Sirocco is green!

Solar panel

Sirocco now has a 65Watt BP solar panel installed to the cross braces of the davits to run in conjunction with the wind generator. An SBC-7021 solar controller has been fitted to regulate things before going to the battery bank. Interestingly the solar controller has a facility to connect a night light or anchor light to that will come on when panel voltage drops to 3.5V and extinguishes when it reaches 3.5V (night time) it will self adjust as the seasons change, it will also display the panel voltage input for the last 3 days, neat piece of kit.
I bought a NASA BM-1 battery monitor recently and fitted it. This will constantly monitor all input and discharge voltage of the battery bank so we know exactly at what state of charge they are at and how long to go till we run them flat! It is very handy for working out a daily electrical load sheet, as it is capable of showing the amps of every item that is turned on, even one cabin halogen bulb! In an effort to quieten things down, I removed the blades from the wind generator and cleaned them up by removing all the small moulding plastic that was attached to them. The leading and trailing edges were shaped accordingly and 2 coats of marine varnish applied to fill minor blemishes on the surface. In the lighter winds we are now experiencing they do sound quieter, the summer sea breezes will be the true test of any improvement.
The next project is to install and commission the Raymarine S1G Type 1 linear drive ST6002 autopilot system we have just bought, this will be a challenging piece of kit to install, especially the actuator, but once this is done Sirocco will become a real Cruiser.
Till next time, fair winds, Mike.

Battery monitor

Solar regulator

Just when you thought I’d fallen overboard

SKP at Cape Couvier

Hello people, so sorry for the hiatus – obviously I am now back from 'up North', and a trip to Adelaide, and then catching the cold from hell (don't worry not Swine flu)....
The crewing adventure aboard Eaglehearts continued with just Graham and myself cruising in company with another yacht 'Escapee' (SKP). We left Carnarvon and overnighted at Cape Couvier – what a spectacular place, two tug moorings are available for passing boats to use, which is fine except that pulling them up is a Herculean task in itself – be warned! Next morning, we set off for Gnaraloo Bay. I have to say Gnaraloo is now one of my favourite spots. Nothing there particularly, but the water and the beach are pristine and it was there that I snorkelled for the very first time in my life. After a couple of days we headed to Coral Bay. The public moorings are located at Point Maude and are a good 30-40 minute dingy ride away from Coral Bay itself – there is no chance of arriving in Coral Bay dry! Despite its reputation, to be honest it was a little disappointing – just caravan parks, a resort and a couple of shops – unless, of course, you want to go swimming with the whale sharks ($275). Whilst there, we received reports of an expected 6m swell and bad NW weather, so rather than carry on to Tantabiddy, we sadly returned to Carnarvon. Thanks to Graham for making it possible and for being a brilliant skipper, and to Elaine for making sure we ate like Lords and Ladies! Mike and I are completely committed to doing this trip in Sirocco next winter, perhaps in company.

Meanwhile, here are some photos.

Sunset

Cape Couvier

Captain Graham

Eaglehearts at Gnaraloo