Leaks, new plans to stop rolling at sea and USB upgrades. Expedition lifeboat conversion. Ep101 [4K]

To HELP CHARGE ALAN'S BATTERIES for the journey north, to buy merch, and to support my videos and help them grow in scope and quality here: www.alexhibber...
EPISODE 101
A pensive one this time. I noticed a slow leak around the shell joins when at sea, plus USB chargers running really slowly, and I also offer thoughts about how to limit Alan's rolling.
Model: NME A/S (Husnes, Norway) 7.5m TELB
Engine: Bukh DV48 turbo diesel
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!
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[@bobstay1]

If you haven't already considered it, I think you would do better to try the much simpler (and cheaper, and more robust, and less breakable) option of a small steadying sail if you want to reduce rolling. Leeboards are to stop a vessel making leeway/blowing sideways, not to steady it (i sail Thames barges, which rely on them for sailing performance). Have a look at traditional Scottish motor fishing boats? Even a tiny low-aspect sail (cut absolutely flat so no driving ability) will make quite a difference. East Anglian herring drifters all set one while laying to their nets ie. flopping about with no forward motion to impart some stability. Just my two penn'rth😁 and might help some other comment reader!

[@domothepilot]

love the sail idea. i was also thinking that leeboards are not the solution to rolling. if alan rolls, its just gonna dip them mostly straight into the water with little resistance.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Sails just aren't feasible on Alan- the structures needed would need a total redesign. The nearest thing to my plan are leeboards. But I'm looking at stab fin designs and wings too. So likely a melding of the different techniques.

[@thevoyager3903]

A staysail is an excellent idea. Much less intrusive than even leeboards. A small mast aft of the helm with a steadying sail would make a world of difference. They are common to see on the small lobster fishing boats you’d find here on the north east coast of the US.

[@thevoyager3903]

@@domothepilotthey’ll have to be built extremely strong in order to not break right off with such a quick rolling period.

[@markmacleod6971]

I would maybe think twice before bolting anything directly to Allens hull . Im not sure the strength is there. What about wrapping 2 steel band around Allens hull to secure whatever you want . you could fix them on with tension as well as a few bolts located above the water line. . Just an idea . its probably stupid but I just cant see how you can really secure anything of substance to that hull without significant fibber glass reinforcement. . Not anything that will significantly reduce the roll of that hull configuration. .Just a thought.

[@teeanahera8949]

*Alan

[@markmacleod6971]

Thank you . I thought something didn't look right. I need to spell check when I make a comment.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

My original plan involved ratchet straps around the hull to mount bilge keels, not bolting through. You're right that even though the hull is solid and strong, merely bolting on extra things isn't wise without a lot of reinforcement.

[@goiterlanternbase]

A boat, is a hole in the water, that constantly needs to be filled with money🤗

[@stephencrowther524]

Only if you buy one beyond ones needs and means…..as many people do.

[@jaygee5693]

@@stephencrowther524 It's the same for a new boat, the process just starts more slowly.

[@cdrain08]

B.O.A.T. - Bring Out Another £Thousand!

[@5Stringslinger]

I really don't get it. Mankind has boat building knowledge for a few thousand years now and all that we came up with, if you watch the KZbin Sailing channels, are leaky plastic buckets and an industry behind it that says: well this piece of hardware is just the same as anything you can buy in a DIY shop and will die in the same amount of time, if not sooner. But since WE sell it, it's marine grade which makes it thrice the price. Thank you!

[@goiterlanternbase]

⁠@@5StringslingerWe have experience in knowing that the blue sea is unforgiving. Like they say in construction business "water has a hard head". And this is only brown water, so to speak.

[@goiterlanternbase]

What about a catamaran, with Alan being one side, and little Alan being the other?

[@Factory051]

No avoidance. Fenders off and reseal.

[@danthemansmail]

I've seen several videos of peoples lifeboat conversions, and never liked any of them. They are awesome boats for survival at sea but that is about it. Their design is just totally unpractical for leisure boating of any kind. Of course that is just my opinion and to each their own. I wish them the best in their endeavors.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

As opposed to a cramped, tiny yacht for four times the price, with a tiny engine and a hull made from 5mm of chopped strand mat and a few newspapers?

[@sicks6six]

I remember doing my OPITO ticket and when we sailed in one of these it leaked from the same place, the instructor said. "don't worry about it they all do that"

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Alan shall be the first that doesn't then!

[@5Stringslinger]

I would reach out for Mads from Sail Life if you want to glas over the seam. Perhaps he has time this winter to lend you a hand and some knowledge. And it would be a nice cross pollination of the channels.

