What you can't do without on a long sailing trip

It's no secret that after purchasing a boat for long voyages, you still need to make certain changes and adjustments that are necessary for us personally: additional electronic devices, some design changes, improvement of deck equipment.

Over time, our "I should have it too" turns into an unobtrusive "but I don't need it!" This helps to save the ship's cash register, helps to simplify the search for necessary things in the lockers. "Plus" after cleaning unnecessary things, the boat becomes lighter, which means - more maneuverable, "minus" some questions may arise during the inspection of the boat.

The list of necessary things depends not only on the distance and duration of the trip.but also on your personal requirements. Jane and Dan Landsford travel frequently, and have long ago drawn up a list of the required minimum. Ten years ago, they sold their house and land in the United States, and the ten-meter Cinderella became their permanent residence. Since their retirement in 2009, they have been sailing between Canada and Fr. Trinidad.

Cinderella

“For us personally, the first place is the presence of two independent bilge pumps, - said Jane, and added - There are even three on the Cinderella: two electric and one manual. Thanks to them, we even saved the boat from being flooded ”.

In addition, an oversized anchor winch attracts attention on board. "Easier to handle the anchor, the chain does not slip like on the previous smaller yacht." The 20-kilogram Rocna did not fail when the boat had to be left at anchor in the Bahamas, while the anchors of other boats began to slowly "crawl". This winch is also used to lift an inflatable boat out of the water onto a tank, or to lift someone onto a mast.

Jane and Dan Landsford

Besides, "Cinderella" especially "not overloaded" with electronic navigation devices: a small portable GPS-chartplotter consumes less power than a standard one with a large screen, but nevertheless helps to orientate where it is needed. Saving energy is very important if you have to stay at anchor for many days and do not plan to enter the marina in the near future.

Jane and Dan equipped their boat with solar panels to generate the electricity needed for the lighting and refrigerator. In addition, the transition to economical LED lighting makes it possible to almost never turn on the engines to recharge the on-board batteries. "A correctly calculated energy consumption allows us to anchor and explore the area of interest to us for several days."

Also, in southern latitudes, they use a specially stretched awning over the deck, which helps to protect the boat and crew from overheating. “Finally, says Jane, the fuel filter is an important element for us. We always make sure that our engine is in good condition. "

Human factor

"Reliable machines" are also some of the most important things on board "Momo"... Using state-of-the-art technology, owner Uwe Moser takes on board the yacht "a crew you can rely on." He doesn't have a very long list of things he can't do without: a well-equipped galley with provisions and "good friends you can always turn to for advice."

Three years ago, Bridget and Uwe Moser began a voyage around the world, which they successfully completed a few weeks ago. And to cross the oceans, everything must be as reliable as possible. First of all, it is Uwe's 40-foot steel boat, which he calls “our great iron ship”. It would probably be better if the body was aluminum. His boat is equipped with an autopilot and its own mechanical autopilot system. On long voyages on the Momo, as on many other ships, the autopilot is used for about 95 % time.

However, there is an even more important thing than long-transition management. In the open ocean and upon arrival to distant shores, autonomy is the primary goal. It is necessary that the energy source can be charged from both solar and wind energy, and from the engine. Also, there should be a 2 kW petrol standby generator serving only as an emergency reserve.

To stay in touch with their friends, the Moser spouses use shortwave radio with Pactor modem for e-mail. By using the radio, they can also communicate with other yachts, even from a distance of several thousand kilometers. They also installed a watermaker, thanks to which they did not feel the need for water.

Boat reliability

Boat crew member "Hamburger" Dirk Mene talks about what he was betting on when crossing the Atlantic Ocean. "A boat in which I can be" like a stone wall ", which I trust" - this is his first thought. Confidence in your yacht is a necessary aspect of safety for him, because you can only be calm when you know the limits of the boat's capabilities.

Then Dirk begins to list things that are no less important. He refers to them as an assistant, who is his "rear", who has access to important data: passwords, PIN-codes, and so on.

Also, this is Internet access in marinas and anchorages, an antenna on the mast. Useful acquaintances, friends who meet while traveling. Meetings without which travel would not be so vivid and memorable. Yachting communities that inspire travel. "Active and passive," he stressed. The community works only when everyone not only takes, but also gives. Knowing that he is alive and his journey went well helps the other participants too. "Trans-Ocean Club" go on your own long cruise.

The technical moment was not the most important for him. He needed little: LED lights for night time, glasses, lots of books and a reliable storm kit, things supposedly insignificant, but without which a long journey would seem tedious and not so pleasant. Also a magazine and a pen. "Recreating the events of the past day on paper brings me great joy." Also on board is the famous egg timer. Every 20 minutes, it signals that it is necessary to observe, and this is more reliable than AIS systems and radars.

Egg timer for Katherine and Bill Duning on their family catamaran is not so relevant. They travel with their sons Cole and Cooper, and there is always someone on watch. For a year now, they have been traveling through the Caribbean region, with the further goal of arriving at the shores of Central America. But even with a sufficient number of crew members on board, they call an autopilot and a large anchor among the must-haves.

