DECISION WAS MADE February 23, 2009
Posted by sailingnightwatch in Durbeck, FL, Florida, ICW, Pensacola, Restoration, Sailing, Sailing the ICW.add a comment
Well I did it. But not as I had thought. My thoughts are that the economy is bad and the government is spending all this money, or should I say printing all this money. My dollar may be worth more today then in the future by a bunch. I remember the days of Jimmy Carter. I am afraid of big time inflation in our not to distant future.
Therefore, I started my own stimulus package and did not buy the autopilot, but went for the more expensive chartploter and radar combination. They should start installing it sometime this week or next. Maybe by the time the tide comes in and I can get out of this cannel, I should have some knowledge of how to operate it. We shall see. I am excited. This should kill my spending on upgrades for the rest of the year. Either that or the stock market has to make a huge turn, where I can make some money.
I went all the way and got the Furuno, Navnet 3D. I also got the DRS2D radar. It is the 24 mile 2.2kw system and I will mount it about 1/3 the way up the main mast. I was thinking of mounting it on a bracket off the mizzen mast, but after talking to some others, they felt that because the main mast is about 10 inches wide and less then 20 feet away, this small sensor would leave a large shadow dead ahead.
The chart plotter is 3D and has the photo overlays. If the photos are up to date, that could help give one some idea of the look of a strange entrance. I like the 3D aspect where you can change your view on a chart. I looked at our entrance to Pensacola Pass where the marks make a dogleg to the west. When coming in at night it can get confusing, and this can give you more of a view of what you are actually seeing.
One thing that is a little disconcerting is the cost of the charts for an area like the Bahamas that cost $500 plus today. The updates for the US waters are to be free forever. I figure that is till the next step in technology. Time will tell.
HAM LICENSE February 20, 2009
Posted by sailingnightwatch in Durbeck, FL, Florida, ICW, Pensacola, Restoration, Sailing, Sailing the ICW.1 comment so far
Been studying since Christmas getting ready to take my Technical Ham Radio Test. I am ready and it is scheduled locally Thursday. Not good. After work I have to drive to South Florida for a race that weekend. Next test is in a month, but not at a convenient location. Then back to the local one the following month.
This has been a great education, even for the use of the SSB. It really defines what frequencies are available and why. I also know I will need to go on and get my General License to use the frequencies I will need while cruising with the SSB. That will just make my education better. If you have a SSB, I would recommend getting your Ham License book, even if you never plan to get a license. As I read on a forum, you can always find someone on the ham bands 24/7. That can be a comfort in an emergency and is not always the case with SSB short of going to calling a real emergency.
February 17, 2009
Posted by sailingnightwatch in Durbeck, FL, Florida, ICW, Pensacola, Racing, Repairs, Sailing, Sailing the ICW.add a comment
HAD TO FEED MY ALTEREGO February 17, 2009
Posted by sailingnightwatch in Durbeck, FL, Florida, Pensacola, Racing, Repairs, Sailing.add a comment
Tide still low during the day, but it was race weekend. We were at Palm Beach International Raceway for the weekend. This was the old Moroso Speedway and is under new management and has been redesigned and resurfaced. Interesting track with looong turns. Keeps you busy, yet you sit and wait for the turn to end. Not a lot of room for error as it has concrete barricades all around the track. Still new and needs some twinking, no good place for corner workers, no cut threws for emergency vehicles. And still working on the amenities.
The paddock area was paved, but no water of electricity. We get to live off a generator like everyone else. Very noisy, even when no one is on the track. Weather was perfect. The best was winning our class in all 3 of our sprint races. Wahooo!!
FINALY A SAILING FIX February 9, 2009
Posted by sailingnightwatch in Durbeck, FL, Florida, ICW, Pensacola, Sailing, Sailing the ICW.add a comment
The tides are still low during the day. Short of leaving and returning in the middle of the night I am pretty much stuck in the canal. I was blessed by my sailing friend with the Gemini, invite me for a sail Friday afternoon. I was going to do the laundry, but what can I say. We sailed for about 4 hours and the wind and weather was perfect. A sweet shirt and no jacket, very nice. It could have been less than perfect and I would have been just as happy. In the 4 hours we sailed most of the way to Navarre and most of the way back. The wind started to die about 4 P.M. and we motored the last mile. That was good because it allow you to put the boat to bed much more quickly when you get to the pier. The motor was good because he had lost his raw water pump and this was the first time out with the new pump. It worked just like it was suppose to.
It has been 6 weeks since Nightwatch has felt the press of canvas. This coming weekend is a race weekend, so it will be 2 more weeks before I can sail my wonderful boat. That should allow time for the tides to also start getting right.
WHAT TO BUY February 2, 2009
Posted by sailingnightwatch in Durbeck, FL, Florida, ICW, Pensacola, Repairs, Restoration, Sailing, Sailing the ICW.add a comment
With the economy the way it is, prices are coming down. That is good for major new investments in equipment. It may be time to bite the bullet and get the autopilot. Have to go make another pass at it. We had also got a bid for new sails from out local sailmaker. The price seems good. I need to shop around and see that the price is right. I have decided to make a final move in late February. I wish the market was easier to make some money. Right this second I am about even for the year, but as I write this my equipment treasure chest could be leaking away.
