Trev, sheet in the radar please.....

We hear of other boats retiring and heading to shore for repairs and the
fleet somewhat depleted now. So we feel lucky that Jangada Too seems to be
looking after us, despite the hammering that she is getting with each of the
low pressure systems and the wind and waves that the Atlantic seems to throw
at us.

But we are not without our own problems. The first we became aware of an
issue was tacking towards the Scilly Isles when we noticed that the radar
atop its pole was also tacking through 30 degrees. More worrying was that
the clamp around the strut had slipped up by several inches. Dynema in hand
we set up a jury rig to secure the pole. If we were to lose it then many of
our main systems would also suffer leaving us without GPS, Radar reflector
etc...

Thinking we had solved the problem, the next "bump & vibration" testing
phase proved that whilst the pole would remain upright, the lines didn't not
prevent the pole twisting - it sits on a ball and socket joint at the base
so is free to swivel. And excessive twist not only gives the wrong radar
picture, but was in danger of sheering the bolts on the bracket.

We think we have now found a solution using rope tied around the base, glued
in place with Silkaflex and then tensioned up with a block & tackle system.
We have now reduced the rotation to about 5 degrees - not perfect, but it
should get us to Newport.

So now we don't have to tack the radar at the same time as the sails - one
less job to go wrong.

Richard