[@Dave78214]

1.) The bolts are likely cooled by the water splashing into them, causing them the elementary engineering effect of shrinkage when cold. You could avoid big waves, otherwise I would expect hard epoxy might crack, but when researching the epoxy used on the titan sub it had a degree of flexibility. 2) the wave motion causing roll depends on the resonant frequency of the boat, like a pendulum or swing, waves at certain frequency will increase the oscillation. You could photo scan your boat and use software to compute centroids, second moment of area, center of buoyancy etc, use those parameters to compute the metacentric height etc. 3) the usb problem might be because (a) it's a parallel array, (b) the victron is at fault, (c) the usb devices don't output the correct voltage, (d) usb circuits decayed over time, (e) you measured under load, (f) your measurements device is faulty, (g) wiring faults. I think (c) and (d), maybe (a).

[@jessicahunt6569]

all lithium-ion batteries charge using CC-CV charging, that is constant current until the voltage reaches the 'full' voltage, typically 4.0-4.3V depending on the cell, at which point they charge at that constant voltage, until a cuttoff current is reached, as it will slowly take less and less current to maintain that voltage as the battery fills up the last bit. The switchover from CC to CV is usually around the 80% point.

[@realsonnysullivan]

Alan rolls around like that because - get this- he's really stable. lifeboats are designed to be self-righting in the nastiest sea conditions so they need a really low centre of gravity. the side effect of this is that have really quick and sharp rolling motions. adding bilge keeps or similar will help but not to the effect you want. as mentioned earlier, a steadying sail is a much better solution all round in that it'll be more effective, easier to engineer and maintain.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Quite right. Just ....uncomfortable at times.

[@jonathansmythe6273]

Ah lee boards, as used on Dutch sailing barges. Nice solution.

[@popuptoaster]

Have you seen the fold down "wings" on Brupeg on the Project Brupeg channel? Might be a simple(ish) solution to your rolling problem. Lots of barges with leeboards in the yard where my boat is and they look quite big and unwieldy by comparison.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Will have a look.

[@scowell]

They splash in less than a week!

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

There's no mystery as to why that craft shape is a roly tub in a swell.

[@FloridaWinter]

I love the thought of Alan getting wings!!! 💪🏼😂

[@rockfishmiller]

Stabilizer poles like fish boats use? Just shorter, with a stabilizer or steady sail that would reduce the roll but you've got a round hull so............

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

A lot of boats have round hulls or lack keels. The girders needed to create those fishing boat stabs aren't feasible on Alan.

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

Perfect choice keels are stupid.

[@cwesterling]

We live in South Queensferry and wandered past yesterday to say hello to Alan, the kids were very impressed. If you need a hand with anything, I run a small electrical/electronic engineering company very close to the marina.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers and I'm happy they liked Alan!

[@snubbedpeer]

Did you say you had 5 USB outlets in case of failure? If there is only one DC to DC converter then that's a single point of failure although I think I saw another one?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I have a plethora of 24-12 converters 😁. And each is fused.

[@goiterlanternbase]

I have recently cut threads in aluminum and i highly recommend the use of two cutting tools, where one is in use and the other rests in bath cleaner, to rid the aluminum smear. I got about 5 good cuts out of the tool, before the thread was oversized waste. I also used my drill on low, instead of my electric screwdriver, which i also was to lazy to get. Bad magic. No good.

[@mr_gerber]

Two tips for tapping aluminium - Use ethanol as cutting fluid. And dont forget to back up every now and then to clear the chips. (might be you knew already, might not. Good advice passed on to me, should be passed further)

[@userjarabecko]

Rich scands send to alex

[@preciousplasticph]

I envision one of these lifeboats covered in solar panels as a electric pod boat to cross oceans.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

You'd need a football field of solar panels!

[@casioalvesneto3961]

Boa noite vocês tão dando volta o mundo

[@coolstorybrooooo7643]

My dad described me as an "Average Alan Enjoyer" the other day. Feel free to use haha

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Is there anything average when it comes to Alan?

[@randsheets6564]

Kites like on a fishing boat they have planer boards that ride off of outriggers port and starboard and they pull the boat down on both sides they keep the boat level you see them in the movie perfect Storm

[@frankieboy302]

Trying to fit a stiff ‘rubber’ fender strip is going to be a right pain. Far better to do it in warm weather if at all possible….

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Luckily we currently have an autumn heatwave.

[@davidgrice893]

Do you have to be a Londoner to go to the event or are people from other geographical regions permitted?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

All are welcome!

[@skaraborgcraft]

Small steady sail and para-vanes. Can set the whole lot up to work together or independantly. Leeboards will NOT stop you from rolling, they help with reducing leeway.

