(The propeller is on the DuoGen beside the Hydrovane.)
Up early this morning to start work while it was still cool.
We started finishing the pre-installation of the Hydrovane. Cut and fit and cut and fit until we were satisfied with the installation. The problem we ran into was the stainless steel bolts locked up again with the nylon locking nuts. While they went on sort of easily, they refused to come back off. Out came the hack saw and off they came. Off to the chandlery for more bolts and nuts.
With the Hydrovane off, I "buttered" the back of the teak pads with a special water proof bedding compound and took the brackets and bolted them through the stern. The bottom bracket first and then the top bracket. We measured the distance between the bracket and the vertical bearing pole and had the stainless steel pipe that joins the two(see the photo)cut to fit. And in it all went.
Once the brackets were installed, we mounted the drive unit at the top and pulled the red cover over the vane and laced it down and we were done. As the wind hits the red wind vane, it tips from side to side and as it does that, the rudder moves from side to side and steers Zephyr. With the DuoGen down in the water, we will make electricity as we sail and the Hydrovane will steer us along our route. We had it all done by noon.
We took off for Sea J's for a nice lunch and to enjoy a bit cooler restaurant. Seattle broke an ALL TIME temperature record of 103. Olympia hit 106!! The "Hudson Effect" continues.
With it being so hot, we relaxed during the afternoon and read while we sat in the shade and tried to stay cool. After dinner, we took off for the showers to cool off. Tomorrow, more of the same.
Tomorrow, I'm off for Seattle for the day. Tracy is staying here so the kids can stay cooler with the doors open and the fans on. With luck it will be cooler.
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