The most important thing I bought today was a new laptop.
the problem is that over here this whole weekend is a national holliday and everything is closed, apart from some big consumer electronics shops. But the guys that know are all out fishing so we did not make much progress on the nautical front. But we did find a nice laptop computer. As it had a scratch on the outside and has been the shop model, it was USD150,- dollar cheaper than before, and within the budget that I had set myself. I need a new laptop to get weather information on the way back home and the old one has been fried, and will claim it on the insurance together with all the rest of the nautical equipment. But, especially for items like a laptop (my old one was 2007), I do not want to overdo it and rather have a better computer with a longer battery life time and a scratch on it.
 
Anyhow, I am now sitting in the cockpit, watching the Forth of July fireworks, and at the same time configuring the computer and downloading several programs.
 
Several items on the list of broken itmes seem to be difficult to get. A Sea-Me, for instance, is not available in the states unless on special order. I have tried hard today to get a voltage ragularor for the alternator today, but so far unsuccessful. And so on... This looking for things takes so much time! And I am really lucky that Tom did a lot of work calling dozens of companies trying to find an HF radio, antenna tuner and Pactor modem to replace the old ones.
 
But, after another long day, I can report that a new VHF is working, as are a new Raymarine wind meter and speed instrument. Unfortunately, I have also had to conclude that the display unit of the autopilot has passed away, although on opening it nothing seemed to be wrong and it didn't smell burned. All cables that had to be renewed to the top of the mast have been replaced.

---

Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone.