Current Sunshine is back in the water again after a few months rejuvenation in the boatyard.
I love the stillness and early morning light on the river. Being on the river brings a lovely energy which was missing when she was on the blocks. The dusty gritty hardness is gone now and I’m more inclined to write about her and adventures again.
I gave her just a short run when she was launched two days ago but it was enough to feel how much better she steers now that the motor turns with the rudder. Her direction when manouvring is much more precise, and especially when going astern.
And as before, onlookers were surprised at how much power the Torqeedo puts out. She quickly got to 6.5 knots and the energy that was used up has already been replaced by yesterday’s sunshine.
And talking about Torqeedo’s… I like them so much I bought another one! A smaller one that I can use on the Avon inflatable dinghy – and as well it is a backup for the main motor. I also want to make a bracket to attach it to one of the floats so it can help with close quarters manouvring.
Yesterday we tested it on the dinghy using an outboard bracket that Claude has lent me – he had in his shed a bracket made especially for the Avon – he had kept it thinking it would be useful one day. Thanks Claude. It fits perfectly and we went downriver a couple of miles to test it. It is a powerful little motor and actually has too much force for the inflatable – it bends the back of the dinghy when on full power. Or it could mean the dinghy is not inflated hard enough!
Anyway, that’s a good start to my blogging again. More later.
Hi Chris
It would be interesting to see how you rigged the torqeedo in the engine well. Maybe you can post some pictures? Have you heard about the new little torqeedo engines travel 1003 and 503? They are supposed to be submersible like your 4000 model. I heard that with the 401 and 801 there are some serious corrosion issues in saltwater use due to non marine telephone type connectors used. The problems however seem to be easily resolvable and the trimaran user in germany (who recently became a torqeedo dealer) has some experience in making these models saltwater durable (http://www.lespoir-tri.wg.am).
Nice picture your beaty in the water again. Looks like new!
greetings from the dark and cold north… sun is back in two months…
Matti
Matti
Yeah sure – I’ll get some pictures and put up some details. The steering is working nicely. I don’t know of the new Torqeedo’s – but I will be careful about protecting the connectors of this one with Inox. I checked out Sven’s site but being in German is something of a handicap for me.
How odd to be without the sun. Not so good for a solar boat huh?
Cheers
Chris
Hi Chirs, Good to see her back on the water. Just in time to enjoy some good Summer blows too by the look of it. Hope the battery terminals/cells settle down and adopt proper working attitudes. Could be they simply haven’t been worked hard enough yet!
Cheers, Steve
Strait-n-Narrow
Hey Steve,
I think you’re right – they need more work huh. But I did find that the terminals had some oxidation – especially on the cell that gave trouble so I’m hopeful that the meticulous cleaning of the surfaces will be all thats needed to get it working. The cells are back in and charging right now. Its needs another few hours to top them up and then I’ll do another test.
The pack is unbalanced as yet and will need a few cycles to get it so – which is as you suggest – they need work.
I hope you’ve had a chance to get Strait-n-Narrow out a bit and having adventures on the bay.
Cheers
Chris