cruisin wrote:
On Jun 14, 10:34 am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

"cruisin" wrote in message

groups.com...


Not really. It's actually pretty beautiful and the people are
actually pretty cool. I love it when I can bash another myth.
Anyway, we're stuck here for a bit looking for pipefittings for a new
exhaust riser, and a couple bazillion other projects, mostly small but
requiring city-type resources. Papeete is a city, all right.
Got new logs and pics up on the site, for those interested.

Fumbling along living the dream,

Mike and Barb
s/y Arabella
http://www.sailinglinks.com/notes.htm

You should have listened to Capt. Neal when he said simplify, simplify,
simplify! Now look at you guys. Stuck with more projects than sense.
But, there are sailors and there are tinkerers. Tinker away!

Wilbur Hubbard


I know, Wilbur, and we haven't hardly been sailing at all on this
trip. We should have listened to the wise and benificent Capt. Neal
when we could have bought a Crapanado 27 with an outboard and a cedar
bucket instead of this POS boat.
I live every moment consumed with regret.

Mike

I saw you smirk when you wrote that...say "hi" to Barbi for me...

On Jun 14, 7:24 pm, katy wrote:
cruisin wrote:
On Jun 14, 10:34 am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

"cruisin" wrote in message

groups.com...

Not really. It's actually pretty beautiful and the people are
actually pretty cool. I love it when I can bash another myth.
Anyway, we're stuck here for a bit looking for pipefittings for a new
exhaust riser, and a couple bazillion other projects, mostly small but
requiring city-type resources. Papeete is a city, all right.
Got new logs and pics up on the site, for those interested.

Fumbling along living the dream,

Mike and Barb
s/y Arabella
http://www.sailinglinks.com/notes.htm

You should have listened to Capt. Neal when he said simplify, simplify,
simplify! Now look at you guys. Stuck with more projects than sense.
But, there are sailors and there are tinkerers. Tinker away!

Wilbur Hubbard

I know, Wilbur, and we haven't hardly been sailing at all on this
trip. We should have listened to the wise and benificent Capt. Neal
when we could have bought a Crapanado 27 with an outboard and a cedar
bucket instead of this POS boat.
I live every moment consumed with regret.

Mike

I saw you smirk when you wrote that...say "hi" to Barbi for me...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well, ya know, the Admiral says hi back, and wants me to tell you
she's not leaving here until we have an autopilot!
Not to mention an engine that works, but you can see her priorities.
What a complicated mess this boat really is. The wonderful Hydrovane
self-steering rig I spent too many boat units getting and installing
never really worked yet. The "bulletproof" Robertson autopilot uses
too many amps when sailing (it's either that or the fridge, and I like
cold beer) plus broke during the crossing, so we've been steering this
tub by hand for 3000+ miles. The company is out of business, so
getting it fixed is problematical, plus it's kind of intermittant-
breaks during a passage, then days after you've arrived in port it
decides it wasn't really broken. The docks here, as everywhere but
the US, I guess, are wired with 220 volts, so we had to track down the
appropriate transformer...then it blew the dock circuit breaker every
time we turned on our "AC in" breaker.
And on a much grosser note, the blingedy blangedly electric head needs
another intimate encounter with yours truly. Luckily the manual one
is hanging in there for now.
This is the real stuff you deal with while cruising, along with the
pink sunsets and drinks by the pool at some luxury hotel.
Shoulda bought the Coronado with the purple upolstery and the cedar
bucket.

Best,
Mike 'n Barb
s/y Arabella
www.sailinglinks.com

cruisin wrote:
On Jun 14, 7:24 pm, katy wrote:

cruisin wrote:

On Jun 14, 10:34 am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

"cruisin" wrote in message

legroups.com...

Not really. It's actually pretty beautiful and the people are
actually pretty cool. I love it when I can bash another myth.
Anyway, we're stuck here for a bit looking for pipefittings for a new
exhaust riser, and a couple bazillion other projects, mostly small but
requiring city-type resources. Papeete is a city, all right.
Got new logs and pics up on the site, for those interested.

Fumbling along living the dream,

Mike and Barb
s/y Arabella
http://www.sailinglinks.com/notes.htm

You should have listened to Capt. Neal when he said simplify, simplify,
simplify! Now look at you guys. Stuck with more projects than sense.
But, there are sailors and there are tinkerers. Tinker away!

Wilbur Hubbard

I know, Wilbur, and we haven't hardly been sailing at all on this
trip. We should have listened to the wise and benificent Capt. Neal
when we could have bought a Crapanado 27 with an outboard and a cedar
bucket instead of this POS boat.
I live every moment consumed with regret.

