John Torelli of Riverside, CA, asks:
The daily reports on weather, progress and performance are great, keep them up. What was your basis for determining which systems would have back-ups for this journey? How would your decision process differ for coastal crusing?
Jim Leishman responds:
The
need for backups is based upon common sense and past experience.
We have the back-ups which are essential to safety and operation,
such as back-up GPS and a back-up computer with software pre-loaded
and tested for navigation. We have a back up inverter to insure
that if our primary fails we can get another on line to run refrigeration
and the computer -- without having to rely on the generator. We
have extra alternators (alternator failures are fairly common) to
insure we can produce DC current to keep the batteries up and drive
the inverter. Then we have essential engine spares such as an extra
starter motor, engine belts, a water pump rebuild kit and extra
coupling bolts. We have an extra steering ram, a steering pump and
high pressure hydraulic hoses in case of a hose failure. For coastal
cruising - like Alaska, Mexico, Panama, Caribbean and East Coast
- I would not feel compelled to bring as many spare parts. Part
of our needs are unique as we are trying minimize delays on the
ATW. If we have a part failure it could mean a lost week sitting
somewhere waiting for a replacement.