what's
known as 'emergent work'! Have found a man in Newport RI who is tracking
down a new one for me (made in Sweden!). So currently without a heater, but
think I'll survive - although the past 2 mornings have been around 7 deg
C. Need to get it fixed before Sarah arrives..........
Then in the
afternoon decided to tackle the main halyard splice (which was showing signs of
wear, and we don't want it dropping the main in the middle of the night in a
Force XX do we) - mistake! After about 5 hours attempting to splice the
double braid, using some good instructions taken from the internet, I had to
admit defeat - simply could not work the braid up the core. I will
probably unreeve the halyard, and take it to a friendly rigger in West
River.
The
Duogen is now ready for water deployment; the final Dutchman tweaks completed;
cocpit control lines labeled (they already were when 'locked' but not on the
underside when in 'open' setting); Sirius satellite radio commissioned (elusive
wiring snag). May not sound much, but all very time consuming. And
Kevin turned up to put the missing 'q' back in the name on the transom - some
boats going past had looked a bit mistified at the name as it stood - "A
uila". Told enquirers that a uila was a very fierce kind
of mammal only found in Dorset.......
Tomorrow is compass swinging day...........think there's enough water to get
out, but this constant north wind will make it a bit
tight.........
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