Mike

I saw you smirk when you wrote that...say "hi" to Barbi for me...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Well, ya know, the Admiral says hi back, and wants me to tell you
she's not leaving here until we have an autopilot!
Not to mention an engine that works, but you can see her priorities.
What a complicated mess this boat really is. The wonderful Hydrovane
self-steering rig I spent too many boat units getting and installing
never really worked yet. The "bulletproof" Robertson autopilot uses
too many amps when sailing (it's either that or the fridge, and I like
cold beer) plus broke during the crossing, so we've been steering this
tub by hand for 3000+ miles. The company is out of business, so
getting it fixed is problematical, plus it's kind of intermittant-
breaks during a passage, then days after you've arrived in port it
decides it wasn't really broken. The docks here, as everywhere but
the US, I guess, are wired with 220 volts, so we had to track down the
appropriate transformer...then it blew the dock circuit breaker every
time we turned on our "AC in" breaker.
And on a much grosser note, the blingedy blangedly electric head needs
another intimate encounter with yours truly. Luckily the manual one
is hanging in there for now.
This is the real stuff you deal with while cruising, along with the
pink sunsets and drinks by the pool at some luxury hotel.
Shoulda bought the Coronado with the purple upolstery and the cedar
bucket.

Best,
Mike 'n Barb
s/y Arabella
www.sailinglinks.com


Nah...just get rid of all the electric stuff....except the fridge...we
had an electric toitoi on the 27..hated the thing and it never worked
proerly...of course, if it was a house instead of a boat, you'd have to
be painting the soffits, raking the yard, fixing the AC or furnace, blah
de blah de blah, so I thinnk you still have the better deal...and yeah,
I see Barb's point about the autohelm....

"cruisin" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, ya know, the Admiral says hi back, and wants me to tell you
she's not leaving here until we have an autopilot!

That's part of your problem right there - according her status no woman
deserves. Get her a tee-shirt labeled "crew" and another labeled "galley
slave." Make her wear them. The rest of the time keep her naked and
drunk. If she gives you any backtalk make her walk the plank.

Not to mention an engine that works, but you can see her priorities.

Didn't Capt. Neal warn of the stupidity of big, heavy, trouble-prone,
difficult to repair inboard engines time and time again? You shoulda
listened to his sage advice when you had a chance.

What a complicated mess this boat really is. The wonderful Hydrovane
self-steering rig I spent too many boat units getting and installing
never really worked yet.

It's one of the worst self-steering systems around. Next time get a
Monitor. Try to remember what the good Captain taught. Simple is better.

The "bulletproof" Robertson autopilot uses
too many amps when sailing (it's either that or the fridge, and I like
cold beer) plus broke during the crossing, so we've been steering this
tub by hand for 3000+ miles.

Too many amps is a function of an unbalanced boat or some serious
friction or drag in your wheel steering system. That's why a balanced
spade ruddes is superior when used in conjunction with a tiller and a
tiller pilot that draws maybe 1/10 of an amp when compensating. Next
time how about some due diligence in regards to sail balance. You were
mostly off the wind, or so I hear, so with the proper spinnaker and
sheeted in mainsail you should have needed almost no power to steer your
ship. Downwind, any kind of a well-designed sailboat barely needs
self-steering systems. The sails themselves should be responsible for
90% of the self steering. The autopilot, if properly set up should only
be called on to compensate for that odd-ball wave that tends to slew you
off course.

As for the cold beer being of paramount importance. I agree with you
there.

The company is out of business, so
getting it fixed is problematical, plus it's kind of intermittant-
breaks during a passage, then days after you've arrived in port it
decides it wasn't really broken.

Pretty stupid buying and installing obsolete equipment, isn't it? Didn't
you learn a thing on your shakedown cruise to Baja?


The docks here, as everywhere but
the US, I guess, are wired with 220 volts, so we had to track down the
appropriate transformer...then it blew the dock circuit breaker every
time we turned on our "AC in" breaker.

You're in Tahiti and you're at a dock. Now I know you're no sailor. With
all the beautiful pristine anchorages around that part of the world why
the hell are you slumming it at a dock? Sad, so sad? Probably because
the "admiral" insists on hot showers, an electric blow dryer and the
proper lighting for her vanity mirror." Get a clue, make her walk the
plank sooner, rather than later. And then toss the water heater
overboard along with the electric head. The vanity - rip it out and put
in shelves for books and make it a library, While you're at it, rip the
holding tank out and intall another freshwater tank instead.

