KKMI

Thursday, August 4, 2011 - KKMI
After a rolly night at Paradise Cove we decided to move. But first we went over to Point Richmond and stopped at KKMI to pick up some wire so we could connect the alternator to the shunt of the flexnet (monitor for the Outback system). We tied up and went to the chandlery and then started our chores.
The first order of business was to get our new outboard motor operational. The Yamaha 4HP, 4-stroke we had bought in 2001 was on its last legs so we took it to a consignment store in Alameda and ordered new Mercury 8HP, 4-stroke from Cabela's. It weighs more but with the new motor lift we installed on the aft deck it is manageable. We launched the dingy, put the motor on, put in some oil, connected the auxiliary fuel tank and voila, our new 'car' is operational.
The next task Rich took on was the alternator connection. I assisted by doing other projects like washing the salt off the boat and helping run wire around the engine compartment and into the navigation station. Now we can monitor the input of the wind generator, solar panels and alternator. We were also able to get the last fittings needed to connect the watermaker to the input thruhull. We will not turn it on until we get farther south.