11 hours ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 818
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Dick,
We had this function on our old Victron charger / inverter and on our newer Mastervolt so it’s been around for 20 years. You are right about the dangers of AC but you will be amused to know that it was an electrician (in the US) who melted our European 16 amp charger cable. It happened when he upgraded us to lithium and, of course, they charge at a very high rate and he hadn’t throttled our SHOREPOWER input to be below 16 amps.
North Americans are used to this super-thick SHOREPOWER cables so he hadn’t clocked the concern.
Why does America insist on 110v? It must be a huge problem for home EV charging.
Simon
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12 hours ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
DickPosts: 411
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Hi Lisa,
I am not sure what needs your boat has that precludes cruising where only 10A is available. Can you say more?
That is ~~2200 watts (10 x 220) which would run most heavy use items that a boat has and even many of “luxury” hungry accessories such as space heaters and/or air conditioners. I also think 2200 watts is able to handle the in-rush current for most battery chargers.
Now, coping with restricted power may demand that one turn off the space heater when you wish to use the electric kettle or micro-wave: we have needed to do that on numerous occasions when using 20A shore power which is not uncommon in Canada (20A at 110v is the same amount as 10A at 220: both ~~2200 watts).
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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14 hours ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
DickPosts: 411
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Hi Arnd,
My memory of Horta is that it could get a bit boisterous in certain wind directions/strengths: not a place to be rafted up. And my experience with many boats is that there was often little experience with rafting up: spreaders lined up, fenders too small, too few cleats on many boats, dock lines with splices (leaves only one end adjustable as well as other safety issues), no pre-plan among skippers as to how to break up the raft in the middle of the night, if necessary, etc.
If the wind direction is in a safe quarter, might be a plan to stop at Flores (we anchored there for a week) or even Pico (I forget their accommodations) until Horta clears out.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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14 hours ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
DickPosts: 411
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Arnd.Wussing wrote:
I just heard from friends that the anchorage is quite full and that they are rafting 4-deep ashore in Horta. There are still about 30 ARC-Europe boats heading there, all of them 700NM or less out. We're still at 1000, so we'll arrive after them and are currently thinking of continuing onwards and clearing in at Ponta Delgada.
Hi Arnd,
My memory of Horta is that it could get a bit boisterous in certain wind directions/strengths: not a place to be rafted up. And my experience with many boats is that there was often little experience with rafting up: spreaders lined up, fenders too small, too few cleats on many boats, dock lines with splices (leaves only one end adjustable as well as other safety issues), no pre-plan among skippers as to how to break up the raft in the middle of the night, if necessary, etc.
If the wind direction is in a safe quarter, might be a plan to stop at Flores (we anchored there for a week) or even Pico (I forget their accommodations) until Horta clears out.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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1 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
Arnd.WussingPosts: 6
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I just heard from friends that the anchorage is quite full and that they are rafting 4-deep ashore in Horta. There are still about 30 ARC-Europe boats heading there, all of them 700NM or less out. We're still at 1000, so we'll arrive after them and are currently thinking of continuing onwards and clearing in at Ponta Delgada.
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1 days ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
Arnd.WussingPosts: 6
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Dick wrote:
...
That sounds like a nice feature of your inverter-charger: what kind is it?..
My past 2 boats had various Victron models of inverter/chargers, which all allow a nifty feature of limiting the shore power draw. If the boat loads exceed the set limit, the remaining power is drawn through the inverter. This is a great feature in Europe, but I've used it in the USA and Caribbean as well to limit the charging speed when the battery bank is depleted; this prevents any heat buildup that happens with high charge rates.
edited by Arnd.Wussing on 29/05/2025
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1 days ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
DickPosts: 411
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Hi Simon,
Mine was a dedicated charger at the time and it was not possible: the only controls were for the different charging algorithms for different battery chemistries. That BC has since been replaced by a dedicated Mastervolt charger and I am not aware one can dial down the amp draw. I have read the directions and think I would remember, but I will check.
That sounds like a nice feature of your inverter-charger: what kind is it?
That melt-down sounds scary. Better always to be wary of AC electrical systems. Before I took my US boat to Europe and I knew I would be there a while, I put in a very modest 220v system allowing me to us UK.EU appliances such as dehumidifiers and space heaters and to charge batteries. 110v could still be brought on line to the boats 110v system by using the inverter. Covered the bases.
