30th March

Happy Easter everybody - Boa Pascao 

Been in slow mode for several days as weather has been cold, windy and rainy.  Well that is my excuse.  I have been looking for any excuse to not fill and sand epoxy filler!!  There has been a bit of progress though.

Been attacking cockpit and almost done,  Just a bit of filling in small blemishes and sanding out again in 2 days time.  (I like to let the epoxy cure for 2 days before sanding)

Plywood edge of window cutouts epoxied and will give a sand in a couple of days.

Cockpit looking aft.  Still a bit of hand sanding in the corner radii. 

Oak mast base epoxied down.  Got to put epoxy fillets around the contact area and saturate the oak with epoxy.  I like using the white oak as it has a very open grain and absorbs epoxy very well.  Also looking at hatches and Dorado vent  positions.  I have sailed in tropical waters for several years and know how hot it gets.  Ventilation is super important.  

Starting to look at wiring and electronics.  I have all the electronic components that will be fitted (except Epirb) and am going to give them  a test to see what the 24 hour Ah consumption is.  Ais, VHF, and do a charge on the phone and tablet and Inreach and run some led lights for a few hours.  It is a pity LiFePo4 cells are not allowed but I understand the issues.   I have 8 x100Ah Winston cells and a very good BMS which I kept from my canal cruiser.  I will use 4 cells before and after the "race" and have to buy a lead battery for the crossing.  Will be interesting as I will have an electric trolling motor for marinas.