The New Computer

The boat has a new computer. Who would imagine that those six words, just one simple sentence, could bring such happiness? Just ask the Capt. This new Dell computer is an updated, more powerful version of the old machine, so all of the sensors and components should recognize each other and communicate with very few tweaks required. They did, for the most part. There's a long story about the wild, runaway mouse, but that's history now, just another boat story.

I have learned a new computer term, and No, it wasn't any salty language from the Capt as he conversed with the balky machine or several foreign tech support centers. I had never heard of a "dongle", and now we own one. It's a little thingamajig that fits into a USB port and is used by some software companies for authentication and security purposes. Read more about dongles here and here if you really care, and view a variety of the devices here. Who thought up that name? was it the same fellow who named widgets?

We continue to carry stacks of paper charts as backups in case of computer failure, but it's comforting to know that the upgraded navigation program, autopilot, GPS, depth sounder and radar interact as they should and provide reliable data. And now they do. 
  

Installing the new computer in the skinny cabinet opening

Note the beige monitor on the left side of the helmstation in the photo above. It was an ugly old relic, it's images dimming and losing contrast, growing harder to read in bright sunlight, (and did I mention ugly?)  Add a Part B to the computer project.

  

 Adding the new computer monitor

An older photo showing what's in the dash behind the monitor 

New monitor installed and waiting for its base coverplate 

Spring Outfitting

Storm clouds moved in on a typical Spring day in Campbell River, just one of many storm fronts to roll through between glorious moments of blue sky and warmish sunshine. This was a day to work on inside projects. 

Spring outfitting ashore might mean buying some new clothes, or maybe exchanging dark winter accessories for brighter, more colorful items for the home. On a boat spring outfitting is more like Spring cleaning. It means getting the vessel ready for cruising, checking out systems and equipment, provisioning, removing all signs of winter layup and the opportunity to clean, clean, clean.

Many activities are scheduled by calendar days or hours of use, all recorded on the VMS (Vessel Management System). VMS is a computer program that tracks the maintenance schedules for things like zinc replacement, oil changes, filter replacements, periodic bilge pump testing, safety checks, etc. After eleven years of use the Capt and VMS have fine-tuned the project schedule for Rhapsody.

Spring fix-up activities have shown up all around the harbor. New, colorful signage went up for dockside businesses…

 …and even the local feral cats spiffed up in the sunshine.

The scheduled projects are moving right along, but “Surprise!” We now have a slight delay, waiting for the delivery of a part for a new, not scheduled fix-it project. It’s always good when repairs happen in town, at a dock, with mechanics and UPS service available. (Dee’s note: I enjoy the extra time for more walks ashore and visits with our Campbell River friends.)

Anticipation

It began with the card file, an ordinary three-ring binder full of cards from boaters and maritime businesses. Each page is a plastic sleeve that holds 20 colorful cards, each set of cards holding its own colorful collection of memories. Over the years the collection has grown so big that it really needs an index. But that's a winter project. The binder spent the past winter tucked away on a bookshelf, out of sight and forgotten as life ashore captured our attention. 

Anticipation built as I opened the cover and flipped through the various sections, picturing the faces that accompany each boat name and photo. Boaters might as well not have surnames since we link people with their vessel names. PrimeTime John and PrimeTime Tom are two very different captains with two dissimilar boats that are both named Prime Time. 

“Has Jericho rounded Cape Caution yet?… is Pelorus cruising Prince William Sound this year?... have you seen Hocus Pocus IV in Southeast? when will Diane and Lee on Symphony arrive in Petersburg?..." 

Many of the cards have comments penciled on them, noting when and where we first met, or maybe a personal notation, something to jog the memory. Notes help when we hear a radio call and know the boat name but can't quite recall the people names. 

Skimming through the boat cards recalled so many images of past cruises, some vivid and some a little hazy. It's time to reread boat logs and journals, skim the blog archives, and study the camera manual. The next five months will be filled with amazing scenery, abundant wildlife, wonderful people and long days of enjoyment. We're almost ready to go cruising.