2010: Even More Work in Deltaville

Deltaville Boatyard: Part 3

Waeco Fridge/Freezer.  We can’t use our fridge and freezer out of the water as they use 110 volt and need sea water circulating around the system.  So, since we do spend a bit of time on the hard we wanted some refrigeration rather than relying on bags of ice to keep our essentials fresh and beer cold.  Our friends on Paradise had a small Waeco and recommended it so I purchased and installed one in the spare/storage room.  It operates on 240, 110, 12 or 24 volts, whatever is available to it.  You can set it as a freezer or fridge, or anything in between.  It’s been a godsend and we love it.

Adding & adjusting the new solar panels

Solar Panels.  To assist our batteries we installed 2x135watt solar panels on the stern just behind the arch. I purchased a kit to come with the panels and had a technician install the wiring, regulator, etc.  I mounted the panels on a frame system that was built by a stainless fabricator.  He had a better design than the one provided in the kit so I ended up with some stainless fittings surplus to requirement.  The frame is mounted to the arch and the bimini so it’s pretty substantial.  The stern area of WJ3 now looks a bit like a meccano set.  On a good day now I can get 16amps belting into the batteries from the two panels.

Engine Service.  A 3000 hours major service was given for the Yanmar engine.  The mechanic, while carrying out the service, showed me all sorts of stuff including the removal and testing of the injectors.  The service was mainly done in the water, which they prefer, and it also included a sea trial and an alignment check for the propeller shaft.  Most hoses and hose clamps were replaced and the turbo charger cleaned with some secret liquid potion.  The mechanic was very good at what he does and, as always, I enjoyed our general chat about life in America.

Snug in Deltaville Marina

Charts. We both had our personal laptops loaded with CMaps charts and found, with a GPS installed, this to be an effective navigation system.  We did back up with chartbooks however.  I don’t think we could have survived the ICW without a little bit of specific knowledge.

We picked up some cruising charts and guides along the way as there is usually a trading table/assortment of freebies or cheap second hand offers in the mariners lounge at each marina. Otherwise we did supplement our stash with a few good reference books and travel guides to get the most out of each location we visited.  I’ll do up a list in a later blog of the charts and guides we found most useful during our sailing seasons to date.

SkyMate.  In August 2010 we installed a SkyMate system after it was recommended by fellow Aussies Bev & Greg on Liberty VI (another Hunter 460 in the Deltaville Boatyard).  It’s basically a satellite system whereby you can receive weather information whenever you ask for it irrespective of wherever you are, at least that’s the theory.  It will also report your position and is available for other people to know where you are.  You can also send and receive basic email messages.  It might do other things but that is what we purchased it for.  I installed it myself, ie a VHF antenna mounted on the pulpit, a ‘black box’ in the chart table panel, and this is connected to your computer.  It worked quite well most of the time but, a major drawback, is that you have to inform them when you are crossing their boundaries so that they can make sure you are covered.