Equipment Failures and Success Across the Ocean | Sailing Wisdom

[@deanc685]

This is best you tube series on the net. Underappreciated.

[@johnlcallaway]

I had to chuckle about the synthetic rigging. Has everyone forgotten that for hundreds of years, all rigging was rope?? According to the internet, it wasn't until the early 20th century that wire rigging was used. Remember all of the dead eyes and such on tall ships?? As with everything else, hemp rigging, synthetic rigging, and wire rigging all of pros and cons. I would think that the most common cause of failure of each is improper maintenance or unexpected/unprepared loads. One might as well say one should never have bolt-on keels because they might fail if not properly maintained. Yet thousands of boats log probably thousands of miles each with them. Thanks for this series, I appreciate all of the information and experiences you have shared.

[@RiggingDoctor]

It seems so. I like it when people tell me that standing rigging has to be steel because that’s what it has always been...

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

I love your series on the synthetic rigging! I hope to build a wharram Catamaran and use it for its mast. I often thought there had to be something out there that could be used that could be replaced very easily and didn't need a shop with a bunch of expensive tools to make. That is what got me into watching your channel. Plus I often thought about going electric. Its great to see a channel reporting on their experience with and using new technology! Thanks!

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

Sailing into freedom actually uses turnbuckles on their synthetic rigging, which to me is a little cleaner look...........so far they don't seem to be having any issues.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Thanks! Turnbuckles certainly do end everything more cleanly! Have you considered using knees and eyes to attach your stays instead of using tangs?

[@jcregal3456]

Congratulations on your crossing. As for failures, I think SV Delos hand steered a significant portion of their most recent Atlantic (East to West) crossing. And I like the way Capt. James on his catamaran SV Zingaro talks about his synthetic rigging, he keeps a spare spool onboard and can fix any part of his rigging any where in the world by himself without waiting for parts or being in a Port.

[@RiggingDoctor]

We have carried a full spook (600 feet) of heat set dyneema in a locker, since I installed it in 2015. If anything happens, we have the materials to build a new setup, anywhere!

[@jcregal3456]

Does the spare rope go bad after a period of time, or is that never a problem.

[@hughvanduyn6482]

@@jcregal3456 that is a very good question. I'd like to know the answer to as well.

[@tetraskele9621]

Great to see your successes with your E Motor and Dyneema. Way to go!

[@hooligan6a]

I agree, I made a circumnavigation with a Monitor and it was without a doubt the most important piece of equipment on my boat.

[@RiggingDoctor]

👍

[@deansorenson3197]

I am so excited for you! Your experiences of the crossing are so important for others to hear about. Being an old salt myself, your life changing experience with the ocean is Abigail reason I follow your journey. Best to you two, and keep up the good work. Dean. S/V Laissez Faire

[@rolltime912]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your adventures in more detail. I especially liked the difference between the Monitor and Cape Horn vanes ( external vs internal lines ). It’s difficult sometimes to find information on vanes. I’m in the shopping mode for one now.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Make sure it’s a “servo pendulum” style. They are the most powerful and responsive setups :)

[@sonnylange3051]

I agree with your philosophy about how to sail the ocean where when the wind blows you move, there is no need to motor across the ocean. I sailed the Atlantic westbound in 1989 from England to Southern Portugal was single handed and then a friend joined me to do the crossing. He had never Sailed before and was frustrated when I didn't start the motor when we had no wind. It turned out to be very funny between us. Especially when we went backwards 11 miles one day on the way towards the cape verde islands. Too funny.

[@RiggingDoctor]

That's ocean sailing for you! Some days you move some days in the wrong direction 🤣

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

I say that you had the crossing pretty well figured out before you set sail. Most of your choices served you well and a couple didn't. That's pretty much how life goes on, so I's say you can be proud of the choices you made. I think most times you were harder on yourselves than you should have been and now that you have a crossing under your belt, your much wiser. Good series looking back and thinking about what has transpired since you left Baltimore. Happy sailing.

[@tiborkiss9186]

watermaker (Katadyn) - runs from solar - we use it practically daily when on the go. We are still caring water, but use the watermaker to keep the reserve water in the cans/tanks. it was 900 usd (used) - never failed in the past 4-5 years.

[@NAVIGATOR600]

KEEP IN ABANDON SHIP KIT

[@onthebeaches]

Naw...you didn't make any mistakes....just found a better way to do it. I can't stress enough about the redundancy of systems when you're out there. I'm a an avid hiker and have two actual GPS units and two phones with GPS. One phone is a Garminfone so it could be technically called a GPS! And of courser a long list of other things I carry in my pack that I wont bore you with. The object when going out anywhere in nature, no ,matter how long or short of a trip, is as Maddie said..to have backup systems for your systems. Great vid guys and glad you're safe! PEACE OUT! Ü

[@jcf6597]

I'm curious about your thoughts on the premature failure of your solar panels as many other sailing channels don't seem to have the same corrosion issues you experienced?

