An Update from Herrington Harbour North

Rosalind on the Hard
Herrington Harbour North Marina

Rosalind is still on the hard for a few more weeks. While the rudder is drying out and before we have her bottom painted, we are wrapping up some last minute projects.

We just finished refurbishing the propane system. We now have a new low pressure hose the goes through five bulkhead penetrations (to prevent chafing) and connects the galley stove to the regulator under the port stern seat. We made new teak brackets to hold the regulator as the galvanized ones were rusting away. We also got a new high pressure hose from the regulator to the propane bottle. It was a real adventure to get the high pressure hose. Cheryl had to go to many stores to find the right length and the right end fittings. As part of the refurbishment, we installed a new propane shutoff solenoid valve and wired it so that the propane can be easily shut off from the galley by a switch. Lastly, we successfully leak-tested the refurbished propane system.

Propane Solenoid Switch (bottom)

In another project, Cheryl sanded and coated the aft companionway teak rails with Cetol protective wood finish, as the rails were in real need of some TLC. She also primed and painted the diesel fuel deck standpipes with Brightside paint.

Aft Cabin Companionway Rail (Before)

Aft Cabin Companionway Rail (After)

We installed a flapper on the engine exhaust. This will prevent any following seas from entering the engine block through the stern exhaust when the engine is not running.

Exhaust Flapper

Exhaust Flapper

We also installed the hailer horn/speaker for the VHF radio on the mizzen mast; however, the wiring from the aft cabin to the radio in the main salon still needs to be strung through the engine room.

Hailer Installed on Mizzen Mast (above Anemometer)

We installed padeyes with backing plates in three locations. We have one in the cockpit to secure our tethers, which are attached to the safety harness on our life jackets. The cockpit padeye can be reached from both the main and aft cabins so we can get clipped in before getting into the cockpit. We installed two more padeyes, one on each side of the aft cabin, to secure the aft ends of the jacklines, which are lengths of webbing running bow to stern onto which we clip our tethers if we need to leave the cockpit during night watches, heavy weather, or passages. We used varnished teak pads, stainless steel backing plates, and acorn nuts to cap the protruding machine screws inside the aft cabin. The padeyes are installed far enough forward so that we cannot fall off the stern yet we can still work the mizzen.

Padeye in Cockpit - Starboard Side

Varnished Teak and Stainless Steel Backing Plates for Starboard Padeye (on left) - Aft Cabin 

Varnished Teak and Stainless Steel Backing Plates for Port Padeye (on right)

 Telltale Compass (on left) - Aft Cabin 

Starboard Padeye (forward of portlight) - Aft Cabin 

Over the next two weeks we plan on finishing the rudder work, painting the prop, doing some canvaswork and getting Rosalind ready to launch. We want to thank you for following us on our voyage.

Alex and Cheryl

Rosalind's Cockpit

Here is a sketch and a video tour of Rosalind's cockpit.

Rosalind's Cockpit

Here is some more information on the instruments described in the video.

• Remote VHF radio microphone.  This communications instrument allows us to monitor and operate the VHF radio from the cockpit while having the VHF radio unit permanently mounted in the main cabin.  The VHF radio is used to communicate with other vessels, drawbridge operators, marinas, the Coast Guard, etc.; to obtain weather information; and to receive Coast Guard broadcast messages. The VHF is connected to an antenna at the top of the main mast and has a range of about 10 nautical miles (20 kilometers).
• AIS, Automatic Identification System, is a digital VHF radio-based transponder system that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) and identifies a ship's name, course and speed, call sign, and other information.  The system calculates the closest point of approach (CPA) and time to CPA between Rosalind and surrounding commercial ships and pleasure vessels equipped with AIS transponders. These ships appear as triangles on our chartplotter and by selecting them on the touchscreen we can get all the specifics of each ship.  Additionally, we can set the AIS to automatically alarm if any CPA is within a set exclusion area.
• Iridium Go! satellite communication device. This satellite communications instrument connects to our smartphone and tablet using Wi-fi. We intend to use it during offshore passages to obtain NOAA weather faxes by email and to communicate to shore by text message. The system operates 10 times slower than dial-up internet! Additionally, we can place and receive satellite telephone calls.    
• Lawrence multi-touch display. This touchscreen navigation instrument has our RADAR control and display, AIS control and display, and chartplotter (electronic charting system and GPS) all available on one screen. The RADAR enables us to see ships and landmasses around us as well as approaching thunderstorms. 
• Autopilot. This electric motor, belt-driven navigation instrument is connected to the wheel and the vessel's course is set and adjusted at the autopilot head. 
• Depthsounder, fishfinder.  This navigation instrument tells us the water depth and bottom contour as well as the relative size, quantity, and depth of fish in the water under Rosalind.  

Tour of Rosalind's Cockpit Navigation and Communication Instruments