So, JHam posed a couple questions and I meant to answer them, but forgot, hence this addendum to the day.
First off, yes Jerry, the Barracuda had really, really big teeth. In fact, I thought it was a Wahoo until I got him up on the gaff and he smiled at me. It was really more an evil looking sneer. Barracudas have long, sharp, teeth. This guy’s teeth were like the big, bad, wolf. They were almost two inches long, needle shaped/sharp and unlike most fish, the jaw was very solid bone (instead of cartiledge). “All the better to bite you with” was his message. I wouldn’t come near him with anything but needle-nose pliers.
On to the the Flux Gate compass. We did want to point out the sometimes insidious nature of high tech to all the future cruisers out there. We have found some folks who don’t even know that they have a flux gate compass on board. Anyone who has an autopilot or a radar with GPS overlay has one whether they know it or not. In our case, the simple act of removing a couple cans of powdered milk threw it hopelessly out of whack.
The good news: this morning we recalibrated it and now it’s solid. We have also designated a three foot space around it to be used only for storing clothes. 😉 Recalibration was fairly easy. You press the designated buttons while doing 360 degree circles. The instructions specify circling at less than 3 knots and no faster than 90 degrees/half minute. Took two and a half turns and the thing “found” its happy place. Now it’s spot on.
Lessons learned and fortunately not the hard way.
Here’s how you can tell your friends who are sailing among island paradises have gone off the deep end – they are spinning in circles to set their compass. OK, just for fun I decided to try it. I got my compass out, spun around in circles, then stuck in my underwear drawer. Took it out a couple hours later and, like magic, it worked perfectly! OK dudes, maybe you are onto something cosmic here.
I was reading your account of these islands where you have nothing to do but snorkeling and walking on sandy beaches and I pictured you headed down the beach into the sunset shedding clothes and civilization as you walked serenely on. Into the Garden Of Eden…oops, I guess that would be the Beach Of Eden. Just don’t forget about the snake and the apple. Or the wine. I think the vino is getting to me. Bless you my children.
Oh crap, I forgot the most important stuff. Giants down 3 to 1 in games before today. Zito pitched a masterpiece in St. Louis and they come back to SF down 3 to 2; scheduled for Sunday and, hopefully, Monday.
Oracle’s big America’s Cup boat nosed into the SF Bay and shattered into little pieces. There went $8 mil! I think they said 3 months to rebuild it. Oh dear.