[@RiggingDoctor]

It could be from the constant salt submerges that it had on the deck. It could also be that I actually measured the amps coming from them with an induction meter. The panels looked pretty fine from the outside, they were just underperforming based on their specs.

[@markswanson3960]

Hi, this is Adam and Pat’s friend Mark. We met in the azores. I am preparing to go transatlantic in May. We will be leaving from Rock Hall MD on the Chesapeake going to Bermuda,then Azores. What were the dates you went? You mentioned it was cold. What temperatures did you see?

[@RiggingDoctor]

We left Bermuda around July 9. By day was fine but it got down to the 70s at night.

[@californiakayaker]

I've seen vloggers sailors have tons of problems with electronic instead of your Monitor Windvane. Lighting, and mechanical problems. You conceivably could have problems with the mechanical boat like the chains stuff but only with the fact that it actually connects to the steering and those parts where out. Sounded like you might be using the REACH ? What would be the minimum priced sextant you would recommend and where to find it ?

[@toddboley6987]

Curious if you have tried “sheet-to-tiller” self steering? One of my next experiments. I too have a monitor. Wonderful.

[@RiggingDoctor]

I have not. I have read about it, and since we have a wheel, the same setup would simply take place on a bottom spoke. Before the Monitor, I would balance the sails and lock the helm, so I never really needed a self steering setup and therefore never experimented. The locked helm would work for about 20 min, until a wave would knock us “just enough” that we went off course, then I would make a minor adjustment and lock it again.

[@charles.neuman18]

Interesting episode. Very useful information. I'm curious about the solar panel failures. Was it the panels themselves, or an electrical connector or something? It sounds like it didn't affect you much, but for people who rely more on solar, it could be an issue. How could this be prevented? Is it matter of choosing a brand or type of panel?

[@RiggingDoctor]

It was the tiny wire that connects to the panel inside the box, it corroded to death and disconnected itself. The panels were cheap ones from Amazon so the box wasn’t actually sealed up very well. Saltwater got in there and corrosion proceeded unchecked. I haven’t had any issues with Renogy panels over the years, but I would suggest checking with a lobster claw amp meter each panels wires to make sure it is actually making power. I would caution against opening the box to “check” because it might not seal as well as it did originally and now become a problem. Make sure they are all producing power and then sail happily! If it’s not making power like it should, then open the box to investigate.

[@charles.neuman18]

@@RiggingDoctor Thanks! Sounds reasonable. Good thing you had the regen option!

[@CalciteSerendipity]

Does your electric motor have a way of preventing the batteries from being charged too much? Have you thought about using a wider double block for the windvane lines? It looked like the fit was a bit tight. Do you get a monthly quota for satellite texting and/or is it expensive? I bought a boat this summer. My boat yard owner came up to me and said "Please check with me before taking anything more off." I'm also a big believer in simplicity and redundant devices.

[@RiggingDoctor]

The motor does have a charge controller to prevent over charging from regen. I agree that the block looks a bit tight. I’m going to switch it to rings instead of blocks soon. The satellite texted is about $70 a month for unlimited texts.

[@Zed1776]

Renogy solar panels?

[@zenzen9131]

Having the generator as insurance is a wonderful idea :)

[@RiggingDoctor]

Yep! We rarely need it, but when we do, there it is!

[@SamuelKTennis]

Christopher Columbus and his peers did! 2.5 years later and synthetic rigging - still the same? I have an idea, never tested or even prototyped, for a self collapsing dorad so, in theory, it should limit the amount of influx... If you ever want to discuss it. Not sure how to communicate it. My philosophy would be to plan on and expect each and maybe every piece of electronics to fail.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Always open to hearing new ideas!

[@shopstuff5]

So what are you doing in the Azores? To the boat? Why up out of the water?

[@RiggingDoctor]

We are refitting the closet, head, galley, repainting the deck, bottom, and topsides! Busy busy!

[@fritters56]

What was the solar panels hooked up wrong or too cheap.. what? were they repairable?

[@RiggingDoctor]

The metal tabs that come out of the panel corroded away completely. They could be repaired with more solder to make the tab longer, but the aluminum housing has had its toll taken over the years. We’re going to replace them with bigger rigid panels. The flexible panels just plain died. Rust is spewing from the junction box, probably from being under water so often! We won’t be doing flexible panels again.