Certainly one of the benefits of 24v DC boat systems vs 12v is the weight and expense saving by using smaller gauge wires.
My best, Dick
Hi Simon,
Mine was a dedicated charger at the time and it was not possible: the only controls were for the different charging algorithms for different battery chemistries. That BC has since been replaced by a dedicated Mastervolt charger and I am not aware one can dial down the amp draw. I have read the directions and think I would remember, but I will check.
That sounds like a nice feature of your inverter-charger: what kind is it?
That melt-down sounds scary. Better always to be wary of AC electrical systems. Before I took my US boat to Europe and I knew I would be there a while, I put in a very modest 220v system allowing me to us UK.EU appliances such as dehumidifiers and space heaters and to charge batteries. 110v could still be brought on line to the boats 110v system by using the inverter. Covered the bases.
Certainly one of the benefits of 24v DC boat systems vs 12v is the weight and expense saving by using smaller gauge wires.
My best, Dick
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2 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 818
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I see there are 4 occ boats currently in Horta including Time Bandit - I believe they are always keen to reach out to fellow occ’ers. Maybe they will still be there when you drift in.
Simon
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2 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
Arnd.WussingPosts: 6
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Hello Simon, I dropped José an e-mail on Saturday and haven't yet heard back. But we finally reached the halfway point from St. Kitts today, so there's still a while to go before we get there. I read that the ARC is underway from Bermuda, so I'll assume that Horta will get busy by the time we drift in. So far, it has been light winds and slow going. At least this catamaran is large and comfortable, and we have ample supplies, although we just consumed our last fruit and potatoes as they were in danger of going bad. I'm surprised at the amount of traffic visible on AIS out here; on my passages to and from the Caribbean from the U.S. northeast, there was a lot less.
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2 days ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 818
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Dick,
Can’t you just dial down the number of amps the charger (or charger/inverter) draws to stay below 10 amps?
As an aside we got caught out by the big amps that go through the shore power cable in the US. We were used our European 16 amp one until it quickly melted with half the volts and twice the amps. After that we always controlled the amps coming in using the charger inverter as we worried that our internal wiring wasn’t rated for high US amps (though I think they are rated to 32 amps).
Simon
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2 days ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
DickPosts: 411
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Hi Lisa,
We tried (and succeeded usually) when restricted to 10A shore power to keep Alchemy’s batteries powered-up which, for us, was all we needed as everything else worked off batteries.
The issue was the initial in-rush of amperage, needed to start the battery charger (bc) charging, would blow the circuit breaker (cb).
In an admittedly kluge-y way I did not like doing but usually worked, I would plug in and start the bc and a few seconds later the cb would blow. Doing this a few times and each time the inrush was lower as the battery bank started getting a bit of a surface charge and finally the in-rush amperage draw dropped below 10 amps and the bc kept going.
After that there was no boat load that demanded the bc compensate with over 10A.
It helps to do this right away after securing the boat as the batteries are charged from just motoring.
Less kluge-y, I also considered a small (under 10-amp draw) portable bc such as used by automobile owners. This could get the batteries going and charged and then the boat’s bc could take over. Never needed to go that far, but a better solution, I think, if in 10-amp territory for longer periods.
Good luck, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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2 days ago
Topic:
Sweden shore power
Lisa.LenhoffPosts: 3
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Friends,
Leaving Malmo, Sweden and heading to Norway we have discovered that about 2/3rds of the Marina's we've been in have 16amp connections but they are actually on 10amp breakers which is too small for our needs. Bummer!!!
~Lisa
edited by Lisa.Lenhoff on 27/05/2025
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3 days ago
Topic:
How to purchase a new burgee?
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 818
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Here is the link: https://members.oceancruisingclub.org/members/Shop
You will need to login as it is in the member’s area of the website
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3 days ago
Topic:
How to purchase a new burgee?
Lee.AdamsPosts: 1
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Hello all, we need to purchase a new OCC burgee and can not seem to access the UK merchandise shop.
How do we go about this please?
