Standing rigging

We started replacing the standing rigging last year when we installed new lower shrouds.  We had a problem when we started to replace the upper shrouds because the replacements we had on board were 8" to long.  We took them back to Florida at the end of last season and had Seco South  cut them to the proper size.  I went up the mast this morning and replaced the port side upper.

On my way up the mast I had to remove the spreader cap parts then once at the mast head tie off and loosen the main, spare main, and jib halyards so the the stemball fitting could be rotated and extracted.  Once the shroud was out I passed it down to Lesley and she took the stemball fitting off and put it on the new shroud.  Installed the new shroud and will replace the starboard shroud tomorrow - I don't want to work to hard!

New turnbuckle installed and attached to chain plate with spacers.

I went up the mast a second time to drill out a pop rivet at the stemball fitting.  Tomorrow we will replace the last shroud.

Stealing Water!

I think most cruisers have heard stories about some of the things that have been attributed to some of our French boating friends.  I've posted a few blog entries on anchoring etiquette (not) and we have had a few personal encounters with some of them coming into marinas late at night to top of the myriad of 1 - 2 liter plastic water bottles that they carry.  My intent here is not to malign the French but relate a real experience that we had today.

Late this afternoon, after returning from a visit to a local hardware store, we noticed a new boat out on the end of the dock near us.  The boater was scrambling with a hose on a pedestal opposite him and from our view, as we were walking back to our boat, it looked like he was tapped into our water spigot.  As we got closer we noticed that it was actually one pedestal down from us.  As we came up to the boater I asked him if he needed water and he said yes, he was going to wash his boat and fill his water tank.  I asked him if he intended to let the boater across the way from him know how much water he used and he said no.  I asked if he had asked the dockmaster to read his water meter and remove the lock and he said he did not know.  I then asked if he would like me to call the dockmaster and request that the water meter on his pedestal be read and the water turned on.  He said yes, please.

The dockmaster came down a little while later and contacted me and we went down to the slip in question.  An interesting discussion then unwound but the end result was that the boater did not have his water tap unlocked (read not willing to pay for it) and the dock master capped and locked the water spigot across the walkway.

The boater did not wash his boat or fill his tank yet, but I'm going out to read our meter and will check it in the morning to see if the water fairies struck in the night.

Christmas Day and a day later

We went ashore yesterday for a very nice brunch.  There were 6 British Couples, 2 American Couples, and several teens from one of the boats. We had a nice assortment of snacks, some wine, and as we were nearing the end a local (musician?) came along to sing for us.

And he also brought a friend along who was in charge of passing the bucket.

We came back to the boat and played some cribbage and took it easy for awhile.  Called Liz and Devin via Skype (IP45 Moosetracks) who are in Marathon waiting for weather heading to Andros and the Exumas.

At about 5:00 we headed back to town, tied up the dinghy then walked over to Firefly's for dinner.  On the way over we took another picture of the South Bay area and you can see how many more boats have come in for the holidays.

After a nice walk we arrived at Firefly's and hit the pool and had a cool beverage before dinner.  Had to take a picture of the Moon and Jupiter.

Dinner was good but as is often the case - we could have done much better aboard!

This morning we have been prepping for tomorrows 0300 departure heading for St Lucia.  We had 4 strings of Christmas lights strung all around the boat on the upper lifelines - took those off but will install again in St Lucia.  Topping off the water tank and stowing gear in preparation for our trip.  Today is Boxing Day and Customs/Immigration are open but but Overtime Fees will apply - will see how much later today.

Turns out 63 ECD for Customs and 50ECD for Immigration!!  Yikes, but we are cleared out and leaving in the morning.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve in Bequia was crazy.

We had strong winds that shifted to the South with rain just before dark.  There are so many boats here that with the boats dragging anchor, boats on moorings tangling with anchored boats, and boats still arriving that it was very stressful.  We pulled up about 25 ft of chain to give us a little more room to the stern with a boat on a mooring.  A boat next to us drug and picked up and moved and a German boat drug and then came back and tried to anchor on us.  I went to the bow and had a discussion with the skipper - he does not like my anchor float - I love it - he moved away.

Several days ago I posted "Anchoring 101" well it happened again last night.  On the radio - a woman on an American boat was complaining about the boats that are on moorings in the "anchor field".  Yes, you read it
right - how can these people take a mooring in an anchor field and interfere with the boats in the anchorage.

