On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 12:56:05 -0500, "KLC Lewis"
wrote:

Other than the grounding, it seems to me that the only "boat stopper"
they've experienced so far is the steering failure -- and even that was
fixable at sea from Skip's report, with emergency steering solutions
available (unknown whether they had the knowledge to employ any of them,
however).

The Flying Pig is clearly a boat with more equipment than I would choose to
go to sea with. I prefer simple systems that are easily repaired in the
event of failure. Tiller steering. No refer. Low power demands. Very limited
through-hulls. Porta-potti with "bucket and chuck-it" option at sea. But
horses for courses, as they say. Some claim that women demand high-comfort
heads with lots of beauty-parlor options. Guess I'm not that much of a
girly-girl.

Nevertheless, underway repairs and maintenance are pretty much expected. The
higher-tech the systems, the more repairs to be expected. And they *are* in
"shake-down" mode at this time.

Points taken. Understand I haven't owned a sailboat, just intend to.
And I'm trying to develop my own "philosophy" regarding boat systems
selection and care.
I guess it was Skip's mention of various electrical issues and
confusion about their source that bothered me. And the leaking
hose. I thought such issues would have been worked out before
leaving Florida. Faults are prone to snowballing quickly and the it's
best to deal with them ashore. The steering problem, which appears
self-induced, also caught my attention.
It just seems that Skip's attention to such matters is scattered and
could be improved somehow. I've seen mention here of pilot
checklists, and AFAIC the same prep method is appropriate for boats.
Those here who have developed such procedures could chime in.
Regarding cruiser electrical/mechanical shakedowns, hose leaks,
electrical glitches and such shouldn't be part of that, as that should
all be set right while ashore.
My Navy shakedown cruises were more stress and performance
tests than tests of basic systems.
I suppose for sailboat cruisers the real shakedown elements are
rigging, sails and drive train related.
But like I said, I don't yet sail, so I'd welcome experienced thoughts
on this as I prepare myself.
I'm a true believer in KISS, but not a Luddite. Even complex systems
have design differences that allow careful selection of equipment to
lend to them the KISS factor.
Not complex, but as an example, the Airhead composting toilet is much
simpler and maintenance free than holding tank systems, though for
some it's unsuitable, or maybe too costly.

--Vic