Since my last posting about the batteries, when I discarded one of the house batteries and adjusted the charger. Sundance is doing fine on one house battery although, I need to be carful with electric usage when off the mains power. I have managed to get the generator up and running again so I now have the option to use the generator which is a relief. I am still carrying two portable road start batteries, just for belt and braces. I don’t want to find that I cant start the motor while at anchor.
Anyway, we had an issue with finding a home for the liferaft. The delivery skipper wanted a liferaft on board for the Channel crossing, which is not unreasonable. So the engineers working on Sundance acquired a six man liferaft in a canister for me. However, the problem was where to install the life raft cradle. The obvious choice would be off the hand rail off the stern of Sundance.
The problem is that the horizontal sections under the rail are too skinny to support the weight of the liferaft. The next option was the coach roof overt the dinette/galley area. The engineers decided that there would be a lot of work to take down the head lining to bolt through the coach roof. As time was pressing, It was agreed that the raft would stay loose on the stern deck. The delivery skipper was happy with this arrangement so the raft was placed on board and the cradle was stowed in the stern cabin.
When Sundance reached Jersey on of the jobs to do was to organise for the rail to be beefed up to take the raft. The skinny bars are going to be upgraded and the cradle adjusted to fit the stern. The cradle must not be to high because of the bimini frame and needs to be stood off the rail to clear the transom. There is only just enough room to also clear the davit mounting pad.
The works have been ordered, but now I am waiting for the work to be done. The problem is that every one is so busy and because it involves some welding in the marina, a permit is required. I believe that the permit has been granted but, we now require a no wind day which is tied up with when the stainless steel engineers can do the work.
A little frustrating but we will get there.
Next, my dilemma over the radar arch………….
