Adds, Deletes and Changes
This is a list of stuff we have bought/made for Pilgrim and what happened to it..
2019
2018
2017
2015
2014
1 IPad Air and Garmin software added to reduce navigation computer power requirements
2 Lifeproof case and mounting cradle added to iPad
3 Solar regulator to allow 2x 85w panels to power fans while in storage
4 Forward sheaves for mizzen to allow addition of wind generator haul up halyard
5 Speedseal impeller cover
6 Pancake fans with fluid bearings
7 Added 12 v solar regulator for fans while cruising
8 Water manifold replaced
9 Oil pressure switch connected to solenoid to power stuff when engine is running
10 Bilge blower added to solenoid to run whenever engine is on
11 Reversed direction of blower to force air into ref/freezer compressor compartment
12 KISS wind generator sent to be rebuilt
13
LED tri-light built and added to main masthead ... failed after 3 months
14 Replaced both heads due to ongoing backflow problems
15 Replaced fresh water pump due continuous backflow problems
16 Updated C Map charts
2013
1 Caribbean courtesy flags (custom via Jane/Sailrite)
a. Adhesive not strong enough on sail fabric material
2 Waterproof storage box for V berth (Brian/custom)
3 Chafe protection (Davis)
a. A real winner
4 Saltwater wash down on aft
5 Life raft solar blanket
6 Replacement breakers for electrical panel
7 Forward hatch leak repaired
8 Freezer reinsulated and drainage system installed
9 Crepe pan – hard to find one these days
10 Water manifold materials
11 Nav computer and 12 v power supply. When the power supply was plugged into the computer and the 4 port converter attached sparks flew in all directions from the USB connection. Seems that the power supply uses a floating ground so that the tip voltage to ships ground was 31 volts (power supply 19v plus 12v supply). Needless to say the computer fried. The power supply was a Universal car adapter sold by Radio Shack and comes with many tips and a USB charging socket. Don’t use the supply unless you power all attached devices from the power supply USB port
12 4 port serial to USB converter. Works even after being overvoltaged by the 12 V power supply.
13 Drinking water filter replaced. Came without the cleaning pad.
14 Ronca anchor and 200 feet of 3/8 BBB chain, new swivel.
15 Replaced all interior floods with Philips AccentLED LEDs
16 Refrigeration checked … no problem found
17 Furler added to staysail. Sail recut for roller
a. Works like a charm … we now use the staysail
18 Heat exchanger replaced on engine
19 Expansion tank header and pressure cap replaced, oil cooler replaced at 3311.3 hrs
20 Coolant replaced
21 Main sail bag zipper replaced
22 New 60 foot spring line
23 New fender boots
24 2 heaving line bags
25 AIS transponder from ACR replaces AIS receiver from NASA
a. Don’t leave home without one
26 Solar vent replaced in aft head
27 Fish finder from Garmin – cut the transducer wire to make it longer – wrong – ordered new transducer and extension cables – costly mistake
28 Pancake fans in V upper shelves, replaced one under bunk in aft
a. Buy only ones with ball bearings or fluid bearings
29 Mattress turned
30 Spare main halyard removed due to jamming
a. The sheaves were installed in the wrong slots and were too far back from the exit that caused the wire to cut the mast at the exit into a marlin spike
31 Genoa and staysail furler lines routed to interior Spinlok
32 Perko Lock Set to replace V berth door unit
33 OpenCPN configured to upload to garmin and Standard Horizon
34
New US vector and raster charts downloaded
35
Prop shaft and coupler replaced due to lobster pot pickup in Maine
36
Line cutter added to prop shaft
2012
1. TriStar-45 Solar System Controller to replace the C-40 that failed. This unit is used to divert excess power from the KISS wind generator to the hot water heater when the batteries are fully charged.
a. After 4 months of use I have the following observations:
i. Hard to coordinate charge settings with an alternator and/or battery charger
ii. Installed an LED on the divert line to remotely show when the unit was diverting
2. Taco Luma LED Deck light to replace our mizzen spreader deck light that fell apart during our last crossing.
a. Great coverage and only draws 0.2 amps.
b. Lost 6 LEDs over the winter 2012.