[@WidleyWesident]

Time to reduce rolling and sideways motion? Take a look at Ben Ainslie’s boat. Apart from not needing vertical lift his fouls would be fine and could be stationed at the beam ends of Alan in raised or lowered configuration (but make sure they hinge up otherwise you will break them when you berth to a pontoon). Take a look at what some fishing boats use to reduce rolling. Be well, and peace be with you.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Water dissolves everything eventually. We are an amazing species. Challenging the solvent and playing in it is counterintuitive. Yet we do well with fervour for survival and personal gain. Go humans! I have faith in you! And Alan.

[@jmwintenn]

passive stabilisation is usally kept in mind when designing the hull. whatever you decide to go with just keep in mind it's probably not going to help as much as you would like. you may want to look up the "asean lady" though. took a tsunami wave and lived, cant do that if it's not stable.

[@davidrumbelow]

Back in the day when I sailed one meter radio boats and designed my own , to get perfect keel ballast I used the smallest available lead sinkers so I could add and remove weight when needed to get a perfect balanced hull. You could do same with sand bags, cheaper than lead. Best tied in place

[@teeanahera8949]

Alex did put a lot of steel flat bar under the sole and it’s kept in place with expanding close felled foam I think. It’s obviously not heavy enough BUT remember Alan is designed to take 68 people or something crazy like that so you would need 250 sandbags or so to mimic optimum weight. They’d would absorb water too so possibly not practical.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yes. Steel or lead are really the only option with the space I have available.

[@RM-zx7xi]

Leeboards are an underused but great solution to this type of problem. I always thought about using them on an ex rnli lifeboat if I could ever afford one to improve sailing performance. Conceptually I would have a leeboard that could slide up and down varying draft within a case but the case able to rotate in the event of hitting an underwater obstruction so held vertical or angled using sacrificial lashings that would snap if hitting anything allowing the case to rotate. But it means the boards can be easily raised or lowered according to depth of water. Just a concept but thought I’d mention it.

[@greylocke100]

There is a Chinese Junke Leeboard design I saw in an old text on Chinese fishing vessels that may be what he needs. The Leeboards do pivot and are adjustable, however he would need to install 2 winches or windlasses to raise/lower them, then there is locking them into place. In the book the photo I remember had 2 windlasses and a spring pin. They pulled the spring pin then cranked or let out the windlass, once they got it where they wanted it, they would release the spring pin and it would latch back in.

[@RM-zx7xi]

Sounds interesting. I think with the rotating and lifting board the actual boards could be quite lightweight (neutral buoyancy) with just an up haul and down haul. The rotating part once tried off where the centre of lateral resistance is required is not adjusted further. I don’t think you’d need winches or anything.

[@greylocke100]

@@RM-zx7xi I don't know. I'm just remembering from a book I read maybe 20 years ago when I got interested in Hong Kong.

[@RM-zx7xi]

👍

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers

[@ptonpc]

I wonder how much the hull flexed during the trip up to Edinburgh? Considering what he was designed for, a bit of flexing wouldn't have been a problem.

[@Snagz777]

you should just cut your loses at this point. that thing wasn't build for endurance.

[@gafrers]

Always honest and detailed

[@paraweir]

What about one or two out-riggers. Like a trimaran but with Allan inbetwern 😅😅😅

[@evangatehouse5650]

Hey, friendly Naval Architect/composites engineer here: really fiberglass laminates are not harmed by water to a significant degree (they absorb a bit of water through osmosis but no, not weakened). Gummy resin means "wasn't stirred enough or too much catalyst or mixed on a Friday". Not because of water intrusion. If it were my boat I'd hate to have embedded galvanized fasteners. I'd just cut them all off which a cut off wheel (zip disc) on an angle grinder from the outside (ignoring the embedded nuts). Then glass over the external seam with 3 layers of 300 - 400 gm/m2 double bias tape. It comes in varying widths (100/150mm) and has the fibers going at +/- 45 to the seam - exactly what you want to join the upper and lower parts together and much stronger than a bunch of rusty old bolts. The bolts were just used because it's a cheap and fast method of joining the parts with some sealant in between and the CSM on the inside. After decades it's hard to keep it from leaking through pinholes on the inside glassing. Next the bilge keels - _hinged_ leeboards are a good idea. Raise them ice and deploy in open water. Sideways forces will be very high and easy to break them in breaking seas however. Heavy steel plate 15-20mm (seriously) might be a nice simple way to add cheap ballast to the boat and is less likely to bend though you will need a sturdy winch to raise them. I wouldn't want to be handling any sort of bilge keel at sea that wasn't well constrained i.e. no unbolting and lifting leading to pinched or chopped fingers. Keeping it under control at all times is important. By the way I do know a bit about TEMPSCs in ice - I'm the 2nd author of this paper onepetro.org/snameicetech/proceedings-abstract/ICETECH08/4-ICETECH08/D041S016R004/484810. Let me know if you need a hand sketching up some concepts. Um water is 1000x denser than air so a steadying keel is much more effective than a sail. Roll motion is rotation - it won't dip down, it rotates the hull and the leeboard/bilge keel WILL resist that motion. But yes, a lifeboat is very stable. Bolting a chunk of steel to the upper deck to raise VCG is a good idea too. Very non-intuitive but it would reduce roll period. Or find an old engine block and tie it to the upper deck and go for a ride on a wavy day and see the difference.

