| Jonny_H |
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| 02/06/2008 20:55 |
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Essential Spares
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As the countdown continues I'm in the process of making lists of all the spares on board. I've got a good array of screws, rivets, nuts, bolts, washers, spare cable, battery terminals, shackles, pipes, jubilee clips, etc, etc.
When it comes to the engine we've got half a dozen of each filter, spare set of glow plugs, half a dozen impellers and half a dozen belts, a spare set of water pump screws and spare oil. I am about to order a spare alternator - anything else I should get?
We've got spares for the bilge pumps and I am about to order a spare fresh water pump.
Anything else significant I should take? I am conscious that many things won't be available off the shelf overseas and will need to be ordered / shipped from home. However there is a limit to the amount we can spend on spares that will likely be ballast in some dark corner of a hard to reach locker.
I think we've got most areas reasonably covered - however I keep reading of people with bust engine water pumps or starter motors, but how far to go?? Should we carry more spares, or more epoxy/jubilee clips/cable ties and some intuition?!
Jonny
| Swagman |
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| 02/06/2008 21:41 |
Re: Essential Spares
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Hi Jonny,
Not meaning to sound flippant but if you ask this mob then suspect everyone who has had an issue with one bit if kit will suggest you carry at least one of them as a spare.
We burnt out two starter motors a few years back. Have carried a spare ever since.
Lost some tiny delrin balls once from one reticulating mastrack car - and carried a pack if new ones ever since.
Sods law will say once you've got spare you'll not need to use them, so IMHO you choose what you can afford to carry and hope this law works for you also.
Good luck
JOHN
| Jonny_H |
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| 02/06/2008 22:06 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Thanks John.
Funnily enough one engineer who was looking at an oil leak on our engine pointed out that we have awesome access to the alternator and starter motor and therefore suggested we would never need to replace them because we could get to them so easily - conversely the oil sump drain did break, which needed half an hour of dismantling of the engine just to be able to touch!
We have been buying a bit extra of everything (cable, hose, split pins, jubilee clips, ball bearings for mast cars
) as we need them to stock pile spares. I'm hoping to sail as we are (with already lots and lots of spares weighing the boat down) and see how we go. Just wanted to canvas people on the items that really are hard to get and really are essential (fresh water pump for instance is one I've already ear marked).
Thanks
Jonny
| grumpygit |
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| 02/06/2008 22:16 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Hi
All the parts you have for the engine are of no use at all if it will not start.
So top of the list should be the suggested starter motor, this is always good stock. After that a way of getting power (jump leads) to your engine battery say from your domestic bank in case of failure You could go on and on with this subject, best to keep practical without been paranoid !
| SirSnoozalot |
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| 02/06/2008 23:02 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Yeah. This can all get a bit "nightmarish" knowing what to carry and what not. I'm in the same position as you Jonny - trying to formulate a loading list of spares and "things I might need" and I think your "more epoxy/jubilee clips/cable ties and some intuition?!" takes pride of place. I even thought about taking a small Lathe, but then realised I don't know how to work one.
I noticed that Naval Vessels take a stock of timbers and stuff for damage control, shoring up bulkheads and the like, along with some ferrocement, sacking, tar, and chicken wire. But then they are bigger than us, and more likely to get shot at.
I imagine I might get labeled as the stereotype Brit Abroad, because top of my list is four crates of Typhoo Tea Bags.
| Tranona |
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| 02/06/2008 23:08 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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You won't need jump leads as I am sure you will have installed a parallel system for the batteries. However, I would dump the spare screws for the water pump cover by fitting a Speedseal. Then you will be spared learning the useless skill of "hunt the 4mm set screw in the bilges in a rolly sea". No connection other than a satisfied customer who no longer needs to demonstrate that useless skill!
| jonic |
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| 02/06/2008 23:29 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Jonny
Your list is pretty good already, and it really can go on on and on. In general we have found most things can be bought or shipped from somewhere even when you think you are far away. I needed a new autopilot in Bocaron Puerto Rico and asked a local for the chandelier's. I went down a street full of chickens and wild cats to a "store" that had a few bits and pieces, a wooden counter and a Westmarine catalogue attached to the wooden counter with a bit of string. The catalogue WAS the chandelier's. But I ordered a Raymarine pilot and settled in for a week or two, only to have a Fedex guy track me down in the local laundry two days later carrying my new pilot.
