Carina Technical Update

Chris W writes…

Chartplotter

Recently, the chartplotter has been reluctant to come on. It is now the case that it will not turn on at all. Initial investigation is that it appears to have an internal power supply fault. The opinion from MEI (Marine Electrical contractors) is that it is not repairable due to the age of the unit. To avoid connection issues with the other instruments and with the radar, we are looking for a replacement unit. In the meantime, there are paper charts and many of us have a boating navigation app.

Key Point: Leave the plotter and radar switched OFF, but make sure the AIS is switched ON. Although other vessels cannot be displayed, the AIS will still broadcast Carina’s AIS information. If you have Marine Traffic or similar, it is possible to identify other vessels, but it will not provide conflict resolution.

Fridge

There had been reports of the fridge freezing food. I had previously removed the thermostat knob as it is easy to catch it while cleaning the fridge. I sailed Carina on Monday. On arrival on Sunday evening, I noticed the temperature setting was very cold (-30.0 C). The fridge will not feel cold for some time after you get on board. The fridge will have been switched off with the lid open since the last usage.

I have set it to the normal fridge temperature of +4.0 C. The thermostat knob has been removed. (The bosuns know where it is). Over Sunday night, all Monday and Tuesday morning until I left, it worked as expected. There was some hoar frost on the “back wall”, but the air temperature was normal for a 4.0 C setting. Nothing became frozen. Please let the bosuns know if there are any issues.

Paper Tech Log

While I was on board, I noticed a couple of minor defect reports in the paper log. However, there was no phone call or message to the Bosuns. We won’t be able to act on these if we don’t know about them. Consider the paper tech log is for the next Skipper (unless you message him/her). Please message the Bosuns if there are any issues. Thank you to all of you who have done that already.

Front Hatch

The leak was finally identified as being the join in the seal below the metal rim. It was “fixed” two months ago. I have personally sprayed the hatch with the hose on at least three separate occasions without a leak showing. It poured down on Monday night with no sign of a leak. Condensation can still be a nuisance.

Companionway Flap

After several months of it being “missing”, the companionway flap has been found in an under-bunk stowage!

Carina is in otherwise good condition. Thank you all for taking care of her.

On behalf of the Bosuns: Chris, Steve and Steve
09/07/2026