High speed broadband access

[Peter Taylor]

At last years boat show, Matt suggested that I should consider adding a satellite aerial to my aft gallows. At the time I suspect it was in jest but now, after much discussion and experimentation, Seatern has world-wide super-fast broadband access by satellite! 

The system (see photo) takes advantage of the new "squarial" type antenna that use 3D differential GPS to control servos which accurately aline the dish - thus allowing a smaller aerial and squatter dome.  Even so the boom (which is hoisted by the topping lift in the photo) would normally hit the aerial when going about or gybing. That is avoided by an ingenious system suggested by Matt whereby the topping lift and kicking strap  are a single continuous rope which goes around an elliptical, off-centre cam turned by the boom. This lifts the boom just enough as it goes across the boat to avoid the aerial dome.  Experimentation showed that, by reducing the kicking strap purchase from 6:1 to 5:1 (for the BC20) and slightly altering the kicking strap attachment point on the boom, the amount the kicker is eased could be made equal to the amount the topping lift was shortened by the cam (and vice-versa).

Of course all of this is only needed because of the yawl/ketch rig of the BC20.  The mizzen prevents the aerial being mounted further aft. On a BC23 the dish could be mounted aft on a simple lattice tower system.

Peter

[markbatey]

Neat idea. I've been thinking of something similar for a satellite tv system, and the variable topping lift would work for that as well. I've decided that one of the dynamic enclosed dish systems would be preferable, otherwise you would only be able to use it while moored. The sort that you see on coaches on the motorway run off 12v and can keep a satellite lock on the move, although I think I'll need to slow down my regular nippy tacking technique to allow the dish to keep locked onto the Astra satellite while going about. A 19" screen would fit quite nicely at the front end of the centreboard case on my BR17.

[Peter Cockerton]

Andy D

I think it's safe now to tell all and sundry about your Goblin Teasmade, dishwasher, electric blanket and heated heads seat on your BC23 don't you.

Peter C

[Andy Dingle]

T'is indeed wondrous to have mains hook up on the pontoon, comforts previously unheard of to be enjoyed. Unfortunately the teas maid got caught and has been evicted by the border agency ...

[Peter Taylor]

Not an EU goblin I guess...

[Tony]

All this "technology" !
Never been a caravaner myself.
Backpacker in my youth, cycle camper in middle age and now the luxury of a crawl-in-and-die cuddy on "Four Sisters".
Saving weight has become an ingrained habit.
I've nothing against technology,mind, (my Kindle saves a whole lot of weight!) but basically, if I don't need it I don't want it on board.

However, if I was regularly sailing in shipping lanes ( like Andy ?) I would move Heaven, Earth and my children's inheritance to get an active Radar "pinger" full AIS and a dirty great searchlight! (...and, of course, all the battery banks, solar panels, wind turbines, charge controllers, wiring looms, fuse boards, etc. needed to run it all. )  Even a 40' AWB can be overlooked from the bridge of a container ship.

[Peter Taylor]

One April a sailing friend contributed a review to one of the boat mags ("Classic Boat"?) concerning blocks of wood to attach to a wooden hull. These, he said,  were designed to act in a similar way to a sacrificial anode, as found on your outboard.  Impregnated with pheromones they were guaranteed to attract (and feed) wood boring marine worms, thus preventing them from attacking the boat's hull. For all I know the magazine is still getting many enquiries as to where those blocks of wood can be bought!

So, if you are reading this thread in months to come, please note that it was started on 1st April.  Matt will be somewhat puzzled if you try to order an automatic topping lift for your new BC20, BRe or whatever!

Peter