[@evangatehouse5650]

Oh TEMPSC = totally enclosed motor propelled survival craft i.e. what you have. There is a video of a conventional TEMPSC in ice. In short it didn't do too well. Read this paper too - might have some lessons for you publications-cnrc.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=e1396097-84b5-4981-a127-b1707733f262

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

This really is helpful. I've copied it into a note and will study properly. I've actually read your paper some time ago! Excellent work.

[@goiterlanternbase]

I am somewhat worried about the seaworthiness of Alans electric. basically nothing seems waterproof enclosed or at least coated in a water repellent fashion. Is the fun part of the electric at least completely separated from the necessary stuff, so you can unplug that circuit with one hand and troubleshoot the engine and/or radio alone.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

There's a polycarb door for both sides of the electrics panel sat ready for installation.

[@philgray1023]

If you saw some of the comedic installations on production vessels you'd probably shake your head clean off your shoulders. EG, bare, high current, bolted on connections to anchor winch motors in lockers on the pointy end of yachts. The lockers are not sealed, they leak more readily than sieves, and funnily spend parts of their lives piercing waves. Damn, that sounds just like my boat.

[@danny1smith]

Considered a steadying sail?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Briefly, but the work to install mast and rig is just not feasible.

[@ianmitchell3725]

As Alan was not really designed for constant use at sea. That joint is not very well done. It would have been better done by glassing over from the outside as well. And a better layup from the inside

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Agreed. At least I know now and can improve on it.

[@ianmitchell3725]

I for over a year was a fibre glass boat builder . Bertram boats in Australia. It was one of my jobs to join our 35ft cruisers hulls to decks. We screwed them with stainless steel screws and then snapped them off. Then overlaid the join with a combination of 600gram csm and 600gm woven roving cloth. All the way around the join. This ensured no leaks and solid join. Then, the screws were covered with an aluminium capping.

[@mazdarx7887]

Dude. just put up a short mast, a boom on each side and hang stabilizers over the sides, like trawlers have done in the north Atlantic for decades. I think , now-a-days they call em paravanes

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yeah I've done a ton of reading on them. Some cons, but tons of cons too. Anchoring structures like that to a GRP upper shell isn't a small task.

[@mazdarx7887]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals How is anchoring a mast to a fiberglass sailboat any different. The topsides and hull of your lifeboat is a hell of stronger and built to a higher standard than a common recreational sail boat.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

It's more the addition of weight high up, use of limited space, need to install a mast base on what's a thinner upper shell, and then creating a rope and rigging system. It would be a huge, fundamental redesign. Also, I'm not a sailor.

[@miles_world]

Have you thought about optimizimg your video release schedule for the youtube algorithm? As far as i know, consistency is key.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'm generally weekly, and weekend releases. But life gets in the way. I don't think second-guessing the KZbin gods is possible.

[@MrMarkRoads]

2:09 I use a Black and Decker small impact driver. It's about half the size and just as powerful. I've never used my larger drill since I got the BnD.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yeah I was lazy. My electric screwdriver was a metre away. 😂

[@willmv4139]

ahum, not read any previous remarks, but *a sail* is a cheap stabiliser....used by motor sailors...check it out?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I've always kept an open mind re: sails, but the practicality cons outweigh cons at the mo.

[@DumfriesDik]

Aaaaargh, I have fallen down another blooming KZbin rabbit hole. Enjoy the coffee, I wish it could be more. Sorry.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Don't be sorry! Cheers.

[@DumfriesDik]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Could I be cheeky and ask 1 question? Do you know Karen Darke??

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Not personally no

[@DumfriesDik]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals you have similar interests but it was a long shot. Cheers.

