50:09.245N 005:03.916W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Mon 16 Jul 2012 20:33
|
"Friends on Board"
It is great having friends on board, they suggest
all sorts of modifications! Including Clipper Electronic Compasses!
On arriving in Falmouth we ordered such a gadget. It was considered a good
idea to have one in a more visible central position above the
companionway, than the Plastimo Contest Compass mounted in the starboard
bulkhead, not easily visible with crew sitting in front of the helm on a
port tack, or at an angle to the helm from the starboard
tack. This idea presented us with two problems. Firstly, having
paid a significant next day delivery charge, it did not arrive.
UK Mail deemed it necessary to cancel deliveries to Falmouth on
Saturdays. Luckily the weather has not been favourable to start on our way
and It arrived this morning (Monday); needless to say, a refund was made
for the postage! Secondly, little did our dear friend realise the extent
of fitting such a gadget or did he? The gimbaled sensor needed to be as
low in the boat as possible and far away from the engine! In short
this meant lifting the cabin sole from midships, which meant moving the central
table and running the cable back through the battery box, across the bilges
to the wet locker behind the chart table up into the instrument panel area,
on up into the headlining to reach across to the instrument panel above the
companion way to where the instrument screen is to be located!
After hanging upside in the bilges, threading various bits of string, tied to
hacksaw blades as the only means of poking through a narrow gap, etc.etc.;
dismantling various bits on the way we have managed to get it up to
the headliner. Here we have paused until we reach France and
have a few days wondering what to do with ourselves, then we shall carry on
the routing. I notice that our friend having made the suggestion has long
since jumped ship and gone home! Thanks Mick we promise to have
it working for you by the time you return!
All the other tasks and repairs we had to do
before setting sail again have been done. We have found time
to enjoy Falmouth and were especially delighted that Mark was able
to visit us this evening and enjoy a lovely fish 'n chip supper
with us at the Harbour Lights, before we leave in the morning.
I fear an early 5am cuppa is on the cards as the
ocean beckons! See you on the other side of the
Channel!
Photo: Chaos
Below!
|
