Jeanneau Upgrades so far...

[Thames 4 Blood]

Hi All. Here is a list of mods made so far to my Jeanneau 45DS prior to Biscay crossing followed by Med. Crossing set for 3 May weather permitting of course...
Maxfold prop.
Releasable inner forstay and 11m2 storm sail.
Wisker pole on mast track with new halyard also hauling storm sail.
Full engine service and new Racor filter
FE36 auto fire extinguisher in engine compartment.
New plotter with digital radar and AIS transponder.
All safety gear overhauled / replaced and new EPIRB.

Still on the menu time allowing....
Additional battery capacity ( 440A at present )
D400 wind turbine
Solar panels
Mast steps if I can square these with inmast furling?

Any thoughts or comments welcome! What have I missed?

Mark

[Thames 4 Blood]

Oh yes... I missed new Manson Supreme 27Kg anchor...

[Johnathon123]

I am sure you have thought of this BUT - in my experience Jeanneau can be a little short on hand holds, Imagine a storm and being thrown around as you make your way up on watch in a storm (as unlikely as that is given your planning) what can you grab onto - exactly where your hands instinctively go.

Also safety strop to run harnesses in one click from forepeak to stern on BOTH sides of the boat

Anyway, like I said, you probably have this and good luck with your trip sounds like fun!

[Thames 4 Blood]

Thanks for that. Its actually quite pleasing with the DS45 how many handholds they do have... Its a bit worse if your short as there is one on the ceiling of the salon but its better found than a lot of similar boats... There is also a proper hand rail on the deck salon roof which is as it should be... I just dont get why so many boats dont have this? It has jack stays on both side decks so we are ok there.
Again, thank you!

[boatman61]

Dunno how many are on board but when I was in St Martin last year I bought a VHF H/H for the wachkeeper on decks at night, waterproof, floats and a flashing light facility for the Pacific crossing... there were just the two of us on the trip..
Seemed a good idea... never used it in anger tho.. praise be to good balance...

[Thames 4 Blood]

Thanks, we have one mostly so Sam can call from shore when she needs a pickup after shopping trips :-)

[jdives]

One piece of safety gear that I give my crew is an AIS PLB. I bought the Kannad units for each person. I feel that if someone goes overboard it'll be the best way of directing the boat back to them in any conditions.

-Jack

[Thames 4 Blood]

I didnt know they existed. Sounds like a very wise idea.

[TheOffice]

How are you getting weather forecasts offshore?
Jacklines and tethers?

[Thames 4 Blood]

Weather offshore... Good point and I havent given much thought to it. Radio broadcasts???
Jacklines and teathers are in place.

[TheOffice]

Sat phone or SSB. Beyond my expertise but I'd look at an SSB receiver and laptop/ipad combo.

[witzgall]

edit: Oops, people beat me to it...


This might be in your safety equip list, but...jacklines, harnesses and teathers?
Inflatable lifevests for all crew? We have a rule that they are worn 100% on deck at night, and everyone is clipped in any tinme they are on deck (and sice the vests are the harnesses, that means the vests are actually on 100% on deck).

Chris

Originally Posted by Thames 4 Blood

Hi All. Here is a list of mods made so far to my Jeanneau 45DS prior to Biscay crossing followed by Med. Crossing set for 3 May weather permitting of course...
Maxfold prop.
Releasable inner forstay and 11m2 storm sail.
Wisker pole on mast track with new halyard also hauling storm sail.
Full engine service and new Racor filter
FE36 auto fire extinguisher in engine compartment.
New plotter with digital radar and AIS transponder.
All safety gear overhauled / replaced and new EPIRB.

Still on the menu time allowing....
Additional battery capacity ( 440A at present )
D400 wind turbine
Solar panels
Mast steps if I can square these with inmast furling?

Any thoughts or comments welcome! What have I missed?

Mark

[sestina]

How does your fridge work? If it's air cooled, think seriously about fitting a keel cooled one. The power requirements for air cooled are horrendous.

I've fitted the Frigoboat system, with their ECOnomy control on two different boats, it's quite simple. I suggest you talk to Ian Gorringe of Pengin Refrigeration in Havant, he's very helpful.

Sun protection is important too.

[witzgall]

I would have to say this is an over-generalization. Our air cooled unit is efficient. I think it depends more on the refer box insulation than the compressor. I certainly would not be yanking out the system just before crossing an ocean in an attempt to save a few amps.

Chris

Originally Posted by sestina

How does your fridge work? If it's air cooled, think seriously about fitting a keel cooled one. The power requirements for air cooled are horrendous.

I've fitted the Frigoboat system, with their ECOnomy control on two different boats, it's quite simple. I suggest you talk to Ian Gorringe of Pengin Refrigeration in Havant, he's very helpful.

Sun protection is important too.

[Thames 4 Blood]

Thanks. Vests, Harnesses and Jack lines are all covered.
Water cooled fridge... Another new one on me but time constraints wont allow me to address this. I will monitor the power consumption though. Its worthy of note! Only negative I can see is I am always unhappy about adding through-hull fittings?