Equipment for extended cruise

[gunnarsilins]

As some of you already know, me and my wife will go for a 18 month cruise in our Moody 42 deck saloon ketch.
Roughly the route will be from Sweden via Denmark, Frisian Islands and Englands East coast up to Scotland, round Cape Wrath, Hebrides, Ireland, SW England and across to France. Then coast-hopping all the way down to Finisterre. Then the Canaries, Morocco, western Med and the French-German canals back to the Baltic sea.

The basic crew will be my wife and I. My kids (11 and 16) will join for extended periods now and then, and so will of course friends do.
Our aim is to cruise slow, safe and nice - better some extra days in port insted of bad weather!

Now comes the question of equipment needed. Please indicate your opinion of value the the following equipment:

1. Fixed VHF with DSC instead of the non-DSC we already have.

2. EPIRB

3. Washing machine (running on shore power) Space for it is quite easy to arrange.

4. Freezer (we can cope with the extra power demand)

5. Handheld GPS in addition to the existent fixed one

6. Handheld VHF in addition to the existent fixed one

7. Extra anchor(s)? (The yacht displaces 12 tonnes)
We have on bow a 45 lbs CQR with 56 m chain and electric windlass.
A 15 kg Bruce with 6 m chain and 56 m 'Ankarolina' is carried as kedge aft in a roller on the bathing platform.
As spares we do carry;
A): A 45 lbs CQR with 6 m chain and 60 m warp.
B) A 35 kg Fisherman with 10 m heavy chain and 50 m heavy warp.

8. Extra water. We carry 450 litres. One extra tank of approx 250 litres can be built in.

9. Watermaker.

10. Software for receiving watherfaxes on laptop (laptop and receiver is already there, but not so much metereological knowledge...)

11. The new Nasa Weatherman

12. Navtex

13. Deck fitting for emptying waste tank in harbour. Now it only can be emptied into the sea.

14. We are carrying a rigid dinghy in davits. It has a 20 years old 2 hp Evinrude, quite battered and running more on old habits then on pure reliability.
Can we stick to oars as a back-up or should we consider investing in a better outboard before leaving?

15. Roller reefing (150%) genoa, main and mizzen are all 2 years old. We will have a removable inner forestay with a storm jib.
Shall we carry an old set (20 years+) of sails (main, mizzen, genoa) as spares?

Any other comments and ideas?

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Anchors

I think that 60 meters of chain is not enough - 100 would be more appropriate. Perhaps a heavier anchor of alternative form - a delta perhaps?

Good luck - hope the old 4236 does you proud!

 

[zefender]

1. Fixed VHF with DSC instead of the non-DSC we already have.
If you need a new VHF then I'd go for DSC but if what you have is OK, I'd stay with that.

2. EPIRB
Considered by many to be a vital piece of equipment. My alternative choice would be a satellite phone in waterproof sac.

3. Washing machine (running on shore power) Space for it is quite easy to arrange.
Many of the washing facilties we found in the Summer were not veyr good and fairly expensive. If you have space, and for such a lengthy trip, I'd fit the machine.

4. Freezer (we can cope with the extra power demand)

If you're coast hopping, do you really need it? If you've space though, why not?

5. Handheld GPS in addition to the existent fixed one
Definitely - maybe even two handhelds! Loads of batteries too (plus 12v supply cable)


6. Handheld VHF in addition to the existent fixed one

Yep, definitely. Plus a dry-sac for it.

7. Extra anchor(s)? (The yacht displaces 12 tonnes)
We have on bow a 45 lbs CQR with 56 m chain and electric windlass.
A 15 kg Bruce with 6 m chain and 56 m 'Ankarolina' is carried as kedge aft in a roller on the bathing platform.
As spares we do carry;
A): A 45 lbs CQR with 6 m chain and 60 m warp.
B) A 35 kg Fisherman with 10 m heavy chain and 50 m heavy warp.

Seems pretty well sorted but it really depends on whether you intend anchoring most of them time or in marinas. I think I'd probably get a bit more chain.

8. Extra water. We carry 450 litres. One extra tank of approx 250 litres can be built in.
Again, depends whether you're going to be out of reach of a hosepipe much. For two people (most of the time) it should be more than adequate. However, in Spain this year with my wife, and daughters (16 and 20), we would get through over 300 litres every 48 hours!
9. Watermaker.
Again, depends on your stopover choices. Not sure I would bother.

