What have I forgotten for an extended cruise!

tomfentonvega2977beowulf · Jun 24, 2012

Good luck John. Sounds more as if you could make a living advising would be
long distance cruisers on what to take. However, in your proof of ownership
do you have proof that VAT has been paid in an EU country? I believe that
is something that can excite customs officials if they want to be awkward.
We have been in France and the Channel Islands for a month now and no one
has asked to see anything other than (once) our SSR certificate. The French
Coastguard asked for our call sign (rather than mmsi). The SNSM (French
equivalent of RNLI) asked for our Insurance details. I assume you have
registered your EPIRB. We got ours on eBay and it only took a week to
re-register it. We have not yet flown our Q Flag, and I rather think they
would rather we did not. But every time the French Immigration launch comes
by I get nervous because I have a US citizen aboard. (if anyone has further
advice on this, please write. We are about to enter Spanish waters, deo
volente.) Our canister fog horn is absolutely useless. I doubt any sort of
horn would be much use on our size of boat, but think about it. We have had
hours of fog in the Channel and we have it today in N Biscay. There is
loads of scary stuff about holding tanks, the need for and required size
of, on the internet. Ours is a token 10 litre jerry can, and I hope we
never have to use it. I hope they never inspect it. I doubt it passes
muster. Not sure if your sea toilet includes this provision. In summary, it
seems more relaxed in reality than the RYA advice might prepare you for,
but I am grateful that we have ticked all the boxes, and thank the RYA for
telling me what boxes I need to tick.

Another Vega owner sent me a vivid account of his crossing of Biscay a
couple of weeks ago or so. His water tank broke through the panels that
hold it down. I checked mine and it is true that the tank seems to be held
in place only by its inlet and outlet pipes. Mine seemed to have broken the
bulkhead just aft of it at some point and some bracing had been installed.
I have inserted battens above the tank forard and aft of the cap, raplaced
the board above the tank with more substantial ply, and added more
reinforcement to the bulkhead. (Thanks for the warning, Marco.)

As a German Vega owner we met in the Channel said, you will never be ready,
the boat will never be ready. There will always be something more to do.
You just have to go. WHen we complimented him on his wisdom and experience
he said, Experience is repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

We are in Cameret and hope to set off this evening for La Coruna. The winds
are not great. Instead of the "predominant northeasterlies" we have winds
from the W and SW most of the way. The five day forecast changes
dramatically from day to day. Cold be a lively entry to LA Coruna or, more
likely, Viveiro, on Thursday, in F5/6, if we are lucky. But our crew has a
plane to catch from Compostella on Sunday and the forecast is not bad
enough to cancel the crossing. Yet. And it is raining and set to rain for
the next three days. Damn and blast.

Best wishes to you. Will you have a blog or some means of following your
progress? Tom

www.blog.mailasail.com/beowulf

Vega1447 · Jun 24, 2012

Hi John. Good to hear that you are visiting us in Ireland.
Keep us posted.
If the dates worked I'd welcome the chance to meet up.

Limerick where I live is an hour or so from

John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

Vega1447 · Jun 24, 2012

Sorry, my post was clipped.

I meant to say:

pjacobs55 · Jun 25, 2012

John,
One idea I like is Craig's (Vegatern) manual bilge pump located inside the port settee back locker, just forward of the galley. It's in the Yahoo photos section under Tern#1519. If one had to pump in bad weather that would be a good place to do it from!

Otherwise, take things one day at a time and have a great voyage. I hope you can keep us posted on your adventure.

