LESSONS LEARNED
Don Smith adapts the unused space beneath the chart table
1
When something unexpected happens, do not panic, remember that you’re the skipper and it is down to you to think carefully about the situation and devise a plan of action. In this case it was fog and, unlike a sudden storm, at least I could hear myself think!
2
I should have thought to drop the main, and deploy the bright red storm jib to make us more visible. 3
I had not practised using the Seafix, and was fortunate that it worked so well; later I learned of the powerful Alderney and Hurn aero-beacons, which might have proved useful.
4
The factor with which to divide the seconds delay between the electronic radio signal and the fog horn, once it’s in range, in order to give the distance off I’d read about, but had failed to note in the log book. 5
I’d read about the risk of running down a bearing in case you finally hit what you’re heading for, but the speed with which Fort de l’Ouest appeared out of the fog was quite a surprise!
6
The episode made me thankful that I’d regularly checked the accuracy of our main compass. We relied on it absolutely when crossing the Outer Rade at Cherbourg.
While we carry plenty of fresh water in our tanks for most domestic use, tea making is not one of them. For that we carry a freshwater canister. But where to stow it?
The surprising answer: beneath the chart table. The navigator’s foot well is handy for the galley, and as I do most of my passage navigation standing up I could live without the ability to sit at the chart table comfortably, as long as I could move the container if required.
The only issue was to make the canister secure at sea. A robust fiddle would suit the purpose nicely.
I had some teak salvaged from a garden chair that was the right size. It was weathered but nicely rounded and only needed cutting to length and sanding to remove the weathering.
To make the mounts I settled on a general size of 50mm x 75mm for the blanks. I marked out the long axis centre line and identified the lower limit of the slot by offering up the bar.
With a ½in spade drill bit (mixed units I know: approx 12.5mm), I bored a neat hole centred on the midline, ¼in back from the limit, until it was nearly through and then bored
from the other side to prevent chipping.
Then I marked two parallel lines that would kiss the new hole nearly at a tangent and cut both on a bandsaw, leaving no lip.
I marked out a suitable radius on each corner and rounded them off with my belt sander that I inverted on the bench. After some fairing I dusted and degreased before applying three coats of Danish oil.
I made some guides from MDF to aid symmetrical placement; secured the mounts with Sikaflex and left them to set. The bar had its final measurement, was cut to size and finished at home.