10. Software for receiving watherfaxes on laptop (laptop and receiver is already there, but not so much metereological knowledge...)
I'd get the software (and the knowledge!). I'd also consider getting a spare notebook too, if a lot of stuff will be reliant on it.

11. The new Nasa Weatherman
Dont know about this.

12. Navtex
Yep though reception is not ideal around Iberian coast.

13. Deck fitting for emptying waste tank in harbour. Now it only can be emptied into the sea.

This is a requirement in some ports/countries I believe.

14. We are carrying a rigid dinghy in davits. It has a 20 years old 2 hp Evinrude, quite battered and running more on old habits then on pure reliability.
Can we stick to oars as a back-up or should we consider investing in a better outboard before leaving?

Yes, I'd get a new outboard.

15. Roller reefing (150%) genoa, main and mizzen are all 2 years old. We will have a removable inner forestay with a storm jib.
Shall we carry an old set (20 years+) of sails (main, mizzen, genoa) as spares?

Whilst it might make sense to take them along (provided you really do have space), you won't be that far away from a sailmaker. Not sure I would take the whole set though.

Hope this is of some help. Have a great trip - when are you going?

 

[bedouin]

This must be a matter of personal preference. It sounds as if the majority of time will be spent coastal cruising, rather than making long passages, so that will influence your selection.

Of the elements on your list, I would consider an EPIRB and NAVTEX as essential; and the HH VHF and GPS as highly desireable - especially given that they are comparatively cheap.

At the other end of the spectrum, I would say that a Watermaker would be totally useless.

I would also consider the sail wardrobe - perhaps consider a headsail somewhere between the 150% and the Storm Jib - e.g. a 100-120% Genoa (I don't like relying on using a partly furled Genoa for any length of time) and maybe a cruising chute to improve light air speed.

From the safety aspect check out the current Special Regulations that apply to Offshore racing yachts (on www.rorc.org) - your proposed trip would fit into category 2. Although you may not feel you need to implement all the requirements, it is a good basis for checking your basic equipment.

 

[ccscott49]

1, Dont bother, GMDSS doesn't work worth a damn outside northern european waters, aat the moment! 2, yes, 3, if in port to run it, No, 4, Yes, 5,Yes, 6, yes, 7, More bower chain, 8, Yes, if going to anchor a lot, if using matinas, No, 9, Same answer as 8, 10, Yes, 11, No, 12, Yes, 13, If using marinas a lot, Yes and No, as you will use their toilets, but may want to pump out in port, so I would on balance say yes, if it's easy to incoporate. 14, New outboard, if anchoring a lot. 15, I wouldn't bother if you're coast hopping most of the time, or maybe a spare genoa, for setting two downwind sails. 16, Liferaft, 17, very good searchlight. 18, Genny, if intending to anchor a lot. all this IMHO.

 

[vyv_cox]

Weather forecasts

NAVTEX is so cheap and effective that it has to be a must. However, I have been reading recently that reception and accuracy are not good along the north Spanish and all Portuguese coasts. Once closer to Gibraltar it improves but this leaves a big gap where conditions can be rather unsettled.

Weatherfax software, of which I can recommend <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mscan.com/>http://www.mscan.com/</A> will receive the information provided by the Weatherman but, and far more usefully, it gives the chart as well as a text forecast. Much more useful in my experience, although it must be said that the Hamburg text forecasts are excellent for Northern Europe. I have seen it suggested that the accuracy may be less good further south.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Washing machine

Bear in mind that some harbour authorities are a bit huffy about pumping anything over the side - including I guess, sudsy water

 

[sailbadthesinner]

sense of humour
you must pack that above all.

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[steve_cronin]

Some daft old git once pontificated on the subject

...of the two most useless articles to have on a yacht - can't remember the first but the second was an umbrella.

How wrong he was (IMO).

A golf umbrella is just the thing to run ashore under for the bread or the milk with so as not to introduce dampness into the boat by returning with wet oilies. Also combined with a good strong bungie it can make a good rainshield over an open hatch when moored so as to allow ventillation without the rain getting in.

My kids also used to use one as a downwind steerable sail for the inflatable.

Then finally, with a hole drilled across the end of the spike and a suitable piece of cord threaded through it your gamp can provide a good sunshade when suspended from the boom.