However we carry fuses, nav lamps, various cables and connectors, a spare engine waterpump, spare altenator, morse control cables, fuel and oil filters, oil, belts, domestic water pump, hose lengths, O rings, blocks, shackles, halyard lengths, neoprene sheet, sail tape and stitching gear, magic repair tape, and loads and loads of epoxy putty, WD40, cable ties and hose clamps. You seem to be able to fix just about anything with the last four.
Don't stress about it too much as you can build supplies along the way down through Europe, often at a cheaper rate than in the UK, and my kit is the result of 5 yrs buying along the way.
| jonic |
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| 02/06/2008 23:37 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Forgot to add, remember that cruising is just fixing boats in exotic places
| Conachair |
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| 03/06/2008 00:04 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Wish i had your inventory
What else? Head gasket maybe? I found favorite consumables thin on the ground after Brest, for me it was poly sulphide sealant and owatrol oil. More generally an led head torch with red filter comes in handy down below at night. And maybe a stock of your favorite thai curry paste Brest has very good chandlers if you you head that way, I found chandlers a bit limited in atlantic mainland spain and portugal though fishing boat chandlers are great if you find one and cheap too. Canaries has good stock of most things. And of course you cn never have enough stainless screws! But don't worry, it's all part of the fun wandering around some foreign port with map in one hand, broken bit of boat in the other, you always get there in the end and meet many interesting people along the way.
| KellysEye |
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| 03/06/2008 00:52 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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I think we carry just about everything mentioned. The only things I would add are:
- spare rigging wire (appropriate sizes and longest length for each size) and stalok fittings.
- also, if you intend to ocean sail with an autopilot (and it isn't at least one size bigger than that recommended for your boat size/weight) a good set of spares but ideally a complete spare unit.
| roly_voya |
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| 03/06/2008 04:36 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Don't carry spares for anything you could do without for a month
Do carry spares for anything you couldn't
Duplicate anything you could not manage without for a couple of days
And a third one fitted and ready to go for anything that could sink the boat
This is only theory as I have not yet been to the land where there are no chandlers
| Guapa |
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| 03/06/2008 07:51 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Anything to do with the autopilot.
As it's the only item you'll really need during the long bits.
Anything else can be bought or ordered once you get there.
| Jonny_H |
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| 03/06/2008 08:19 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Thanks very much for this guys.
We have spare rigging wire - I may get a staylok terminal (this is what all our rigging is made with so a spare may be useful).
Re the autopilot, the unit is only 2 years old, we have some spare contacts which according to the manufacturer are the most common failures, but we also have a Hydrovane (and I'm hoping to find a cheap tiller pilot to go with it) - so not too concerned on this point.
We do have jump leads, but we also have a battery parallel system with an emergency throw switch - so this should suffice.
I think a starter motor may be a good one to add to the list - along with some more epoxy putty.
We also have a half sheet of 3/4 inch marine ply and 3 pieces of 3mm 316 stainless (1ft x 2ft) - so hopefully that should be plenty to improvise with!
Well, out comes the old budget again then - starter motor, alternator and domestic water pump ...
Jonny
p.s. John - what a handsome fellow you are
| whipper_snapper |
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| 03/06/2008 09:29 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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That is a good way to look at it. Certainly you can spend a stupid amount of money on spares that you are unlikely to ever want.
I would not carry spare alternator or starter motor, but I am not dependent on the engine for electrical power. If I was, I would rather spend the money on breaking that dependency.
In general I guess my approach is to have backups for critical systems, such as self steering. Plus a good set of tools and 'raw materials' including odds and ends of rigging wire, sta-locks, wire clamps, rope (lots of rope), electrical wire, bits of wood, stainless, plastic drainpipe, araldite. True spares are pretty much limited to 'consumables' like oil, filters, belts etc.
Weighing the boat down with a ton of expensive (and fragile) kit seems foolish given that you can never know what you will need.
| Conachair |
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| 03/06/2008 10:04 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Quote:
- I may get a staylok terminal (this is what all our rigging is made with so a spare may be useful).
I would definitely get a load of spare cones, fittings are reusable but cones aren't. I found Martins rigging very good for norseman, probably do stalok as well. info@martinsrigging.com
| michael_w |
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| 03/06/2008 11:42 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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If you're going to the Caribbean a chandlery catalogue from Island Water World or Budget Marine is very handy. Order up the spares via SSB email. Sail to the appropriate island and they should be waiting for you.
West Marine and FedEx can be a lifesaver too.
A proper spares list with pictures makes ordering the funny bit of bent metal on the gearbox a thousand times easier.
| whipper_snapper |
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| 03/06/2008 12:23 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Quote:
Order up the spares via SSB email. Sail to the appropriate island and they should be waiting for you.
