Just ordered a Sense 50. I sail Southern California to Sea of Cortez. 1000 miles downwind sail and 1000 upwind motor each year. All our time in the cockpit. 40 years offshore sailing (meaning experienced, but biased). Perfect boat for where we are and what we do. I need thoughts on equipping and in general things you have added to make your cruising more comfortable and enjoyable. I've addressed most things safety (bigger anchor, liferaft, EPIRB, etc.). What about need for SSB? Galley? Spares? Water toys, etc. etc? I need a downwind sail. Probably asymmetrical with a sock. Code 0 may not be efficient enough. Any experience with top down furler? Think I will go with a sock. First boat with watermaker, airconditioner and generator. Thoughts?
Sense 50
- Thread starter zzmeyer
- Start date
Nice nice choice.
If you are going DDW trade-wind style, you'll probably be less happy with ANY Asymmetric. Best case you'll be gibing through 60-80 degrees with the asym. Get it in a sock. The furlers are complex and not worth the money on asyms.
Codes are nice for true-on-the-beam reaching in 4-9 knots. Any more and the 110 will work almost as well and be earlier to sail.
SSB always nice for broadcasting. If I had to choose I'd go Iridium SAT with a dataplan.
If you are going DDW trade-wind style, you'll probably be less happy with ANY Asymmetric. Best case you'll be gibing through 60-80 degrees with the asym. Get it in a sock. The furlers are complex and not worth the money on asyms.
Codes are nice for true-on-the-beam reaching in 4-9 knots. Any more and the 110 will work almost as well and be earlier to sail.
SSB always nice for broadcasting. If I had to choose I'd go Iridium SAT with a dataplan.
Good input. The asymmetrical will be a compromise as the trip down is typically ddw. I always sail shorthanded, even with a crew (with 3 I have one on watch, with four, 2) so a symmetrical with a pole would lead to the spinnaker staying in the bag. I have a pole on my Jeanneau 42 to put the spinnaker out in front and it makes a big difference. I don't want a pole on the Sense so the tack is close to the headstay. Was also worried that in a breeze if I furled the spinnaker I might interfere with genoa furling. Could be a mess in a breeze at night.
Is there such a thing as a shore based station that would relay message to SSB user? Along the coast of Baja a lot of people still use SSB. I like the idea of iridium, but would like to do daily check in with boats on the way down.
Is there such a thing as a shore based station that would relay message to SSB user? Along the coast of Baja a lot of people still use SSB. I like the idea of iridium, but would like to do daily check in with boats on the way down.
I also have a Sense 50 on order. We are getting a modified mast with about 4.5' cut off and effectively turned into a masthead rig. This will allow us to traverse the ICW bridges (73' clearance) in the Gulf of Mexico with the exception of the Florida bridges.
I'm also looking at Code 0 or Asymmetric Spinnaker. I think a furling system that has very limited separation from the jib at the masthead could also risk tangling and some unwanted excitement. In my case, I'm probably going with an asym and using a sock to manage it.
I really think the Sense and i's big stern would prefer broad reaching and not dead running...
I'm also looking at Code 0 or Asymmetric Spinnaker. I think a furling system that has very limited separation from the jib at the masthead could also risk tangling and some unwanted excitement. In my case, I'm probably going with an asym and using a sock to manage it.
I really think the Sense and i's big stern would prefer broad reaching and not dead running...
I have the polar curves and the boat is slow in light to moderate winds off the wind. Dealer confirms. When do you get delivery?
Take delivery in early November. Plan to liveaboard.
The polars for this config do show a small speed reduction in light wind. Code 0 or Asym will be very useful.
The polars for this config do show a small speed reduction in light wind. Code 0 or Asym will be very useful.
Was at the yard learning how to grease the Volvo shaft gland seal on my Jeanneau. Mentioned the only gripe I had with the Jeanneau was the crappy through hulls that I had to replace. He said he had replaced "thousands" of Jeanneau and Beneteau through hulls. Anyone have experience on the problem and other than replacing any suggestions? He also mentioned he keeps the Volvo seal in stock as he has to replace so many. I'm guessing is that owners fail to grease it every 200 hours or so.
Thousands....hmmm interesting. Never had to replace either through hulls or Volvo seal. Had both on 4 Beneteaus for the past 30 years. On the other hand we do sail in fresh water.
Haven't seen anything on the 423 site which has over 500 members most in salt water. Also we grease our Volvo seal every season (we put about 100 engine hrs. every season).
Wonder if your mechanic is exaggerating a bit
Haven't seen anything on the 423 site which has over 500 members most in salt water. Also we grease our Volvo seal every season (we put about 100 engine hrs. every season).
Wonder if your mechanic is exaggerating a bit
You hit the key. Need to grease it. I didn't know about that until I needed to replace. He said the problem was coral growth. Hadn't heard of beneteau having the problem but I know a number of jeanneau folks with the through hull problem. Discussed frequently on their forum. I can't imagine fresh water boat having the problem. Bet he is exaggerating as he didn't look rich enough.