PAGES

Projects 2012

May 2012
Depth Sounder
Uniden depth sounder display head no longer readable, replaced with HawkEye D10D, works on same sender unit frequency 200mHz as the Uniden unit so no need to replace the Uniden Transducer. Save the HawkEye Transducer unit for when/if the Uniden unit fails.
The HawkEye display unit comes with a sun protection cap so the LCD display should last longer if I remember to install the cap when not in use.

June 2012
Stove surround
Installed tile surround to coleman stove area, to dam hot for cooking in the boat, so I am using the stove in the cockpit only
.
Under cockpit bench port lights
Ordered 4" fixed round bronze port lights, and will install to provide some light to under cockpit bench area.

Lazy jacks
Working on lazy jacks, but do I really need them?

Tiller pilot
Finally installed the mid-70's era Autohelm Mark II, why did I wait so long. Cleaned and re-wired over the winter.

Use and limitations of the Autohelm Mark II; 

The electro-magnetic compass dial control provides for the 4 cardinal points and 12 sub-cardinal points, so after setting sail trim to the intended boat compass magnetic bearing, connect the push rod to tiller, switch on and approximate the same compass bearing with the Autohelm dial, adjust until the boat is on the desired heading.
The Autohelm can handle rudder corrections with relative ease provided for my boat heel is within 10 to 15 deg, but has difficulty with gusty winds.
I am looking forward to using this on longer trips.


Bimini
July; Installed a "paddle boat" bimini from Walmart, less than $100 so even if it does not last I can use it as a template for the next one.