3. Philips AccentLED (replaces a 10w T3 Halogen) for our mizzen backup anchor light. We have a repaired Dr LED on the main mast that we will compare light output and colour with.
a. The Philips unit draws less than 0.1 amp and is brighter (at 200 feet) than the Dr LED which draws 0.1 amp. Colour temperature is the same
4. Perko Lock Set to replace the original lockset on the forward head. The white metal interior parts had totally corroded.
5. Kidde CO detector (battery operated) to replace the current Guardian CO detectors which fail after 1 year.
6. Harken 150 Cam-Matic cleats with the X-Tream Angle Fairlead to replace a set of Spinlocks which failed during our last crossing.
7. Nikon 55-300 mm lens to backup the repaired 18-200 mm lens that stopped focusing. I’m looking for a backup D80 body as well.
a. 55-300 zoom is VERY slow to focus but is small and light for a 300mm. The 18-200 is showing sighs of front lens failure again …. Back to the shop in the fall. Swapped the D60 for a 5100 and the D70s for a D80 … I’m happy with the change.
8. Canon SX130 as backup to the video camera and Nikon SLR. I swore that I would never buy another Canon but at $140 for a 12x optical, 12 megapixel HD capable point and shoot that uses AA’s how could I resist.
a. Should have resisted … sharpness poor and colour saturation pathetic.
9.
Internet
amplified antenna from Bitstorm failed due to a missing
gasket allowing the unit to fill with water and short out. Once the unit was
replaced and sealed from water intrusion it worked perfectly. Badboy needs to commended for
their service and technical support. The unit continued to work flawlessly during
2012.
10. Newport
Diesel Furnace … fuel needle valve leaking (new in 2005) … need to carry spares
… A new valve unit costs $200 but a repair kit for units made before 2005 is
available for $100. The unit has been repaired and is ready for testing.
11.
The
main sea chest Vetus s/s strainer basket has finally
worn through and I have not found a replacement. Repaired with high temp
sealant (red) since I’m interested to see what sea water does to it (copper in
silicon on s/s).
12.
Chainplates removed, inspected, 4 replaced repolished and installed with water diverters
2011
1. Dr LED anchor light on top of the
main mast failed immediately. Jane went up the mast to replace it with a
standard bulb but the led came apart preventing its removal. We ended up
without an anchor light on the masthead as a result. Backup lighting was used
instead. A backup anchor light will be installed on the mizzen and some garden
lights with replacement super bright LEDs will be used at deck level. The Dr
LED unit was pried from the mount and repaired.
2. Stainless steel swivel for the
anchor lost the retaining bolt even though it was installed with Locktite. If you can’t use seizing wire it doesn’t belong
on your anchor. Replaced with Stainless Steel shackle and seizing wire.
3. A standard Windex flew off the mast
in 50 knots. The reason for the failure has not been determined since all the
parts are in the ocean.
4. Nikon: 18-200 Update – The Nikon
18-200 zoom lens continues to have a bad habit of not autofocusing between
30-55 mm (poor performance for a $700 lens). Dealer recommended constant
cleaning to keep the units working – doesn’t work. Image quality is not as
sharp as expected in fact it can be quite muddy at times even if the filter is
kept spotless. I spoke with a number of other 18-200 owners in Europe. ALL had
the same issues with lens creep, autofocus issues and lack of sharpness.
Finally failed totally in 2011. The unit has been shipped to Nikon for repair.
5. Standard Horizon CP300i Chartplotter
a. I bought the unit to replace a
Garmin V and PC setup (that still work perfectly) to bring the chart image
closer to the helm. Big mistake. The Chart plotter has Newtonian rings on the
display during the day and the screen brightness can’t be varied during the
night (night mode is far too bright to be usable and the display is unfocused
during the day). If you ask the system to show the track the GPS position
randomly resets to garbage which causes spikes in the track line and randomly
takes you to the garbage location. The unit loves to randomly reset the zoom
level sometimes even returns you to where you started. I have sent a request to
Standard Horizon and hope they will respond. The unit would provide a great
navigation aid if only it were stable.
WASS is NOT enabled.
b. Update: 2009:
i.
I
contacted Standard Horizon US and was told to return the unit to the place of
purchase (England). Standard Horizon in England told me to return the unit to
the place of purchase if I wanted any warrantee work done. In other words I
would have to sail from Sweden back to Ipswich, England to get the unit
repaired. Pity.
ii.