Catherine and Bill Duning with children on board the Tribe catamaran

The children turned out to be ideal travel companions for them. One float for parents, one for children. Ever since they got a multihull, peace and quiet have reigned in their house in the literal sense. Instead of talking about what is needed, they talk about what they will replace. They will never use the Bordklo manual flush toilet again. The Jabsco unit would have more than recouped the costs they had to pay for replacement parts and repairs.

Then we talk about electronic equipment. Again, the list includes GPS and AIS navigators, solar panels and wind turbines. An essential minimum repair kit that is not sensitive to seawater, which can be worn at the waist and always close at hand when needed. With two hungry kids aboard, it's no surprise that a gas stove and oven, as essential, rounds out the list.

There should be no unnecessary complications

Especially when traveling to the United States, the issue of personal hygiene becomes very urgent for me. The installation of a watermaker on board my yacht requires a major upgrade. But with my 100 liter water tanks, I quickly realized that this upgrade was "Momo" is simply necessary. Especially in the Bahamas, where fresh water demanded a lot of money, and it often turned out to be highly chlorinated.

“For a successful trip, you need a team that you can be confident in on 100%, and good friends who you can turn to for advice at the right time.”

Overall, I try to keep things as simple as possible on my boat. This reduces the number of errors, helps save on repairs, and helps detect damage faster. The most simplified system of setting and harvesting sails. I often use a stable Parasailor, a spinnaker that can work even when the autopilot is on, on my night transitions.

When preparing the anchor for recoil, I often miss the remote control for the autopilot. While on the bow, I could make minor course adjustments. The navigator could also avoid the noise of cars on canals and rivers by driving the boat from the wheelhouse.

Inflatable boats are indispensable, and so obvious that they can even be easily overlooked. For small walks along narrow canals, coves, maneuverable "dinghy" is a must.

Being a lone sailor with friends often helps me solve some of the problems I have on board. A computer with a Pactor modem is a versatile option.

In excess

Priority on board "SuAn" this is an additional satellite phone as a backup. It also helps to contact the marina and request an arrival. In addition, for Lutza and Gabi important are "safety, health and harmony of the crew", an uninterrupted engine and a reliable anchor.

Thus, both have already achieved this in Brisbane, Australia. In technical support, they attach importance to redundancy wherever possible.

All the most expensive and the best should be on board. Large water and fuel tanks give a feeling of independence and the ability to reach the parking lot if power from solar panels and generators is no longer available. Also, reliable autopilot is high on their list of priorities. However, they apply slightly different standards to their "fishing vessel".

Marlene and Bert for travels in the North Atlantic region, we equipped our sailboat with a total weight of 42 tons on the principle “with everything you can”: tools, construction materials, spare parts. You can also find a sewing machine and a welding machine in the lockers.

Also, here is given list of the most important things on board: tender, HF receiver, AIS navigator, surplus anchor, electric winches. Radar turned out to be simply necessary, in one of the foggy crossings in the Caribbean, as it very accurately indicates the approach of squalls, even at night.

In addition to useful things, they showed two business cards to their friends: a doctor and a dentist. "We know them so well that we can call them even in the middle of the night." In addition, we can say that for a comfortable life on board, even such little things as books and music, a steamer and square-shaped pans are needed that stay on the stove even when the boat is "jumping" on the waves.

Essentials for daily life

Long list of essentials also Annie and Chris from an American yacht "Mr. Mac ".

“We have constant discussions about what is really important for us: the autopilot, the filter on the pump to avoid the ingress of silt, etc.”. But what really affects the quality of our boat experience are the mattresses.

Twelve years ago, when both were on board a yacht cruising in the Caribbean, they used simple cold foam mattresses. On the one hand, they were comfortable, but on the other hand, they obstructed access to the lockers. The best option would be if comfortable mattresses are built into the furniture, and the joints on the bed will not be felt in a dream.

Mr. Mac

Consciously avoiding technology

After two cruises on a classic yacht "Einhandsegler" Bastian Hauck plans to stick to a conservative style. In general, technological innovations do not play a big role for him. Maintaining the classic sailing traditions is his top priority.

Among the specific equipment, the hand pump that saved his boat in 2009, and possibly even his life, is important to him. Although he now even has a chart plotter on board, the light in the cabin is still provided by a kerosene lamp.

Combining personalities

Without an anemometer, autopilot, solar panels and wind generators, apparently, no one goes on a long voyage. But for each member on board, there always comes a time when individual needs come to the fore. They are based on how much electricity, gas, water, or electronic equipment you need to travel. Even if there are three people on board the yacht, it is more fun than when you are alone. And giving up on fun can jeopardize travel. Chatting with friends, knowing that you can get back home is a key element of any journey.

Read more about travel and life on board:

"Momo" - www.momos-meilen.de

"SuAn" - www.trade-wind.de

"M" - www.sym.de

Homecoming - www.heimkehr-hamburg.de

"MR. MAC "- www.sailmrmac.blogspot.de

"Tadorna" - www.tadorna.de

Text: Hinnerk Weiler

18.03.2012