Common sense says that a boat that is going to anchor should stay clear of moorings period.  Irregardless of whether or not the mooring is official or not.  Cruising guides mention this, common sense tell you to, what am I missing?

Anyway:


We have 4 strings of multicolor lights on the top lifeline so we ran those for several hours and things settled down and we started dinner and had a nice relaxing evening.  We started watching CSI Season 11 and I am trying to finish a library book that we checked out for our Kindles.

Today we are headed ashore to do a Brunch with some friends at Green Boley's and then will walk over to The Firefly Plantation for a swim and Christmas Dinner.

Anchoring 101

Several evenings ago a Hunter Passage 450 came in and anchored up in front of us.  We watched as the couple repeatedly tried to anchor in an area that in the past has been very poor holding.  At some point I think the couple got the anchor to bite and they settled down for the evening.  We had light winds so unless we had a squall come thru they should be fine.  During the night we had some squalls and gusty winds and the next morning we noticed that the boat has drifted back from where it had been overnight.  Boast hailing port is Naples Florida, no flag, no anchor light.....

The winds continued to gust and the boat started to drag through the anchorage.  We watched as the couple came up on deck, went below deck, came back up etc several times before they started the engine and began the process of reanchoring.

Most people I think would change locations and try to reanchor in the hope that the holding might be better but not this couple.  They tried and tried and just kept dragging.  Their ultimate solution was to drop a second anchor as they began dragging back into several (2) moorings.  During the day yesterday the boat started out in from of a mooring with the dinghy dragging over the mooring but then by late in the afternoon they were located just behind the mooring.

Late yesterday evening a large metal boat came in and took the other mooring and it was obvious that the anchored boat was to close to the one on a mooring.

This morning, light squalls and shifting winds and I noticed that both boats have fenders out.

I think I would have moved!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE - The German aboard the moored boat called Daffodil Marine Services (owner of the mooring) and tried to describe the issue with the boat anchored in the mooring field.  I  came on the radio and helped explain the situation.  The proprietress of Daffodils said that she would come out and try to sort out the problem.  She came out and spoke to the owner of the Hunter then came over and talked with us.  She said that she had explained the situation to the owner but that he indicated that he had been anchored there for several days and did not think he should have to move - CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!  She then said that she was going to offer him a free mooring if he would pick up anchor and move.  A smart move on her part because he was interfering with 3 moorings.

We watched as Hunter picked up their main anchor (Bruce on chain rode) which was tangled on a mooring.  They sorted that out then had to dodge the German boat and then a French boat which was anchored very nearly on top of their second anchor.  I went over in our dinghy and offered to help but was refused.  Slowly they picked up the rope rode with the help of one of the Daffodil crew and are now situated on a mooring off our port stern.

SY Lionheart

Yesterday evening just before sundown a really big black mega yacht sailed in came well up into the bay,

gybed, headed downwind

and began dropping headsails.

 Then tacked and dropped the main

Just before the main was lowered two crew members climbed up onto the boom and started dropping what looked like sail ties.

Beautiful aluminum boat.

Christmas Dinner

We got up yesterday morning and decided to walk over to the Firefly Plantation and check out the doings for Christmas.

We checked with the bartender and he showed us the menu and said that we were welcome to come out early and relax by the pool.

So we order a cool beverage, Lesley had a Lime Squash and I had a Hairoun and we made a dinner reservation.  We plan to walk out early Christmas day and relax by the pool, have dinner then take a cab back to the town dock.

On our way back to the boat we noticed that there were significantly fewer boats in the South anchorage than in the past.

We stopped as we got closer to the town dock and noticed that setup is nearing completion for Christmas festivities.

We just finished running the water maker and I'm going into town to pick up a stainless rubstrake that "FixMan" modified for me.

Small World

We stopped off to check out a Manta on the way back to the boat today and it turned out we know the people from our stay at Whittaker Pointe Marina in Oriental NC in 2007!  We did not have a boat card with us so came back to get one and were hailed by "Page One" asking if we knew Glen Roger - I said yes I know his but have never met him and explained how we've communicated via email and plan to finally meet in person this season.  Went back over to the Manta "Penelope" and had a nice visit and picked up a several new movies to watch as well.

Found out in the process that The Firefly Plantation is having a Christmas dinner special and an open swimming pool for the day so we are going to walk over tomorrow and check it out and perhaps sign up.  Would be nice to walk over, go swimming, have a nice Christmas dinner then walk back to the boat.

Yachts in Admiralty Bay, Bequia

This morning after putting the coffee on we noticed that we had a new neighbor.

