Getting a boat in shape for the ARC

[30boat]

So, I've been invited to take part in the next ARC, The boat is a 1980 Jeanneau Sun Fizz .I've known this boat since new and have sailed her to Madeira and back and also to the Balearics twice, plus lots of coastal trips around here.She's a very seaworthy and fast little ship. She still has her original engine and her rig was replaced for the first time two years ago so proper maintenance is not very high on the owners priorities.
I raised some points with him ,in particular the chainplates bolts that should be examined and / or replaced and he said that one has to draw a line somewhere or else the whole boat might as well be dismantled.I don't want to be seen as a pain but I feel that these issues are crucial and may very well not take part if these issues are not addressed.There are other points like the keelbolts ,drogues and a removable forestay that I also mentioned that I feel cannot be ignored but that because of cost may not be looked at.I even offered the use of my Monitor windvane and satellite phone but only if I go along.
The owner is a good sailor but as far as I know hasn't done all that many offshore miles while I have.
I feel that if the boat is not meticulously prepared then it should stay out of the rally. Am I wrong?

 

[doug748]

An interesting post, I think.

With the known history the keel is very unlikely to be a problem right out of the blue, so I would discount that. The rig is new and a visual inspection of the chainplates would be good enough for me. The original engine may be fine, if has had not had issues then it will probably carry on regardless. It is, perhaps, not a priority worry at sea anyway.

So it is really down, for me, to provisions for heavy weather. The boat has already been offshore and if the owner has had some plausible thoughts on rough weather tactics, then I would probably happily go with him. I do think an out of water inspection is vital though and would be inspecting the rudder, linkages prop etc.

 

[Allan]

We took a Moody 31 over and back, starting in March 2013. Our worst weather was in Biscay. The insurance company insisted on a full survey and we had to do all the recommendations from that. It provided a full list of safety items. I think that may bring your skipper's thoughts into line with yours.
Apart from Biscay, I thought there was less strain on the boat offshore than on a bad day in the Bristol channel.
Allan

 

[30boat]

An interesting post, I think.

With the known history the keel is very unlikely to be a problem right out of the blue, so I would discount that. The rig is new and a visual inspection of the chainplates would be good enough for me. The original engine may be fine, if has had not had issues then it will probably carry on regardless. It is, perhaps, not a priority worry at sea anyway.

So it is really down, for me, to provisions for heavy weather. The boat has already been offshore and if the owner has had some plausible thoughts on rough weather tactics, then I would probably happily go with him. I do think an out of water inspection is vital though and would be inspecting the rudder, linkages prop etc.

I still worry about the state of the chainplate bolts.On my boat they were showing signs of corrosion and there were no leaks.They're very easy to replace.Once the rig is loosened up they can be done one by one.Some economies are simply not worth it. The rudder and its linkages will have to be
checked as well. A new cable should be fitted and the pulleys examined.They don't have an emergency tiller.A removable forestay is very important especially for the return leg when there may be long windward spells. And it's also very useful for hoisting twin headsails when running.I even offered to make the fittings myself as they cost a fortune.

 

[dom]

It's hard to tell from your post; but you've a lot of sea miles under you and that little inner-voice of experience is trying to tell you something; so yes you should probably listen.

I'd defo have the boat and engine looked at well before departure so that the important bits can be sorted in good time. Either way the owner will have to stump up a bit for safety equipment, a decent supply of spare engine parts (I'm assuming no gen) and so on.

 

[KellysEye]

For the ARC thee are two things the skipper must comply with: skipper and one crew must have completed 2 x 100nm non-stop passages before leaving the UK. The boat must be fitted with safety kit to RORC/ISAF standards, the equipment will be checked in the Canaries. Also if the skipper hasn't been up the mast to check the fittings and rigging the ARC folk will send a rigger up, I don't know the cost.

 

[LadyInBed]

A 100nM trip isn't much more than a X Channel run to St PP via the Casquetts!
Hardly ardious, the trip down to the start point is many times that.

 

[jwilson]

I think you probably know what needs doing. Definitely a removable inner forestay and storm jib, and a very good look indeed at rudder and steering gear. And if the owner has never done a genuine long-distance passage will he cope with it. Many "brought along" more experienced crews have ended up as virtual skippers, and effectively singlehanded.

 

[ip485]

I feel that if the boat is not meticulously prepared then it should stay out of the rally. Am I wrong?

As you may know, if nothing else, there is a fair bit of other preparation. Take a look at the entry requirements on the ARC web site and work carefully through these as the owner may be surprised how much equipment is required and therefore the cost - which may put him off anyway.

After that of course the boat must be seaworthy. The trouble is - what does that mean. Seaworthy to cope with any conditions including a knock down and there is probably going to be a lot to do, seaworthy to take a chance that the Atlantic will behave itself for the ARC as it does 9 times out of 10 and a barrel will get there. Inevitably only you, the skipper/owner can decide how far you need to go.

 

[Poignard]

It's not a bad idea to think about how you and the skipper/owner will get on. If you and he have different ideas on how things should be done (eg maintenance, which you have already mentioned) there's a good chance of a fall-out spoiling everyone's enjoyment.

 

[30boat]

It's not a bad idea to think about how you and the skipper/owner will get on. If you and he have different ideas on how things should be done (eg maintenance, which you have already mentioned) there's a good chance of a fall-out spoiling everyone's enjoyment.

That has crossed my mind actually. I'll be extra diplomatic about my suggestions.

 

[Allan]

That has crossed my mind actually. I'll be extra diplomatic about my suggestions.

Sorry to disagree but now is not the time to be 'extra diplomatic'. Now is the time to say what is bothering you. When, or if, you set off is the time to be diplomatic as at that point it's too late to change things.
Allan

 

[30boat]

Sorry to disagree but now is not the time to be 'extra diplomatic'. Now is the time to say what is bothering you. When, or if, you set off is the time to be diplomatic as at that point it's too late to change things.
Allan

I'll be diplomatic but assertive. The owner is my cousin you see...
I'll meet with him on Saturday and we'll see.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

It's not a bad idea to think about how you and the skipper/owner will get on. If you and he have different ideas on how things should be done (eg maintenance, which you have already mentioned) there's a good chance of a fall-out spoiling everyone's enjoyment.

There's a lot in what you say.

After several Biscay crossings now, I would suggest a test passage of 4 nights or more with full crew to try out watch schemes, abilities and test crew responses when tired.

I've found that whether the crew are strangers or family, the most affable people can become very different when tired and stressed.

S.

 

[30boat]

I have a characteristic that gets on most skippers nerves.I'm always looking for gear failures or weaknesses.As a result I very seldom have problems on my boat but some skippers ,having very litte understanding of the forces or wear involved,prefer to stick their heads in the sand until something happens. Once in the middle of the Indic ocean I pointed out to the skipper that the gooseneck end of the boom was literally digging a hole in the mast because everything was so worn.How they had left with a fitting in that state is beyond me but I had only joined them midway into their trip. After that I mentioned several other disasters waiting to happen and got a lecture on how I was ruining all the fun and so on.I left them in Goa having kept to myself after that and later,as predicted, the removable forestay fitting gave way.The heads bulkhead was moving so much you could actually see it sliding back and forth and the squeeking nonstop noise was impossible to ignore but they didn't think much of it.
I really don't want a repeat now.