Are we nearly there yet?

We can almost see the ocean, metaphorically speaking!
The girl finishes full time work this week and then can focus fully on packing up and squaring everything away for an extended absence. At least we'll get the voting out of the way before we go!
Met with our sailing partners from Urchin and Easy Tiger today and also met the crew from another boat called Annie who are thinking of tagging along too. Annie's crew are far more experienced than us so it was very beneficial to share experiences.
We all reviewed our progress. What is yet to be done and timelines in which it might be achieved. There is no doubt we are keeping up our end with keeping money circulating. We sure are doing a lot of shopping! We are working pretty collaboratively helping each other out in tangible ways. Extra hands on electrical tasks, extra eyes on research etc.
The kids think we are dead set crazy, they could be right but it's become our obsession. We WILL be casting off those leads and it's now becoming soon rather than being 12 months off!

New Musto Corsica Jacket

Guess who just go a new jacket? A very stylish and happy Eva modeling her new Musto Corsica jacket. I am told this is for wearing when we are ashore. I have a new plan: we will never land, just keep sailing that way this jacket will be brand new when we return. The down side to this plan is that her Musto MPX offshore sailing gear will be worn out and she will need more of that. Seriously, she is very happy with the Musto jacket, shoes, thermal layers, "the other jacket", trousers and skort. Did I mention we are adding addition lockers to "Zofia" to house all of princess' new Musto gear? Well, she earned it and if you are going to scare the living daylights out of yourself you might as well look good.

Navigation station

Finally tided up the nav station. All the connections modified and checked that they are very secure. Integrated the iMux into the system with iPad wirless connection. Provide secure output for the PredictWind sat comm connection to the macBook.

Navigation options

New Navigation Configuration

Zofia has standard navigation equipment.  Raymarine C80 Chart Plotter, SeaTalk devices, auto pilot and radar, as well as a Simrad AIS transponder. The AIS information is shared with the Raymarine equipment via the NMEA input to the C80 Chart Plotter.

This system has three drawbacks. Firstly, there is no backup to navigation within the system. Secondly, the system is not portable. Finally, creating way-points is cumbersome.

To overcome the first drawback an iMux-ST multiplexer was added to the boat. This device integrates the Raymarine SeaTalk information with the AIS data.  The integrated information is then transferred to the chart plotter via the iMux RS232 output, and to the iNavX software on the iPad via a wireless connection. This provides a backup to the navigation system because all the information displayed on the Chart Plotter is also now on the iPad.

The new arrangement is portable. The iPad can be used anywhere on the boat and a crew member can be following and/or directing the helmsman with the information on the iPad if necessary, thus overcoming the second drawback of the standard navigation system.

Finally, the new arrangement provides an easier way to create way-points. We are no longer committed to using the Chart Plotter for this purpose and can instead use the iNavX software on the iPad to create way-points. These way-points can be transferred from the iPad to the Chart Plotter by connecting the RS422 NMEA output of the iMux to any available NMEA input port on the iMux. This combines the way-point information to other navigation data which is then all transmitted, on the RS232 port of the iMux, to the Chart Plotter. To transfer way-points you select the Data/Receive NMEA Data option on the Chart Plotter and in the TCP/IP box of the iNavX software, select Transfer way-points. The way-points are then sent to the iMux from the iPad via the RS422 port, into the NMEA input channel and finally via the RS232 port of the iMux to the Chart Plotter.

To complete the system, we added a PredictWind satellite communicator and upgraded our PredictWind software to the professional version. Weather-based routing information can thus be obtained at anywhere and at anytime. The information is emailed to us in several file formats. The GPX file is in turn emailed to the iPad and opened with iNavX software. Once the way-points are loaded they are imported to the Chart Plotter with the method described above.

In summary, to achieve easy integration of all relevant navigation information you can;

1. Connect SeaTalk data to iMux
2. Connect AIS to iMux
3. Connect iMux output RS422 channel to any free iMux NMEA input channel
4. Connect iMux output RS232 channel to the Chart Plotter NMEA input

To add automatic course information

5. Add PredictWind satellite communicator
6. Add PredictWind professional software version to your computer
7. Email PredictWind GPX files to the iPad and open with iNavX
8. Transfer way-points to chart plotter from withing the iNavX software

The equipment and software required to achieve this is;

1. iMux-ST multiplexer
2. iPad with iNavX software
3. PredictWind satellite communicator
4. PredictWind professional software.

New Solar Panel Support

Base panel

We have added a new solar panel support that, while similar to the original, is double the size and is shaped to match the Bimini.  We used Signex, a plastic material that is easy shaped, strong and light. Signex comes in two forms, a UV protected and a non-UV protected version. As we have unwittingly purchased the non-UV type Signex we have UV protected it by applying  International epoxy paint to the exposed surface. This has produced a very acceptable result. We now have two 64 Watt solar panels that should double our amp input from these panels to between 8 and 10 amps.

Panel with solar panels

Anzac Day - Becher Point

Anzac Day and a quite motor up to Becher Point. We had the intention of sailing on to Rottnest, however, with "Zofia" nicely anchored in 3 metres of water with 20 metres of chain out why not just stay! Made Eva a Gin and Tonic, opened a beer and just enjoyed the surroundings. A little boat maintenance, ding identification, sleeping and reading, is that not what cruising is about? Tried out the new 4G modem and internet connection and it all worked just fine. Had a little problem with the fridge controller which appears to be due to a voltage drop across my newly installed relay, however, managed it OK and we will fix it over the coming week. All in all a nice motor back, so no sailing but a good run for the engine with all working well.

Our sailing partners - Update April 2015

We commenced our sailing adventure in company with two catamarans. Urchin and  Easy Tiger.    

After crossing the Bight our paths separated and in late March 2014. We chose to leave Streaky Bay and then Scales Bay a day ahead of the guys and that decision, combined with an approaching low pressure system was enough to separate the fleet. Two month later we caught up with the guys in Port Lincoln, however, as we decided to sail during winter we again separated in June 2014. From then on we have done our own thing while Urchin has remained in Port Lincoln and Easy Tiger has taken the freeway to the north. We briefly encountered Easy Tiger at Lakes Entrance. This was an exciting reunion with many details to catch up on.

We do not know what the future holds but we sincerly hope that we will meet up with these guys again as they are great fun and we always enjoy their company.

Fair winds dear friends and may all your dreams come true!!!!!