Well, the boat is slowly coming out of hibernation so it's time for another update. It's been a busy few weeks. Lots to report and it's mostly good news.

All of the items on our winter 'to do' list have been crossed out. I've reported some of them in previous entries, but here's a summary anyway:

- The DSC VHF has been reprogrammed with the correct MMSI. About time.
- The leaks in the tender have been filled and the rubber rubbing streak - which had become unstuck in places - has been re-glued. Full credits to Yanni.
- The outboard engine did pass its test with flying colours. It's impossible to kill that thing. Fuel is still good.
- The inboard diesel has been serviced. Some remarks regarding this. For the first 3 years (warranty period) I had the engine serviced by a 'recognised agent'. This was the first year we serviced the engine ourselves and what do we find? The anode has NEVER been changed - and now it was completely gone. So much for 'recognised agents'.
Also, when the engine was installed they had conveniently hidden the raw water inlet strainer. Out of sight is out of mind and I really hadn't given the thing much thought till I rediscovered the it when installing the new cabin heater last week. Good thing too - not quite clogged, but as good as. Potential disaster later in the season averted.
- The new Webasto heater has been installed. As with everything boat related, it took longer and did cost a bit more than anticipated but I am quite pleased with the result. It's so nice to have a heated boat again.
Note for Webasto: you might want to consider manufacturing extension leads for your wiring loom. The provided 4.2m didn't cut it - at all. If you sell units to suit a boat up to 46', the wiring loom should be of an appropriate size.
- Last year we switched to LED navigation lights. By the end of the season, the forward port/starboard lights started acting up. When I opened them up, both LED bulbs were heavily corroded. Not surprising really, considering their rather exposed position on the pulpit. So, I've now invested in two (one red, one green) waterproof LED bulbs. They were about three times the price of a normal LED bulb but hopefully they should last longer than one season. Time will tell.
- Finally, the deck has had its annual scrub; the boat has had a good clean down below and bedding also back aboard.

The only let down was the Raspberry Pie based chart plotter Yanni promised to build for me. Despite the not inconsiderable cash investment in parts on my part, I have yet to see anything closely resembling a working unit. He's got other priorities right now (college), but the last word has not yet been said on this subject.

What's next? We still have to take the life raft back to the boat, but other than that we're good to go. Fuel tank could do with some topping up, but as we're not planning to go anywhere in the near future that can wait for another couple of weeks. We're also moving the boat onto her swinging mooring on Thursday.
The marina informed me today that there are already a couple (suitable for our size) which have been serviced and/or replaced. We need to do this now, as I will have very little free time in the next 5/6 weeks.
Work schedule looks very busy for the immediate future: week on/week off till at least the middle of May. Things will hopefully ease after that.

Only thing still to arrange before we sail away for summer is a quick lift/hold and drop to change the anodes (prop and pro shaft) and a quick pressure-wash. Hopefully some time in May.

That's all there's to it. No boat or sailing related excitement on the horizon. But we must crack on - time and tide wait for no man.