Approximately 4.5 hours were spent sailing in delightful weather with a Force 3-4 wind blowing from the east, creating a sunny yet brisk atmosphere.
BHPian Jeroen recently shared this experience with fellow enthusiasts.
Yesterday, a few hours were dedicated to exploring Sirion with Michael, who recently installed the latest Raymarine equipment onboard. Together, they reviewed the fundamental operations of the new gear. Michael’s extensive knowledge of Sirion, acquired through years of working on the vessel, proved invaluable as he assisted in clarifying various aspects for Jeroen, such as understanding the differences between the battery solar charge and the 220 V inverter system.
While there are additional updates, some components remain undisclosed.
Slowly but steadily, a sense of confidence is beginning to emerge.
Encountering a large floating structure, possibly a unique type of dredger used for sand extraction, added an element of intrigue to the sailing journey.
Sirion boasts two distinct flagpoles: one at the stern designated for the Dutch flag and a smaller one at the bow typically used by professional vessels to display their company flag or by recreational boats to showcase their marina pennant. Despite the challenge of finding a suitable flagpole for the bow, Jeroen ingeniously repurposed an old flagpole, meticulously refurbishing it for the intended use.
In the process of refurbishment, a makeshift wood lathe was crafted using a grinding wheel and a clamp, with a vacuum hose secured to a bicycle repair stand, facilitating the varnishing process. Despite a minor setback due to a miscalculation in dimensions, a creative solution involving a piece of cut plastic pipe rectified the issue, allowing the varnishing to progress smoothly.
After multiple coats of varnish, the refurbished flagpole began to showcase an impressive transformation.
With Michael’s guidance, comprehensive online resources pertaining to the Raymarine equipment were successfully located and all relevant manuals were downloaded for future reference. In a preference for tangible documentation, Jeroen plans to have the manuals printed, expressing a desire for physical copies over digital versions. The abundance of digital manuals available on Raymarine’s website contrasts with the expectation of receiving printed manuals considering the premium prices of their products.
Looking ahead, a visit to Sirion is scheduled for the upcoming Monday, where a small ceremony involving the previous owner, Ad, and the broker and harbourmaster, Andre, is planned as a gesture of appreciation before embarking on the journey to relocate Sirion to her new berth in Arkel.