Skat (9906) had come in sometime during the night and was anchored just across the Bay.  We've seen this mega yacht several times over the past few years - sometimes with the helicopter aboard but this morning it was not.  More info on the yacht Here.

There are also nicer yachts anchored or moored close by, like this one.

We've also seen this yacht before and tried to talk with the owner last year - but he does not speak enough English nor do we speak enough French to have a meaningful conversation.

We are making water this morning and plan to head into town later for a few things from the store and some ice cream. 
 

Mainsail - Update!

A few days ago I posted a note that we had what we thought was an issue with a fray or some chafe on the leech of our new mainsail.  I contacted Travis at Mack Sails and he asked that we send him a few pictures when we got the sail down to inspect it.

This afternoon, just before a Sundowner toast to Steve Blakely, we took the sail down.  What a relief - it looked like a bunch of lint (probably individual threads from something had been stictched loosely into the leech seam.  We were able to pull the material out without unstitching the sail and got it right back up inside the mast.

I sent a FALSE ALARM email to Mack Sails.  This was quite a relief for us as we just did not want to have to deal with any sail related issues from out here - now we don't.......

We had good WiFi service today so we Skyped a few folks - Devin, who starts his cruising adventures tomorrow, John and Anne in England, and some family.

Lesley finished waxing the cockpit and we are getting ready for showers now.

Szechuan Beef, snow peas and steamed rice for dinner.

Leech Line Rescued

We pulled some of the jib out late yesterday and removed a piece of webbing cover and I was able to rescue the leech line.  Have it secured so that it can't disappear inside the leech again (I hope).  If the wind cooperates will drop the main today and see what up with the chafe on it.  Interesting as the spot that looks frayed does not touch anything!

I was able to download a few library books for the Kindles earlier this morning and then started making water.  

Bequia

We left Carriacou this morning at 7:00am and motorsailed till we were just approaching Canouan then sailed on over.  Have a couple of sail issues - new main (less than 6 hours on it) has a frayed spot on the leach about halfway up - will be in touch with Mack Sails on this.  The Yankee decided to eat the leech line (it disappeared into the leach of the sail.  Will drop the sail tomorrow and try to pull it back out and secure it better - sail was really sloppy without the line properly tightened.

Taking it easy now and will start working on the sails in the morning.

Dinghy Valve Replaced

Went ashore this morning and removed and replaced the defective air valve on our AB Inflatable.

Photo of old valve














Photo showing the inside of the damaged valve

Photo of new valve and tool













The old valve is loosened while the tube is still inflated.  Once the air is out of the tube I finished unscrewing the old valve making sure to hold the internal nut thru the Hypalon.

 











Old valve removed showing the internal nut


I screwed the new valve into the old nut after cleaning the Hypalon with 303 UV Protectant.  Once the valve was snug but not tight we reinflated the air chamber and then finished tightening the valve.

While I was looking for a replacement valve and tool I found that there are at least 4 different valves and tools.  We now have a spare valve and the proper tool and will probably not have to do this again!


 

Great trip to Carriacou

We left St Georges just before 9:00 and got here just before 3:00.  Thanks WindGuru - a sailors weather friend.  Winds were just south of east with very small seas and we had a great trip over.  Just before we got to Kick-em Jenny we saw a large pod of small whales - blowing and waving with their tails.  As we neared the exclusion zone near the underwater volcano Lesley smelled sulfur - I freaked out and went and checked the batteries.

We made water for 3 hours this morning and filled the tank and then went for a swim after we dropped anchor.  Hoping for a green flash tonight - hope I didn't jinx it!

We are now anchored and ashore at the Lazy Turtle having a cool adult beverage.

Dinghy Repair

The air valves and tool for our AB Inflatable arrived yesterday and we plan to move on to Carriacou in the morning.  Once we get to Carriacou we will take the dink ashore and do a beach repair/replacement of the air valve.  WiFi here is extremely bad so will have to wait to upload pictures of the repair.

The boat is stocked (freezer and reefer are packed full), the boat is prepped and we are ready to head North now.  We've spoken with Kim and Sandi (IP-40) and plan to meet up with them as we travel North this year.

We are also looking forward to meeting up with the Roger family (IP-38) for the first time as we move North as well.

Dinner tonight is Four Cheese Ravioli with marinara sauce, mixed salad and a baguette!

