Spotted in Suffolk sunday

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The lesser spotted Ninjod was rumoured to be wintering on the Suffolk coast, this rare exotic migrant is seldom seen down south, prefering the muddy waters of the Thames Estuary and the North Sea to the gin clear Western Approaches.

Looking magnificent in its race plummage, the Ninjod has been transformed over the winter, sprouting a solid cuddy with side windows, a wind generator and two big solar panels on the aft side decks. Solo students will also have noted the elegant lazy jacks for main sail stowage when reefed. The jumpers struts on the front of the new Selden spar hint at massive mast head spinnakers for hooning?

Self sufficency is the watch word, power generation being such that Paul can run some very sophisticated routeing and performance software, no chance of taking the wrong tack there then Paul! The Atoms wind vane will do the steering on the wind and the NKE drives when the sheets are cracked and double figures are logged.

Paul says: Basically I sit on the companion way top step, the roof of the cuddy is just above my head. Instruments and clutches all visible...hatch in front of shed so I can still get at clutches when at mast (if required). Existing hatch slides out to become very nice table. There are 2 side grab bars either side of the companion way.. mounted on boat instead of shed. Shed as lip on roof that is a good grab and also ensures water falls to sides. I am rigging up a back support between to the grab bars either side of the companion way so I can sit back and take it all in in comfort.

I am VERY happy with solar and wind gen. Sod all wind on Saturday but with 15 knots apparent I had everything drawing power and was still pumping in 2 amps.

Paul has yet to complete his 500 QC, having aborted when 50 miles short last season, water had got into the diesel by vent pipes routed through the water ballast tanks. Loss of engine resulted in total power loss hence the new green power sources. see Pauls web site for a very full account.

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