If only!!Quote:
A proper spares list with pictures makes ordering the funny bit of bent metal on the gearbox a thousand times easier.
That's a good point. And if you can leave a list of model/serial numbers of all the kit with someone ashore, it makes it easier for them to use their initiative and deal with suppliers on your behalf.
| Jonny_H |
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| 03/06/2008 12:27 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Quote:
if you can leave a list of model/serial numbers of all the kit with someone ashore, it makes it easier for them to use their initiative and deal with suppliers on your behalf.
Yes - we've been compiling a list of model numbers and serial numbers of all our kit and parts - we are leaving this with the chandler in Newcastle who is a family friend and has helped source lots of kit to date. Hopefully with their 'trade' contacts they should be able to source most things we need - just dependent on shipping then!
Jonny
| BobnLesley |
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| 03/06/2008 13:07 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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All you need are duck tape (if it moves when it shouldn't) and WD40 (if it doesn't move and should)
Seriously though, you seem fairly well covered, the addition of some rigging wire/terminals and a spare starter motor as already suggested would be a worthwhile. Remove the existing starter and take it to a decent auto-electrician, he will match you up with a perfect alternative to the manufacturers 'marine' original at half the price (or get a recon one for a quarter!) same goes for alternators too.
If you think the space/risk balance is hard on a boat, we travelled overland by motorbike a few years back - now that is a challenge.
Just accept that the bits that break will be those you didn't buy and don't worry about it; if they're cheap & small, buy two when you do track the part down.
From our experience, the biggest 'breakdown' items seem to be engines - not serious, if you have a rag and stick and refridgerators - try to repair before the beer gets warm or civilised life will come to an end.
| reginaldon |
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| 03/06/2008 13:28 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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No duct tape? Check out Shane Acton's Shrimpy for his inventory - quite comprehensive - well it got him right round plus a bit!
| tiercel |
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| 03/06/2008 15:05 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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A service kit for the heads with all the nasty bits of rubber, o rings, valves etc is fairly essential and surprisingly reassuring when strange liquids and smells pervade the boat!
| michael_w |
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| 03/06/2008 17:08 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Oi! Island Water World in St Lucia came up trumps with a Henderson Mk V spares kit. ordered over SailMail.
By the way, the diaphragms fail long before the valves do.
| LadyJessie |
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| 03/06/2008 20:28 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Your list is pretty good and I would set off with that. You do not say where you are heading. My experience is that the more you get into the developing (and even underdeveloped); the less spares you need. In the developing world everything you need can be manufactured and often to a higher standard than that 'original part'.
In my experience; if you stay in the 'western' world you can get spares shipped in easily. If you are in the 'developing world'; spares can be manufactured. So I would not worry too much. I would just carry lots of the small things like washers, cable ties, duct tape, lots of screws and bolts. For the rest, it can be found.
Let me just end with a tale from one of my good friends who is a professional yacht skipper of some 25 years: "you really only need duct tape and WD40 on a yacht. The rule is: if it moves and it shouldn't: duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should: WD40". Very true in my experience.
| Morgana |
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| 03/06/2008 20:32 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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How about a small piece of sailcloth and a sailmakers palm and thread..... handy for emergency repairs......
| Jonny_H |
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| 04/06/2008 07:59 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Thats my kind of rule!!
We are headed to Australia via the Panama Canal so apart from some Pacific Islands everywhere is fairly developed.
We have loads of spinnaker fabric on board and some sticky backed sail cloth - may nip to our local sailmakers today and get some proper cloth and a palm - thanks.
Jonny
| mocruising |
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| 04/06/2008 12:18 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Before we left the UK in 2004 we stocked up and probably spent £4000 on "Essential" spares. We need not have bothered in the Med. There is an arguement with modern comms. that where ever you are a courier service will be able to find you so don't over burden yourself. We still have a waterline about 1 cm lower than it should be due to over burdening ourselves. One day we may be in the middle of nowhere. Its amazing how many people we have helped out over the years with that bit of kit that I did not throw away. We carry everything including the kitchen sink.
| Blueboatman |
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| 04/06/2008 17:44 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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I would advise some sort of spare cooker-even if it is only a small screw-on camping gaz one...contact adhesive for all your sailrepairs,a sewing machine for all the extras that you will need to make as it gets hotter,and a full set of taps and dies and some threaded rod for all those seized fasteners that you will have to bust out.
