Two more NFM ports installed......

For me this is progress.......



I love these ports......BUT......the instruction SUCK.

Some free advice for NFM and all producers of marine (and all) equipment that has to be installed by an end user;

Rule 1: No one involved in the project is allowed to write the manual (after all you understand the fu$%*ng thing, you designed it).

Rule 2: Carry your project around until someone asks "what is that?" Ideally they should have no previous experience in the area where this item is to be used.

Rule 3: Have them work out how to use the item, with minimal assistance from the designer.

Rule 4: Have them then explain how to assemble/work the item to a person who speaks another language. Have that person write the manual.

Most importantly try to stick to one system of measurement (i.e. imperial OR metric).

Other than that, it was a breeze.

New Found Metals Ports.....

First Port installed;






Very pleased, once I worked through the instructions, installation was a snap. (Post updated with better photos).

The Flu, work and Miami Boat Show....

I look forward to the Miami Boat Show every year. It is quite an impressive collection of boats and boat stuff and you can't beat the location. I can even find some amusement in the power boat section at the Convention center. What I really like are the small producers/exhibitors who produce actual solutions to actual boat problems. Naturally this was the perfect time to come down with the worst bout of flu that I have experienced for many years.

Despite my stuffy head and cough I managed to squander $2K on new ports from New Found Metals and a holding tank monitor from Sailor's Solutions.

New Portlights....

The original portlights on TIH, although serviceable, were showing their age. The lip on the outside also protruded a little too much, IMHO.





They had been manufactured by a company which is now part of Pompanette LLC

Initially I had not planned to undertake this work for another year or so (remember this is a 3 year project, because I'm stuck in Miami for another three years :-(( ). However, after painting the ceiling of the forward heads' I knew it would be wise to change them now (it might have been even wiser to change them before I painted the heads).



And the Miami Boat Show is coming up, so there might be some deals to be had on new portlights. I am looking at the two portlights offered by New Found Metals;

A complete stainless steel model and this one;

It looks very interesting, more research to follow.

I have heard that the S/S model heats up in the sun and heats the airflow into the boat. Any opinion welcome.