The Zodiac

I bought a new outboard for the dinghy last year, so this year I've bought a new dinghy for the outboard.

And a launching trolley - which, I've discovered, floats on its wheels. Not a useful feature ...

The Zodiac is lovely. Probably too expensive, but having spent weeks poring over options I decided to go for gold.

Solar Panel

Here is the (more or less) final arrangement of the solar panel:

 

The struts (unequal lengths) allow for a variety of angles using both or a more extreme angle (using just the long one).

I will mostly leave it horizontal when moored, or stowed vertically when doing anything in close quarters. I'm thinking about one for the other side, but I need to save up.

Particularly since I've also bought a new Zodiac dinghy.

It has been an expensive year. Speaking of which: last weekend I hoisted the new mainsail. There are a couple of final adjustments needed - to the battens mainly.

Also, the deepest (third) reef must be higher (deeper) than the tird reef on the old mainsail, because the reefing line is now a few inches too short. I might get away with adding a strop to it. I also need to put a new cringle in the stackpack for it. But I think we're ready for a shakedown cruise.

This weekend ... Photos to follow.