[@userjarabecko]

Removing rubber in the winter? 😐

[@darthmemeious9526]

damn, good luck on your fight against the elements and erosion

[@darthmemeious9526]

Also, im thinking side pontoons for stability... but im not sure how alans hull would take to the stress points that would create.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Making a cat or tri has (expensive) benefits, but will totally change the stability.

[@darthmemeious9526]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals the easiest way to mount it (i think) would be some metal structure on alan, and then hinges, or places to snap them in.... but that would have to be manufactured by you, and welded too

[@MrButtonpresser]

I can't believe I have caught up with Alan in real time. I've been binge watching all the episodes for weeks now. What a great series.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Cheers!

[@Zigge]

I bet you could make Allan move twice as fast at half the fuel burn if you fitted a false wave piercing bow

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Certainly not twice as fast. Hull speed is 6.5knts

[@Zigge]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals not really unless you upgrade the engine considrably as well. But hull speed is a much misused concept that applies on paper, but not really in real life. What I am aiming at is that a bulbous bow, like Allan's will induce a huge amount of bow wave resistance in even moderate seas like the ones you have encountered so far. It can even contribute to the roll you are experiancing as a secondary effect. Wave-piercing bows are often favored for fast and long-distance vessels, such as high-speed ferries and military craft that needs to maximize their range (and economy) as well as provide a pleasent voyage for the crew and passengers. Instead of slamming into the waves a slender bow will not be slowed drastically by the oncomming waves and neither will it have as much boyancy as a full bow so the boat thends to hammer a lot less in higher waves. You might be able to go 6½ knots on a calm day, but I doubt that you can the calm day after a night with high winds that leaves the sea upset the next day - no? Not to mention what your speed really is in high sea. At 6½ knots the fontal area abowe the water line is not what is slowin you down , but rather what is going on with tonne after tonne of watrer Allan needs to push out of the way with a somewhat puny, but very nice engine under the water line. :-)

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I follow your logic, and have been on fast waving piercing boats. I'm sceptical of a speed doubling, but I agree there's a case for better efficiency and ride. Worth a think, but completely changing Alan's bow isn't a weekend job.

[@philgray1023]

​@@ZiggeI understood that the major advantage was fuel saving. Some boat owners in our marina have them. A metre of biggish plastic sewer pipe and a fibreglass dome should do it. I believe there is maths involved in calculating the angle. However, I'll give it a miss on my boat.

[@Zigge]

@@philgray1023 aah I think you are thinking about is a bulbous bow. That was not what I had in mind for two reasones. Bulbous bows only really work at one speed to reduce the fuel burn. At all oter speeds they are not doing anything much and can even reduce the efficiency, simply by adding surface drag. A wave piercing bow does some of the same things a bulbous bow does, but over a much larger speed range.

[@hadorstapa]

Alan's got a rusty belt?!

[@ColinNemec]

Have you looked into paravanes? They are used a lot in Alaska to steady fishing vesseles while underway. You already have a mast to attached them to and a good location to access them via the doors. And you dont have to mount anything on the underside of the hull. They are also pretty cheap (here at least)

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I've read a lot about them, but the structures needed to deploy them aren't feasible here.

[@benderbender1233]

✌😎✌

[@mohaishaaq2255]

Do I need a license to operate this boat ?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Why would you want to operate my boat??

[@PsRohrbaugh]

​@@AlexHibbertOriginalsI thought you realized that we all want to operate your boat. I'm just taken aback by the licensing question. In America you can operate almost any boat for non commercial purpose if you're over 18. Haven't even considered Alan might need a license.

[@michim162]

I'd depend on the country you live. But to be honest make on licence that you understand what you are doing and why others react. And it helps in therms of a crash and you are in front of a court, because there a marine speziellised people.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

@@michim162 I agree with you. I do have a boater's license, but only because I started powerboating solo at the age of 13. The license was all kid themed and stuff. Had "Bobby the Buoy" on it. And made it legal for me to take out my dad's cigarette boat and go 60 mph 3 years before I could drive and car. Dad said I could use the boat whenever I wanted as long as I paid for gas. So every month or so my friends would come over and we'd tear ass up and down the gulf coast. Ah halcyon days.

[@robinbennett5994]

In the UK, you don't need a licence for private boating, only for commercial use. You would need a licence to use a VHF radio though. Also inland waterways need a 'licence' but that's just a tax, there's no test involved.

[@RichieKeane]

Did you consider flopper stoppers? could dual use the arms, chains and gear..

[@SegoMan]

Outriggers like on the Hawain canoes, just make them retractable..

[@chadstinson9886]

Flopper stoppers don't work well underway but having them at anchor is a must.

[@HighSchoolNotes]

Alan on viagra?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

You'll enjoy an upcoming episode.