And on a much grosser note, the blingedy blangedly electric head needs
another intimate encounter with yours truly. Luckily the manual one
is hanging in there for now.

No self-respecting cruiser uses a head anyway. A cedar bucket or even a
plastic bucket is the way to go. When you need to take a leak, use some
wide mouth jar until it gets all smelly and coated with lime deposites
from the urine then toss it overboard. In your case probably a
narrow-mouth jar would work just fine.

This is the real stuff you deal with while cruising, along with the
pink sunsets and drinks by the pool at some luxury hotel.
Shoulda bought the Coronado with the purple upolstery and the cedar
bucket.

You got that last part right. I'm sure the good captain is anchored out
someplace nicer than those slum docks in Tahiti and he's not working on
a bunch of failed systems nor is he hassling with ordering or trying to
order and import a bunch of broken parts. He's got reliable solar panels
enough to run his autopilots (five of them for redundancy and spares
because any autopilot eventually wears out) and his fridge to keep his
beer cold.
His engine is a reliable four-stroke Honda which never gives a lick of
trouble and if it should fail it's a matter of unclamping it from the
transom and installing a brand new one for about the price you pay
screwing around with your exhaust system.

I hope this helps.

Wilbur Hubbard

On Jun 15, 11:07 am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

"cruisin" wrote in message

What a complicated mess this boat really is. The wonderful Hydrovane
self-steering rig I spent too many boat units getting and installing
never really worked yet.

It's one of the worst self-steering systems around. Next time get a
Monitor. Try to remember what the good Captain taught. Simple is better.

The "bulletproof" Robertson autopilot uses
too many amps when sailing (it's either that or the fridge, and I like
cold beer) plus broke during the crossing, so we've been steering this
tub by hand for 3000+ miles.

Too many amps is a function of an unbalanced boat or some serious
friction or drag in your wheel steering system. That's why a balanced
spade ruddes is superior when used in conjunction with a tiller and a
tiller pilot that draws maybe 1/10 of an amp when compensating. Next
time how about some due diligence in regards to sail balance. You were
mostly off the wind, or so I hear, so with the proper spinnaker and
sheeted in mainsail you should have needed almost no power to steer your
ship. Downwind, any kind of a well-designed sailboat barely needs
self-steering systems. The sails themselves should be responsible for
90% of the self steering. The autopilot, if properly set up should only
be called on to compensate for that odd-ball wave that tends to slew you
off course.

Try hooking a tiller pilot up to your hydrovane. This will allow
small
steering inputs, with low current draw to steer the boat really well,
and you can keep the fridge running.

I agree on the advice about getting a Monitor--Monty is always a
welcome crew, never lets you down, and steers better in heavier
winds.

Send pictures of some Tahitian wahine!

Bart

"cruisin" wrote in message
oups.com...

snipped
. The docks here, as everywhere but
the US, I guess, are wired with 220 volts, so we had to track down the
appropriate transformer...then it blew the dock circuit breaker every
time we turned on our "AC in" breaker.

How big was that transformer? I am about to fit one to my boat for the same
reason and was wondering about the initial peak load while it builds up its
flux. Mine is 2kw capacity but it was supplied with a condenser which the
makers say should be put across the input terminls to reduce the load on
startup..

On Jun 15, 11:14 pm, "Edgar" wrote:
"cruisin" wrote in message

oups.com...

snipped
. The docks here, as everywhere but

the US, I guess, are wired with 220 volts, so we had to track down the
appropriate transformer...then it blew the dock circuit breaker every
time we turned on our "AC in" breaker.

How big was that transformer? I am about to fit one to my boat for the same
reason and was wondering about the initial peak load while it builds up its
flux. Mine is 2kw capacity but it was supplied with a condenser which the
makers say should be put across the input terminls to reduce the load on
startup..

Hi Edgar,
Mine is 3000 watts, works great but gets a bit warm. The 2kw should
work fine, however, unless you have the washing machine, jacuzzi pump,
hair dryer and iron all plugged in and on... :0)

Mike

On Jun 15, 11:14 pm, "Edgar" wrote:
"cruisin" wrote in message

oups.com...

snipped
. The docks here, as everywhere but

the US, I guess, are wired with 220 volts, so we had to track down the
appropriate transformer...then it blew the dock circuit breaker every
time we turned on our "AC in" breaker.

How big was that transformer? I am about to fit one to my boat for the same
reason and was wondering about the initial peak load while it builds up its
flux. Mine is 2kw capacity but it was supplied with a condenser which the
makers say should be put across the input terminls to reduce the load on
startup..

