22nd June

Not been very good with updates.  There has been progress but slower than normal with not much to see.  

At least Mrs Nuts still has one good working hand but I must open the bottle!!

Mast was wrapped

Then put in a big mobile box

No idea where it is at the moment but hopefully getting closer to Lisbon to catch the ship to the Azores.  Ordered the mast from Trimet in Poland and must say a big thanks to Piotr for his good coms and service.

Been doing electrics

Using different tools for a change (no sandpaper thank God)  but working in difficult to reach places to run wires.  A good thing is I had made provision for running wires during construction so not a huge deal.  Still had to drill some holes though.

VHF, switch panel and battery Ampere Hour Meter in this picture. AIS mounted just above.  Still have to run coax for antennas. Going to have a mast top ant. and one on the transom.  Still have not decided which to use for AIS or VHF radio.  Of course can always swap antenna over.  Hope to tweak AIS antenna for good SWR on its frequency as it is on the top of the marine range. (I have an SWR analyser so can check the impedance and swr for the given frequency)

The interior 12v lights are installed.  Only two. One in the "forepeak" and one above the galley.  LED from Amazon.

Galley / saloon light.  Plenty bright enough and draws very little current.

Compass light also connected.  The consumption was 0.7A with one light on inside, the vhf on, the AIS connected but not transmitting and the compass light on.  The VHF on standby was the most thirsty.

Ordered registration number stickers to be mounted on the transom and been experimenting with engraving stainless steel to make the hull identification plate to be mounted on the transom as well as on aluminum to engrave and hide somewhere inside.

Next job is to tidy up wires and run a few more.  Still got to run wiring for solar panels (2X25W) 

 and connect to controller (Victron MPPT). Also going to run a connection for a tiller pilot to use when not on the Atlantic Challenge).  

All these small jobs take forever to do with nothing to show.  I will try to update more often even if not much to see.  Getting closer to launch now.  Narwal promised to post sails 1st July.  I hope to get mast up in July and can then finalize deck fittings and go for a splash.