Monday, August 25, 2014

Auto Helm Install

I installed my autohelm this past Saturday.  Still fiddling with my outboards.  I am this close to pulling them out and bringing them to an outboard mechanic to go through them and get them to be reliable.



I had to order the bulkhead mount kit, since most of these are installed on pedestal mount wheels.





















This is the back side showing the motor coming through the bulkhead and the computer.  It is starting to get crowded in there, but doing my best to keep the wires neat.














This is the compass.  It needs to be in an area away from metal objects and the other compass.  Hopefully this location will be okay.

Unfortunately the autohelm kit did not come with wiring for the DC power/ground, so I was not able to test it.  I will take care of that next week.


















Just a photo of the single berth on the port side.  My girls and I actually slept on the boat a couple of weekends ago.  It was fairly comfortable.



















I found a spot for the ships clock that came with the boat.




















Thats all for now!















Sunday, August 10, 2014

I Got My WIFI

A couple of weeks ago, I got my Bullet antenna working and was able to get internet signals from the surrounding area (although most are encrypted) using an ethernet connection.  I am getting the signal from another boater (with his permission), so it is free.  I wanted to be able to share the signal with my girls, so I installed a wireless router.





Success!!!

Unfortunately the documentation that comes with both the Ubuquity Bullet and Pico Station was pretty horrible. However, I was able to find the information and settings I needed, using Google!





























This is an over view of the hardware, neatly tucked away in the corner of my "electrical closet".

























Here is a close up. Both the antenna and router receive Power Over Ethernet (POE). The blue enthernet cable, on the right, both sends power to the Bullet antennae, as well as, transmits data to the POE on the right. The data from the antenna is then routed via the white ethernet cable either to a stand alone laptop or to the POE (as shown) on the left. The data along with power is sent via the blue ethernet cable, on the left, to the Pico Station Router in the middle.  The router sends the WIFI signal via the white antenna.














Both POE's need a 120V power source, so I added the "power bar" shown, which also has two built in USB power ports.  I am using one for my iPhone.  That still leaves me with an available 120V socket.

























Still working on fine tuning my outboards.  Today I also flushed them with potable water.  Its not something I intend on doing after every use, since I have to use the water muffs.


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Got Twins 8-2-14



Got my furling genoa in this past week.  Still battling with my outboards.  Its been back and forth with the outboards.  Fix one and then the other acts up.  Oh well the life of a boat owner!

Took the boat yesterday for a sail with the new genoa.  Hit  8 knots in minimal wind.  My wind indicator is not working, so can't say for sure what the wind speed was.  Anyway, here is a short video.

I need to work on my audio skills!