Rainy day

I used this rainy Sunday we are having to take care of several pressing issues. Slept late. Made breakfast for everyone. Wired the propane gas detector. Rigged the umbrella.

The wiring was a little daunting before I read the instructions (go figure). But after some reading and thinking, it all made sense. Then I tried to figure out where to tap into the solenoid wires but couldn’t trace where they ran from the solenoid in the stern to the fuse panel in the cabin. 

Then I realized all I needed to do was find the power wire to the solenoid (easy) and isolate the ground from the solenoid (challenging). In a thick bundle coming into the back of the panel, there were at least six identical-looking ground wires, any one of which could have been the wire I sought. Had to figure out which was the one from the solenoid by trial and error. “HEY! Why did the lights just go out? Is that lightning?” “No, it’s just Daddy.”

Now that the wires are all squared away, the sensor works properly: it won’t allow the gas valve (solenoid) to turn on and let gas flow from the tanks to the stove if it detects propane at the sensor, which is installed in the bilge.

I also rigged the hatch umbrella. It’s a simple canvas construction that we can set up over an open hatch. The umbrella (like all umbrellas) keeps the rain off while letting fresh air into the boat. In the past we have had to close all the hatches and ports when it rains. That leads to a muggy, stuffy cabin. No longer! 

(Hatch Umbrella is to Wind Scoop as Foul Weather Gear is to Sunglasses)

Met Simon and the in-laws and brother-in-law Richard for dinner tonight at the Broad Arrow Tavern in Freeport. Now we are all feeling a little overloaded on delicious food. 

Cruising tip of the day: There’s no point in bringing magnets. I got a great little LED light with a bendy gooseneck and a magnetic base. But because everything on a boat is aluminum or stainless steel, there’s nothing to which it will stick. Also, the compass and computer don’t really like magnets. So keep that stuff ashore.