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“Where could the problem be? Tried charging the different batteries separately as well as the individual solar panels, but so far to no avail. I’ll have a go at cleaning the poles on the batteries and the electrical contacts tomorrow. The old cabling from before my shipwrecking is still linked to the new cabling and the switchboxes; perhaps it needs replacing. That’ll be a complex and lengthy job on a little boat that’s constantly being tossed about by the waves. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
In the photo you can see a few of my new gadgets during my ocean-rowing voyages, three of which will be pretty damn useful to future ocean rowers. They save a lot of money, improve your safety and prevent some of the pain that goes with the job.”
“- The Vicair rowing seat. Most ocean rowers have an awful lot of trouble with their bottom as they’re sitting on it for about half the day while they’re rowing, and one’s buttocks just aren’t made for that. The Vicair rowing seat is an invention from the medical world and is used for people in geriatrics who are sitting or lying down for years on end with almost no breaks. It’s based on a very simple system – lots of tiny air cushions – and for the first time I’m having no problems with my backside.
- SPOT tracking system. Most rowers are used to the huge Argos beacons, which you can only loan (and not cheaply either). And when the batteries run out, which sometimes happens earlier than you’d hoped, that’s it, you can’t charge them up again. The Spot device, on the other hand, costs just €200 and then you own it. It has an automatic tracking system, just like the Argos, but it has extra functions as well: an OK button function, a help button and a 911/EPIRB function. A one-year subscription costs just €100 and for a few extra tenners you also get SMS functionality as well as a rescue guarantee. Batteries are never a problem either, as it takes normal AA-size ones. In short, it lasts longer and has better functionality.
- Body Glide. I’ve always had terrible trouble with salt-water sores and chafed skin in my groin and under my armpits. I’ve tried everything and the only thing that actually helped was a Zeeman sock around my penis, but for such a long crossing I’d need so many of them that the boat would be littered with the things. But since I’ve been using Body Glide I’ve had no more trouble whatsoever.
The laptop’s battery is nearly empty again, so let’s hope the charging problem sorts itself out again soon or the daily reports will suffer again for a bit.”
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