Keeping in touch.....
The Plan & Reality.....
The Plan - Simple - Always remembering that plans are made in the sand at low tide.......
The Reality - Not so simple.....
1. Downsize our apartment, buy a smaller one and sell our boat Beguiler to raise funds for a suitable live aboard yacht. All Done. Spend a couple of years getting to know the yacht All Done although the couple of years has developed into 6 to date. Add any gear and upgrades needed and sail off for a couple of years on the West coast of Scotland and the canals & loch's through to the East coast.
2. Additions, updates and repairs, etc before the start:
Wind generator added - Marlec Rutland 914i + HRDI charge controller - first one burnt out in strong winds, replacement noisey and only putting out 4 volts max so now removed to sell for parts, etc. - NOT HAPPY AT ALL
Added twin tub washer / drier for the smalls, etc. - One Concept DB003 mini with 2kg spin
En-suite electric WC which kept blocking replaced together with all pipework. Aft WC electric macerator / pump replaced by manual twist n' lock hand pump set for resilience when power fails, also a lot quieter - Jabsco
Added 25kg Lewmar Delta anchor with 40m x 10mm chain (extended to 55m March 23 and SS swivel added) spliced onto 40m Anchorplat warp to supplement the original 20kg Brittany type anchor with its 30m x 10mm chain spliced onto 30m warp. 16kg CQR with 20m x 10mm chain & 50m warp added - Mar. 23 (you can never have enough!!!). Looking to add a fisherman's anchor also for rocky or heavily weeded bottoms. WIP
Replaced the distressed teak panels on cockpit seating and bathing platform and also added to cockpit sole with synthetic low maintenance teak look alike alternative - Sea-Dek.
Added dodgers to guardrails around cockpit to give more protection and privacy - Tecsew. Replaced spray hood and added full cockpit tent enclosure - Advantage Sails
Replaced Genoa with a new hybrid bi-radial version and in mast furling main sail with a new Furl Max Plus vertically battened Vektran hybrid sailcloth version with full height vertical Kevlar rod battens - both made to order by Crusader Sails. The new Genoa is much reduced from the original 140% to a more easily managed and much more efficient 110% - we miss the old one in winds below 10 knots but its for the best!
Replaced & up-sized Stainless Steel/PVC coated guard wires, etc. - made to order by Jimmy Green Marine
Added 4 X 50 watt Solar Panels & charge controller to supplement Wind Charger. March 22- Sailfish Marine - great addition but starting to degrade badly after only 2-1/2 years with water ingress and delamination, still putting out the power though but just not enough now.
Added Isotherm fridge kit to cool box to give added cold storage Dec. 23. Added Galvanic Isolator to protect from stray earth currents etc. Dec. 23.
Added Blue Performance lee cloth to saloon berth for night passages and to free up space in starboard aft cabin when needed for visitors, etc.
Replaced all standing rigging, Genoa sheets, spinnaker/head sail/main halyards, topping lift and other running rigging, lower rudder sleeve bearing and prop shaft cutlass bearing, Life raft serviced (twice) but in March 23 it had reached the end of its life and had to be replaced with new 6 man raft, Life Rings & lights replaced, pressurized water system pump replaced, electronic flares added, masthead lights, steaming and deck light replaced with LED's, VHF aerial/Furlex replaced, Red LED lighting added over galley area & aft WC (for night vision), added standalone battery with 12v to 12v charger for anchor windlass which was also replaced with a Lofrans Kobra unit as the original finally died, numerous other items....
Added - 4/5G Internet Router & MiMo Antenna Pro Package purchased from WiFionBoard to allow us to maintain communications in remoter areas and faster data up/downloads everywhere. A month on from completing the installation with its antennae mounted on what was previously our wind turbine mast, is performing very well so far and providing good reception with the SMARTY 4/5G Data only SIM card on a monthly unlimited contract. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
For the eventual Scotland West Coast Trip - replace Chart Plotter/GPS/Radar with latest technology and A.I.S. (electronic charts no longer available for now redundant Raymarine kit) - WIP
4. Rent out the apartment to get an income from it to cover its ongoing costs. - WIP
5. Sail off around Britain for a couple of years (OK, cheating a little by going through Caledonian Canal / Loch Ness), taking our time to enjoy it all and get back home safely. - Very loosely planning for this but for now concentrating on our South Coast Cruise this year - 2024.
Chas - A big step forward when at end of April 2021 I finally retired from continuous full time employment that began in January 1972 - nearly 50 years earlier. Now every day is a Sunday.👍
6. Health, and other matters permitting , decide on Phase 2.
We have to get Phase 1 completed before we even think about it. 😎