Luke started the day with electrical stuff. He is putting in a remote microphone for the VHF. This will allow us to use the long range radio from the cockpit rather than having to go below to use it. We have a handheld VHF now, but the range is limited to 5 or 6 miles. The long range radio is about 25 miles. Very handy if you are in trouble or trying to contact friends. So, he has to run wire so we can use the wireless long range VHF... running wire in a boat is a mess. All wires are behind the walls, so openings of any sort have to be used to run wire from place to place until there is the proper spot for the connection. Sometimes that takes a lot of places... note the open spot in the upper right...
The last place to run the wire has been a bit uncooperative, so this project is still in the works.
The lamination on one of our cockpit steps was coming loose, that that got fixed also.
Smokey was most helpful by staying out of the way, snuggled in one of her favorite cozy spots.
Of course, what she really wanted was out. OUT. O-U-T. out, out, out! Ears turned backwards to hear if we were on our way to let her out, she stared diligently at the screens keeping her from her destination.
That screen is there because The Princess loves to go on walk-abouts on the docks, given a moment of our not watching. And, no, she doesn't come back when called or even answer. She took off at an opportune moment a couple of days ago. We searched the entire marina only to have her reappear on the boat directly across from us. She had hidden on the other side of the boat as we searched for her.
More chores after lunch (I spent the morning doing laundry). The chain on our back-up anchor was rusted, so we replaced the leading 20 feet of chain. Our usual anchor is entirely chain, which is better. However, at almost $6/ft, we are reluctant to put 200 feet of chain on an anchor we have never used in 10 years, leaving the balance rope. Luke lowered the anchor and chain onto the dock so he could measure the length of chain and the size of the chain.
New chain purchased, the next item is attaching the rope to the chain. This project involves a rope splice. Luke set to work, carefully following the directions in the Chapman book. He looks like a sailor, doesn't he! Sitting on the dock in his sailing cap, work clothes, socks under his boating sandals, surrounded by ropes and chain, and the afore mentioned, much explored, boat across from us.
The splice is done with the help of a fid, a tool used to separate strands of rope and insert other strands through them. Here is what the process looks like (Ok, a video would have really been better here!)
Check out this video - you'll see why Luke chose to follow the directions in the book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UracDq6QAz4
I did help Luke out a little, did my own chores, and best of all, made cookies!
1 comment:
Captains work is never done. Maybe some fun time soon.
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