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In a previous article, I detailed how we converted our ice box into a fridge/freezer onboard our Catalina 270. I can assure you, it is one of the best modifications we’ve made and truly classifies itself as an upgrade for both convenience and overall enjoyment.
Should you have 120VAC devices or appliances (vacuum, expresso maker, induction elements, wired tools) you’d like to run on your vessel when away from the dock you will need an inverter. An inverter takes in DC power and synthesizes 50 or 60Hz AC power at 120 or 220V.
When it comes to building sizable house battery banks, you will probably need more than one battery. Combining multiple batteries in series and/or parallel will allow you to construct a larger battery banks.
Read more: Boat Nerd: DC Electrics – Part 6: Battery Banks...
Figure 10 shows many of the fuse types commonly found on a vessel and the ones I use most commonly. (but not a complete list by any means). They differ by physical size, current capacity and AIC.
Many wires on a vessel are connected via a bolted lug. ABYC standard E-11 covers normal do and don’ts.
The other factor that affects wire size after the “how much current can it handle before burning up” question is, what is the voltage drop across the wire? At 120V if we lose a volt or two along the wire run it’s no big deal. At 12V if we lose a volt or two it’s a very different story.
I’m often asked to take a look at a survey to complete repairs at the request of a boat owner’s insurance company. Over the years, I’ve noticed that there are some items that are considered much lower ‘risk’, than others when identified on a survey.
This series deals with basic DC boat wiring concepts. From various articles and posts I see, and talking with boating friends, there seems to be mystery for many when it comes to boat electrics. I don’t intend this to be a deep dive but hopefully enough to take away some of the mystery.
Rarely have I seen a boat that is bought brand new and continues to look like it rolled off the factory floor a year or two later. Upgrades and changes are inevitable. A new GPS is installed. A cooler is replaced. Lights are swapped out. The list goes on.
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I am lucky to have the opportunity to helm many types of boats. I am even more lucky to sail boats on champagne fall days when many boats are either being hauled for the winter, or are already under shrink-wrap.
Not only are there great winds – usually offshore, but welcome sunshine and open waters with few boats out enjoying the last days of September. Joining me for the test sail of the Viko S35 was the former publisher of Canadian Yachting, Greg Nicoll, and the Canadian Viko Yachts representative, Eric Beauregard, who had driven down from Montreal.
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The Cadillac Michigan-built H4 is a brand-new design this year and we think it's especially handsome. The vertical stem bow is all new and innovative. It is a design feature that was chosen to give Four Winns and the H4 a sense of modern and contemporary look while the stern remains more traditional.
Destinations
West Side Story
by Jennifer M. Smith, drone photos by Alex Nikolajevich
It was the last day of August and we were in Little Current heading south. Our Lasalle winter haul out was still over a month away. The question was: where to now? Friends in Meaford often suggested we sail in for a visit. We never had because we’d always moved north-south on the east side of Georgian Bay. This year we were up for something different. This was the perfect opportunity to cruise the west side of the bay.
We made the 10 a.m. bridge out of Little Current and motor-sailed east southeast in light northerlies. We’d often sailed past Snug Harbour, a nearly land-locked anchorage on the north side of Lansdowne Channel because the chart suggested we’d never make it in there with our six-foot draft.
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What to look for and ask about as you plan your vacation times. You’ve invested thousands and thousands of dollars into your boat so naturally, you want to find just the right spot for her to live, and where you can enjoy her to the maximum. Marinas and yacht clubs are just like people, no two are completely alike and finding the one that’s perfect for you, may make you feel a little like Cinderella – searching for the shoe that fits just right.
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Most of our sailing metaphors evoke thoughts and feelings of strong winds pushing a sleek racer faster, or perhaps the crew tacking or gybing around a mark. We don’t seem to have the same colourful expressions to describe the movement of a power or sailing vessel at slow speeds.
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SailGP, the international racing series featuring high speed F50 wingsailed catamarans, is partnering with RS Electric Boats – sister brand of sailboat manufacturer RS Sailing – to use the Pulse 63 electric RIB as chase, coach and support boats.
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