Spares ‘n spares (‘n spares)
- I’ve been preparing Siren for blue water sailing for over a year now, slowly replacing and improving the existing setup. Here’s what Siren has so far:
- Brand new standing rigging, including chainplates, stemhead fitting, stays, toggles…everything. I also stepped the top shrouds and forestay up to 3/8″ diameter from the old 5/16″ 1×19 wire.
- The critical items in the head plumbing have been replaced: Pump, Y-Valves, all gaskets.
- There are boxes and boxes, thousands of pounds of extra replacement parts for the engine, standing rigging, running rigging, steering and rudder, and other.
- I need to take an inventory to see what’s missing or can be left at home.
- Tools for cutting standing rigging, repairing standing rigging, setting up a jury rig, engine work etc.
- Bosun’s chair and harness requiring a helper to hoist.
- Lifelines and 3 type-IV inflatable life-jackets with harness.
- Emergency equipment including flares, smoke, medical, collision mat and registered EPIRB.
- Communication includes VHF and SSB. I just bought a Proctor modem (Kantronics Kam+) to receive weather-fax and send/receive sail-mail via laptop.
- Navigation equipment includes two sextants and celestial navigation books and tables, Navionics app on my Droid, and OpenCPN with pilot charts and a complete set of world-wide electronic charts provided by the US and England. I also have small-scale paper charts and pilot charts, and will print out large-scale reference charts of Tahiti as a backup. I also have a backup laptop in case the primary breaks.
- Radar.
- AIM receiver for tracking nearby ships.
- An inflatable dingy will be packed up in the cabin with a 4-stroke 5 hp outboard motor stored on the butt-rail at the mast base.
- I’ve decided against a life-raft due to the cost and doubts of it’s reliability due to lack of use. With the EPIRB and the inflatable dingy with a go-bag and canvas I feel we have adequate emergency capability in the event of disaster. If we were rounding the horn or venturing into more dangerous seas I would think about getting one, but I’ve picked a time of year when there are no storms. The dinghy/EPIRB/GoBag combo should be plenty. Feel free to convince me otherwise!
- New full-batten, triple stitched, triple reef mainsail. A storm try-sail. New 125% roller furling jib. And an old 100% jib in great shape. An old symmetrical spinnaker in like-new condition. I also have the old mainsail with a lot of life left but will probably leave it at home to save space.
- A plow anchor off the bow, a heavy CQR anchor down below, a light danforth, and an obscene Fortress storm anchor. Two lengths of 400 foot chain. A nylon bridal for snubbing the chain.
- I doubt we’ll see any storms. Maybe a passing squall, but nothing huge. If the impossible happens and we experience winds and seas strong enough to have to run downwind, I do have a drogue chute to help stabilize us.
- Plenty of fiberglass repair supplies.
- There’s gobs more on-board, so I’ll be adding to this list when I have time.
- And here’s what she needs:
- Two solar panels: 180-220 watts each totaling about 400 watts hung off the sides of the aft pulpit. They will be able to rotate against the lifelines for stowing or easily removed with a few tool-less fasteners and easily disconnected wires. 400 watts should be able to power the fridge 24-7 for food and fish storage.
- Self steering (wind vane): I have an old wind-vane, not even sure what model, but I hope to refurbish it and get it working. I tested it a few times with disheartening results but I think with less friction and more practice it could be good to go.
- Wind generator?: I’m still debating this one. It’s loud and annoying and my last one threw a blade into my friends inner thigh requiring a hospital visit. I’m thinking with a long stretch of cloudy days I would just unplug the refrigerator and motor for power when needed.
- Spinnaker pole for the spinnaker and for poling out the 125% jib.