Port Louis

As we entered the St George's area we could see the Carenage

Then the Port Louis Marina

We plan to take a local bus to the Spicelands Mall later this morning and try and finish provisioning - Jello, applesauce, sweet pickles, etc.

Also hoping that the dinghy valve and tool arrives today!

Moving to St George's

We've gotten the boat ready to go and will move around to St George's later this morning.  While I was working on the inflatable dink realized that one of the air valves was bad.  No spare parts or tools for the dink on board so I ordered two valves and a valve tool from Budget Marine yesterday.  Parts should arrive by Friday.

In the meantime here are a few photos of the boat sitting in LePhare Bleu marina - teak survived the summer and is looking good and the topsides were only washed to remove the UV protector that we applied last spring - still need to wax but the boat looks very good.  People stopping by comment on how good she looks and they are shocked when they find out that she is 14 years old!

A few pictures

Another one bites the dust!

We are now doing our last prep and are in a slip a Le Phare Bleu Marina.  Just behind us is a larger boat and laying on the dock is a bunch of dead Glacier Bay holding plate refrigeration equipment.  Just beside it is the empty boxes of replacement Frigoboat equipment!  I'll take a few pictures tomorrow and post.  Just did not get the photos today.

Update on the IP 420 - Stern tube/cutlass bearing issues remain - boat has still not been launched!

The boxes are gone but the dead plates are still on the dock!

In the water and loving it!

We moved over to LePhare Bleu yesterday morning and starting working on recommissioning.  The AC raw water pump was not working right (HPF Error) so picked up a new pump and installed it this morning and we are now cool and relaxed.

We unpacked both of our barrels and have thing mostly stowed at this point.  Did a reprovision trip into town this morning and picked up most of the things that we need for the next several days.  Bumped into the IP-420 owner and found out that the boat is still on the hard - issues locating a replacement cutlass bearing - can I say I TOLD YOU SO!

Anyway, we had a nice dinner aboard and will continue refitting over the next several days as we prepare to start North for another winter season in the Caribbean.

Sure feels good to be back aboard Gra'inne.  
. 

Launch Day

We informed the Yard folks that we were ready to launch and were scheduled to be first up this morning for a launch (0900).  We always worry about anything scheduled here.  This morning we arrived at the yard at 0800 and our worst fears seemed to be materializing.  There was an IP420 hanging in the slings from the Travellift at the lift well.  I parked the rental car and went up to the 420 and knocked on the hull.  The owner came out and we chatted for a moment.  The boat is a 2001 and was purchased by the current owner in 2007.

After talking awhile the owner indicated that when he launched late yesterday afternoon that the packing gland was leaking heavily and that the yard people were going to install a Dripless seal - that he was told it would only take AN HOUR!  I spoke to the Owner of the yard, I spoke to the Office Manager, I spoke to anyone who would listen - apparently it helped as about 8:45 the Travellift picked the boat up and moved it right next to us where it was put back on the hard on jack stands.

We went over and spoke with the owner again and I explained to him that the repair was not going to take AN HOUR but perhaps several days.  Looked at the prop shaft and prop and asked him if he had checked the cutlass bearing recently and got an unusual look.  Went over and moved the shaft - probably 1/2" side to side and told him that the bearing was shot and that it should also be replaced.

Long story short - we launched and moved the boat on over to LePhare Bleu and started doing some of our recommissioning.  Late this afternoon we hitched a ride back to the yard to pick up our rental car.  We arrived back at the yard around 4:30 and I walked over to see how the work was progressing on the 420.  The Dripless seal had been installed and they were working with a hydraulic press to remove the old cutlass bearing.  The stern tube was on the ground and the yard guys were working to get everything apart and back together.

Expect that there will be yet another full day in the yard after the bearing is replaced, stern tube reattached, engine alignment rechecked/set, bedding compound cures partially etc.

Our comments to each other - The owner indicated that the packing gland had been leaking for over a year and no attempt was made to repack or resolve the issue earlier.  Not until the boat was in the lift well and was leaking profusely did the owner see a need for maintenance.  We really like to fix things before they break or at least make an effort to resolve a problem ahead of a scheduled launch.

Anyway, we are situated now while we continue prepping the boat for another season in the Caribbean and this afternoon our AC raw water pump failed!  Overheating - new pump being held for us in town at Budget Marine, will pick it up first thing in the morning.

Cruising (or is that cursing) - repairing a boat in exotic places while paying exorbitant prices for parts if you can find them!  Gotta love this life - thank god we own an IP!

