12/10/2025
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. |
14/10/2025
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 |
26/10/2025
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. |
02/11/2025
Topic:
Messenger line hack
Dick
|
Hi all,
A winter mast-up messenger line hack:
Removing one’s running rigging lines and replacing with messenger lines for the winter if your mast is left up is just wise.
I looked at my messenger lines waving in the breeze with some trepidation for years wondering how they would fare over a long and windy winter. And then, some random comment, led me to wrap the messenger lines multiple times spiral-like around whatever stay, shroud or rf foil was handy. This kept them well behaved, unlikely to chafe or to jump out of the sheave, etc. and much less likely to break with all the problems that follow from that.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
03/11/2025
Topic:
observation on flooding the cockpit
Dick
|
Hi all, an observation:
There is always concern about getting pooped. And, one might make a case for canoe sterns being more vulnerable as there is less reserve buoyancy so the stern might not rise to get above a following wave as a wider stern would. In numerous miles in boisterous conditions and large seas from the stern, Alchemy (a Valiant 42) has never taken a drop of water into the cockpit from the stern. But it has happened twice in my memory that we have had substantial (~~70+% filled) water flood the cockpit. Both times we were going fast on a beam-ish reach in moderate winds and swell and things lined up so we rolled into a wave which came sweeping down the leeward deck pretty much filling the cockpit.
I now consider this event statistically likely in those sailing conditions. Had we not had a seat-level bridgedeck, significant water would have sluiced below decks making for a big salty mess, but not anything dangerous. With the bridgedeck, the foot well was filled and we received a nice demo of the time it takes for the water to drain out. No water found its way below.
As an under-way habit all cockpit lockers are secured with a clip and, the latch being secured also compresses the gasket a bit.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
21/11/2025
Topic:
Chesapeake to UK Spring 2026
Dick
|
Hi Ken,
I suspect you are aware of the newly published CCA Essential Guide to the Viking Route. I was part of the group who wrote it. My wife and I did the VR from Europe to North America in 2017. Had the VR guide existed, it would have saved us well over a hundred hours in preparatory research in the year before we left and answered many of the questions that were difficult to get information on.
It was a great way to get across the Atlantic. We were not in “delivery mode” and spent most of the season in the crossing cruising the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland, before fetching up in Newfoundland: and then falling so in love that we stayed in the Canadian Maritimes for the next 3 years.
Come back with questions.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
21/11/2025
Topic:
Chesapeake to UK Spring 2026
Dick
|
Ken, Sorry for the redundancy, I just noticed that I had already replied to this stream. Dick |
29/12/2025
Topic:
Shetland Light Dues
Dick
|
Hi Lisa,
Understood.
Sometimes it is just better to up-anchor and move on.
Is there any mechanism within the OCC to explore and try to understand this seemingly random and arbitrary invocation of a fee?
Perhaps the Shetland Island’s PO could explore.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
17/01/2026
Topic:
fuel filters: A note for skippers going to sea for
Dick
|
A note for those going to sea for the first time (or it has been a while):
Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy 01-26
An often-ignored preparation for boats going to seas is to be ready for an event that is actually fairly hard to ensure will not occur. The best preparation is to have the skipper, boat and supplies ready to react: somewhat like being prepared for a flooding event.
I am referring to the boat’s primary fuel filters becoming clogged and stalling the engine.
Many of us have casual habits around our fuel and their tank(s) (and this can occur even with diligent habits). We pride ourselves on sailing everywhere thereby not using our fuel up and letting it sit for long periods. We do not “polish” our fuel, generally. And we are not religious about the fuel treatments that contribute to our fuel staying clean.
The above may be fine in coastal cruising, but open ocean passage-making is just an exponential increase in boat movement (hard to imagine until experienced), especially if boisterous conditions are encountered. What happens is that the agitated fuel in the tanks get thrown at the walls of the tank where “bad stuff” (technical term) loosely adheres and all gets stirred up eventually finding its way to the primary fuel filter.
Enough “yuck” and the primary slows fuel delivery to the engine and it slows and eventually stalls.
I am not convinced that fuel polishing/cleaning operations actually get (or can get) to the walls of the tank to scour them and ensure clean fuel. The best we as skippers can do is prepare for the possibility of a clogged primary filter. To this end changing a filter on the fly is good to plan for and practice.