Oh, I forgot to mention the tripping of the dock breaker wasn't
because the transformer was overloaded. It powered the charger/
inverter just fine. Turns out the AC plugs on the boat have the
neutral and ground connected somehow, and that was short-circuiting
the dock power. A helpful man suggested we disconnect the ground on
our ac system temporarily, a dangerous, but effective, solution.

M

cruisin wrote:
Well, ya know, the Admiral says hi back, and wants me to tell you
she's not leaving here until we have an autopilot!
Not to mention an engine that works, but you can see her priorities.

An engine would be nice. Do you have a genset? A good autopilot makes
a lot of difference, sounds like your Admiral has her priorities
pretty straight.


What a complicated mess this boat really is. The wonderful Hydrovane
self-steering rig I spent too many boat units getting and installing
never really worked yet.

How much wind & what points of sail have you tried it in? Wind vane
self-steerers can be tough to get dialed in and some will simply not
generate enough force on the helm to hold on some points of sail.



The "bulletproof" Robertson autopilot uses
too many amps when sailing (it's either that or the fridge, and I like
cold beer) plus broke during the crossing, so we've been steering this
tub by hand for 3000+ miles. The company is out of business, so
getting it fixed is problematical, plus it's kind of intermittant-
breaks during a passage, then days after you've arrived in port it
decides it wasn't really broken.

Both fridge & autpilot technology have made big improvements in the
last 10 years. Also you might consider just adding more insulation to
your fridge box. An easy and cheap upgrade that all fridges could
benefit from.



This is the real stuff you deal with while cruising, along with the
pink sunsets and drinks by the pool at some luxury hotel.

Yeah, I can see you got it rough! Well we are in a pretty nice place
right now, not a luxury resort though. And it will never get as
overdeveloped as Tahiti


Shoulda bought the Coronado with the purple upolstery and the cedar
bucket.


Nah, you had it good with your Ranger 23. Now if you'd sailed *that*
to Tahiti you'd be a legend!

Glad to hear that you all completed a safe passage and are having a
good time.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

On Jun 17, 4:23 pm, wrote:
cruisin wrote:
Well, ya know, the Admiral says hi back, and wants me to tell you
she's not leaving here until we have an autopilot!
Not to mention an engine that works, but you can see her priorities.

An engine would be nice. Do you have a genset? A good autopilot makes
a lot of difference, sounds like your Admiral has her priorities
pretty straight.

What a complicated mess this boat really is. The wonderful Hydrovane
self-steering rig I spent too many boat units getting and installing
never really worked yet.

How much wind & what points of sail have you tried it in? Wind vane
self-steerers can be tough to get dialed in and some will simply not
generate enough force on the helm to hold on some points of sail.

The "bulletproof" Robertson autopilot uses
too many amps when sailing (it's either that or the fridge, and I like
cold beer) plus broke during the crossing, so we've been steering this
tub by hand for 3000+ miles. The company is out of business, so
getting it fixed is problematical, plus it's kind of intermittant-
breaks during a passage, then days after you've arrived in port it
decides it wasn't really broken.

Both fridge & autpilot technology have made big improvements in the
last 10 years. Also you might consider just adding more insulation to
your fridge box. An easy and cheap upgrade that all fridges could
benefit from.

This is the real stuff you deal with while cruising, along with the
pink sunsets and drinks by the pool at some luxury hotel.

Yeah, I can see you got it rough! Well we are in a pretty nice place
right now, not a luxury resort though. And it will never get as
overdeveloped as Tahiti

Shoulda bought the Coronado with the purple upolstery and the cedar
bucket.

Nah, you had it good with your Ranger 23. Now if you'd sailed *that*
to Tahiti you'd be a legend!

Glad to hear that you all completed a safe passage and are having a
good time.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Hi Doug,
No built-in genset, just a Honda eu2000i that works pretty well for
us. The self-steering gizmo (Hydrovane) got de-vaned about three
nights out of PV when the mizzen preventor broke and the jybing mizz
boom knocked it into the drink. My "spare" vane was smaller, and
didn't have enough sail area to make it work. Apparently under
reaching conditions like we had, they are at their worst anyway.
Especially with big quartering seas. I think that's what killed the
autopilot as well. You can get the boat as balanced as can be, and
those seas just knock you right off course.
Almost sailed the Ranger 23 to Hawaii once- that would have been an
adventure, but Strider would have made it fine.
We're at the Yacht Club Tahiti dock right now, awaiting the new
exhaust riser and mixing elbow to appear so we can head over to
Moorea, then Bora Bora.
Yeah, life is pretty tough for us right now, but we're struggling
along. Someone has to do this stuff, right?

Mike