Peter
www.sintacha.com

pelagicasd · Jun 26, 2012

Let me add my opinion also. Fishing pole is a great idea. We carried several. Troll a meat hook on sixty feet of line and have a means to bring it in, we used a board with handles to wind it up on. Simpler than a pole and it was always in the water while underway. Don't forget to bring it in before anchoring. If you do use a rod for trolling make sure it is tied to the boat. Sixty feet is about the distance that fish will confuse your boat with a a school of bait fish. They pick off the straglers as the move in. Using a lure with one hook lessens the chance of a flopping fish hooking you back. You should have a way to remove any hooks that you do manage to get under your skin. Read up on first aid techniques for this. You will also want a way to fish from the dinghy. Smaller pole for smaller fish in the anchorage. Ebay is a good source for fishing gear. Follow the links for saltwater gear. Don't forget that some of the countries you visit may require you to have a fishing license. Speaking of dinghys we carried a 1 litre bottle of gas for the outboard after running out and having a hard row against the wind. Always carry a handheld VHF and some basic survival stuff in the dingy. People have been blown out to sea when the wind came up. We carried lots of spares and lots of tools. We came home with most of the spares and only used a few of the tools. Next time around we'll do it lighter. Walt, Lyric
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: tjhfenton@...
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:29:55 +0100
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] What have I forgotten for an extended cruise!

Good luck John. Sounds more as if you could make a living advising would be

long distance cruisers on what to take. However, in your proof of ownership

do you have proof that VAT has been paid in an EU country? I believe that

is something that can excite customs officials if they want to be awkward.

We have been in France and the Channel Islands for a month now and no one

has asked to see anything other than (once) our SSR certificate. The French

Coastguard asked for our call sign (rather than mmsi). The SNSM (French

equivalent of RNLI) asked for our Insurance details. I assume you have

registered your EPIRB. We got ours on eBay and it only took a week to

re-register it. We have not yet flown our Q Flag, and I rather think they

would rather we did not. But every time the French Immigration launch comes

by I get nervous because I have a US citizen aboard. (if anyone has further

advice on this, please write. We are about to enter Spanish waters, deo

volente.) Our canister fog horn is absolutely useless. I doubt any sort of

horn would be much use on our size of boat, but think about it. We have had

hours of fog in the Channel and we have it today in N Biscay. There is

loads of scary stuff about holding tanks, the need for and required size

of, on the internet. Ours is a token 10 litre jerry can, and I hope we

never have to use it. I hope they never inspect it. I doubt it passes

muster. Not sure if your sea toilet includes this provision. In summary, it

seems more relaxed in reality than the RYA advice might prepare you for,

but I am grateful that we have ticked all the boxes, and thank the RYA for

telling me what boxes I need to tick.
Another Vega owner sent me a vivid account of his crossing of Biscay a

couple of weeks ago or so. His water tank broke through the panels that

hold it down. I checked mine and it is true that the tank seems to be held

in place only by its inlet and outlet pipes. Mine seemed to have broken the

bulkhead just aft of it at some point and some bracing had been installed.

I have inserted battens above the tank forard and aft of the cap, raplaced

the board above the tank with more substantial ply, and added more

reinforcement to the bulkhead. (Thanks for the warning, Marco.)
As a German Vega owner we met in the Channel said, you will never be ready,

the boat will never be ready. There will always be something more to do.

You just have to go. WHen we complimented him on his wisdom and experience

he said, Experience is repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
We are in Cameret and hope to set off this evening for La Coruna. The winds

are not great. Instead of the "predominant northeasterlies" we have winds

from the W and SW most of the way. The five day forecast changes

dramatically from day to day. Cold be a lively entry to LA Coruna or, more

likely, Viveiro, on Thursday, in F5/6, if we are lucky. But our crew has a

plane to catch from Compostella on Sunday and the forecast is not bad

enough to cancel the crossing. Yet. And it is raining and set to rain for

the next three days. Damn and blast.
Best wishes to you. Will you have a blog or some means of following your

progress? Tom
www.blog.mailasail.com/beowulf

tomfentonvega2977beowulf · Jun 29, 2012

John my battery is about to run out but I want you to know what happened to
Marco happened to my water tank despite our effrots to secure it. Take
care. Tom

johnadenney · Jun 30, 2012

Cheers Tom..... I shall have a look at it and see what I can do. I
have screwed the top panel down very securely - I guess I need to
strap the water tank in place as well? - or fit some tight packing in
so the tank cannot move?