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5 days ago
Topic:
Thoughts on lifelines
DickPosts: 411
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Recently written
Thoughts on lifelines:
Vinyl covered lifelines are merely one of many maritime nods to fashion and ascetics which have significant down-sides (consider the 32-foot sailboat flogged for “sleeping six”).
The vinyl serves no nautical purpose: which should be a question considered of anything on a boat. Moreover, the vinyl makes difficult any sort of inspection and can hide corrosion. The covering can quickly become dirty and stained and need cosmetic attention and, depending on one’s sailing grounds, UV will sooner or later start to crack the plastic.
I believe those with boats that must adhere to racing rules are required to have uncoated lifelines: a significant nod to their wisdom.
Long ago I replaced these on my sailboat, Alchemy.
One of the benefits was that I was able to increase lifeline strength considerably by replacing the vinyl covered lifeline with uncovered wire the same diameter as the vinyl covered wire.
I also replaced the turnbuckles with lashings. Lashings allow quick and easy adjustability to the lifeline tension and are easily cut off with a handy knife to allow lowering the upper and lower lifelines to the deck and which could facilitate COB recovery. Lashings give early warning of UV deterioration and do not have the hassle of turnbuckles with their O-rings or cotter pins.
For areas where vinyl covering is wished for: say where jib sheets might rub/chafe, one can fit plastic shroud covers that are split for easy installation.
Bare wire is also far less visibly noticeable which I appreciate.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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6 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
Simon CurrinAdministrator Posts: 818
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Azores, Faial, Horta
José Azevedo
info@petercafesport.com
Office
+351 292 391 837
edited by simoncurrin on 23/05/2025
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6 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
Arnd.WussingPosts: 6
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Thanks for all the replies so far - they are very interesting indeed! I have to return to the "real world" shortly upon arrival, but Lincoln, the boat owner and skipper, is planning on exploring the islands before heading onwards. Perhaps I'll get a chance to do so when I sail my boat across, but since I'm an EU citizen and the boat is not VAT paid, I'm waiting until it depreciates a bit more before doing that.
We finally managed to catch some wind, our speed is no longer 3 knots but 8 knots, so the distant Azores seem so much closer already...
I don't use a Smarphone, and have looked at the main website to find José's contact information, but have failed to do so. Is it only available on an App?
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8 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
DickPosts: 411
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Found the following which I forgot I had done, DickAZORES
Alchemy Harbor notes, Azores, 2006
These notes were written by Dick and Ginger on Alchemy and reflect our personal likes and dislikes. Many reasonable people may differ. Our intention is for these notes to be a supplement to the regular guide books. There is some overlap, but if the guidebook says it all, I may not mention the port/anchorage at all. Please also notice the dates for which we are reporting conditions. The weather/crowds/ambience may be quite different at various times of the year or my notes may be quickly out of date; please send a quick email with changes.
Also, these notes are available to OCC members, but please refer any others to me and please do not share. I would hate to see them on Facebook or the like.
Thanks, Dick & Ginger, s/v Alchemy
The best advice we received when crossing the North Atlantic from W to E was to not treat the Azores as a fuel depot in the middle of the ocean. Those that gave the advice all later regretted that they had given the islands of the Azores so little time as, in hindsight, they were among the most beautiful and interesting destinations of their cruising life.
They were correct. We were there 2 months and so regretted leaving that we considered over-wintering. The following is all written from memory from our visit in 2006.
A couple of general notes. These are delightful islands with delightful people. The Portuguese people do not know how to cook fish badly, from the street vender to the finer restaurants. Wine is often “home brewed” and good. There are frequent religious festivals at seemingly regular, if random to my casual observation, times. These can be a visual masterpiece in designs and pictures done in laboriously collected colored flower petals covering the streets of the community. Then the festival parade majestically tramples them: a potent reminder of life’s impermanence, perhaps. Just amazing and not to be missed. Festivals are always accompanied by local bands/small orchestras which often include traditional dancing.
We visited eight of the islands and were lucky enough to arrive in June at the height of the colorful flowers for which these islands are justly renowned. The hydrangea hedges are by far the most striking. They serve the function of fences carving the islands in dense displays of color contrasting the fields and mountains of brilliant green and the (often) deep black volcanic rock. And approaching these islands from the water on a nice day is an experience that is likely to be a highlight of one’s cruising. When on the islands, the small towns and villages all hold interest and abound in small taverns where an interesting meal awaits. Then there are the calderas that dominate the interior of the islands which are of especial interest. Some are huge and well developed while others remain reminders of the volcanic violence that both created these islands and inflicted indiscriminate damage.