Back in Grenada

We arrived back in Grenada Wednesday evening right on schedule.  After a longer than normal wait to clear thru immigration (a Caribbean Airlines flight had arrived just before we did), we made it to and through Customs and paid duty for the vessel items that we carried back with us.  After a short ride we were back at the Yellow House and transferred the frozen meat from travel ice chest to the freezer.  Everything was still frozen again this year.

We decided to rent a car this year to make everything easier.  Thursday morning we were dropped off at LePhare Bleu Marina where we met the rental agent and she drove us in to the Grande Anse Police Station so that I could get my local drivers permit.  Headed back to LePhare Bleu, dropped of the rental agent and picked up a few items from this years shipment that we would need to recommission the boat and headed back to Grenada Marine.

The rest of Thursday was spent washing the boat to remove the UV Protectant that we had applied in the spring before leaving the boat and getting materials ready for Friday.  We checked the batteries and reinstalled DC system fuses (Battery Monitor, alternator regulator, AM/FM Radio, etc).  Last season I applied two coats of Cetol Marine Light and two clear coats to the caprail and eyebrow teak.  It still looks really good - will take a few photos and post once we get the boat back in the water and all of our gizmos loaded back aboard.

We came back to the apartment and cleaned up and then drove out to La Sagesse for dinner.  We had a nice reunion with the owner and staff and then had a wonderful beef curry, breadfruit, sauteed green beans and carrots.

I was stuffed!

Friday I did bottom paint while Lesley used Collinite cleaner on the Hull. I made quite a mess getting more paint on me and the surrounding area before getting the bottom done.  Between splashing paint out of the can while stirring it with the electric drill stirring attachment, spilling about 1/4 of the can, and sloping paint all over myself, the job is done - really glad that we had an extra gallon of paint on board!

Today we started out looking for our 110v extension cord that we use with the buffer polisher.  Tore the boat up looking for it but never did find it so we borrowed one and set about waxing the hull.  We got the Stbd side done and then took a break for lunch.   Came back and finished the Port side and then put our supplies away and did some minor work on the NAV PC installation and reefer.  I was really whipped by the time we finished so think next year we are going to break waxing up into a two day job.  We will wax the topsides once we launch and move to LePhare Bleu.

We still have some mechanical projects to complete and want to start/run the Yanmar diesel engine before launch day but the hard jobs are completed, yeah!  The next several days will be spent working inside the boat - hot but not dirty or back breaking work thank goodness.

Closing out another Summer in Florida

We are headed up to St Petersburg tomorrow to meet Devin (IP-45 Moosetracks) and his wife for lunch.  We plan to give Devin a send off toast as he plans to cast off on 12/12/2012!  Should be fun.

I finished cleaning up the garage this afternoon and putting tools away so now it's time to focus on the last few things before we leave.  Packing - the suitcase, the meat freezer, and the carry on.

We are having Thanksgiving dinner today and Lesley made a pumpkin pie.  Will make Thanksgiving subs with the left overs for dinner on our flight Wednesday.

Had a nice chat with John  (ex IP-40 Larking About) last night about a nasty email I got from my buddy.  He called me and said that he would try to intervene.................

Looking forward to another great season in the Caribbean this winter/spring.  Will try and post a few pictures tomorrow on our return from St Pete.

   

Turkey in the Sping

I'm excited - just confirmed that I will be flying to Turkey in the Spring and will be helping a fellow IP owner with some boat tasks.  Haven't been to Turkey since 1994 so this will be a great return trip.

Miller Time?

Not quite but close - 27 beers/sodas etc., became part of the test.  Loaded up the fridge with warm beer and turned it on a 5pm yesterday.  At 8:00 am this morning the box was stabilized at 40, the compressor (speed controller) had ramped down to the lowest current setting and the compressor slowly cycled on and off.  I've been offered a cold one from the boat owner and I'm going to take him up on it.  A Kalik for me, thanks!

 

Island Packet 38 Reefer Rebuild

I completed the rebuild on the IP-38 and finished documenting the procedure I used on our website at  Reefer.  I found that by posting this document as an html page I was able to provide more information than I had ever been able to when I tried to use any of HC's various websites.  Plus I own the pictures and text and can update the info periodically.  If you have any questions on have any comments, please let me know.

In the mean time - 17 days till we travel to our boat!

Freezer Fridge nearly complete

I finished the new doors for the boat and installed them - really look nice.  I'm still waiting on some miniature mounting tywraps so I can secure the temperature probes but otherwise finished!

