Aries work

We started looking at our Aries today. It is basically fine though a couple of the alloy castings are cracked. The springs in the ratchet controller are a bit ropey but generous doses of WD40 are working their usual wonders. Critically, the main bearing on the rudder appear to be fine. All in all it is looking good. We have a few parts to buy from Helen Franklin and we need to replace the control and tiller ropes but a visit to a chandlers should sort that out.

The Aries really is an amazing piece of equipment. There are literally less than 90 parts to it though some of those are quite large and industrial like. It will be fun getting to grips with it and we will need a name for it. Captain Haddock is one but not a very original one. The autopilot has already earned the name of George so we need something different for Aries - perhaps something to do with a star near Aries in the sky.

On other fronts, I think that we have solved the problem of what to do with the AIS. Silva make a transponder that has it's own display so will not require the purchase of a chartplotter or new radar. Reports from others are that AIS is a fantastic invention and makes traditional radar more or less redundant. If this truly proves to be the case, I could recoup some of the cost of the AIS by selling the radar on ebay. I will have to have a close look at all the options at the boat show.

Time is passing now we are in 2010. 18 months to the start which is making things seem nearer anyway!