Plans pre season 2017

The days are getting longer...possibly warmer, but thoughts are definitely turning towards preparation for the new season.

There's lots that needs to be done, and lots I want to do.....some of which amount to the same thing...others....well

There are several priorities :-

1. I need to have the trailer serviced, certainly for the trip to Morbihan in May but also for the journey to Cornwall in April.

2. The batteries need to be checked - 6 years old now and perhaps time to replace them.

3, The bowsprit and rudder need to come home for a good sand down and refurb after 6 seasons

Perhaps less important but nonetheless on the plan are :-

4. Upgrade the solar charging management unit to run to both batteries - a bit of a elementary mistake and I should have bought the right unit at the time but easily rectified.

5. Build a mast lifter. Having looked at examples on the Shrimper forum and looking at this seasons plans raising and lowering the mast will feature quite a bit - so I will put together a blog entry about the construction as well as, of course, the successful use of it.

In addition to this there are several grp nicks in the topsides that need attention and over the winter I brought back the step are from the boat and filled a couple of voids and nicks that had appeared, so the practice, in the warmth of the kitchen, will stand me in good stead.

The trip to Cornwall is grp refurb on a grander scale. Crabbers are going to refurb the hull, to a condition that apparently "I won't recognise". After several season and some deep scratches she needs it so I look forward to the finished result - before and after pictures, of course.

In addition I have bought a small drone, particularly for the Golden Jubilee Celebration, but I hope to be able to produce some good footage of the adventures we get up to. We'll see how it goes......