My
intention is to sail on Europe’s Atlantic edge, the Scottish Western Isles of
the Inner and Outer Hebrides, an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands
surrounded by potentially
challenging waters. It’s therefore my intention to equip the boat with a VHF
radio fitted with an internal GPS, navigation lights, Tacktick speed and depth
gauge, GPS chart plotter, cabin lighting, USB charger, battery monitor and an
outboard motor fitted with a 12v 6amp power supply for re-charging the
battery/batteries. All lighting units are LED’s to limit the draw on the
battery. As I have already previously mentioned, this equipment has had to be
considered at this stage of the build because once nearing completion some
areas will be difficult or impossible to access, I also want a very neat final
finish with no visible surface fixed cables. I have designed and constructed a
compact but adequate control panel from sapele which I intend to finish in
clear varnish. This is fitted to bulkhead 4 above the port side berth. I had to
cut an aperture in the bulkhead to accommodate the radio which projects
slightly into the storage area beneath the lateral shelving between bulkhead 4
& 5. I have constructed an easily removable rear cover to protect the
wiring from items that may be stored in this locker. The chart plotter, speed
and depth gauge will be mounted on the aft face of bulkhead 3, enabling
accessibility and visual monitoring from the cockpit.
Radio and
other equipment fitted to the control panel. These will be removed
before
varnishing and painting. The radiused insert in the side locker opening
below the
lateral shelf, is the outer face of the rear wiring protection cover.
All hidden
cable runs will be contained in 20mm diameter white plastic conduit. I propose
to manufacture purpose made timber capping to hide potentially visible cable
runs in the cabin area; these will then be painted in the same colour paint as
surrounding areas to limit their visual impact.
