Spring update

Well the UK got battered by storms towards the end of both Oct and Jan and Valent did not escape. During the Oct storms unfortunately Valent became detached from the pontoon due to the failure of a shoreside cleat and sustained some minor damage to the gelcoat around the bow. This is due to be repaired later this month and will give me an opportunity to take advantage of the lift out.

Towards the end of Jan and early Feb along came Dudley, Eunice and Franklin in very short succession. Apart from a bit of flapping and fender rubs Valent appeared to have weathered the sequence well. But when I went down on Tue 22 Feb and stepped on board I noticed a strange new sight lying across the boom. It was soon apparent that the HF aerial had finally had enough of being treated as a whip by the storms and snapped near the base (where it was supported on the rail). It was being held up by the spreaders, hence why it was not flat on the deck.

Unfortunately the damage is a no fault claim (unable to sue Franklin even though he has a name), and whilst expensive to rectify is not enough to clear the excess on the insurance. The good news is that since I need a new HF aerial I can very much improve the setup and have a replacement utilising the backstay and get rid of the whip aerial entirely.

In other news the new Windlass is now fitted and working (despite my delusions of grandeur and ordering a gypsy 1 size too big). The new Lewmar windlass has a lower profile on the deck and runs significantly more smoothly and quietly. My friendly steel men have started the work to rectify the issue with the anchor pin and bowsprit. 2 independent fixing pins will be in situ shortly, and the anchor will have a smart new hole. The steel pole for the comms equipment is measured and has had an initial fitting. Now back in the workshop to have all the fittings added before being returned.

Now busy working on internal organisation and stowage of kit, spares and food. Also busy updating the fire fighting equipment plan. A wonderful small win is some new light bulbs I have found. At the same time I had been trying to work out which light switched did what and understand the wiring, since the saloon spots have no independent switch. Having searched for some replacement 12V spot bulbs, (and missed the fact that I had some in a box onboard), I came across some on-line that are multi coloured, LED and remote control. Lucy persuaded me that what our boat needed was colour changing lightbulbs. With reluctance I purchased them. And now I am hooked. Each lightbulb can be individually switched on/off (solving the switch problem) and each lightbulb can be set to a single colour – e.g. RED, also solving another challenge of night light down below. They are slightly longer (5mm) but a little bit of work with a screwdriver and the bulbs are in.

Hopefully we will get out on the water soon, but I suppose I should wait for the anchor to come back first.