What worked & what did not
← Lessons Learned
Some of the things we learned on the way around – some hard lessons and some pleasant surprises.
See also: Planning and preparation: First time around │ Planning and preparation: Second time around
 Things that worked
- AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels. – needs digital VHFVery High Frequency radio. Short range radio equipment for voice and other applications such as AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels.. and software to integrate with nav system
- Air X & Ampair generators –both need management
- Breadmaking – but fried, not baked
- Chefsway dried meals
- Closed cell foam insulation
- Cutdown No. 1 for twin polingAn explanation from Malcolm: It is quite normal for a yacht to 'pole out' its jib (the foresail) on the opposite side of the boat to the mainsail when running downwind - this is called goosewinging'. A spinnaker pole is attached to the mast at one end and the back corner (clew) of the jib at the other. That holds the jib at the right angle so that it catches the wind. On Berri they've found that they can often get good performance and a comfortable ride by taking the mainsail right down and setting a second jib poled out on the opposite side to the first.
- Desalinator – Old PUR – now Katadyn
- Dogbowls
- Duct tape – plastic version, not “Duck” tape with linen base
- Finisterre fleecesCould be swindles or sheeps’ wool or special thermal clothing for people in hostile environments.
- FlemingFleming, KevinFleming, Kevin: manufacturer of stainless steel self steering device, aka KevvoStainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others, used on Berrimilla and countless others; (Kevin Fleming, you're an absolute bloody gem! ): manufacturer of stainless steel self steering device, aka KevvoStainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others, used on Berrimilla and countless others; (KevinFleming, Kevin: manufacturer of stainless steel self steering device, aka KevvoStainless steel self steering device, built by Kevin Fleming, used on Berrimilla and countless others, used on Berrimilla and countless others; (Kevin Fleming, you're an absolute bloody gem! ) Fleming, you're an absolute bloody gem! ) Self Steering unit
- Gill wet weather gear and after sales service
- Guy Cotton TPS dry suits
- Inflatable cockpit cushions (Thermarest)
- Kiwiprop
- Laminate everything – charts too.
- Lanoline – as Lanokote and spray-on (also as antifoul)
- LEDs for headlights and all boat lighting
- Majestic dried foods – soups, dried vegetables, seasoning etc.
- Margerine with olive oil
- Mooring snubber in preventer line and rig two lines for slop.
- Mugs, wide based, rubber footed half litre plastic, with lids
- Neck warmers, fridge hats, thin balaclavas – face masks
- Packaged bacon
- Panasonic CF18 Toughbook laptop
- Plastic bins with strong lids – need proper stowage
- Portable 12v battery pack with cigarette lighter sockets plus modified 12v drill
- Rolls of BIG industrial paper towels (ex RN…)
- Rubber gloves – latex and industrial
- SailmailSailmail is the system that Berrimilla uses for email communication. It is a non-profit association of yacht owners operating a network of private coast stations in the maritime Mobile Radio Service.
- Satellite phone – Iridium – with data package?
- Sea rugs: warm, shower proof, drip dry blanket.
- Second forestay for twin polingAn explanation from Malcolm: It is quite normal for a yacht to 'pole out' its jib (the foresail) on the opposite side of the boat to the mainsail when running downwind - this is called goosewinging'. A spinnaker pole is attached to the mast at one end and the back corner (clew) of the jib at the other. That holds the jib at the right angle so that it catches the wind. On Berri they've found that they can often get good performance and a comfortable ride by taking the mainsail right down and setting a second jib poled out on the opposite side to the first.
- Snaplock bags – not zipper version
- Software on Board navigation package (with AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels. if digital VHFVery High Frequency radio. Short range radio equipment for voice and other applications such as AISAutomatic Identification System. An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels..)
- Solar panels – big and small (small for recharging portable battery pack etc)
- StaLoksA method of joining rigging wire to the stainless steel turnbuckles which then attach the rigging to the hull and can be used to tighten it as it stretches.
- Vaselined eggs
- Waterproof socks (SealSkinz), with liners – also glove liners
- Weather plotting charts – laminated
- WitchardWitchard, John: Berri has one of his 22hp engines, much praised for its reliability. See also Tractor. engine
- Xantrexxantrex battery monitor battery monitor
|
|
Things that didn’t work so well
- Electrical switches, sockets,junction boxes, fuses – must seal and coat with lanoline. Most so called ‘marine’ electrical fittings are not up to the job
- FiddlesFiddle: a little wooden wall to stop things sliding off a flat surface – not high enough
- Flexible fuel tanks – need to be reinforced and padded
- Lee clothNetting or canvas along the side of a bunk arranged to prevent the sleeper from falling out in violent weather.: Berri’s substantial lee cloths not substantial enough
- Liferaft lashing with single pelican clipA metal clip which folds back on itself to tension lashings and other lines. On its own has proved unreliable in securing the liferaft. not sufficient
- Plug in exhaust outlet – not sufficient as water pools in silencer
- PushpitThe railing around the deck at the stern of a yacht. safety gear: anything strapped to the pushpitThe railing around the deck at the stern of a yacht. is vulnerable – washes away in heavy weather – throwing line best?
- Rainwater catchers on mainsail – need to be usable when reefed: need to slope down towards gooseneckThe fitting that connects the boom or a spinnaker pole to the mast.
- Razors: cheap 2 blade disposable razors clog too easily – need old type with removable blade
- Stainless steel: most stainless steel tools and appliances will rust and corrode – knives and in contact with salt and aluminium cans – also needs to be greased
- Swages on lower shrouds will fail
- Unenclosed shelves: everything not locked down will fly around in even a partial knockdownWhen the boat is severely rolled or knocked over sideways, normally when beam on to big rolling breakers. – enclosures for shelves highly desirable
- Ventilators: useless without blower of some sort and need proper plugs for knockdowns – in tropics and inverted
- Wine casks: will chafe and leak – take bladders out of boxes and pack so that they don’t chafe
|
← Lessons Learned
↑ BACK to TOP
|