Nimrod Oceanlord

Of course, one of the real joys of sailing is that you don’t necessary want to be too close to the mayhem of everyday life. That’s where my Kindle will be very useful. The 3G version allows you to upload books from Amazon anywhere there is a 3G signal but it also allows you to access the internet free of charge. It’s clunky but that makes you be really careful when you use it as you need a lot of patience. We have all been spoilt with iPads, smartphones etc!

With the onslaught of mobile technology, trying to work out what we need for the Med is a labyrinth of possibilities. We have decided that SSB radio (long distance ham radio) is over the top but we need to be able to access voice and data from our phones and computers – if only to update this blog! It is somewhat ironic that we are sailing into the distance to get away from day to day pessures and decide what we really want to do for the next few years, yet here we are trying to work out how to keep in touch!

However, we have decided to install a wireless antenna that can pick up a signal over 5 miles away, which is fine as long as there is a hotspot in range. The FON network gives you access to hotspots that other FON  members have set up around the world. All for an initial outlay of £45. We have also bought a roaming voice SIM card that will give us free calls in and low costs out. In addition, we have also purchased a pay as you go data SIM card for when we don’t have wireless coverage. As we are coastal hopping, we should have communication most of the time.

Well, we have finally bought our solar panels. These are semi flexible so that they are fitted onto the coach roof at the stern but can be walked on. These will give us 200 watts of energy equal to around 16 amps into the battery bank. We have ordered them from Aurinco in Sweden, as these are very thin and flush.

We have also had the water maker fitted at last so we are very excited about using it.

We have finally purchased and are currently installing a Schenker watermaker, which will allow us desalinate sea water into very good drinking water. However, the amount of upheaval to Nimrod has been immense with cupboards emptied, floorboards lifted and holes drilled into the boat. We need a through hull fitting installed so that we have dedicated raw sea water intake. It will mean that we are self sufficient and will be sure of the quality of the water.

A treat for Nimrod – brand new teak washboards! So much nicer than the old white plastic ones.