richalex
New Member
After sailing across the Atlantic with Tack Tick wind and depth instruments which failed completely I would like to warn all cruisers not to even consider using them. They are not even in stock in major Caribbean chandlers and they try to dissuade people from buying them because they are so unreliable. If bought at all they should only be used on small boats for local sailing. We were told this in Antigua and St Maarten.
I was persuaded by a Raymarine representative at a boat show in the UK to buy them even though I told him I would be cruising. On our way to Madeira the batteries stopped working and we had no wind direction or speed. The depth only worked when we reached 20 metres. I had batteries sent to Madeira after contacting Raymarine who should at this stage have advised me on their unreliability but preferred to sell me new batteries for £120.
Everything then worked on our trip to the Canaries but on day 7 of our Atlantic crossing, after having no sun. the wind instrument packed up again. We were in strong, erratic wind and without the wind instruments our trip was very difficult, especially for our two crew who were not as experienced - we had to self steer for 2400 miles as our Raymarine SPX5 wheel autopilot's motor burnt out after 800 hours - another item recommended by the same representative!
Then, when we arrived in Antigua the depth failed too. Fortunately I could enter English Harbour and use our reliable Lowrance chart plotter as a guide.
I have now installed instruments with wires and feel a lot happier. I have also had to purchase a new hydraulic autopilot.
I was persuaded by a Raymarine representative at a boat show in the UK to buy them even though I told him I would be cruising. On our way to Madeira the batteries stopped working and we had no wind direction or speed. The depth only worked when we reached 20 metres. I had batteries sent to Madeira after contacting Raymarine who should at this stage have advised me on their unreliability but preferred to sell me new batteries for £120.
Everything then worked on our trip to the Canaries but on day 7 of our Atlantic crossing, after having no sun. the wind instrument packed up again. We were in strong, erratic wind and without the wind instruments our trip was very difficult, especially for our two crew who were not as experienced - we had to self steer for 2400 miles as our Raymarine SPX5 wheel autopilot's motor burnt out after 800 hours - another item recommended by the same representative!
Then, when we arrived in Antigua the depth failed too. Fortunately I could enter English Harbour and use our reliable Lowrance chart plotter as a guide.
I have now installed instruments with wires and feel a lot happier. I have also had to purchase a new hydraulic autopilot.
