This page documents the changes to this website since Jun 6,
2008.
Changes to the SV Whoosh section of this website are not
recorded here. There is a separate
Update Log for the Whoosh
pages.
As of Feb 1, 2016 I have stopped logging the website changes on
this page. If you return to the home page you will find a
link to subscribe to the RSS Feed I am publishing. That
feed provides the same information as this log.
I discovered that there is a over heat shut off protection on
the March pumps I use for both the A/C and the SeaFrost SA-3
refrigeration. This shut down the SA-3 repeatedly until a
SeaFrost tech rep explained the problem.
When I installed the Quick windlass in 2013 I elected to retain
the on deck anchor locker. After one winter using the
windlass I've added my thoughts on that choice.
The new AB RIB arrived on New Year's eve and had a puncture
right out of the box. AB refused to provide any warranty
compensation claiming I must have caused the puncture.
Defender, from whom I purchased the dinghy, did provide reasonable
compensation.
In preparation for a Bahamas Cruise in 2014 I've spent several
weeks tracking and patching leaks in my AB RIB, and then painting
the tubes with Liquid Rubber.
In order to cope with the intense heat in Florida during the
summer I had a deck awning fabricated by a local canvas shop.
Aug 5, 2013
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Completed the process of re-hosting the website on GoDaddy.com.
DNS is now directing traffic to the GoDaddy.com host.
Aug 3, 2013
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Started the process of re-hosting the website on GoDaddy.com.
Traffic on this site has started to exceed the limit on
Infinology.com, and they did not offer an economical plan for the
increased traffic. I expect to cutover to the new host within
the next two weeks.
I added a Raymarine SR50 SiriusXM Weather receiver to display
weather information on my C120 chartplotter. After a few days
using the device with
my C120 I decided the service was too expensive for what I can get
out of it. The SR50 has been de-installed and the service
canceled.
I sold my 44# Bruce anchor and replaced it with a 15# Fortress
anchor. The Fortress is my backup anchor and will be stored in
one of the cockpit lockers.
I started to replace the Raymarine ST600R remote autopilot
control with an ST6002. This requires the construction of an
instrument pod to house this control.
I have completed the reconfiguration of the batteries on Sarah.
The two sets of Deka 6-volt batteries have been combined into one
450AH House bank. A Group 24 battery, installed in the aft
hanging locker is now the Start battery.
The saga of the Velvet Drive transmsion was not quite over.
Turns out the local yard didn't install the oil cooler correctly,
which I had to fix myself.
I have started to publish videos on the using the BoatRecordsVBA
program. I am doing this primarily to learn more about
publishing videos on this website, but possibly some will find them
useful.
I finally found a way to secure the cover for the stove when it
is not on the stove top. Also discovered this page was never
linked under the SV Sarah Upgrades menu.
This is my first attempt to implement an RSS feed from the
website so updates to the site can be monitored. My intention is to
allow either or both the SV Sarah and SV Whoosh pages to be
monitored. Test 3
Version 4.31 can now be downloaded. This version fixes a few
problems in the Maintenance Look Ahead report and adds the
capability to specify a single system for this report. If a
single system is specified the report becomes a checklist for that
system that can be filled in with the date eachd of the scheduled
tasks are completed. If no system is specified the report is
for all systems (as in previous versions).
Version 9.94c is now available. This fixes a few bugs in 9.94b
and provides validation of the Moon GHA and DEC values entered from
the NA to detect typos.
On arrival at the Ortega Yacht Club Marina in Jacksonville, FL
the Velvet Drive transmission failed as we approached the dock.
This page documents the transmission failure and the repair.
Version 4.2k is now available. This fixes a bug in the
form that is used to enter dates in the program. Incrementing
or decrementing the date can cause the program to abort.
Version 9.93c is now available. This fixes a bug in the
form that is used to enter dates in the program. Incrementing
or decrementing the date can cause the program to abort.
This is the initial release (1.94) of the BoatProvision
application. It is far from complete and not thoroughly
tested, but I think it is complete enough and tested enough to be of
some use to cruisers.
Version 4.2d of this application has been released. This
version fixes two critical problems. One is an Inventory file
corruption issue caused by the Inventory report generation.
This appears to be a problem only with Excel 2007 and not 2003.
