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Wednesday 30 December 2020

Heating update

 The basic install is complete but it needs some further minor changes, namely more insulation. I made a trip to Louisa, the first in over 2 months, on the pretext of checking the moorings after storm Bella over the Christmas period. The moorings were fine, only half a dozen turns on the mooring lines to take out. My guess would be that some kind person at the club had tended the lines. I took paraphernalia with me to progress several jobs; winch fitment, solar panel fittings, various measurements and items to find. One of the jobs I was keen to progress was the heating, specifically the transom flange. The bolts need changing out because try as I might I couldn't tighten then up. 




The heater is located in the engine bay above the stern gland and fits in very nicely below the access hatch in the cockpit. All of the exhaust pipe is insulated and where other hoses cross its path they are also insulated. The insulation on the exhaust pipe gets too hot to touch for more than a second or two so I intend to insulate it with a second layer of the same material and then wrap it in foil tape. Also on the list of follow up jobs is replacement of the fuel hose with better quality hose, addition of a fuel cut off valve, additional support for the fuel tank, proper installation of the control panel and isolator and insulation of the air duct. 

The air it produces is a good temperature and should heat the cabin up nicely once I trust the CO levels. I have a monitor which goes off when I use my Origo spirit stove so it is only a question of time before I rely on the heater.
 

Sunday 20 December 2020

Tier 4

I really hope that the title of this post makes no sense to anyone in a few years time. Louisa has been in Tier 3 for the past 6 weeks and now both I and Louisa have been put in Tier 4. I suspect that this will last for around 2 months so it is going to be March / Easter before I get to check her moorings. That is 4 months. Worried yes, but hopefully someone at the club is keeping an eye on things.