Since we installed the Watt&Sea POD 600 in Las Palmas, we've sailed more than 2'500 nm with it. Some people have been asking for feedback on it, so here it is!
Sailing with Linux (NMEA, GPSd, Iridium)
We have been using Linux on board since our second season on Soledad - three years ago. There exists quite a large collection of marine/sailing software for Linux. As you might know from previous posts, we mainly use OpenCPN and zyGrib for navigation. In this post, I will explain how we got more by connecting our computer to the boat's electronics and to an Iridium satellite phone.
Winter and boat works in Las Palmas
We literally spent the winter in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. El muelle deportivo de Las Palmas is a huge marina in the centre of the city. At walking distance or by bus (bus pass available at the marina's mini-market) you can find whatever you need. We enjoyed the spannish/canarian culture (carnivals, holy week, etc.) and the weather has been good (even though locals say it's been one bad winter).
Our first 5-day passage
We crossed from Malta to Mallorca, in a 5 days/5 nights passage. We wanted to test us and to test the boat. Read on to learn how it went!
Evolve or die
The last weeks confirmed that 'not having a fixed plan' is the way to go. We are constantly adapting our journey to the changing conditions and we think it's the right approach. The crew's spirit is (usually) high, frustrations are low.
Announcing a partnership with DIMENSION-POLYANT on Vectron sailcloth
Time has come to replace our good old North Sails main sail (in place since 2008/2009). After discussion and following the advise from our sailmaker, we decided to go for a new sailcloth: Vectron from DIMENSION-POLYANT. This is a new line of woven sailcloth in DP's catalog for 2017.
Of pillars and electrons (again)
The Agile Manifesto relies on 12 pillars. The more you intend to be in line with those pillars, the more agile your team (or family !) is. Check out what pillars we are honouring this week
Electronics on board our sailboat
Complexity is not your friend at sea. When sailing, you need systems that just work... or that can fail gracefully, at least. In order to deal with this growing complexity, we decided to cut it into manageable chunks with some "Agile-Fu".
Power on board our sailboat
During our first 4 summers on board, we (had to) improved several times the electrical systems on board Soledad, our Hanse 430e. By improving, I mean we managed to get a better autonomy AND more comfort at the same time. "Better autonomy" was the goal.
Agile For Life 