Changing primary filters on the fly is made far easier by the installation of a dual filter assembly such as the dual Racor filter assembly.* This assembly makes the changing of filters a mere flip of a valve. This isolates the clogged filter making it easy and far less messy to change.
In addition, the dual Racor filter assembly has a vacuum gauge which can give early warning of a clogging filter.** Some assemblies also provide an option of early warning of water accumulation in the fuel.
Finally, there is little down-side at carrying a lot of filters. When Alchemy left for extended cruising, we carried 10+ primary filters***
* A dual Racor fuel filter assembly (from memory mine is a 500MA using 2010TM 10 micron filters) and looks just like this: https://www.go2marine.com/75500MAX30-Marine-500-Turbine-Fuel-Filter-WS-Shielded-Bowl-30-Micron_2?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21119200762&gbraid=0AAAAAD_v3nHU-bjxSZ2Cs6yMieBtMktqt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoZbBBhDCARIsAOqMEZWkSL1iZG3_RriYLFnPDp1osVPcYrdzbkW-tRGWlXEzF7sYTXNqdVsaApfLEALw_wcB
**A vacuum gauge is also recommended for vessels with a single primary fuel filter just by placing one in the fuel line for its ability to provide early warning. Descriptions of its use and guidance for installation can be found at Steve D’Antonio’s web site (https://stevedmarineconsulting.com/) and search for the articles (among many other useful articles) in his E-Magazine.
One of the observations made about vacuum gauges is that one can change filters when there is shown to be a rise in pressure indicating that the filter is loading up. I have never done this (or needed to) and tend to change to a new filter once a year which, when cruising full time, often had me using a filter for 250 up to 500 hours. I am not sure whether there is a “recommended” interval as there is for oil filters: hard to do with the quality of fuel potentially varying widely. Because I “polish” my fuel regularly, my filters emerge pretty clean with no build-up of yuck and not even overly darkened element.
*** My Racor primary filter uses 2010TM filters which are easier to store (as much smaller) than spin on filters and are less expensive. They are smaller and take up less space: important as for widely wandering boats who might get bad fuel have lots of spare filters can be crucial. I carried ten when cruising remote areas, in part for the fuel quality when we purchased diesel from 55g steel tanks that were often rusty and old. |
27 days ago
Topic:
Pressure fresh water system/winterization
Dick
|
j2matthews wrote:
Our boat Grayce,1989, Niagara 42 #20. Reaching out for ideas re: the pressure water system. The plumbing is pex pipe with various appropriate connectors & fittings. Specifically we are looking to streamline/simplify the section between the water tanks and accumulator tank. (Note we are able to access our two water tanks, manually clean, and leave empty/dry for the winter haul out season). We currently have a collection of twist fittings that allow the system to be opened to winterize the pressure side without involving the 2 water tanks, a plus. However, the twist fitting section is cumbersome. Our goal would be to have a system that would allow for draining and winterization without breaking the connection as has been done for years. We are thinking of using a T connector and a 1/4 valve arrangement. We would welcome any input and creative solutions. Regrettably, no pictures as the boat is in a different location.
Jim/Joanne Matthews |
27 days ago
Topic:
Pressure fresh water system/winterization
Dick
|
Hi Jim & Joanne,
Pex is, in many ways, a good way to direct water around a boat, RV etc.: certainly as a backbone. But, it does not lend itself easy manipulation. For example: on my RV where the plumbing is pex, there is one area where the designers knew that the owner would need to access regularly to winterize. So rather than use pex, the builder T’d in a piece of hose with a ¼ turn on/off valve whose flexibility allowed it to get into anti-freeze bottles. Many pex installs have hose where a bit of flexibility is wished for.
On Alchemy, hose connections, both putting on and taking off, are easy using a heat gun.
So, with 2 connection hose changes I isolate my water heater while retaining pressure integrity and allow it to drain.
Both tanks have T’s which allow them to drain into the bilge.
I then take the hose off the domestic water distribution manifold going to the pump and plop it into the anti-freeze bottle and run water at the sinks and shower until pink shows.
