A "Simple" Boat

[gonesail]

anything beyond a dinghy can be complicated and usually is

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Yep.

But on the flop side, if we were to imitate our land homes, then why go sailing in the first place?

b.

Because different folks are looking for different experiences. Isn't the important thing that the person be happy, safe, and comfortable according to their definition?

Some people might not be comfortable going up the mast or hauling anchor hand-over-hand, or they could have physical limitations.

[Shas Cho]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I also have a windmill along with solar to generate power.

How is that working out for you, Mike?
No doubt it depends a lot on where you cruise,
but as a good anchorage is a sheltered anchorage (generally)
I've always thought that the needs of the boat
and the needs of the windmill
would be mutually exclusive.
?

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Shas Cho

How is that working out for you, Mike?
No doubt it depends a lot on where you cruise,
but as a good anchorage is a sheltered anchorage (generally)
I've always thought that the needs of the boat
and the needs of the windmill
would be mutually exclusive.
?

This is going to sound a bit silly, but it depends on where you anchor, and the configuration of the land around the anchorage, and the weather patterns of the areas in which you sail.

For example, in the Sea of Cortez, it was common for people to motor all day to an anchorage that became windy at night; and the sound of the wind-gen equated to the sound of welcome cold beer happening.

Some anchorages are wind tunnels, or behind low land, and if the wind is blowing, again, happy morning batteries.

On passages (as at anchor), solar does you little good at night, so if you have power hungry [anything, autopilot, refrigeration, whatever], then if the wind gen goes at night, you will at least lose less, and may keep up with your electrical demand.

We use our solar panels for two main purposes: to keep the batteries happy when they can; and to create shade in the cockpit. The wind gen takes up the slack when the solars cannot, or we can engine-charge. We have had all the above for over 25 yrs. cruising.

Ann

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Shas Cho

How is that working out for you, Mike?
No doubt it depends a lot on where you cruise,
but as a good anchorage is a sheltered anchorage (generally)
I've always thought that the needs of the boat
and the needs of the windmill
would be mutually exclusive.
?

What Ann says .

I've often heard what you say Shas Cho, and I too used to believe it -- until I got a windmill. It came with our current boat, so naturally we gave it a try. I didn't expect much for exactly the reasons you mention, but our experience has shown it to be a very useful generator. It is true it is sometimes idle at anchor, but just as often it's humming along generating 1-2 amps, and it does so potentially 24 hours/day, unlike solar. And as Ann says, sometimes we have so much wind in the anchorage we can't use all the power. Last season there were a few days when we were generating over 18 amps for hours on end -- way too much power for our needs!

If I had to prioritize I'd put solar above wind, but having both greatly "simplifies" our life on the boat. We rarely have to resort to the Perkins just for power. My current recommendation is that if you can have both, then do so.

[Shas Cho]

Thanks, Ann and Mike.
That's the difference between theory and experience.
I've never heard of using solar panels as shade.
Nice!

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Panope

I am saving my sanity.




Pickling a water maker = Boring
Rowing to get water = Exercise




Steve

Going ashore for an excursion while the watermaker fills the tank = Priceless

Experiencing Montezuma's Revenge from "bad" water = unforgettable

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

On a related note, I follow the blog of a couple with a kid who just got back from a loop from california around south america in an old VW van.

Most would consider it a simple vehicle. On the other hand is it simple that they are on thier 3rd engine and every other post is about them repairing something on the VW, scrounging for parts, etc...?

Very cool folks and they are out there doing it but simple is definetly a relative term.

I don't know about those folks but I wonder if any of the motor problems could be related to valves? Very important to keep them adjusted. Often overlooked by most - IME.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Shas Cho

If I had Bill Gates' disposable income
I'd have the sturdiest 27-foot hull,
the best manual windlass,
Perko lamps,
and a junk rig.

Bliss.

I'm thinkin' for about 10 minutes........

[Shas Cho]

Originally Posted by Therapy

I'm thinkin' for about 10 minutes........

That's an odd comment.
I would not presume to predict your preferences
during our very first exchange.
I've built enough boats (and houses)
and been 'me' long enough
to be fairly confident about what I like.

I also prefer 35-year-old motorcycles
without stereo, cruise control, radar...
Just a simple guy.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Shas Cho

That's an odd comment.
I would not presume to predict your preferences
during our very first exchange.
I've built enough boats (and houses)
and been 'me' long enough
to be fairly confident about what I like.

I also prefer 35-year-old motorcycles
without stereo, cruise control, radar...
Just a simple guy.

Nothing personal really. Just statistical.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by jkindredpdx

My idea of a simple boat. . .

I think that pretty much gets to the nub of the matter - and is the reason for the (apparent) contradictory answers. There can only ever be one definition of a simple boat........"my idea(s)" . as no one else can define what is simple for "you" - only give "you" ideas to mull over (as with so much on boats - yer get to make own decisions and enjoy the results. or not ).

[sailorboy1]

So in the end we have established that from now on when a newbie asks about getting and boat to go sailing off into the the sunset the answers should never use the phase "get a simple boat"!

which was the whole point

[salticrak]

This one.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmZxy5BSg8pxY4pfPXCmo4cY_52Ka-Bx2vZcImnoqTgQvkWIpZ

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

So in the end we have established that from now on when a newbie asks about getting and boat to go sailing off into the the sunset the answers should never use the phase "get a simple boat"!

which was the whole point

Funny that's not what I think was established, I think that what was established is that when you tell someone to keep the boat simple, explain what YOU mean by simple and why you would make those choices. Telling someone what to do does not provide a basis to understanding so the person can make a reasoned choice for themselves which is what I think most people are really seeking.