Primed and Ready...

Last week we completed the second part of the work we planned for Ge’Mara this spring.  The maintenance and repairs at dry dock weren’t sexy but they were necessary.  However this past week was dedicated to things that were a little more noticeable – and fun.

First, Ge’Mara got a cut and polish topside, the closest thing we could give our girl to a trip to the spa.  She may not quite look like new, but she’s got her lovely glow back.  In fact we were so pleased we thought we might reconsider going back to the Hunter Rendezvous and giving those 50 ft. prima-donnas a run for their money.  With that said, the birds have already done a number on her.  And so it goes…

We installed two new pieces of electronics this week as well.  First, we replaced her old old VHF radio with a brand new Standard Horizon DSC model.  I swear the old one had tubes in it.  Our mechanic suggested we could sell it on e-Bay.  David and I looked doubtfully at each other and he chucked it when Laurence wasn't looking.  We took advantage of the upgrade to install a remote microphone/speaker in the cockpit.  Prior to this we were forced to use a portable VHF radio in the cockpit and the more powerful primary radio sat in the cabin virtually unused.  Now we can access all features of the new radio while sailing the boat.  Plus we now have the added safety benefit of DSC as I explained in an earlier post.

The new remote mic for the VHF is a big help

Close-up of the RAM mic.  If you closely you
can see it displays GPS position and speed info now.

The second project was a brand new Raymarine autopilot.  David and I debated over this for quite a while but in the end we decided to go for it.  We are very happy for the decision.  Anxious to try it out we planned an impromptu sail this past weekend, even though the forecast called for heavy rain.  Before the worst of the rain started we had a chance to try the autopilot, first while motoring and then under sail.  It’s a wonderfully simple and useful device that will promise to make long sailing trips more pleasant for both of us by keeping the boat on course while the person who would otherwise be stuck behind the wheel can occupy himself or just relax – while maintaining a watchful eye on the water of course.  (I heard one sailor refer to being stuck at the wheel while motoring "the tyranny of the helm.")

The new autopilot system attached to the wheel

The control head for the autopilot

I was also sure to try the automatic tacking feature.  Normally tacking is a procedure that requires one person at the helm to change course while another person works the jib sheets and re-trims the main.  Now the autopilot can handle the helm while I work the lines.  This is important to me as I have some extra time this spring/summer to take the boat out on my own.  It worked like a charm and David and I were grinning stupidly at each other in the rain, partly at the fun of having a new toy on the boat and partly out of relief that we had spent our money wisely.

So Ge’Mara is primed and ready for sailing .  We have plans to make a quick overnight trip in the latter part of April and then it’s off for a week to Princess Louisa Inlet on May 2.  Can’t wait.