RKJ's equipment failures

[boatone]

RKJ\'s equipment failures

I admire Robin Knox Johnston's participation in the Velux 5 Oceans although I cannot say that I am avidly following his progress on a daily basis.

When I do read his missives however, it is impossible not to notice how frustrated he is with the performance (failure) of his electronic and communications gear. I would venture to suggest that his reporting of such is restrained beyond belief.

Is he particularly unlucky or is his experience really encapsulating the unacceptable reliability of equipment which needs serious questioning?

For most of us an equipment failure would be an irritation but for RKJ its certainly a key issue in success or failure, not to mention survival.

 

[tcm]

Re: RKJ\'s equipment failures

spose dealing with the frustration must be surely one of the hardest parts anyway. Could have gone faster even when winning but once out of the top positions you're losing all day every day for several months...

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: RKJ\'s equipment failures

It's the VCR principle.

He just needs a teenager aboard to show him how it works.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Re: RKJ\'s equipment failures

I think that some conclusions can be drawn from the other competetors relative freedom from electrical equipment failures and RKJs initial problem of undersized wiring to the autopilot. It seems much more likley that it is down to installation failures than direct product failures. It also astonihed me whilst watching the Golding / Thompson rescue that Goldings engine / gear linkage had failed, although he had just beat into headwinds for 80 to 100 miles and given the boat a bit of a pounding nontheless you would not expect it to happen. Perhaps that is the answer these boats push equipment to and beyond the limits that it was designed for and as such any weakness will be immeadiatly exposed.

 

[sighmoon]

Re: RKJ\'s equipment failures

Every account of a round the world race that I've ever seen or read is beset with gear failures.

Inspirational DVD with y&Y a while back showing Conrad Humphries' vendee globe - broken rudder, floppy canting keel, ALL electrics failed (except the video camera?). Like RKJ, he took it all in his stride. They're all heroes.

 

[Malish]

Re: RKJ\'s equipment failures

He's very good at plugging his sponsors "the Iridium phone is still working" etc, I wish he would dish the dirt on the failing equipment (unless installation is the issue)

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: RKJ\'s equipment failures

[ QUOTE ]
He's very good at plugging his sponsors "the Iridium phone is still working" etc, I wish he would dish the dirt on the failing equipment (unless installation is the issue)

[/ QUOTE ]

Bet he's getting paid not to mention it's mostly Raymarine kit