Nerdiness Qoutient: 4/10 Originally, there was only one module positioned by the companionway, which was impractical since we had to leave the helm rushing forward to answer a call. Ever since we bought the boat, we have been trying to find a second control module for the VHF radio. The radio can handle up to four wired modules. The SIMRAD NRS-1 radio is no longer in production, so new modules are impossible to find, and we haven't found any on the second-hand market either. However, last winter we came across a good deal on a new B&G V-100 VHF radio that can connect both wired and wireless units, very practical. We now have three control units: one by the navigation station, one in the hard dodger, and one by the wheel. The cradle that the wireless units sit in charges them via induction, so there's no need to remember to charge them separately.

Nerdiness Qoutient: 3/10 Our aim is to use as little fossil fuel as possible. On one hand, there is the environmental impact and pollution caused by fossil fuels, while on the other there is the cost. Diesel has become much more expensive over time. We have had entirely positive experiences with the solar panels installed a couple of years ago. They efficiently charge the batteries, and since we have plenty of space for more panels along the rail, we opted to install two additional 215 W panels, one on each side. This has increased the maximum charging capacity, enabling us to charge the battery by up to 1 kWh on sunny days. This means that we can remain at anchor for several days without worrying about our onboard power consumption, and when we’re in port, we don’t need to connect to shore power. The Victron 40V 215W solar panels are effective and robust. They can very easily be placed on the railing using the Noa panel stays. Each panel on the railing got its own 75/10 MPPT charger w

Nerdiness Qoutient: 4/10 Doing the laundry quickly becomes quite a chore you dread if you have to wash it in a bucket. Our 7 week sailing trip last summer made it clear to us that we had to find a solution for the laundry. Using laundrettes in random places turned out to be a challenge; they were simply not to be found on the Greenland east coast, or like the one that was found in Raufarhofn - Iceland which kept us there for hours... Friends of ours who sail in more civilised parts of the world also complain that they spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to get their laundry done wherever they go. The YouTube University revealed that the Koreans have made a efficient 3 kg washing machine for small spaces, and many sailors report that they are absolutely delighted after installing one. Locally in Norway, it was difficult to find anyone selling them, but AllerGoedKopst in the Netherlands sent us one within 10 days. We found the needed space in our forward head, and is now looki

Nerdiness Quotient: 7/10 Well-known to sailors is the infection of "diesel bugs", a sticky and slimy problem. Read about it here...

Nerdiness Quotient: 5/10 Until now, we've had to rely on closing the entrance with opaque wooden panels if the weather was such that the simple plastic sheet we use to shield against cold draughts wasn't sufficient to protect the entrance. Read about it here...

Nerdiness Quotient: 5/10 When we're alone in the cockpit or sailing single-handed, the autopilot is used for tacking. The autopilot control panel is located on the steering console by the steering wheel, and is difficult to operate when standing between the steering console and the harddodger, as is the case when cruising siglehanded in order to easily operate the winches. Read about it here...