It is not possible to have too much epoxy,sikaflex and duct tape imo with which to improvise repairs...
I love the mantra 'if it breaks and you can do without it,sling it',thus your boat gets simpler,lighter and cheaper to maintain. From experience I refer to inboard engines,wcs,pumped water systems,electronics and refridgeration.
But then I be a bit of a sailing luddite on 'ere!
Seriously the one thing that would worry me most would be breaking the gooseneck and or roller furling drums,furling lines and swivels..
| snowleopard |
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| 04/06/2008 19:18 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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I'd second your choice of an alternator. When preparing for the ARC it was the most common failure with at least 3 boats needing replacements.
Spares for the head are vital. If you have a Par/Jabsco type consider a complete pump assembly.
Do you have a pressurised water system? If so, can you get water out of the tanks if the pump fails?
It's always a good idea to stow bottled water in addition to the tanks.
I fitted a second set of nav lights and have never regretted it - 10w when sailing, 25w when motoring and a spare instantly available if a bulb goes.
As many ways as you can muster to get juice into the batteries. Nothing spoils your day as much as a flat battery (except perhaps a hole in the hull).
Assume your steering will fail and plan for it. I once had to sail 800 miles with a broken quadrant which wasn't funny.
I have big windows. To cover the possibility of one getting stove in I carried a couple of solid bars with bolts and wingnuts to secure a bunk board over the hole.
| Swagman |
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| 04/06/2008 20:40 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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See - told you.
JOHN
PS If you are getting (good idea) more sail repair stuff - forget the palm and get one of those relatively new fangled things that look like an awl but has an integral bobbin and a needle that can be pushed through almost anything. You'll soon see you can sew almost as good as a machine - albeit much much slower - and certainly easier and better than simply using needle and thread.
| Jonny_H |
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| 05/06/2008 09:02 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Quote:
I'd second your choice of an alternator. When preparing for the ARC it was the most common failure with at least 3 boats needing replacements.
Trying to source one at the moment!
Quote:
Spares for the head are vital. If you have a Par/Jabsco type consider a complete pump assembly.
We have two RM69 heads, and have put new pumps on both of them and kept the old pumps and have rebuilt them both with a spares kit.
Quote:
Do you have a pressurised water system? If so, can you get water out of the tanks if the pump fails?
We have a second identical pump on order which will swap straight in - we also have a hand pump which we currently use with 5 litre bottles, but have a special pipe extension ready to allow it to reach the tanks.
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It's always a good idea to stow bottled water in addition to the tanks.
Yep - per the above bit, we intend to take plenty of bottled water!
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I fitted a second set of nav lights and have never regretted it - 10w when sailing, 25w when motoring and a spare instantly available if a bulb goes.
We're fitting LED mast head bulbs which should have a longer life (bought, just needs fitting) - and keeping the old ones for spares.
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As many ways as you can muster to get juice into the batteries. Nothing spoils your day as much as a flat battery (except perhaps a hole in the hull).
Solar, wind genny and alternator - trying our best!
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Assume your steering will fail and plan for it. I once had to sail 800 miles with a broken quadrant which wasn't funny.
We went for a Hydrovane for this very reason when choosing our self steering.
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I have big windows. To cover the possibility of one getting stove in I carried a couple of solid bars with bolts and wingnuts to secure a bunk board over the hole.
We only have small windows, but have sufficient 1/2 inch ply to cover all of them if needed.
Wow - looks like we're not too far off after all!
Thanks
Jonny
| Dockmaster |
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| 05/06/2008 21:41 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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STOP - YOUR THINKING TO MUCH !!!! slip your lines and enjoy the adventure it will all sort itself out - it allways does, that is part of the fun.
| jonic |
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| 06/06/2008 09:58 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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Yup, he's right Jonny. You are very, very well prepared. Kick back, relax and get ready to enjoy Jonny and Kate's sailing adventure. Part of the fun is improvising along the way and the cruising community are the most helpful bunch I've ever come across. (As you are already demonstrating yourself with your detailed and helpful posts) Don't forget to email us any mobile numbers you will be using once you set off.
See you in Antigua!
| Jonny_H |
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| 06/06/2008 10:54 |
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Re: Essential Spares
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John - we are desperate to get out there and do it ... just ticking off the days and the jobs (got insurance sorted yesterday for the boat - another tick off the list!).
Thats the trouble with the final countdown - you keep finding things to do - the spares list was one of them but I'm loosing patience!!
Will PM you our details John.
Jonny