[@fritters56]

Okay, so what is the solution? I ask this because this is the first time I have heard of this problem and want to avoid it myself@@RiggingDoctor

[@RiggingDoctor]

The little box on the underside of a rigid panels needs to stay sealed and shut. The panel that works has never been opened. The panel that died got the box knocked open in a storm off Hatteras. The flexible panels on the deck frequently would be submerged under salt water that poured over the deck and would run back. I think that just killed them. We are not buying more flexible panels, only rigid from here out for us!

[@Garryck-1]

@@RiggingDoctor - Good to know on the flexible panels.. I'd been considering them. Thanks!

[@snakeplisken4278]

do you have/need refrigeration for such a trip?

[@RiggingDoctor]

We had it, and it was powered by the regen from the motor. Didn’t need to have it, but it was nice to have it. It allowed us to eat things like chicken and burgers out in the middle of the ocean. We carried enough canned food that we would not starve if the fridge died and all its contents spoiled.

[@pavelavietor1]

Hello nice video looking for the next saludos

[@barrystone2122]

We've been paying attention to your Crossing the wife and I where in Western Australia now we're headed to Indonesia by the ties be well for you Reef Runner out

[@captainandthelady]

Synthetic rigging and electric motor. Oh these kids and their new newfangled ways of doing things. (^L^) Good going and keep it up

[@jimnickles2347]

Herbie, check out James on Sailing Zingaro, he has a cat that he rigged with synthetic, and he rigged his Old School, deadeyes and softshackles, etc.. He won't go back to steel, either. After watching your and his Rigging vids, I've decided I prefer it for Cruising, too. I don't like the idea of ANYTHING in the Rigging that I can't repair/replace At Sea, in a blow. Besides, it's True Marlinespike Seamanship. IMO anytime you take Modern Materials with greater Strength, less weight and greater Durability and Combine them with the Old School Sailor's Methods, you are at the Pinnacle of the Art/Sport. The Old Salts Knew It ALL, after several MILLENNIA of DOING IT, All Day EVERY Day. All We as Moderns have really contributed is Goodies like Engines/motors to keep our hulls out of the Rocks and Shoals, Wind Vane Self-steering, and DETAILED Updates to Charts, as I see it. And Radar. These Drones are Handy as a pocket on a shirt, as well. Everything else is Just Gravy, NICE-to-Haves, to make life Easier, and allow the Same Work to be Done with fewer Crew. Can you IMAGINE the Different Outcomes of many Historic and World-Changing Naval Battles, if they had had Radar, and Drones?!

[@RiggingDoctor]

He actually got the information on how to do the dead eyes from my blog :)

[@jimnickles2347]

LOL, I should have KNOWN! @@RiggingDoctor

[@RiggingDoctor]

This was a post from 2016 about how to make the deadeye: www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2016/3/6/making-dyneema-deadeyes This was a post from 2015 about converting: www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2015/8/10/synthetic-rigging-conversion My goal with the website was to teach people how to do it themselves. I enjoyed watching his videos because I was seeing my goal come true. A stranger was going cruising with a rigging system that he made himself and can repair anywhere!

[@jimbigner5902]

Just wondering; so can an anode somewhere protect the solar panels? I guess the rest of the electrical system was ok. Maybe some insulating spray on the electrical parts.

[@RiggingDoctor]

The issue was the constant exposure to moist salt air while en electric current was applied. It just ate up the negative side quickly! We need to take better care of the seal to keep water out.

[@Tinker001]

"We need to take better care of the seal to keep water out." That is an EXACT description of ALL electrical failures aboard any boat. (well... except for problems caused by idiots like the one that originally wired my last boat... but that's another sad story altogether...)

[@healingquietland7711]

WHY are you two running / sailing longing longing wanting wanting always wanting another place another anchor as if there is not a beautiful spot on earth for you two beautiful souls to just stay in your perfect anchorage with a perfect back yard beach ?

[@RiggingDoctor]

There are so many amazing places to see! Why be stagnant?

[@raynic1173]

If you haven't already done this, run the generator dry and put fuel stabilizer in your jerry cans, peace.

[@jcregal3456]

Or convert your genset to propane. Never goes bad. Another tip is to buy "pure gas", no ethanol alcohol added, usually available at or near marinas and frequently used by lawn maintenance people in their machines.

[@barrystone2122]

The wife and I are all about the kiss method keep it simple stupid LOL we have the same wind vane the wharram Tiki 38 we have wind power solar power and water power generators love it 2 9.9 outboard mid ship shallow draft maybe a meter meter and a half at the depends on what the wife drags on bored LOL

[@JonMadsen70]

Yay Hufflepuff! :)