A variation on this should work for you, but will likely entail using a piece or 2 of hose.
Come back with questions.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
23 days ago
Topic:
Pressure fresh water system/winterization
Dick
|
j2matthews wrote:
Good morning Dick,
Thank you for getting back to us so quickly and helping with ideas for a solution to construct a more user friendly system. You might remember a few years ago you helped us with some design/size parameters for our asymmetrical spinnaker. I believe you also introduced us to Chris Wentz at Z Sails for that and other subsequent projects.....all much appreciated.
We like your recommendations for some flexible water line, t-fitting and a ball valve between the tanks and the pressure side of the fresh water system. This will be easier to operate at winterizing time and also be easier for someone other than us to figure out. We are able to access the tops of the water tanks, dry them out completely and drain the supply lines.....no antifreeze in the tanks. A more flexible supply line with a valve will simplify winterizing without breaking the supply lines open.
We store Grayce at New England Boatworks in the winter season. Southern New England affords nice cruising in June and then we head for Maine usually until early/mid September. Summertime on the Maine coast is wonderful.
Where are you and Alchemy these days....you also mentioned an RV?
Cheers,
Jim and Joanne Matthews
S/V Grayce Niagara 42 #20 |
23 days ago
Topic:
Pressure fresh water system/winterization
Dick
|
Hi Jim and Joanne,
Glad my thoughts were helpful and pleased to hear about the asym. Sad news you may have already heard: Chris Wentz passed away a while back, but Z Sails is still in good hands and should still have the plans for Alchemy’s “offshore asym” to work from.
We expect to wind up a few seasons in the Great Lakes this year and head back to the CA and US East Coast next season.
We remain “homeless”—and committed to that state splitting our year, very roughly, between sailing, RVing (mostly taking us hiking the SW deserts and mountains) and visiting children and grandchildren.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
21 days ago
Topic:
sail cloth choice
Dick
|
Hi all,
The following are my thoughts on sail cloth choice. These thoughts are written primarily for the cruising skipper who cares about performance, but is not a fanatic or racer, and who takes advantage of his/her sail shape controls as well as wanting his/her boat moving right along by likely having a feathering or folding prop and who keeps the boat’s bottom clean.
My personal context:
I am not a racer. I have a great sailing boat and I like to sail well and not be compromised. I have a feathering prop, I keep the bottom clean and over the years have, by casual observation, been able to sail (and chosen to sail) when others have put on their motor. Part of that is having good sails and, in casual observation, I have bought new sails a couple of years sooner than most. I am also willing to sail in light air as long as I am sailing and I am willing to spend a bit extra to ensure that my primary propulsion system is in good working order.
For much of the last 20+ years I have cruised 4-8 months a year probably averaging 5,000 miles per year. Our mainsail is always covered by an opaque cover (not regular Sunbrella).
Why good sails matter:
Good sail shape means fast sails, less heeling/more comfort and good pointing (perhaps 3-5 degrees or more): wind/gusts get translated into drive and not heeling and is easier on the autopilot. It likely is a rare occurrence, but sailing out of trouble (lee shore) might be called for.
With regards to Dacron sails
With Dacron sails, in my experience, I start to notice deteriorating sail shape as early as ~~3 years give or take: not really a big deal, but I am starting to feel a little itchy. At ~~4-6 years I am wanting new sails and trying to decide the tipping point between budget, sail performance, and personal tolerance for compromise: all while living with sailcloth that clearly has many years left to it. It is my take that most cruisers continue with sails longer than I could tolerate and pay the price with compromised performance, increased heeling, and decreasing reliability. That said, most still get to their destination and they clearly have more money in their cruising kitty.
And, I have had sails re-cut and tucks taken (no botox) and sometimes that has been worth doing, and sometimes not. All re-cuts were moderately costly (skilled labor is expensive and the job is mostly labor).
So, it follows that I did not want Dacron as its shape becomes too quickly compromised: This can be a hard decision as the sail cloth and stitching are in no way “worn out” and it can be tempting toput off new sails and just tolerate compromised performance.
With regard to laminates:
For years I had laminate sails and was quite pleased. They kept their shape well and lasted reasonably well. My only complaint was that it was hard, over the years, to keep them from folding in the same folds which contributed to laminate damage at the creases and repair necessary. This only occurred in their last years of life. Less important was the mold that accumulated at the seams: cosmetic for sure, but unsightly.
