What electronics to I need?

[Orange]

Our house is for sale & we will be buying a liveaboard/cruising boat.

We will be liveaboard in Scotland for 3 years, during which time we will be enjoying some inland cruising (eg Caledonian Canal) with some offshore visits to the Western Isles. I'm thinking that a VHF & plotter would be all that was needed for that? After 3 years, we want to cruise to the Mediterranean for a year or more (radar needed?) & then have an option for the Caribbean if we feel inclined. I'm assuming an Atlantic run would need some more kit, maybe SSB radio & AIS?

Understanding that no-one makes a boat that's exactly what we want, would it be a better idea to try to find a boat that has all or most of the kit we would need, or is it better to find a boat that is already fully kitted out.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Depending on boat type then depth sounder...

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Our house is for sale & we will be buying a liveaboard/cruising boat.

We will be liveaboard in Scotland for 3 years, during which time we will be enjoying some inland cruising (eg Caledonian Canal) with some offshore visits to the Western Isles. I'm thinking that a VHF & plotter would be all that was needed for that? After 3 years, we want to cruise to the Mediterranean for a year or more (radar needed?) & then have an option for the Caribbean if we feel inclined. I'm assuming an Atlantic run would need some more kit, maybe SSB radio & AIS?

Understanding that no-one makes a boat that's exactly what we want, would it be a better idea to try to find a boat that has all or most of the kit we would need, or is it better to find a boat that is already fully kitted out.

Crossing the Atlantic?? What boat are you planning to buy?

 

[Orange]

Crossing the Atlantic?? What boat are you planning to buy?

We're thinking of an Elling E3/E4. Our other option is perhaps a Trader 475. We wouldn't take a Trader across the Atlantic, but we would take it to the Med.

 

[Orange]

Depending on boat type then depth sounder...

Thanks. Semi displacement.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

We're thinking of an Elling E3/E4. Our other option is perhaps a Trader 475. We wouldn't take a Trader across the Atlantic, but we would take it to the Med.

Blimey. Fair enough. If I was planning a transat in my own small mobo boat (and just to be clear, I wouldn't do it, I'd put it on sevenstar or something like that) then I'd want at least two of the critical stuff, as well as all the usual things. So: vhf (2), radar (2), plotter (2), sonar, ais, epirb, satphone. Good luck to you. Make sure you have a satellite data service so you can post updates during the crossing.

 

[Orange]

Thanks for the tips Jimmy.

We would certainly be posting updates on an Atlantic run - assuming we get an Elling. Thanks for the tips about epirb & Sat phone, I'd forgotten about that. I had assumed spare engine parts, but forgotten the electronics backups.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Has the Elling got that kind of range? Plenty of Nordhavns etc do that trip (maybe a Fleming too)

 

[WhiskeyTownRacer]

Has the Elling got that kind of range? Plenty of Nordhavns etc do that trip (maybe a Fleming too)

3 E4's did the crossing some years ago I believe, though required additional fuel bladders to do so.

 

[Orange]

The standard fuel tank gives a 1500nm range. Options include additional tanks for either an extra 500nm or 1000nm.

What I particularly like is the Kevlar reinforced hull as standard, which has been designed to withstand a container impact at displacement speed. Also they are designed to be self-righting.

From the brochure:

In May 1997, the concept of Elling was born.
One of the main criteria was to design a standard production recreational pleasure craft
under 15 metres which was capable of successfully completing a Trans Atlantic crossing.
In December 2008 this dream became reality.

I think in the final 5 hours of the trip, one of the boats developed an engine fault, so they switched all 3 boats to their wing engines to finish the trip together.

 

[Bouba]

Have you tried the trawlerforum.com there are people on it who cross oceans and can give first hand advice

 

[QBhoy]

Wow.
Obviously you are an experienced sailer to attempt an Atlantic crossing. A lovely idea and I'm sure a dream of most on this forum and beyond.
Sounds like you will need all the electronic aids available, within reason. For sure a radar anyway. You will also know that there is obviously no real replacement for real paper charts too.
I'm wondering about the range of a displacement motor cruiser like this. Would she make it across there without a re fuel ?
Having done many Atlantic crossings as an engineer on board commercial ships, this is onky made possible by the obvious shift pattern of many men on watch 24/7 and huge fuel tanks.
I've heard of blue water sailing boats making the crossing (preferably catamaran) in decent and well planned weather,...not so sure about displacement motor boats.
Good luck anyway and I'd suggest lots of extra diesel and plenty of crew !

 

[Orange]

Have you tried the trawlerforum.com there are people on it who cross oceans and can give first hand advice

Thanks, I didn't know of that forum.

 

[Orange]

Wow.
Obviously you are an experienced sailer to attempt an Atlantic crossing. A lovely idea and I'm sure a dream of most on this forum and beyond.

Thanks for your thoughts & some very good points.

We are not that experienced, just 5 years of inshore & offshore experience. We are looking at 3 years pottering around Scotland, then 2 years in the Med before even considering the Atlantic. I was looking for a boat that was capable "if" we felt able & wanted to make the trip.

For training, we are planning to take as many RYA courses as possible, also my neighbour is a retired Master Mariner with a stunning amount of experience & who is very helpful. I also have a friend who is a current Irish Sea ferry captain.

I realise that with so little experience that right at the moment, an Atlantic crossing would be crazy. However we are looking at 5 years in the future, plus we may eventually decide on a boat (such as a Trader) on which we would not want to consider a crossing.

 

[lydiamight]

Interesting article on Nordhavn motorboats crossing the Atlantic http://www.bluewaternav.com/atlantic-crossing

 

[Orange]

Interesting article on Nordhavn motorboats crossing the Atlantic http://www.bluewaternav.com/atlantic-crossing

Nice link, thanks.

 

[petem]

Orange, what would be your motivation for crossing the Atlantic on the boat's own bottom?

 

[Momac]

is it better to find a boat that is already fully kitted out.

It would be nice if the boat comes with full set of modern kit but I would not regard it as a priority.
My boat had nothing more than a vhf so there has been no issue with filling in holes remaining after removal of old antiquated kit.
It also means the chief officer may be more easily convinced of the need for new equipment.

 

[pragmatist]

Orange - if you're planning on several years before you do the Atlantic I would suggest that the kind of boats you've mentioned would almost certainly come with everything you'd need to do Scotland and the Med. If the long trip is some years off, why not wait - electronics will undoubtedly have moved on and anything you buy now will almost certainly be superceded or cheaper in a few years time, I would have thought.

Sounds a fabulous plan and best of luck - do keep us posted here at YBW so we can be envious !

 

[TwoHooter]

Understanding that no-one makes a boat that's exactly what we want, would it be a better idea to try to find a boat that has all or most of the kit we would need, or is it better to find a boat that is already fully kitted out.

I'm a bit puzzled by that. I can think of a number of boats that will do exactly what you want. What's the stumbling block? I wouldn't have thought cost is your problem if you are looking at Ellings.