Some of the islands lend themselves to hiring a cab for a day—prices were not unreasonable. Most also offer a “round the island” perimeter bus which can be “hop-on, hop-off” and is a wonderful way to get acquainted with the island and to see some of the towns along the way. On other islands we rented a car or moped to explore.
Azoreans are quite creative in their public recreational opportunities. Pico, for example, has numerous picnic areas along their perimeter road all of which have artistically designed benches, chairs and table made of local materials that are just delightful. Perhaps their best offerings, available on many (perhaps all) islands are swimming areas. Now, this is not easy to do with the almost exclusively boulder-y and rocky shore that always has a good deal of swell to contend with. But they have succeeded. Strategically placed stainless steel ladders are embedded in the rock allowing for safe and easy entrance and exit from the water and the locations are chosen to allow for swimming protected by rock boulders or to go out to more open water. Just great fun and very refreshing and the designers were wise enough to provide fresh water showers.
Our first landfall was Flores (Lajes) and we anchored at night just off the wharf under the cliffs listening to the powerful calls of shearwaters nesting on the cliffs. Officials came to the wharf the next morning and forms were filled out on the hood of their car. The we walked up to “Paula’s” bar for a beer and pizza, which ended up being our “hang out” spot for the week we stayed at anchor there.
We were lucky with our weather as the anchorage is exposed to the east. No vessels stayed on the wharf while we were there; there was just too much movement even in this settled time. There were no pontoons/docks. Word of mouth reports seem to indicate that the pontoons installed in later years were less than successful and that vessels attached to them often chafed lines quickly.
Flores was a delight. With other cruisers we hired a taxi for a tour and set up some wonderful hikes where we were dropped off and picked up at our destination later (the NW quadrant if memory serves). While there we grabbed a “ferry” (small inflatable that also took us to see sperm whales) to Corvo, where we could poke around for a few hours.
Horta, Faial, was our next stop where we stayed a couple of weeks and added our “personal signal” in paint to the collection. For OCC member’s Peter’s café is a must (or for everyone). OCC members get free admission to the excellent upstairs scrimshaw museum. Renting motor scooters got us around. Do not miss the area where the eruption occurred: wild and desolate. The US provided easy emigration to the displaced and many settled in the Boston area.
Sao Jorge was difficult as there was no marina or good anchorage. We anchored just outside Velos under the cliffs and got a taxi to take us to a wonderful hike starting way up high and ending at a small tavern on the water where we had a great lunch and were picked up.
Graciosa was wonderful. I understand there might be a marina now, but we anchored easily (watch for a multitude of VW size boulders strew on the sand bottom). Graciosa’s smallness made it quite workable and they had a terrific “bullfight”: one of the best in the Azorean tradition (not gory or any animal abuse).
Pico we visited by ferry. We kept an eye on climbing, but clouds dominated the peak. We rented a car and found some lower altitude hiking; One involved a cave and a very large bull.
Terceira has 2 marinas, Angra do Heroismo had a lot of boat movement while Praia da Vitoria was a lot more protected. PV had a food festival going on that if you coincide with, consider yourself fortunate.
Sao Miguel had soil and rock in the caldera that you could cook your lunch in and some great hiking and a beautiful major city in Ponta Delgada (also the capital).
All of these islands are quite a delight and well reward poking around if you have time. All are volcanic, some recently active, and a little brushing up on volcano lore will enrich your visit. Finally, for those who are under Schengen visa restrictions, the clock has started.
Dick wrote:
And, by the way, welcome to the OCC! Dick
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8 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
DickPosts: 411
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And, by the way, welcome to the OCC! Dick
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8 days ago
Topic:
Looking for information about the Azores
DickPosts: 411
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Hi Again,
My wife reminds me that many have used our pictures and the captions (click on the "i" on the pic to get the captions) as guidance of good things to do while in the Azores. Her pics can be found at https://virginiastevenson.smugmug.com/. Scroll around to find the Azores. Dick
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