Georgs et al: Before I discuss the question above a few words about our
boat. Our steering is rod and chain. We have twin Lehmans (120) but only operated
1 engine at a time (changed with each 6hr shift change). The flopper
stoppers (paravanes) were mechanical. Our electrics were batteries and alternators
(no generator), all winches were mechanical. Our electronics were 2 SSB, 2
Hams, gear drive mechanical autopilot, radar 6kw (commercial in those days).Our
fresh water capacity is 650 gals so we had no need of a watermaker (Our
longest leg was 14 days and @ 20gals per day we were OK). NOW to what broke. We
used a system of hours in use and calculated the hours according to our cruise
plan. With that set up we carried spares. e.g. alternators were changed over
at 400 hours (constant use), oil changes were done at 200hrs, batteries were
checked twice/day(4 spares kept charged but not in use). We carried spare
sprockets, chain and cable for the steering and a spare autopilot motor (along
with rudder indicator). We carried 2 spare compasses. We carried extra cable
and turnbuckles and winch for the flopper stoppers. So what broke? really
nothing as on the cruise and in each port we examined in detail each system and
where necessary changed the part. The changed part was then repaired from
our stock of parts carried with us (since all was mechanical with very
unsophisticated electrics). Keeping our systems as simple as possible allowed both my
wife and I to maintain the equipement. Remember our total hours for that
year and a half was only 1700 hours and all the systems could do more than that.
We kept logs of everything on board and checklists to do on our 6 hrs off as
well as checklists for the 6 hrs on. In all the main piece of equipement to
us was the autopilot (which is why we carried a complete back up) and that
allowed us to keep good watch on the systems. Of course there is much more
detail but I hope this brief description is a good start. If there are more
specific questions from the list I will do my best to answer them. Regards.
Leonard Stern, Indifference.
Georgs et al: Before I discuss the question above a few words about our
boat. Our steering is rod and chain. We have twin Lehmans (120) but only operated
1 engine at a time (changed with each 6hr shift change). The flopper
stoppers (paravanes) were mechanical. Our electrics were batteries and alternators
(no generator), all winches were mechanical. Our electronics were 2 SSB, 2
Hams, gear drive mechanical autopilot, radar 6kw (commercial in those days).Our
fresh water capacity is 650 gals so we had no need of a watermaker (Our
longest leg was 14 days and @ 20gals per day we were OK). NOW to what broke. We
used a system of hours in use and calculated the hours according to our cruise
plan. With that set up we carried spares. e.g. alternators were changed over
at 400 hours (constant use), oil changes were done at 200hrs, batteries were
checked twice/day(4 spares kept charged but not in use). We carried spare
sprockets, chain and cable for the steering and a spare autopilot motor (along
with rudder indicator). We carried 2 spare compasses. We carried extra cable
and turnbuckles and winch for the flopper stoppers. So what broke? really
nothing as on the cruise and in each port we examined in detail each system and
where necessary changed the part. The changed part was then repaired from
our stock of parts carried with us (since all was mechanical with very
unsophisticated electrics). Keeping our systems as simple as possible allowed both my
wife and I to maintain the equipement. Remember our total hours for that
year and a half was only 1700 hours and all the systems could do more than that.
We kept logs of everything on board and checklists to do on our 6 hrs off as
well as checklists for the 6 hrs on. In all the main piece of equipement to
us was the autopilot (which is why we carried a complete back up) and that
allowed us to keep good watch on the systems. Of course there is much more
detail but I hope this brief description is a good start. If there are more
specific questions from the list I will do my best to answer them. Regards.
Leonard Stern, Indifference.
