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Wind Generator Installation

Where I found another gap in my power consideration’s was when sailing, or anchored at night. I have the capability of running the generator, or engine to keep the batteries charged, but that takes precious fuel and makes noise. Sailing at night also means I’m running with chart plotters, radar, lights, radio, etc.. all using battery power. So I’m hoping the the hole in my power production at night will be at least partially supplemented by a wind generator.
After tons of research, I ended up going with MarineKinetix MK4+.
The reviews were great, it’s made here in the USA, it is super quiet and it has a 5.8kt start-up speed, 6.7kt cut-in speed where it begins charging. Plus, full of safety features. Full details on the unit can be found HERE.

 

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Upgrades continue

As a solo sailer, this one is a huge improvement and was at the top of my “must do” list!
The anchor chain castling issue without top-side access while raising the anchor was just not acceptable for many reasons.
Having access without having to go through the V-Berth to unjam the chain will be life changing!

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Final Push and Shaft Seal Problems

Attempting to finish up everything and get moving! Just a couple months behind schedule, ugh. Tons of work and upgrades are finally nearing a point where I’m able to get moving! Although the list of work is never finished! One last PITA is the new shaft seal that was installed just before I purchased her and has never not leaked. So after another haul-out and more wrenching, we decided it’s time to just replace it with another brand. Switched from PYI, to Tides, both are dripless. After way too much research, Tides seems to have some of the best reviews at the moment. Let’s hope so. Hopefully the new shaft seal will arrive this week and the mechanic will make short work of it. Much more to come…
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Huge Preparations Underway

Tons of preparations are underway including pulling the mast. There are several reasons I decided to pull the mast. I wanted to inspect everything for one, but additionally to make all the work I needed to get done easier.

One project was to move the radar from the back stay mount to the mast. We also added an extension to the masthead for a new Code 0. Added LED spreader lights, which by the way, will be really cool! There’s a set of lights that shine up from the spreaders and a set that shines down on the deck. They’re also multi colored and controlled by a small remote so you can turn them on when approaching the boat at night from the dinghy.

With my full transition to all Garmin, the Garmin GWind will also be sitting top of the mast when we’re done, with 2 new GMI 20s and a GNX wind instrument filling the old B&G holes, (after some enlargement that is). That’s in addition the two new Garmin GPSMAP 8610’s and Garmin Fusion RA-670 Stereo. I’ll post photos of everything when I’m done.

The standing rigging is being replaced, along with all new halyards & running rigging.
We’re adding lightning protection to the top of the mast as well.
So yeah, lots going on in the mast department.

Boat Maintenance and Upgrades