Day 154, 6/22/24 New companionway hatch, windlass mount base dryfit, Autopilot sea trail 4 hours then 4 hours sail.

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Deck

 New companionway hatch made and installed. New teak handle, 12mm plexiglass piece and stoppers  assembled. Fresh refinished cover (little bit visible under traveler) is sealed and screwed down on place. Difference from original, New acrylic glass instead of  heavy UV damaged one after 40 years serve, I replaced wooden stopper inside the cover to HDPE plastic blocks from bottom and top side. Now cover has no way to be pulled out completely  and find way over the board,  also stoppers  will not rot out in humid covered space under cover.

 

Windlass

First version of mounting plate for windlass. Dry fit test shown the windlass itself must be moved 25mm toward port side to align chain with windlass. Also i decided to eliminate front piece  and leave just the "bridge". To be continued.

Autopilot

Pypilot Autopilot first test on water. Autopilot works relatively well on all courses with default settings. Tested Compass and Wind modes under sails and on motor. Tried to test auto-tack function, but in wind mode only,  Port side tack worked reasonably good but drive turn very slow, on Starboard tack autopilot turn boat full around. After couple attempts I started tacking manually. So, need to figure out what I do wrong.
 
Autopilot in charge, and Eugene on watch,I am having fun.

Wing by wing down wind.

Beating upwind to marina.


 


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