I plan to document the process on the 38 in an html document and will post that on our web site when it is completed.

The Box!

You sometimes hear that you should be thinking outside the box, however, when you are working on one it is hard to do that.  So this morning while I was working on an IP-38 I was inside the box thinking  (actually epoxying some seams).

All things said though I've been waking up in the wee hours of the morning thinking about this project and today it came together nicely.

Compressors installed

Lights work

Smoke test!

After a very short time the fridge was down from 90 degrees ambient to 40 degrees and the freezer was down to 18.8.  Left things running for another hour and each side cycled.  Now for the hard part (actually not so hard) finish protecting the compressor plumbing, keel coolers and wiring in the lazarette and then will build the divider and finish with new reinsulated rear hinged doors.

Time for dinner now!

This years shipment is on the way

We traveled to Miami this morning to drop off two shipping barrels of boat spares, supplies and provisions for this winter season in the Caribbean.  The trip over was fine and we arrived at the Tropical LCL Warehouse and went right up to the loading dock - no one in front of us.  Within 2 minutes a forklift and pallet were waiting by the tailgate of the truck and within 5 minutes we had paid for the shipment, picked up two new barrels for next season and were on our way back home!

While on Alligator Alley today we came upon 4 single vehicle accidents - not sure if the drivers fell asleep, were texting or what but it was roadside carnage!  This was on the roadway between the toll plazas.

Got home early so installed a shelf for two new Frigoboat compressors on an IP-38.  Put the flat plate evaporators in the boat yesterday afternoon and hope to wire and connect all refrigerant tubing tomorrow  morning and test both sides.  Still have to fabricate the divider and new doors but want to make sure everything works first.

Here is a photo of the control panel that I had made and the new digital controllers before installation on the boat.  Will post additional photos of the project within the next several days.

Autopilot Project Finished

I finished installing the Garmin Autopilot on the IP-32 yesterday and completed the dockside commissioning.  Will do the on water commissioning next week when the owner is here.  Today was spent replacing a few defective breakers on the boat and fabricating a cover panel to protect the AP computer unit and wiring.

Also worked on an IP-38 refrigeration project at Gasparilla Marina and a water leak on an IP-31 at All American Covered Boat Storage.  It was an all IP day....

We also got our new main sail from Mack sails today.  We unrolled it and then re rolled so that that we can fit it in the shipping barrel.  The sail really looks good and should be a major improvement from our blown out 14 year old sail currently on the boat.  

Time Out

We left Burnt Store Marina yesterday morning early and drove to Atlanta.  Taking a few days to visit Lesley's niece here and plan to visit the Georgia aquarium as well as a few Civil War sites.

 

IP-32 Autopilot Nearing Completion

I spent most of today completing the wiring for the autopilot install.  Yesterday was a shocker when I found out that Garmin has sent me the wrong parts!  I ordered the GHP-12 Sailboat Autopilot and got the GHP-10 power boat package.  They got the RAM right but that was it.

Ignore all of the images and narrative if this is to boring but trying to pass on installation information to a friend up North who will soon be doing the same installation.

  RAM installation is complete - the shelf is 1.75 inches below the fore_aft stringer.  I cut some of the stringer out just a bit further aft so that the RAM arm and motor would clear.

Lower view of shelf showing ram/motor clearance.

I cut the power cable very short and terminated the cable on a high current terminal block under the shelf.   The power pigtail was about 8 ft long and included a fuse but I needed the fuse at the battery.

 CCU/ECU interconnect cable run up along the starboard side under the seats and then back into the engine compartment along the starboard wall.  I had to drill two additional holes for these cables in lateral baffles and then one to get up into the lazarette.

 New 40 amp fuse and high current relay.  Relay is controlled from the DC "electronics" circuit breaker and provides power to the ECU/RAM.

 Forward cabin below the floor looking aft.  CCU "compass" cable on the left and NMEA 2000 cable (18ft) on the right.

NMEA cable run through two lateral bulkheads the up through the battery compartment and into the space below the breaker panel where the existing NMEA Buss connectors are located.  Cable was just long enough!

Final picture of the installed RAM and all cables under the shelf.  Cable for RAM power, ECU power, Rudder feedback, CCU/ECU Data.

I mentioned yesterday that I should have positioned the shelf about 3/4" higher - no.....  shelf is properly positioned and 3/4" block under the left side of the RAM provides a clear shot into the area under the helm seat.  



Next - update drawings and label all cables.  Then hopefully the new Core pack will arrive next week.