I am studying the weather VERY carefully at the moment and trying to
find a 5 day period of favourable weather for the Biscay crossing -
not looking too likely at the moment although I am ever hopeful. If
anyone has a any weather forecasting expertise I would appreciate
their thoughts - leaving Holyhead (Anglesey) on the 5th July - 48
hours to Kinsale in Southern ireland and then about 5 or 6 days to
cross Biscay to Finnistere. (ish)

I have fitted 2 voltmeters to help keep an eye on the batteries. Note
- the batteries seem to be wired up using a common earth - is this
normal? The voltages are different on each battery but my meter tells
me they are both connected to the same negative. No idea if this is
how it should be!

Also to all Navik users - my vane (the bit that flaps about on the
top) just slides down onto the vertical support without any obvious
"locking" mechanism - is something missing? The adjuster seems to
keep it in place because of the spring pressure but it could be just
lifted up and lost overboard with a bit of a tug....?

The outboard was located on its bracket on the stern ready for instant
deployment but it seems to drag the stern down and in fact the prop
blades are dragging in the water so I have moved it into the front
bedroom (now officially my "spares" department) but it takes up a lot
of space. (4HP 4 stroke) I may make a bracket to keep it on the stern
rail. It will be a little bit further forward and the prop will be
out of the water. Any thoughts?

also... I have a new cruising chute but have never used it! In fact
it is still in the bag... has anyone any experience of using one? It
came with a snuffer thing and I assume it is hauled up with the
spinnaker halyard and fixed at the bottom (tack?) to the bow somewhere
and then a couple of sheets back to the cockpit and use it just like a
big genoa? I was wondering if the attachment at the bow should be
adjustable - ie a line through a pulley back to the cockpit? Is it
practical to tack / gybe a cruising chute or should t be "snuffed "
and re-set? I hope to have a play with it tomorrow if the wind dies
off a bit!

I am beginning to wish I had more experience but I guess I will get it
soon enough! I have been reading up on how to deal with storms and I
wish I had not! Oh dear - I really must try to make sure I get 'good"
weather in the first few weeks! So much to learn!

I am going back to the boat tomorrow to do a few little jobs - stick
the boat name and SSR number on, fit the "rail" bracket for the
outboard, re-arrange a few things to try to get weight in the middle
and then go for a sail to make sure I can work the Navik, test the
watermaker, try out the cruising chute, practice reefing, and then
crash back into my jetty!

Feeling nervous and, to be honest, a little bit scared! I keep
thinking about the strength of the rigging and the various shackles
holding everything up.... and the fact that the yacht will be 40 years
old next year - oh dear! ........The 48 hours to Kinsale will sort me
out - I suffer from sea sickness quite badly although I have found
that Stugeron helps a lot - I just hope I can get this first leg done
without any major mishaps.

Regards

John

ps I have bought courtesy flags for Spain, Portugal and Barbados so I
am committed! The Barbados one is a bit adventurous at this stage but
it is a psychological thing!!!!

pps - sorry for all my rather vague ramblings - it is surprisingly
reassuring to be able to write down my thoughts and questions on here
and a delight to receive such helpful advice and supportive comments.
Anyway - I need to get the old tractor fired up and finish spraying
the fields for weeds..... an seasonal chore!

tiempo2010 · Jun 30, 2012

John

Battery negative is always common. Battery switching only controls the
positive.

pelagicasd · Jun 30, 2012

Always good to read up on on dealing with storms. Practice heaving to before you have to really do it. Best rule is get to a port. If you can'y get to a port head away from the shore and heave to. Walt
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: brianstannard@...
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 04:01:57 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] What have I forgotten for an extended cruise!

John
Battery negative is always common. Battery switching only controls the

positive.

tim_klynn · Jun 30, 2012

I haven't used a cruising chute, but I do have an asymmetrical spinnaker I use from time to time.
I got it before I bought a couple of spinnakers (one for downwind and one more of a reaching cut)

The Aspin does use 2 leads, just like a big genoa.
I either run the tack line through a block at the bowstem or use an ATN tacker.
Running deeper, I let the tack raise up, heading up, I pull down the tack.

