questioning my choice of boats

[CaptJamesCook]

I have been looking at the Block Island 40's yawl
here is the problem;
In 2018 I intend to singlehanded (maybe one/two other crew members) to cruise off shore and blue water.
East coat of US, UVI, Gulf Mexico, Pacific, Hawaii, Aust.

I wondering how to fit an extra fuel tank, watermaker, at least solar or wind generator. would

I have also considered a windvane of hydrovane to supplement the auto pilot.

After climbing around a couple.
I am wondering if there may not be enough room for everything needed.
Along with maybe 2-3 weeks provisions and repair parts.
Am I asking to much of the Block 40?

Any thoughts insight would be greatly appreciated.

[roverhi]

If Webb Chiles can circumnavigate in a Moore 24 I'm sure you'll be able to fit your stuff in a BI 40. Don't know the tankage on those boats but 30 gallons of diesel with a few Gerry Jugs on deck would get you through. Water tankage of 40 gallons can last you months if you exercise a little conservation like turning off the pressure water pump and using foot pump.

Self steering will greatly reduce your electric use on a passage. Solar panels and wind generator will go a long way as well to cutting down on your diesel consumption.

We had 70 gallons of water and never had to get water other than catchment off the awning in a year in French Polynesia. Probably would work most places other than Baja and Oz to keep the tanks full. Had 70 gallons of diesel and didn't add more than another 30 gallons during the year. Used the engine primarily for battery charging as we had no other charging capability. That was for 2 people.

If the layout is typical of that era boat, you have two large cockpit lockers and a lazarette. I stuffed a garage full of gear in my similar Pearson 35 for a sail to Hawaii. The interiors of these older boats were way more storage friendly than newer boats which have given up useful storage for the Condo like wide open spaces. We stuffed our 32' Westsail so full of consumables that we went nearly a year before we had to do any serious reprovisioning.

Think you'll have plenty of room as long as you keep the crew list below a dozen.

[Sailmonkey]

We fit all of that stuff on a 32' boat.

[daletournier]

I had all that and more on a freedom 32, no problem.

[Jim Cate]

JC, I've noticed that there is never enough room on your boat for everything, but somehow there's always enough room for what you really need. Folks circumnavigate on <25 foot yachts and somehow manage. Other folks have >45 foot yachts and complain about lack of storage space.

FWIW, Ann and I have done long passages on 30, 36 and now 46 foot boats. They have all been "full", but have had vastly different storage volumes. We've never been held back by lack of storage or tankage, but we have had to employ different strategies and mind sets to succeed. You can do the same, I bet, and will make the BI 40 work for you.

Good luck and good cruising.

Jim

[Adelie]

In general I agree with what previous poster have said.

The only problem I see for you is the overhanging mizzen will make self steering difficult.

Best bet would be to raise the mizzen boom by using a shorter luff mizzen and sheeting to a rail across the top of the pushpit.

[Don C L]

I know what you mean, one of the boats I have always liked, the Rhodes 41, is a lot of length for not much boat by more modern standards. But, I've certainly seen folks doing more with less. My own boat is also a skinny CCA design so I am often considering, "do I really need that new thing or convenience?" I'd keep in mind the assets of the design (which are considerable IMO,) not the liabilities. You know, how is the glass half full? BTW, there is a link to a total refitting of a Rhodes 41 at the Plastic Classics social group that might be helpful in seeing how it can all fit together. The Block Island has more room than the Rhodes too.

Here it is:
Cruisers & Sailing Forums - refits of note

[CaptJamesCook]

roverhi Very good points.

Tanks are 46gal fiberglass fuel and 80gal stainless steel water.
50 hp Yanmar
ST 6002 Autopilot
Balmar 100 AMP alternator

I have not yet done a power audit on these.
SeaFrost Engine Driven Refrigeration System
Espar D5 Forced Hot Air Heating System
Raymarine E-80 GPS / Chartplotter / Radar
Icom 710 SSB Radio

thank you for the reply it helps

[CaptJamesCook]

Originally Posted by Adelie

In general I agree with what previous poster have said.

The only problem I see for you is the overhanging mizzen will make self steering difficult.

Best bet would be to raise the mizzen boom by using a shorter luff mizzen and sheeting to a rail across the top of the pushpit.

Adelie I was wondering about that my self... If posible hydrovane or windvane? Which one would be better? I have not experienced either>

Thanks for the reply

[lamadriver]

I have all that plus a bicycle, surfboards, inflatable paddle board, skis, hiking gear, diving gear, and lots of spares and tools............. and a few more sails than i need.

the bigger it is the more stuff youll aquire

[CaptJamesCook]

Jim Cate
I agree big time Bigger the space the more you try to put in it until it bulges.
But my time in the Marines taught me about compact mobility.
A duffle bag is only so big....

Thank you for addressing that.
I have a 30 yearold house full of stuff I wonder where it all came from.

It is really the equipment concerns I am having.
What I need and what I don't really need. Where will it have to be mounted type concerns.
Doing single handed voyages concern me alot. The longest I have ever gone single handed was 68 hours. I managed to stay awake and alert. However a week two week not sure how to handle that yet.

All the electronics use power most of the Block Island 40's do not have solar, watermakers, wind generators or windvanes. For some reason 47 gal fuel on say a two to three week passage does not sound like alot.
Am I over thinking this?

James Cook
www.cooksartsupply.com

[CaptJamesCook]

Don C L

My cup has always been half full but occasionally I try to over fill it sometimes.

[phoenix-marie]

We had six hours of engine time on a 26 day 2500 mile trip from Seattle to Hilo. YMMV. We don't run the engine unless it is to protect equipment or health.

[CaptJamesCook]

Phoenix-Marie Nice trip... I will be doing a Panama to Hilo back up to Washington to Panama to Gulf Mexico

Do you have solar or wind generator?

[phoenix-marie]

Originally Posted by CooksFraming

Phoenix-Marie Nice trip... I will be doing a Panama to Hilo back up to Washington to Panama to Gulf Mexico

Do you have solar or wind generator?

We have solar, then picked up a towed generator for emergencies (once we had dirty fuel and couldn't run engine, plus it was stormy for days so no solar, and had no way to charge batteries).

We are leaving again in August for Hilo, and then onto Marquesas next spring.