The other fix prevents the possible overwritting of the Inventory
backup files by the Maintenance Log workbook. This problems
applies to both Excel 2007 and 2003. I recommend all users
move to version 4.2d ASAP.
I've added another Google Earth tour. This one covers my
Mediterranean Cruise in 2006. I'm still learning the
Google Earth API and XML programming so this tour is pretty crude,
but it is a start.
I've started experimenting with Google Earth to see if it could
be useful on this web site. The first of these experiments to
be published is a Google Earth Tour of Sarah's first transatlantic
crossing in 2005. I plan to also do some experimenting with
Google Maps.
I have had some problems running BoatRecords in Excel 2003 under
Win7. It appears to run fine in the xp emulation mode.
The Excel 2007 version of the program appears to run fine under
Win7.
I have done some experimentation with transferring non-Kindle
documents to my Kindle. Until Amazon.com gets around to
downloading the latest firmware to my Kindle, this transfer process
will have to involve converting the documents to Kindle format.
Version 9.83 is now available for download. This fixes a few
problems with the Help process as well as adds for Help
documentation. This version also improves the file handling
for the Office 2007 environment.
Version 9.82 is now available for download. This version adds a
form to calculate a position fix from 2 - 4 sight reductions.
This form replaces the Sight Fix Celestial subpage, which was
limited to two sight reductions. That sub-page has been
removed.
Version 3.5 is now available for download. This version
modifies the screens to fit on a netbook. It is also the first
version that has been tested under office 2007
I've started to use Kindle for PC to read books in my Kindle
libary. It has overcome one of the limitations of the Kindle
II - the ability to view detailed graphics.
I finally had a chance to raise the stay sail and sheet it to
the newly installed sheet track. Everything looks good except
the sheet angle to the winch. I've declared the installation
over (for now).
I have released version 9.7 of this application which has been
reconifigured for the small display on a netbook. It is also
the first version I have tested for Office 2007.
I have uploaded a new version (3.19a) of this MS
Excel VBA application. This fixes a number of errors in the
previous version and provides a limit data validation for the
Inventory workbook
I've started work on a set of canvas projects
using Sunbrella Shade material. The projects include curtains
for the port lights, awnings for the hatches, and a deck awning.
I have uploaded version 9.4 of this Excel
application. This adds the Moon Sight reduction to the
program. However the Moon Sight does require a Nautical Almanac.
I have updated the OffShoreNavigationVBA
application to include a Ship Log. Version 9.1a is the initial
release of the Ship Log. The application can be down loaded
from the link on the left.
I have added a new page to provide documentation on the new
integrated applications for the Inventory data base and the
Maintenance Log workbooks. The first application allows the
maintenance log to update the inventory with parts usage.
I have created a new Excel application to help me manage the
many waypoints I've acquired through various cruising guide books.
In particular these are the Dodge, Pavlidus and Exlporer waypoints
for my upcoming Bahamas cruise.
I have started on new page which provides a download link and
documentation on the Excel workbook I have developed to integrate
the Inventory and Maintenance workbook applications previously
provided for download.
I provided version 2.86 of the Inventory Workbook application
for download. Currently it is only available with the
populated Inventory I have created for Sarah. I will release
blank workbooks when I release version 2.9.
I've added a new page to the Techniques group describing how I
use the HYPERterminal program on a Wintel PC to troubleshoot and
validate my NMEA network.
I have configured a lot of resiliency into my electronic
navigation system. Sometimes that resiliency can make
troubleshooting problems more difficult.
I've added sound proofing to the inside of the engine box
panels. More work will be required to achieve any significant
reduction in the engine sound, but for now the engine box is
complete.
I've discovered that I can use SnagIt to simplify the process of
capturing the Pilot Chart image and transferring it to a graphic
format that can be imported into Fugawi.
I've completed one cycle of filling the compost chamber and have
re-charged it with a brick of COIR instead of Sphagnum. Of
course I had my problems doing this.
Updated the Off Shore Navigation workbook link to version 8.51.
I removed the activation of a userform for the navigation functions
as it was not working properly.
After the composting toilet had been in used for several weeks I
started the removal of the remaining components of the old Raritan
PHII toilet, which included the LectraSan sewage treatment system.
I failed to read and follow the instructions on using the
composting toilet and the result was a lot of unpleasant odor in the
head. Correcting this problem involved finding a local source
for Sphagnum (Peat Moss) and learning more about the product.