12-Volt rewire is finally underway!

So far, I have rebuilt the new switch panel that I rebuilt several months ago--added a second 12VDC outlet and made it smaller. Both sides of the boat have their house circuit totally rebuilt--no more incandescent lights! We have 8 new light fixtures, all LED, and three low-power-draw (360mW) fans. Eight terminal blocks allow economy of wiring with the 14AWG bus lines carrying power to the 16AWG breakouts, so there's a minimal line loss for the weight. Power from the main battery switch is carried on three 14AWG duplex wires to the three switch panels.

No pictures yet, as the panel is just kind of leaning against the space where it will be mounted, in violation of all sorts of OSHA regs no doubt. Shh.

Pulling the old wiring was, um, interesting. This boat has apparently been wired and rewired several times by Han solo and other previous owners. Bits of extension cords, single-strand wire, lamp cords, speaker wire, and something with hieroglyphs on it that seemed to be insulated with papyrus.

Anyway, the second-hardest part is done: the house wiring. The hardest part will be the mast wiring. The remaining onboard electronics will be less of a challenge, comparatively speaking.

Motor Vessel Vassal!

S/V Sovereign is now properly served by the T/T Vassal. I found a 2006 Tohatsu 5hp outboard. A bit more power than the little dink needs, and it does push the bow up quite a bit, but it's in great shape. Even came with a manual!

Looks a bit big from this angle.



A better perspective on the size. That's Professor Bob's excellent RIB next to her.


Been years since I handled an outboard, and the little hard dink is a bit unstable. But we'll get used to it. So, another small step towards independence!

Blue Angels Show Over Charleston!

Okay, this was a couple of weeks ago, but I've been busy. We got to anchor out in the harbor and check out the Blue Angels airshow. We went out with Professor Bob and his girlfriend Andrea on his Island Packet 35. Great boat, great view!


Katie chilling in the cockpit:


Me on boom watch:


One of the beautiful boats out for the show:


It was a good day with good friends. Thanks, Bob and Andrea!