Quote:
Originally Posted by Heg
Hi Jim, we bought through Multihull Solutions and one of their guys will be in Sydney to step the mast. Other than that, no recommissioning has been mentioned. What is involved? The boat is new to us, but not a new boat. She is a 2014 model.
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Well, a lot depends on how long she sat before being
sold, decommissioned and shipped.
Boat systems seem to degrade spontaneously when the boat is idle. There are various explanations for this, but whatever the cause, it does happen.
Things that you should consider:
Batteries may have suffered from discharge and then sitting at low charge state. This can kill them.
Fuel may have bug growth or other contaminants, and this can be stirred up in lumpy seas and cause filter plugging.
Engine water pump impellers can take a set when idle for long periods, and then fail quickly when re started.
Sails that you thought looked ok in the bag may prove to have very poor shape or defects when actually used.
Electronics may not
work as you expect.
Hatches and/or
ports may leak when the boat is loaded by
wind forces on the rig... or all the time for that matter!
Ground tackle may prove inadequate (not exactly a commissioning issue); many boats rarely
anchor in anger, and the
gear isn't proven.
Auto pilot, if fitted, should probably go through its "at the dock" and underway setup procedures. It is a crucial part of a short handed cruiser's crew, and they seem to be subject to odd issues. Good to give them a careful checkout.
Check that the magnetic
compass works. Some models suffer from changes between northern and southern hemispheres, as the dip angles are quite different and the card can hang up. Check it at least against a couple of transits or other known headings to assure yourself that it is approximately correct. Purists would want it to be properly swung, but I can live with rough checks myself.
Check that you have the mandatory
safety gear on board, and that the
EPIRB is properly registered to the vessel and the details are correctly registered with AMSA.
Ensure the presence of, and become familiar with the
charts for the proposed voyage. I carry paper as well as electronic myself, but others scoff at that practice. Have a copy of Lucas's NSW cruising guide on board.
I'm sure that i've left out many things worth checking, but this list should get you started. Others may chime in with additional suggestions. Your boat, being fairly new, may be in truly top condition. Yet, it is IMO foolhardy to just jump in and go without some shakedown. Others, bolder than I, will laugh at this degree of conservatism.
BTW, we'll likely reach the Pittwater around mid December on our way south. PErhaps our wakes willl cross...
Jim