By: Daria Blackwell

Daria Blackwell — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:55:33 +0000

Thanks for this, Ruth. Here’s a few thoughts from our experience:
1. We replaced our 30-year-old Mercedes diesel workhorse engine with a brand new Yanmar because we could no longer source parts. We didn’t know it came with a precision engineered fuel pump that failed in Antigua ostensibly due to water in the fuel despite polishing the fuel routinely. That part could only be serviced by Bosch because of its extremely fine tolerances. We had to send the pump to the US. $3500 and three weeks later we were back in business. BIG lesson: get an engine made for the fishing fleet as they are made for reliability everywhere not just New England.
2. We replaced our CQR with a Rocna and an Ultra and have not had any sleepless nights since. Best investment by far. We cover the new studies of CQR performance (or lack of it) in the new edition of our book “Happy Hooking, the Art of Anchoring” just published Sept 2011 and in our SSU webinars. It’s pretty clear that the new generation anchors are far superior to the older generations. Well worth it.
3. Spare parts for all pumps, and complete replacement water pump and alternator saved us. We used both during three Atlantic crossings.
4. We’d like a better awning that covers more of the deck for warm climates.
5. We too will leave earlier in the season (October 1 from Ireland and August 15 from Maine were too late).
6. Less food and clothing, more tools and spares.
7. We are adding AIS. Had too many close encounters.
8. We finally found our favored combination of communication devices: VHF + handheld, SSB for one to many, SAT phone for one to one, email and gribs.

Happy holidays to all! May Santa bring you the stuff on your wish list. Ho ho ho.

Comments on: Tell us what you would do differently: Ruth Allen

By: Daria Blackwell