During our planning for European cruising aboard Alembic our Whitby 42 ketch, we researched extensively the best solution for adapting to the 220V power standard that we would find in Europe. After looking into the various options for step down transformers, we decided to simply add a dedicated 220V shore power service. Alembic was built… Continue reading 220V Circuit for European Cruising
Category: Tech Topics
Cabin Heater – Our Espar is a Champ
Our Whitby 42 came with an Espar D4 Airtronic cabin heater that was installed by a previous owner. A reliable and easy to operate heater is a great thing to have when sailing in high latitudes and for stretching the season into the colder months. During the time we have owned our boat, we have… Continue reading Cabin Heater – Our Espar is a Champ
Atlantic Crossing
Day four of an offshore passage seems to be the day when time and distance finally drift to the background. The journey becomes the focus not the landfall. During the first few days of a passage, I am constantly thinking about boat speed, distance covered, and the number of days still required to achieve the… Continue reading Atlantic Crossing
Mast Chocks – Traditional vs Technical
Like many construction features on a sailboat, there is more than one way to support a keel stepped mast at the deck collar and seal this opening from rain or seawater. In the past 6 months we have chocked our mast 2 different times with two different techniques. First we used the more traditional approach… Continue reading Mast Chocks – Traditional vs Technical
Standup Paddle Board Storage Solution
A common item stored on boats these days is the Standup Paddle Board or SUP. They are a wonderful piece of equipment to have aboard and are generally easier to stow and transport than kayaks. I like to use the SUP for exercise or just to get away from the boat and enjoy the edges… Continue reading Standup Paddle Board Storage Solution
Upgraded Stern Rails and Lifelines
We recently completed upgrades to the aft lifelines of Alembic. Our goal was to add a mounting place for solar panels as well as to increase safety and security. First we added a stanchion just aft of the mizzen shrouds. We then added top and mid rails using 1″ SS tube and associated fittings. We… Continue reading Upgraded Stern Rails and Lifelines
No Davits? No Worries
If your boat does not have davits, a great way to lift your dinghy out of the water is to hoist it up the side of the boat using a mast head halyard. All you need is a simple single point lifting harness, an available halyard and an open winch on the mast. It is… Continue reading No Davits? No Worries
Fixing a Broken Boom Fitting
Anytime we take Alembic offshore we expose her to conditions that can make things break. We try to sail conservatively and stay on top of our preventative maintenance. In spite of best efforts, we still have unexpected gear failures. During a recent passage from Cayman Islands to Belize we had the goose neck on the… Continue reading Fixing a Broken Boom Fitting
Cetol vs Armada Teak Finishes
Like every other owner of an old boat, I have spent many hours refinishing teak. I have worked with varnish, teak oils, Cetol, and most recently Armada. At this stage of our life afloat we find ourselves sailing as much as possible so we are looking for durable products that can be applied with a… Continue reading Cetol vs Armada Teak Finishes
Water Filtration/Purification Basics
Water water everywhere nor any drop to drink! A bit of trivia, that line comes from a poem entitled The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge published in 1798. Pure water is essential for safe and trouble free cruising. Our experience has been that water is generally available everywhere from a variety… Continue reading Water Filtration/Purification Basics