Hand On Heart....Can You...

[mcframe]

What level of knowledge do you mean?

In fact the system where my THEORETICAL knowledge is most limited is actually the sails - fluid dynamics being a very difficult and demanding topic that I have never had to study! But there, my PRACTICAL understanding and feel for the systems (and a rough and ready appreciation of Bernoulli's principle) is good enough to get me from A to B safely.

Hahaha - I was sailing recently with someone-geekier-than-me - whilst I was tweaking the sails & watching the tell-tales (and, on starboard tack, my house flag on port crosstrees in the slot), he started telling me about how he used _Reynolds Number_ in his day-job ;->

 

[davo]

i am the joint owner of a 26 feet angling boat, we normally do not stay at sea longer than 24 hours but evan so we can be 50 miles from land, we carry 2 g.p.s. systems both with plotters 2 v.h.f. and one hand held. 2 depth sounders,also charts ,flares, and compass, and radar, we are pushed along by a ford diesel engine which you can strip down with a few spanners and a couple of screw drivers ( unlike modern engines) but there is only so much you can do when you are being bounced around like a proverbial cork

 

[Deleted member 36384]

.... That's why for the new boat (i.e used new) I am putting together a Operations Manual covering all the components ..... just reducing the risks ....

This is exactly what I have been doing as I address each item during the extended refit.

Hand on heart I understand all the systems at various levels of competency. I am least competent on my charging system although I now know how it all hangs together but I would struggle fault finding beyond finding an open circuit. All the sailing, anchoring, mooring, water, cooking, electrical distribution, navigation, rigging, steering stuff I am completely familiar with.

 

[NUTMEG]

Thanks Lakey, always thought people did nit read my comments!

When I made that sweeping statement I was referring to the diesel engine in the context of it being unreliable, complicated and generally a bit nasty. Can I give an example of what I meant? Last weekend I rewired much of Alexandros. In particular the main battery supplie cables and the house 12v circuit. Why? 'cos it looked a mess and I didn't have a clue what did what. So, two days and a lot of swearing later, I have a system that is easy for me to understan, all wires labelled and neatly run. Result is that if a power supply goes down, some electrical thingumibob packs up, or a nasty burny

 

[NUTMEG]

Oops. Meant to finish off by saying that at least I now have a chance of diagnosing a fault and putting it right. Unlike this iPhone that I can not type on without making mistakes!

 

[Lady Campanula]

"If you can keep the ocean on the outside, move it and steer it, the rest is a bonus."

 

[Skylark]

I and a lot of others know my kit pretty well, I make it a point to do so, and could 'fault-find' most things.

However, could I do that on a dark night in a F6, possibly alone or with novice girlfriend left on the helm ?

This is a salutary lesson for us all. If you needed 3rd party help, how would you ever explain the presence of your girlfriend to the wife

Unreserved apology, I'll go back in my kennel now

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I was not in the queue when electrical knowledge was being handed out so beyond checking fuses and circuit breakers, it's make-a-call-and-pay-the-money time. OTOH, I'll struggle through rigging, plumbing and engine related problems, only making the call .....when I've thoroughly screwed-up!

Is that whilst your or your crew are down on your knees fixing the rigging, plumbing or engine?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I'm reminded of Don Street, who described the main Caribbean harbours as places "Full of boats that are waiting for spare parts to be delivered". He was promoting his KISS principle.

Boatyards in the U.K. are in a way similar but for other reasons.

How many boats can be counted that are laid up either on land or water due to the lack of DIY knowledge, time to do the job, lost interest or financial or health problems.

I was in an upper Thames boat yard last evening when I saw a very small bilge keeler on its trailer, that 2 years ago was immaculate when sold and is now begining to show signs of serious neglect.
A Tradewind 39 recently sold in my yard having been immaculate 8 years ago and worth between 40-100K and due to total neglect sold for 20K see..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fff6vnPvaMI

 

[Sans Bateau]

ST

I do tend to agree with you, for various reasons, our own boat has been used but not extensively for the last three years. Spring prep this year is still going on such as was the decline in condition. Boats have to be used, they degrade very quickly when not.