Finished up about 4am, ran the electrical loom, neatly secured out of the road. The navigation lights in and working.
Port side windows in and water tight.
Bought a solar shed light from Bunnings (should know better) $15, first draw back the rechargeable batteries are N-Cd, but the real kick in the cods is the solar panels not water proof. (groan)

If you are in Bunnings check out the Ryobi +One range of battery tools.

The starting price is $199 which gets you an 18 volt driver/drill, a 4AH and a 1.5AH batteries and a 240V charger.

They also sell a 12V charger but don't ask me how it can charge at 18V.

The range of "skins" (other tools) that can be added to your kit is amazing and includes two different SPOT lights, not just torches like the other brands.

I believe the range is exclusive to Bunnings and carries a 2 year replacement warranty. Oh, they ARE lithium batteries too.

Most of the "skins" that can be added are under $100. It is the rare earth in the batteries that costs the bucks.

Posted in the wrong spot
Regards Don

Last week wifey and I turned the mould-ridden cave into the Reflective Boudoir of Delight. New foam arriving tomorrow, new covers (trying to locate Sydney sweat shop or will DIY), a couple of cable raceways and ... Boo-yah! Back to sleeping aboard.

Norglass Weatherfast Premium Enamel

Did you do a big time operation desert storm on the mildew infidels? Or just kinda do a quick bleach n paint?

Wow dr.rog, great job! I like the norglass products, used them on my boat. Did you spray or roll and tip?

Last coat on the deck tonight, rub rails needs a second strip and sand. Looked in the box containing all those fiddly bits that need a polish, paint, repair or replace. NOW its starting to get exciting. There's a light at the end of the shed. (and its not a dodgy fluoro)

Nothing today. Tomorrow I am going for a sail, even if there is no wind.
If anybody is available to join me send me a note.

This morning I met up with the RMS and The Mooring Contractor and got allocated a new mooring site on the northern side ( opp Wally'S Ramp and on the border between Dolans Bay and Burraneer Bay. Looks like a top spot. Then the dog and I took the tender out in the river and just wandered around.

Great Day

Also for the first time , launched the tender out of the van, no worries but getting it back in was a bit of an effort. At least now I know it is doable.

Fixed it for ya.

cisco said..

Get Irfan Viewer, fee download. Will open and edit just about any graphics file.

+1 Irfanview

Morningbird,

6.5 knots...... Are you on 100 octane or what ?

Nice work sctcp
I preface the following by saying as i sail mainly solo i use my st1000 all the time i am sailing apart from close manouvering in marinas etc . I consider it a great tool and irreplacable however.
My experiences with these raymarine autohelms is they have two major weaknesses
The first is the st1000 working downwind on a yawing heavy helm have a tendency to strip the "nylon gears" have seen this happen to 2 near new units on friends boats
The second observation is that if they are working with regular long movements of the rod in wet conditions such as spray or rain the end seal allows moisture to be taken inside the housing . That is ok until the unit is turned upside down at which point if enough water has accumulated in the bowl under the compass when upturned it gets on both the cuircuit boards and the compass windings which results in some serious problems requiring the dismantling of the unit.
Its not difficult to dismantle the st 1000 i have but be very careful with the display setup as it is held in place by a very fragile clip and the "zebra" connector is easily disturbed .....dont ask how i know!!!!
The lessons i have learned is beware heavy helms , make cover to protect from water getting on rod , when hadleing and storing the unit always keep it in the upright position , dont turn it upside down and finally dont be frieghtened to open it up if necessary if you are reasonable competent , i have kept mine going over the last 7 years after some challenging problems
Next time i buy one it will be the st2000 and i will follow my instructions from the beginning
Link to video of mine operating last friday about 10 - 12 kt beam reach
Close look reveals a plastic cover to keep water off the rod
%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdcTwDFUvmjc%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player#

Boatin, only avgas 115/145 is appropriate, ask Ramona.

6.5 kts isn't unusual in Morning Bird with a clean hull. 12 kts of breeze on a close reach will do it easily. 7.0 kts is not abnormal with 15-20 kts of breeze but anything above that I need a lot of heel, increases the water line length considerably. I have seen over 8.0 kts with a bit of surfing.

A mate of mine owns Huckleberry, a well known WA racing S&S34. He tells me races at over 12 kts spinnaker surfing. Not a lot of control I suspect.