They have still to check that we have all the bits back that they took off. Once checked, we need to get Dave to put it back together with care so that we can launch next Saturday.In the meantime here is the list of boat-related items still to be done:
- Fit transponder to boat for web site feed - need to find a suitable location which is non trivial as we have few external surfaces and it has to be outside with power
Hire 4 man raft and 406 EPIRB which will both need to be securely mounted. The raft will go aft as that's where we want the weight
Fit second fire extinguisher
Get race numbers - (no response yet from chosen supplier) and stick to boat
Get an hour's tuition on the engine and gearbox from Dave Crawford Marine
Buy set of spanners for engine as current boat tool kit is all metric and the Mercury isn't
Buy a suitable sea anchor. An odd safety requirement but maybe it will be useful one day
Get compass deviation card and swing compass
Get second engine cut out lanyard as we both need one
Buy retirement flag, new foghorn, radar reflector, appropriate first aid kit, safety blanket and torch
Fit fuel cut out switch and mark battery isolator switch
Order ship's radio license - money for nothing as I have the user's certificate and a license for my sail boat Black Tie
Get satellite phone
Sort charts and batteries for Garmin Etrex pocket emergency GPS
Put National flag on boat as well as some sponsor's stickers. Not sure what these are for as we are not sponsored by these companies
Fix clothing, hotels and plan route for supporters
Although this won't be the fastest boat in the class, it is being driven by a very experienced and tough looking team. Greg told me he was going to take it easy to Bangor then see where they stand. (Not sure racing a rib from Portsmouth to Bangor could be described as taking it easy, but I know what he means.)
At the other end of the class spectrum is the new Artic Blue 27 being built with twin BMW/Yanmar engines giving 520 hp and a stepped hull.
This boat should easily do 60+ knots which is just under 70 mph and with Paul Lemmer at the wheel, will be an obvious candidate for running at the front of the fleet.
Out of interest I calculated the weight of their engine installation compared with ours.
For Artic Blue it's 810kg including drive legs. Black Gold is 300kg including spare engine and fuel for the spare which is in the aft locker. So loads more power but the equivalent of 6 large men standing near the back of Artic Blue in terms of weight. No wonder they were keen to explain to me the workings of the bow ballast tank...
No boating this weekend - just a big push to get some of the items off my list.
Gavin 17th May
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