Sailing Doodles · video

What this video covers

The crew of a 1989 CT56 named Doodles performs maintenance and upgrades while anchored in the U.S. Virgin Islands. After the autopilot fails due to a drifting heading, the owner replaces the fluxgate compass, relocating the unit away from metal interference to improve accuracy.2:27 The crew also upgrades the vessel's solar array by replacing four 140-watt 12-volt panels with four 235-watt 24-volt panels.6:37 Because the new panels are wider, the owner fabricates custom aluminum bar mounts and replaces the existing 45-amp MPPT charge controller to accommodate the higher voltage and amperage.7:55 During a coastal transit, the crew executes an emergency stop to retrieve a dinghy after its D-ring pulls out of the hull.1:47 The crew spends time hiking and socializing with other cruisers in the area while waiting out the hurricane season.8:16 Relocating sensitive electronic components away from metal sources is essential for reliable autopilot performance.

Boats in this video

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