April 9, 2015

The final step in the completion of my “mini home theatre” was getting the wedge pillow upholstered using the same fabric as the berths and settee.  That was done very well at a good price by an upholsterer around the corner from Carol in L.A.  I also took care of a couple of other minor, but nagging, little projects this week:  replacing missing baseboard in the galley and re-installing the hasps for locking the cockpit lazarettes.

Spurred on by the growing water crisis in California, I spent quite a bit of time researching watermakers and assessing the feasibility of installing one on Circadian.  I've settled on an engine-driven SeaMaker kit from Cruise RO Water and started doing my pre-purchase/pre-installation due diligence.   That included lots of measurements, study of detailed engineering drawings and finally building and testing a model.  The model trial revealed some issues that mean I’ll need to revamp my house battery installation and try again with a slightly modified model. 

All that has shifted my overall focus to the engine room and some nagging “list” items there.   In addition to re-doing the batteries, I need to improve the primary wiring and install a second high-capacity bilge pump. (Not that the sinking of a boat in a nearby slip this week had anything to do with my new priorities!)  Should keep me busy for quite some time….

February 19,2014

Interesting week.  As much “head-scratching” as actual project work.  I think I have solved the problem of the dinghy sliding back and forth on the davits when the boat is rolling.  While I had the principle right on my first attempt to fix it last September, the execution method failed.  I think what I did this week will work:  bolts sticking up through the gunnels and covered with vinyl tubing will wedge the boat between the davits as well as on either side of the Hydrovane support bracket.  I also spent quite a bit of time trying to work out the best way to rig up the sheets for the storm staysail.  It was clear I would need to get new double turning/foot blocks to replace the existing single ones, but not so clear whether it would be better to use double rope clutches and the existing winches or to add two more winches and cleats.  Turned out that adding winches was the only feasible way.  Fortunately, I’ve got a great pair already.  Now that I know what’s needed, I can start ordering the needed hardware.  Then the real work will begin!

On a more hedonistic note, while researching self-powered 12 volt subwoofers for my mini “home theater,” I found a Fry’s deal that was so good I couldn’t pass it up.  They had an online special for the Dual SBP8A for half price.  It has gotten almost universally great reviews (Just won’t shatter windows at 50 feet, but who wants that?), and was already a bargain at the normal street price.  So, I decided to connect and run the wiring so that when it arrives it will be close to “plug-and-play.”   By the time I dealt with all the little glitches along the way, it took the better part of two days!  Hopefully all the work and expense will be worth it!  We’ll know by next week!

February 5, 2015

The big project this week was installing a mini home theater sound system in the v-berth.  I had installed a small 12 volt flatscreen TV  and DVD player some time back, but the sound put out by the tiny TV speakers was terrible and very low volume.  When I finally figured out a way to stream videos using my iPhone (which has an unlimited data plan), it was time to find a real solution to the poor audio.  Because I wanted the entire system to operate on 12 volts, the quick and easy sound bar solution wouldn’t work.  Besides, I already had four old classic Radio Shack Minimus 7 bookshelf speakers from my previous boat that were just gathering dust and dings in storage.  I really just needed an amp.  Well, one thing led to another (as boat projects tend to go).  I wanted to use the system to provide audio for not only the streaming video, but the DVD player and the TV itself, so I would need to be able to connect all three sources to the amp and switch among them.  After a good deal of Internet searching, I finally found a six-way switcher that would work at a reasonable cost.  I also found a small, 40 watt Jensen amp that was ruggedized and virtually waterproof.  The whole thing was bedded in one big block of epoxy!  Of course I would also need to custom make a housing for it all, wire it all up, and refurbish the old speakers.  Although it took most of the week, I got it all done.  After some experimentation, I got the speakers placed optimally and the sound is excellent (although lacking the deep bass that a subwoofer can provide).  It even comes close to mimicking surround sound and totally transforms the movie experience.  I can play music through the system too.  The only glitch is that the system picks up noise from the 12 v charger for the iPhone.  I tried a ferrite noise filter, but that did nothing.  Next I’ll try an automotive noise suppression filter.  Hell, someday I might even add a subwoofer!

I also managed to get another coat of Epifanes RapidCoat on the teak trim for the head after my new supply arrived.  The head is ALMOST done!  Say "Hallelujah!"