Boat work.....

Not much work on TIH at the moment, I'm busy driving a 47ft powerboat (not a bad gig). Took the boat to Fort Lauderdale yesterday for some maintenance. Its always nice to see the big toys in F.L.





I still would prefer to be on the boat pictured below (Whitby42 Zig Zag, anchored off the ICW, looking good).

Storage Plan

I am convinced that, when it comes to neatness, the world is divided into two types of people, Stackers and Spreaders. I am firmly in the spreader camp. Half of my time is spent looking for stuff. The W42 has LOTS of lockers. As I am tied up with other peoples boats at the moment I spent a few moments numbering the locations (using the standard odd numbers on the Stbd. side, even numbers on the Port side) on the attached plan. Time will tell how that works.

Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, Next stop is Vietnam;

Well, I'm actually just back. Amazing two weeks in an amazing country. Go now before there is a Mickey d's on every corner. (Only one KFC in Hanoi, we did not indulge).

Boat is still floating, looks like we might survive hurricane season 2010 (touch wood etc.)

Boat Service Log..........

The holy grail of most Cruiser /Sailors is the complete maintenance logbook, filled with details of all the systems on board, schedules for overhaul etc. etc.. I have been on very few boats who have achieved this holy grail. Most of us have a few binders containing the original manuals, a few hand written notes and the occasional half finished out of date spreadsheet. The PC should be the ideal solution, but to date I have not found any software to FORCE some sort of discipline on me. Enter "Marine Boat Solutions" . I have just bought the software so its early days yet..but it looks promising. The people at this company seem pretty responsive (I have a small delivery hiccup due to an overactive spam filter) and I look forward to future updates. You can check them out on You Tube and hopefully they will have a demo version out soon.

A Ships Logbook would be a nice addition even if it came out as a separate package.

I have no connection with this company etc.

Back from the Chesapeake......

Some great sails on my friends Patrick and Lisa's W42 and an excellent rendezvous with other Whitby/Brewer owners. Lots of ideas and a need to get TIH moving soon...

Cutting holes........

The previous engine control panel was located on the binnacle. I won't have that option. I have spent some time trying to decide where to put the new one. Many boats have the panel low down in the cockpit well. I don't like that for a few reasons (water damage and having to bend down to read etc.).



Nice to cut in and find good adhesion between the outer layer and the balsa core.



Bigger gap between the cabin top and the liner than I expected. Good for running lighting electrical cables etc.



Good fiberglass



Red background is temporary, will eventually be black starboard.

Jack Tar Magazine and the Women of Maritime Calendar

Women of Maritime Calendar

This is a good cause, plus you can never have too many sailing women. Buy a calendar!!!!