Steve Cronin

 

[aph]

Re: Some daft old git once pontificated on the subject

Most useless articles on a ship.
No 1 A lawn mower
No 2 A Naval Officer

 

[Danthegorrila]

Its a bit like our list!

My advice would be as some people have said:

Don't bother with DGPS.
Stay with the VHF unless you want a new one.
Eperb is well worthwhile and for a while will save on DMDSS VHF
Leave the old sails behind, maybe add a mid sized jib for the inner stay.
Do you need a freezer with its power needs if you are close to the coast?
A watermaker is expensive and should not be needed in most of Europe.
How are you going to generate power? That would be the big issue and much of the rest depends upon that.

Its a good question, copy it to the live abord link, you may get more experienced viwes

PB

 

[Guest]

You seem to have most of the equipment sorted.
I would however suggest carrying a suitable liferaft with any special pieces of inventory you may need i.e if you wear glasses ask the company to pack an old pair for you. Either that or pack a "Grab Bag" with the things you need. I know you said that you will only be sailing in reasonable conditions but you never know if you're going to get caught out after all you will have some more extended passages to make. Just as an after thought why dont you ask the RNLI for the list of items expected to be on a vessel which is cruising offshore.

 

[gunnarsilins]

Additional info

Thank you all for all valuable views!
While I await more comments I just want to add the information that we already carry a liferaft and are pretty well sorted out regarding other safety equipment like flares, wire cutters, MOB-equipment, fire fighting equipment etc. A grab-bag is on the list.

Regarding electrical power - we carry almost 700 Ah of batteries, not counting the batteries for engine starting, in a 24 V system. Charging is by double alternators on engine, AirMarine wind generator and of course shore power.
So far we can survive quite long time without running the engine solely for charging, or beeing reliant on shore power. So I think we can cope with the extra demand from a small and very well insulated freezer.

Several of you are concerned of the lenght of chain for our main anchor. This is a serious consideration - I´m sure we are going to anchor quite much, especially in Scotland.
But what about the solution to have a lenght of warp, let´s say 40 metres spliced into the chain for deep water/big scope anchoring? The windlass takes both chain and warp.
Or should I go for an 'all chain' rode? There is a cost and weight which must be considered.
There is also a life after this long distance cruise and on our normal cruising grounds in the Baltic Sea 56 m of chain is more than suficcient

 

[Jacket]

I'd definately carry some tough plastic containers for carrying water in, as a lot of harbours in the parts of the world you're off to don't have hose pipes or even taps anywhere near the boat.

How about a sailing rig for the rigid dinghy? It would allow you to explore many pretty estuaries and rivers which you wouldn't otherwise be able to get up.

A couple of bikes- allows you to visit many more places ashore.

Can't remember if anyones already said this, but as important as more anchors is a second long length of chain, so that if caught in really nasty conditions you can swing to two anchors. Alternatively it can be attached to the end of your existing chain when anchoring in really deep water.

 

[BrendanS]

How about this for a shipboard bike.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.militarybikes.de/civilian.html>http://www.militarybikes.de/civilian.html</A>

proper large wheeled mountain bike, so you can go exploring...originally designed for military, strong enough to be parachuted...but light weight and folds to 90 x 70 x 30 cm in under 30 seconds with no tools

 

[sailbadthesinner]

brendan that is ace
where do you find this stuff?

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[jollyjacktar]

Joshua Slocum

he would turn in his grave if he had one. Easier to, take a package tour.

 

[BrendanS]

I have a brain that stores useless trivia, whilst instantly forgetting anything remotely important <s>
This one was in a newspaper a little while ago. Saw this thread, and brain triggered. Luckily url was memorable so didn't have to go searching for it.

 

[Spacewaist]

Re: Additional info

Lots of good stuff here.

My essentials on your list wd be EPRIB, Navtex and about extra 20 metres of chain on (probably a bigger) anchor. There are many deep water anchorages (esp in Scotland) and in areas with big tidal ranges (Brittany, Channel Islands, Severn) where anchoring in 15-20 metres is not uncommon. If its blowing hard, particularly with katabatic gusts, I like to have 4-5x the depth of chain (on a 60lb (or 65?) CQR). Thus I reckon 80 metres of chain is minimum - dont like relying on a joint to a warp.

It rarely rains for longer than four hours........