Recommendation:
Aimed at the performance-oriented cruising boat skipper who plans to keep his/her sails for a while.
HydraNet Radial sail cloth used for sails designed for the best use of the cloth’s properties: weight and strength, and then constructed radially.
For me, the important considerations were that the cloth promised long life with good sail shape. I also wanted a woven cloth that would dry as I was in the UK where life is frequently wet/damp. HN cloth has a high weight to strength ratio.
The above is achieved by using Dyneema in the weave.
HN’s only drawback is that it is extremely slippery making repair a challenge and usually demands stitching. In personal experiments, Dr. Sails, a 2 part epoxy, worked well. That said, my experience and the reports from other skippers is that field repairs, or any sort of repairs, are rare. I also carry some very aggressive double sided tape, but, fortunately, have yet to have call to put it to use.
Personal experience:
I had a suit of sails (main, staysail, jib topsail) made from HydraNet Radial (there are different types of HydraNet cloth) in the UK in 2012 which we now have used for ~~11 seasons (covid stole 1½ years and illness one other) which includes one higher latitude Atlantic crossing and maybe 18,000 miles give or take a couple thousand. In this time, there has been only one repair: operator error and not the sail’s fault. I consider the sail shape still as good as new and suspect there are years of life left
Cost
I see comments about longevity of sails and comments about expenditure. Longevity really needs to be defined and defining is not easy. Longevity for me is how long the sails do the job and doing the job is dependent on good sail shape. Expenditure is basically how long a sail keeps its shape: usually measured in years, but probably more accurately measured in sea miles under sail.
I am now using, and happy with, HydraNet Radial sails that have lasted twice as long as I would have been happy with Dacron sails and 30% longer than my laminate sails lasted. The end is not in sight, so I expect that the sails will last a few more seasons at least: perhaps longer. This seems in-line with friends and other skippers who have HN sails.
Finally:
More specifically, I am getting clear that sail cloth choice is one area where you can have your cake and eat it to. I already have a lot of years (9-11 seasons) and a lot of miles (~~18,000 perhaps) on my HydraNet Radial sails and their shape is still as new. I would guess I am maybe a bit over half way through their life. So, I believe that you can have excellent sails of HydraNet and save money over Dacron in the long run, because Dacron sails would not come close to retaining their shape.
A note about sail lofts:
Sail lofts sometimes have their own in-house cloth which they, of course, wish to build sails with and they also sometimes have relationships with sail cloth makers that induce them to push a certain cloth. It is my understanding that HN cloth can be sourced by any sailmaker making the choice clean of potential bias.
Sail lofts are often manned by sales people who come to the job from racing and are ignorant of the practices and concern of cruising sailors. In this way there is a bias toward speed which can (and has) led to recommendations that may not be best for a cruising sailor: say sail cloth choice. (This most often occurs when these sales people recommend light air sails that are far larger than most cruising couples want to grapple with: especially offshore.)
And, not all sailmakers have experience designing and working with HNR cloth, so do research into the loft.
Come back with questions, thoughts, comments.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy |
19 days ago
Topic:
Pressure fresh water system/winterization
Dick
|
j2matthews wrote:
Good morning Dick......thanks for the update on your travels and whereabouts. There is a lot to be said for being able to roam around and go where your hearts desire for however long you choose. Our land base for many years has been Pensacola FL .....something new may be not too far off. A bit more exploring without the drag of a home and maintenance and so on.
Yes, sadly we heard of Chris Wentz passing away. So glad we got to work with him on the sails for Grayce that we continue to enjoy. His insights, experience and knowledge were impressive.
Thanks again for your thoughts on our water project. We enjoy keeping our older boat in good working order and looking smart. After a few projects at commissioning this year we will be off on another season of northeast cruising and gathering with our friends who are out doing the same.
Cheers....Jim and Joanne |
19 days ago
Topic:
Pressure fresh water system/winterization
Dick
|
Hi Jim & Joanne,
We get to Pensacola every few years, so do not be surprised to get a phone call. I would be fun to have a meal together.
My best, Dick |