AIS

A Class B Automated Identification System (AIS) has been added to Serenity's kit.  We gave it a go over the Forth of July weekend and were thoroughly impressed.  On several occasions it alerted us to large ships before we could get a visual.  On one occasion, I would have taken unnecessary evasive action to avoid a tug pulling a barge, if I had not been able to determine the tug was turning using the AIS information displayed on the chart plotter.  Attached is a picture of what it looks like on the chart plotter.  Serenity is represented by the green icon, the tug is passing on the starboard side.

Instrumentation

The upper helm station now has an instrument pod located on the mizzen mast (protection plastic still on).

In The Water

After a long winter of refits, Serenity is back in the water with a new bottom barrier coat, bottom paint (two coats), and barnacle buster on the metal parts.

Weather

Serenity uses Nobeltec software for navigation. One of the options with Nobeltec is a Weather Pack. To utilize weather feature one must have a method to receive weather information. We chose a WxWorx radio that receives XM WX Satellite Weather. The hardware is rather pricey, and the XM “vig” is rather steep, but we decided to go with it for safety. Here are the products we will receive:


Radar Summary

Weather Warnings

City Forecasts

Surface Observations

Radar Coverage

Current Precipitation

High Resolution NEXRAD Radar

High Resolution Radar

Precipitation Type (at surface)

Surface Analysis Weather Maps

Marine Zone Forecast

Surface Wind Speed/Direction

Wave Height

Wave Period

Ground Tackle

All advice indicates a serious cruising boat needs at least two and possibly more anchors, especially in the Bahamas where changing currents require the placement of two anchors.  The original 35 pound CQR (on the right) has been augmented with a Delta anchor.  The bow roller had to be engineered and turned to be able to split for installation.  Thanks to Zephyrwerks in Port Townsend, WA (http://www.zephyrwerks.co/) for the great machine work.  A shank roller will be fabricated to match the the original.

Earth Day

Serenity is going green, she is getting four 65 watt panels and a wind generator.  More to come...

Update Instrumentation

Serenity's instruments were getting a bit antiquated, so she has received an almost complete upgrade. The major component is a new course computer that drives the autopilot. The old autopilot would hold a heading, most of the time. In following seas, it was behind the power curve and could not anticipate or keep up with the affects of waves hitting the stern. Hopefully, this will be rectified. Additionally, the old autopilot could only hold a heading. The new autopilot integrated with the wind and speed instrumentation will be able to follow the wind and alert us when the course has changed beyond a user-defined parameter. Instrumentation at the upper helm was very limited, i.e., speed and depth. With the new RayMarine multi-displays, we will have speed through the water, water depth and temperature, wind - both true and apparent, and engine readings to include RPMs, oil pressure, cooling temperature, amp meter, and transmission oil pressure. Digital engine information from analog gauges and sensors gets a bit tricky. How this is accomplished and information about the Noland Engineering RS11 in later posts.