2 April 2012

I sing the praises of insurers and boat builders

I got a quote from Swallowboats to for a replacement boom and sail this morning, sent it to my insurers, Bishop Skinner and they got straight back to me and approved it with immediate effect. So I have given Matt the go ahead and all being well I should have it by the middle of next month. That is what insurers are supposed to do, and it is so nice when they do. I shall now enjoy myself pootling round Poole Harbour at low speed until it is all sorted.

This is how I left Daisy G on Sunday, bereft of her main motive force. You can see the boom gallows just in front of the mizzen mast. I don't think it looks too bad. Shame there isn't a boom resting on it at the moment.
One interesting finding. As the photo shows, it was very sunny. The voltage regulator was showing "High voltage". I unplugged the battery and found that in this sunshine, I could run all the lights and instruments just from the output of the little solar panel on the roof. Not much need for lights in bright sunshine, but it was a practical demonstration that the 10W panels should be able to keep my battery charged all season.
The dyneema forestay seems to be just about the rights length, and the dyneema soft shackle on the jib clew also seems to work, so this winter's modifications all seem to be working so far. The forestay is a bit of a cheat as the jib luff takes most of the tension. I tighten it with a four part handy billy, whilst the forestay is just tightened with the lanyard afterwards. But it is reassuring to have two strings holding the mast up.

4 comments:

  1. Julian

    Glad it was all sorted out swiftly. Hope to see you on the water when I get my Shilling afloat later in the month. I have been watching your winter fitting out with interest. Fun doing things for the boat isn't it?

    Jeremy

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  2. I'm with Jeremy, but after the last two weeks getting mine ready I ache in every bone in my body.. :o)

    Pleased to hear the insurance came through - I have a similar good relationship with my insurer - sometimes feel they get an undeserved bad press...

    Daisy G looks great - even without the boom...

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  3. Playing with the boat over the winter is as much fun as sailing her in the summer. I would never be a year round sailor, I like a change.

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  4. There is a chance you qualify for a new solar energy program.
    Determine if you are eligble now!

    ReplyDelete