Autohelm ST50 Wind
09/03/08 19:00 Filed in: Electrical and Instruments
At the time of survey the instruments were turned on and the Autohelm ST50 Wind showed readings which were assumed OK. Wrong! Ideally should have been checked against another instrument with known accuracy.
On the delivery voyage the instrument was giving readings inconsistent with prevailing conditions. Later in Dartmouth a close inspection of the vane revealed some damage to the fin. At layup in November 2005 the masthead unit was removed and sent off to Raymarine for repair.
Although they sent back a standard "10 year letter" to the effect that parts were becoming scarce their service was excellent. Turned out that the rubber vane was torn and perished and the bearing was seized. Repaired unit was back 10 days later at a cost of around £45. Not a major blow.
En route to Recife in March 2008 it failed again. This time I simply removed the unit, cleaned it and put it back. It worked just fine.
On the delivery voyage the instrument was giving readings inconsistent with prevailing conditions. Later in Dartmouth a close inspection of the vane revealed some damage to the fin. At layup in November 2005 the masthead unit was removed and sent off to Raymarine for repair.
Although they sent back a standard "10 year letter" to the effect that parts were becoming scarce their service was excellent. Turned out that the rubber vane was torn and perished and the bearing was seized. Repaired unit was back 10 days later at a cost of around £45. Not a major blow.
En route to Recife in March 2008 it failed again. This time I simply removed the unit, cleaned it and put it back. It worked just fine.
Aries Wind Vane
31/01/08 01:34 Filed in: Deck and Miscellaneous
The Aries windvane servo blade had developed a habit of flipping up at sea. It didn’t seam to be seating home properly. I consulted Peter at Aries who suggested I check the seating washer.
Water had got under the washer and some corrosion had developed. This pushed the washer out slightly preventing the blade from seating fully. I removed the washer cleaned everything and epoxied the washer back in place. Thereafter the blade seated perfectly.
Raised washer preventing servo blade from seating home fullly.
Offending washer removed.
Water had got under the washer and some corrosion had developed. This pushed the washer out slightly preventing the blade from seating fully. I removed the washer cleaned everything and epoxied the washer back in place. Thereafter the blade seated perfectly.
Raised washer preventing servo blade from seating home fullly.
Offending washer removed.
Spinnaker Pole
23/01/08 16:44 Filed in: Sails and Rigging
Rivets holding the uphaul/downhaul bracket failed. The pole was only 18 months old and had been lightly used.
Gas pipe failure
15/01/08 11:25 Filed in: Deck and Miscellaneous
We rolled heavily on passage to Fortaleza. The gas pipe was not up to the job and the gimbal lock fell apart.
Fresh Water Tank
10/01/08 09:46 Filed in: Deck and Miscellaneous
