Redundant Gear

[luckydave215]

How many of you have 2 (or more) of everything? I sail with 2 salt water pumps. 2 raw water pumps. 2 fresh water pumps. 9 bilge pumps. 2 autopilots. 2 radars. 2 sounders. 2 logs. 3 vhf's. 2 ssb's. 3 gps's. 2 searchlights. Electronic AND cable engine controls. 2 generators. 2 sets of props. 5 (yes, 5) fridges. 5 battery banks.
Ad infinitum ad nauseum.
What level of redundancy makes you feel secure?

 

[mgernes]

This sounds like a cry for help from someone who needs a bigger boat. It is getting to be spring, and that means you need to think about the "twofer" rule; that is the purchase of another boat that is at least two feet bigger than the one you had last year.

Hard to think about spring launch right now though as we are getting a good snowfall in here in Minnesota.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I always feel secure with what I have until I start thinking about the "what do I do if this happens" scenario. Then I add few more things to my list. I won't take long and I'll have as much extra stuff as you do.

 

[luckydave215]

At 60 feet, my boat's large enough to swallow all the gear anyone could ever want, and heavy enough that the extra weight makes no difference. When your home port is San Diego, a good fishing trip takes you offshore for 10 days or longer. Redundant is good.

 

[Genesis]

Enough to get me home

But I've only got 45 feet to shove it all in. I probably carry more than I need, but if the fan meets the doo-doo, I can usually fix it - even offshore.

The way I see it so long as I have propulsion and 12V, I'll be ok. I'd LIKE redundant 120, but I don't have it...... there's a limit to what will fit in 45 feet worth of boat

 

[luckydave215]

I hear you on the issue of 110. However, the way Hatteras set my boat up, everything is 110, with 32v as the backup. (except for the stuff that's been converted to 12v, and there's 3 banks for that). 110v certainly does have it's advantages, the wire and switches (the current) are smaller, there's less voltage drop, etc, and I have 80 kw at hand if I need it. (I've never needed it all, though).
I was really asking if the Admiral is right, when she says I'm a hardware junkie. Way the hell offshore, however, you want all the backups in the world. Sooner or later, you're glad you have it. I ride dirtbikes (long distance) in Baja, and we have a saying "A rider can never have too much gas, unless he's on fire." A leatherman is handy too.

 

[Trojan]

In the Great Lakes I don't have the great need to carry spares as you open water guys. I only double up on the things I need to get home or to a port. Most parts or items that I need for repair I can get local or the next day. I guess we are lucky in a way. But I do carry a lot of I don't have to crap. I must say, that when I get to My destination I don't want for much.


BILL

 

[Nonchalant1]

I guess I'm the opposite, but it has to do with how you use your boat. I think there's a difference between redundant spares and operational redundancy, which is built in to the operational systems. I carry zero redundant spare parts, even though I have single spares for both props, bilge pumps, float switches, a DD injector and impellers, etc.

However, Hatteras built in many operational redundancies because the boat has 2 engines, so one can get me home, 2 water pumps (110V & 32V), 110V and 32V lighting, 3 heads, 2 holding tanks, 2 separate GPS systems, an inverter and a 110V diesel generator plus the 2 engine 32V generators, 2 helm stations, etc. And, of course, I have every tool I can think of and fix-it supplies. Somehow, it seems like there's enough there for coastal cruising, but I never go on 10 day trips offshore either.

Doug Shuman

 

[luckydave215]

Epic fishing is found in the waters off Bahia Magdelena in the summer and fall. It's a 1500 mile round trip from here, all offshore. There are NO services in Baja other than fuel, and that's few and far between. Slow running to conserve fuel is mandatory, even with 1550 gallons on board. If something goes wrong down there, you have to have the spares, or backup system with you. You can't get anything locally, and it's a long way to get a tow.

 

[doc g]

How about ; (2) 20 kw NL gens, 10 kw main engine driven gen , 16 kw of inverter power, 20 Batteries onboard, 2 RADAR's, 3 GPS's, 2 autopilots completely plumbed and ready to go, 4 battery chargers , 3 depth sounders, 3 computers all with nav software capable of running from any of the GPS's. Two cell phones, cell card for the laptop, and a sat phone , SSB, 3 VHF's. Two watermakers. Three stations- FB ,WH, cockpit, Two davits. She even had redundant dive compressors with nitrox when I got her !! Plus all the built in redundancy typical of Hatt's this size. Too many systems ......it has taken me almost 2 years to figure out how most of this stuff works, and of course then when something breaks or does not work I become the trouble shooter and continue to learn the next system. Makes me think that Nordhavn with single power looks real good. I consider it my "other" full time job. I was bitchin' about it last summer and as a buddy of mine with a brand new trawler said " Hey , it's a banner day when everthing on my boat works and it's new" , I guess it's a good thing to be able to bitch about !!!! We are all very fortunate to have these boats.................................Pat

 

[Ross Macdonald]

Having spent from Nov. 1, 2004 thru July 20, 2005 in Mexico, we travelled as far south as Ixtapa (about 1550 nm) and found there seems to be much better services available in lots of areas. Even in Turtle Bay, which is about 350 nm south of San Diego, there was access to some repair services. Mag bay is about 250 nm south of Turtle Bay and we found right around the corner, San Carlos, which is a large commercial port where services were available. This doesn't preclude being well prepared. But when my wife and I were making the passage on our boat, we also networked with other cruisers and were kept abreast of things available along the way. You are correct when you say when taking your own boat that far, it's best to be proactive.

 

[luckydave215]

I've met Ross, and he speaks from experience.

 

[mike]

Guys, I am prepping for a similar trip from SF south to Mexico next year, I have a 53MY and only carry 800 gal for a range of about 700nm with a little reserve. More insight on do's and don’ts is most appreciated. (Maybe this should be a seperate posting?) mike

 

[Ross Macdonald]

Mike.. We will be heading back down in Nov. for another 8 month trip out of San Diego. I'm by no means an expert, but did the trip last year and might be able to relate some of our experiences. It might take up alot of space on this forum. My email address is Boppysstar@hotmail.com. We can perhaps get together in San Diego on your way down, because you will have to obviously get fuel here.

 

[mike]

Ross, thanks .... I'll look you up. Mike