It has a sock, but if the winds aren't strong we don't use it to tack or gybe.
In either tacking or gybing, you have to "fly" the sail forward around the forestay (otherwise it will wrap around the forestay).
If gybing, this is pretty easy, just let the sheet loose and wait to pull in the in on the other side until the sail has come around to the new side (or the clew if forward of the forestay).

If tacking in light winds, I would have someone (usually me) go forward and pull the sail around the front of the forestay when the boat is close to head to wind.
As you can guess, in strong winds it is easier just to douse the Aspin and reset.
If I were singlehanding and tacking, I would probably just douse and reset as well.

Other things to mess around with (other than tack height) is sheet block placement and halyard tension.
Block placement will depend on your particular sails cut, but will probably be aft of the usual genoa car placement.
When sailing deeper, you can try easing the halyard a bit to see if the sail will rotate out from behind the main a bit.

We on deeper angles, we generally trimmed the sail like a conventional spinnaker, with the luff just breakingabove midheight on the sail.

On tighter angles, we would trim more like a genoa, trim in if the luff starts to luff, avoid flapping in the leach.
This site: FX Sails Articles: Sail Design, Sail Handling, Sailmaking, Sail Care
has some good basic articles on the Aspin, rigging and trimming. -Tim

________________________________
From: johndenney johndenney1@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2012 4:52 AM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] What have I forgotten for an extended cruise!

Cheers Tom..... I shall have a look at it and see what I can do. I
have screwed the top panel down very securely - I guess I need to
strap the water tank in place as well? - or fit some tight packing in
so the tank cannot move?

I am studying the weather VERY carefully at the moment and trying to
find a 5 day period of favourable weather for the Biscay crossing -
not looking too likely at the moment although I am ever hopeful. If
anyone has a any weather forecasting expertise I would appreciate
their thoughts - leaving Holyhead (Anglesey) on the 5th July - 48
hours to Kinsale in Southern ireland and then about 5 or 6 days to
cross Biscay to Finnistere. (ish)

I have fitted 2 voltmeters to help keep an eye on the batteries. Note
- the batteries seem to be wired up using a common earth - is this
normal? The voltages are different on each battery but my meter tells
me they are both connected to the same negative. No idea if this is
how it should be!

Also to all Navik users - my vane (the bit that flaps about on the
top) just slides down onto the vertical support without any obvious
"locking" mechanism - is something missing? The adjuster seems to
keep it in place because of the spring pressure but it could be just
lifted up and lost overboard with a bit of a tug....?

The outboard was located on its bracket on the stern ready for instant
deployment but it seems to drag the stern down and in fact the prop
blades are dragging in the water so I have moved it into the front
bedroom (now officially my "spares" department) but it takes up a lot
of space. (4HP 4 stroke) I may make a bracket to keep it on the stern
rail. It will be a little bit further forward and the prop will be
out of the water. Any thoughts?

also... I have a new cruising chute but have never used it! In fact
it is still in the bag... has anyone any experience of using one? It
came with a snuffer thing and I assume it is hauled up with the
spinnaker halyard and fixed at the bottom (tack?) to the bow somewhere
and then a couple of sheets back to the cockpit and use it just like a
big genoa? I was wondering if the attachment at the bow should be
adjustable - ie a line through a pulley back to the cockpit? Is it
practical to tack / gybe a cruising chute or should t be "snuffed "
and re-set? I hope to have a play with it tomorrow if the wind dies
off a bit!

I am beginning to wish I had more experience but I guess I will get it
soon enough! I have been reading up on how to deal with storms and I
wish I had not! Oh dear - I really must try to make sure I get 'good"
weather in the first few weeks! So much to learn!

I am going back to the boat tomorrow to do a few little jobs - stick
the boat name and SSR number on, fit the "rail" bracket for the
outboard, re-arrange a few things to try to get weight in the middle
and then go for a sail to make sure I can work the Navik, test the
watermaker, try out the cruising chute, practice reefing, and then
crash back into my jetty!

Feeling nervous and, to be honest, a little bit scared! I keep
thinking about the strength of the rigging and the various shackles
holding everything up.... and the fact that the yacht will be 40 years
old next year - oh dear! ........The 48 hours to Kinsale will sort me
out - I suffer from sea sickness quite badly although I have found
that Stugeron helps a lot - I just hope I can get this first leg done
without any major mishaps.

