Days spent to get Bubista II in passage ready shape
The radar installation went remarkably smooth
Bubista II controls cabinet.
Be careful as you enter - electronics are on both sides……
Perry and his wife from Tropicomm Associates were so very flexible with our schedule. Since the boat did not arrive until Friday, Nov 6, they could not start any work until Saturday. As advertised, it took the entire 2 days of Saturday and Sunday to complete the wiring and interface to our current RayMarine Chartplotter. Although pressed for time, the pair worked together and made the required connections on time.
By the evening of Nov 8th, we were high fiving and entertaining visitors from St. Thomas.
But, alas, some of the connections did not pan out.
Graham and Amber
Sorting through the details of the installation.
As soon as Perry finished his work, the sign-on and start up of the system was underway. Graham, Perry and Carlos looked at the screens, signed us up for the Raymarine network, played with settings, booted and rebooted the software on all the devices. The radar unit simply would not connect to the chartplotter. After some investigation, it was found that our older chartplotter was not compatible with the newer radar unit. Now what???
Team work prevailed!
After it was found that the radar we purchased was not compatible with the actual installed chart plotter, the problem solvring team was engaged in full out option creation and ranking. Based on the (lack of) luck with anything electronic being up-to-date on St. Thomas, the best option was a quick flight to Puerto Rico to pick up a chart plotter and all the necessary accessories that would be needed. Graham left with David on the first flight to Puerto Rico, and rented a car vs. being stuck with ubers or taxis. He visited two West Marines on the island and returned successfully with the new chartplotter and several spares that we could have on hand! Bravo.
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The treasured chartplotter
The only one in stock in Puerto Rico!!
Did I mention that the captain was not interested in a passage with no radar? The irregular track of hurricane/tropical Storm ETA and the reality of sailing at night had everyone a little concerned. The trip to PR cost some money and another day of waiting, but it was a success as Captain Graham did the journey in a little less than 10 hours. Perry helped to fit a new plate into the existing opening and it was all wired and working by 7pm Nov 9. Just in time for the first dinner on board!
Some oddities in the last minutes….
The last few days on the island of Saint Thomas have been a whirlwind of activity. A few oddities appeared during inspections on the boat - missing cotter pins on the most of the turnbuckles, a pretty good leak on the hatch over the rear desk, a couple of pins missing on the bathroom doorknob. That was the start. After it was found that the radar we purchased was not compatible with the actual installed chart plotter, the problem solvering team was engaged in full out option creation and ranking. Based on the (lack of) luck with anything electronic being up-to-date on St. Thomas, the best option was a quick flight to Puerto Rico to pick up a chart plotter and all the necessary accessories that would be needed.
Did I mention that the captain was not interested in a passage with no radar? The irregular track of hurricane/tropical Storm ETA has everyone a little concerned. The trip to PR cost some money and another day of waiting, but it was a success as Captain Graham did the journey in a little less than 10 hours. Perry helped to fit a new plate into the existing opening and it was all wired and working by 7pm Nov 9. Just in time for the first dinner!
Pork chops, rice and zucchini - along with Truly & wine
