SPOT tracker
22 June 2008 | GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON
Today proved to be yet another simple project turned difficult! I needed to run the Garman Radar and GPS cables from the outside to the inside of the boat.... I didn't have the big *#$ drill bit, so off to the store and hundred dollars later, I'm back on the boat ready to use the new 90 degree drill and hole boring bit. I tested out the bit on a scrap piece of wood, just to make sure all was in order for the cabling. Then came the task of becoming a yoga master to fit into the aft deck locker to drill the hole. An hour later I was done! I had to drill a bunch of little pilot holes to get the big bit to eat thru the four layers of deck material (fiberglass, 3/4 plywood, more fiberglass and teak deck!!!)
Needless to say, I finished the two holes and ran the cables... That's about it today.
Holly and Chena came down to help out and deliver my new eyeglasses! I CAN SEE! I CAN REALLY SEE!!! Damn I'm looking old in the mirror! Stupid glasses!
While I was upside-down and all contorted in the aft deck locker, I started smelling propane. I thought to myself 'CRAP! DID I HIT THE PROANE LINE WITH THE DRILL BIT???', so out of the locker as fast as I could... OH MY BACK! and found the spare propane bottle venting gas in the cockpit! I called down to Holly "get a screwdriver! quick!" well, I need to be a bit more specific... since there are small flat-tips, medium flat-tips, and large flat-tips, not to mention all the various other screwdriver tips... After a little more pointing and ahha ahha THAT ONE! I was able to vent some of the propane. Seams that once the sun came out and warmed up the propane bottle, the gas expanded and was being purged thru the over-pressure valve. NOT A GOOD THING WHEN ONE IS USING A DRILL!!! sparks and gas usually don't play nice together!
The SPOT tracker is a new addition to my SURVIVAL and Communication gear. You can track my progress once I head out by clicking the SOT ME link to the right--> You can then click on the Terrain or the Satallite views for a birds-eye view of my travels. You can also zoom in and out! PRETTY NEAT STUFF! Gotta love technology (when it works!)
More tomorrow!
Cheers!