17 days ago Topic: 12V panel replacement Dick	Hi Tim, Are you planning to do the works yourself? Putting in a 12v panel with breakers can be pretty straightforward, but I wonder whether your concern is undoing what sounds like an unusual electrical design that causes regular problems. It is not easy, and probably unwise, to work on a boat’s electrical system without schematics. I would start by developing a schematic for your present DC system and then move on to designing your new 12v system with breakers. Schematics allow you to do the bulk of the thinking work ahead of time and will save many hours in the long run. While doing so read a couple of the excellent books on marine electrical design and work practices. Both are excellent winter projects. But, in particular, get a copy of ABYC’s standards (they have a reduced rate for boat owners) or the EU equivalent. My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy Come back with any specific questions.
15 days ago Topic: Social Media for nostalgics (SSB) Dick	Hi Simon, A wonderfully written appreciation: thanks for sharing. Alchemy’s passage -making has often been made to feel less isolated by our SSB skeds with other vessels going a similar direction. It should be noted that some of the nets, particularly some of the weather nets, are done on SSB Amateur (Ham) radio frequencies (at least the last time I paid attention) the license for which is very much easier to obtain now that Morse Code proficiency is greatly reduced. My best, Dick Stevenson, KC2HKW, WCZ7717
3 days ago Topic: Chesapeake to UK Spring 2026 Dick	Hi Chris and Phillip, A few words on the Northern route below; The route you are contemplating has a wealth of suggestions as it is so commonly done: I believe I used Jimmy Cornell’s World Passage book along with articles on the subject. There is a lot out there. The big question is how early to leave and still ensure (or make least likely) having a hurricane join you. The best advice we received was not to treat the Azores as just a “fuel depot” mid-ocean. So, we spent the season crossing and spent 6 weeks in Bermuda, almost 3 months in the Azores visiting 8 of the 9 islands (just fabulous) before fetching up in Portugal in late September or so. Feel free to come back with questions. My best, Dick Stevenson. s/v Alchemy The Atlantic Canadian Maritimes are, indeed, wonderful cruising. An alternative: a west>east Northern route to Europe (CA, Greenland, Iceland, Faroes, Scotland/Europe) is covered in the new “CCA Essential Passage Guide to the Viking Route” (as is the more commonly accomplished east>west Viking route) along with a wealth of guidance on sailing northern waters. There is also a new edition of the CCA’s cruising guide to Newfoundland as well as updates/new editions in the works or accomplished to CCA guides to the Canadian Maritime waters (Nova Scotia, Labrador, the Gulf of St. Lawrence). Over 3-4 years, I spent 4+ months each season cruising this area and did the Viking route on a return to North America in 2017.

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