Regards

John

ps I have bought courtesy flags for Spain, Portugal and Barbados so I
am committed! The Barbados one is a bit adventurous at this stage but
it is a psychological thing!!!!

pps - sorry for all my rather vague ramblings - it is surprisingly
reassuring to be able to write down my thoughts and questions on here
and a delight to receive such helpful advice and supportive comments.
Anyway - I need to get the old tractor fired up and finish spraying
the fields for weeds..... an seasonal chore!

pjacobs55 · Jun 30, 2012

Hi John,
Looking at my spare vane head I couldn't see anything obvious, but will look on the boat later today and send you a picture of the head attachment. I'm sure there must be something.

On the water paddle part: about half way down the forward face of the paddle is a small (about 1" square) 'window' where the end of the 1/4" steel shaft comes through. It's held in place with a cotter pin, that if it breaks, will send the paddle to Davey Jones locker. I replaced my pin just in time to avert a paddle loss. I also keep a safetey line attached from the top of the paddle assembly to the support frame in case of a slip when installing it.

And don't worry, pretty soon you'll be too busy to be nervous ;-)

Peter
www.sintacha.com

pjacobs55 · Jun 30, 2012

Here we go:
The head of the Navik is held on to the vertical tube with an Allen-head set screw.
Picture: http://www3.telus.net/sailing/n-head-2.jpg

The wind vane is prevented from lifting off by a small angle bracket at the base of the head piece.
Picture: http://www3.telus.net/sailing/n-head3.jpg

Overall view picture: http://www3.telus.net/sailing/n-head-1.jpg

The vane is also attached by the connecting rod that runs down the vertical head tube, connecting the vane linkage to the paddle linkage.

I hope this helps sort things out!

Peter
www.sintacha.com

johnadenney · Jul 1, 2012

Many thanks Peter! needless to say that bit is missing from my
Navik! I shall see if I can fabricate something similar. Pictures
are great - thanks again.
I am just setting off for the boat now so I will take a a piece of
thin steel to make a mock up and try and get a stainless one made asap.

Regards

John

johnadenney · Jul 3, 2012

FIRST SOLO!

Well I have been for my first solo sail and managed to survive Holyhead bay!

I spent ages checking and re-checking everything before I mustered the nerve to untie the mooring lines - what a plonker! The wind was blowing me off the pontoon so I released the bow line and sprinted back to the stern as the boat swiveled, released the stern line and managed to motor out forwards - useful because this damn yacht of mine will not go backwards in a straight line! The weather was a bit windier and wetter than I wanted but needs must - I had to check the Navik worked and I needed a bit of confidence that I can manage on my own. Anyway, I quickly motored out into the bay and then tried to keep her into wind so I could raise the main but she would keep swinging beam on.... the tillerpilot and engine helped but it was so blustery i could not get the main past the lines that support the lazyjacks! I decided to just use the genoa and it tramped along at 6Knots - I was amazed! I did think it was the tide but I turned around and went in the opposite direction and the speed was the same - who needs a main! Things were quite exciting as the wind (according to the Holyhead Coatguard) was 25kts so I rolled in a bit of the genoa and that brought the boat upright and it seemed to go just as fast.

Time to try out the Navik steering system - it was wonderful! I just set the wind vane thing in line with the wind and attached the lines to the tiller and it worked straight away. Glad something worked 1st time!

I had to keep untying myself from all the bits of rope and string that were making me look like an extra from a low budget bondage porn show but I eventually got the place tidy.... although every time I wanted to go somewhere the safety line stopped me in my tracks - I will have to get used to that!

I learn't a valuable lesson about how easy it is to go with the wind and how awful it is against it! It took me ages to get back and I eventually gave up and fired up Mr Volvo - ended up being a wet ride back to holyhead into the wind - God knows what it must be like in "bad" weather! (note to self - stay away from bad weather1)

"Pre-landing" checks were carried out as soon as I got into the harbour with fenders down both sides and mooring lines at the ready. The arrival at the pontoon was a bit tentative with the wind trying to blow me back out to sea but I managed to arrive quite nicely and just stepped ashore with the line in my hand. Note - next time I think it would be better to stay on board until the boat is secure - what if I had slipped and the boat just floated away from me! (tips for solo docking procedure welcome!)

