May 15th 2011
As a first log entry perhaps I should set out some of the things that have changed with the boat over winter.
- The heater works. Without this no other work could have been completed. Winter was very very cold and I have nothing positive to say about G's wine bar which always seemed to be closing early through lack of custom whenever I wanted to go in and get warm. Actually the heater isn't as effective as I might have hoped for, but it certainly takes the edge off.
- Old instruments have been removed. The green screen plotter, navtex with expired battery, radar and semi-functional radio cassette have gone. Also removed was my perfectly-good-but-not-DSC VHF. THese things are not so much "gone" as moved to the For Sale page. To retain Karmic balance in the universe, new things have been added.
- New VHF. And ICOM 603 with a remote handset at the helm so I don't have to nip downstairs to change channel or get the handheld. As I learned with my handheld, ICOM's customer service is fantastic. I'll recomend ICOM to anyone
- Unfortunately I can't say the same of Fusion Audio. I bought one of their Fusion IP600 ipod units. The user interface is dire. Documentation is lacking. Basic functionality like being able to play an album without it continuously repeating is lacking. Worst of all, any attempt to contact them is wasting your time. After several attempts at submitting a technical support query via their web site I tried contacting the suppliers, navico. They were unable to help. With the help of the the nice people at TCS chandlery who sold me the unit I got in touch with the UK sales manager. After some chasing all he was able to do was tell me that the dire functionality was deliverate. He was kind enough to promise to send me something to make up for all my wasted time. It must be coming by sail from New Zealand because after 6 weeks it still hasn't arrived. I was going to buy a remote control and some speakers from them but somehow I don't think Fusion will be getting any more of my cash.
- I now have a fancy new AIS unit wired up to a new chartplotter. Neither are much more than a distraction whilst pottering about the solent but I'm hoping that they're going to take the stress out of crossing the channel, especially in combination with the DCS radio.
- The aft heads now has a working toilet. Sleepers in the saloon can now slumber more peacefully without me disturbing them in the middle of the night.