Bad news is that the engine is still leaking a bit of oil! It seems to be coming from the rear seal on the combi - the new one I spent ages doing!!!! It is not too bad but I shall keep a close eye on it. Such is life... I may explore some sort of "goo" or sealant to help seal it...it is a bit tricky because the control shaft slides in and out but it may help...... any ideas?

Anyway - I have got the first one out of the way - off to Kinsale tomorrow and the across Biscay on Saturday or Sunday... I am VERY nervous!

Thanks to all you guys who have helped me with tips and advice - really is much appreciated - I hope I manage to get at least to Portugal!!!

ps I have done a web site but there is very little on it as yet (small video of my 1st sail) - I may set up a blog thing instead...there seem to be special blog site for sailor types - I shall investigate. www.albinvega.talktalk.net/Cirrus/Welcome.html

Vega1447 · Jul 3, 2012

Hi John.
Will try to get down to Kinsale - would be great to see the best prepped Vega on Earth.

My mobile # is 00-353-86-1714757.
If you are staying in Kinsale for 24 hours and are in the mood for visitors I'd try to get down to Kinsale to meet up.

In any case, good luck.
John V1447 Breakaway

John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

johnadenney · Jul 3, 2012

Hi John

I wish it was well prepared! All the shine and newness has already
been knocked off it! - it looks like very light winds for the trip
to Kinsale so I will take a couple of days I think... setting off
Thursday am, so hope to be in Kinsale on Sat am - will probably sleep
all day so I will be ready for a pint and a chat on Saturday night! I
will ring you when I have crashed into Ireland and we can sort
something out!

Hope to see you soon

John

vegatern · Jul 3, 2012

John,
Your comment about stepping off the boat with dock lines in your hand . . One of the cheapest, and one of the most used, additions I made to the boat was a cam cleat mounted outside both cockpit coamings just behind and below the sheet winches. (on the "hump") Before approaching the dock it is easy to run the bow dock line outside all the stanchions and clip it into the cam cleat. If approaching up wind . . . step off the boat, hands empty, and pop the line free as you walk alongside the boat. If approaching down wind. . . drop a loop from the stern cleat over a dock cleat before stepping off, or take the stern line in hand as you step off. Clambering over the lifelines with both hands full is a hassle, though it does provide some amusement for those watching I guess.

Congratulations on getting away. You're one in a million. Looking forward to you posts. ;-)

Craig V1519 Tern

Vega1447 · Jul 4, 2012

Another way to handle coming alongside single handed is the "mooring spring" technique.
I have a large turning block at the base of a stanchion at the beam (balance pt of boat) and secured to a line running forward to the deck cleat on the foredeck.
The shock load is absorbed by this line rather than the stanchion.

I run a 10mm polypropylene line (with a spliced loop at aft end) outside everything forward through the turning block and back to the port sheet winch

I drop the loop onto a pontoon cleat while motoring slowly past and take in slack on the winch. It works nicely as polypropylene line and line running forward to foredeck cleat absorb the shock.

When coming alongside my home berth I add a snap shackle to the loop at aft end of the poly line and clip snap shackle onto a wire loop as I pass.

The wire loop is held about a metre above outer end of my finger berth by a pole and a light stick at right angles to it.
The wire loop has a permanent mooring line attaching it to the mooring cleat at outer end of finger.

Probably an over-elaborate description of a simple idea..

It works well though - I have been using if for six years now.

JohnJohn Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

pjacobs55 · Jul 4, 2012

My favorite method is to have a line clipped to the forward stanchion base and the other end tied off near the stern, with plenty of slack in it to allow free movement. I step onto the dock holding the bight, and have control over both ends of the boat at once. With this method, if you leap off the boat and miss the dock, you have a choice of pulling yourself aboard either at the bow or the stern ;-)

Peter
www.sintacha.com