I
spoke with the Standard Horizon folks at the Toronto boat show. They turned me
over to the C-Map folks at the show since the CP300i software is supported by
C-Map. The C-Map folks told me to call the USA tech line and ask to borrow a
software update cartridge which needs to be returned. I’ll update the entry
once all this is done.
c. Update 2010:
i.
The
tech line wanted $150 deposit before they would ship the card so nothing was
done. In September the unit toggle failed and stuck in the downward position
rendering the unit unusable. We managed to navigate using a backup PC (IBM 600)
and Garmin GPS (they rarely fail). The CP300i was shipped back to the repair
facility in England. They have replaced the keyboard and keyboard pc board. It
will be tested next April when Pilgrim goes back into the water.
d. Update 2011:
i.
The
unit sort of works. It will fail to start at times unless you power up without
a card installed. Once the unit is powered up the card can be reinserted and
things work. I would not recommend this unit.
2010
1
Ipod Touch – We purchased the 30GB version to hold
music, audio books, podcasts, medical programs and lots of lists. It was an upgrade
from the Palm Workpad which served us well for a
decade. The transition was and is still difficult. The Touch is geared towards
single track music not opera (sequential playing of multiple CDs), games not
data storage (no sudirectory support for notes or
photos). The separate alpha/numeric keyboards are difficult to use when trying
to input passwords or list data. Internet access is poor even with a strong
signal. It can’t be used for navigation since there is no GPS or serial/USB
interface. Web browsing is difficult due to the small screen size. Better to
get an open IPhone if they only supported standard size SIM cards. The new IPad
looks cool but would it survive an Atlantic crossing.
2
Xantrex 40 Amp Battery Charger, Xantrex
Echo Charger both units installed in 2003 both failed in 2009. Fuses remained
intact but internal components were found to be melted and/or burned. Aside
from unit failure they could have created a fire situation.
3
2
Trojan T105 Batteries (installed in 2003) replaced with Deka
Promaster GC15 batteries in 2009. The other 2 Trojans T105s have also been
removed and were replaced with Dekas in 2010
4
IBM
T40 laptop
a. The unit was bought as a
reconditioned off lease unit and works well except for the USB ports. One USB
port has totally failed and the other one is marginal. A MB replacement which
would fix the problem costs more than a reconed
laptop. Using a port replicator is not an option since the USB port is slow
(V1) and more than 2 devices overloads it. I bought it to replace a T30 that
has a serial port but needs a new MB.
b. Don’t buy a laptop without V2 USB
ports or better still buy a unit with a serial port if you have a serial port
GPS.
c. End of an era … we are now using
netbooks (acer Aspire one … 2GB, 250GB … S7 starter (boo)) for personal use and
a T60 for navigation software. The T60 WiFi card is
broken so it is a perfect fit for the nav station.
2009
1
Added electric fuel pump
to centre tank to speed up fuel transfer rate, new printer, new T43 since both
600s are broken, Yagi antenna for Internet, Nikon D170S, two new 6 volt
batteries to replace damaged Trojans, new standoffs for main sheet blocks,
redesigned aft mooring line arrangement to ease deployment , new refurbished
GPS, new enclosure, new cushions
2
IBM
T43 Thinkpad – First went the USB ports then went the
PCMCIA dock. I had to install a docking station to regain use of the USB ports.
The T40 and T30 failed in much the same manner. The systems were powered via a
regulated 12v supply made for the T series so it is not a matter of dirty
power. I suspect that corrosion due to salt in the air has more to do with it.
We are now left with a flaky T43, a pair of semi functioning 600s. Hope they
will last till we get Pilgrim back to North America. I had a look at some
Netbooks but they seem very flimsy and may not survive a crossing. Picked up an
ASUS netbook for email in England. Works perfectly but is slow due to limited
memory and Windows 7 starter limitations. Replaced the 1GB memory with a 2GB
stick and started using the SD card as a paging cache device (ReadyBoost) and picked up a second unit for Brian.
3
Powerpulse and Solargizer
battery conditioners have not proven effective. I can’t prove they don’t work
but I can’t prove they do either.
4
Canon
A570
a. I seem to be having no end of
problems with Canon cameras. The A570 started to show unfocused spots on the
pic. I sent it in for warrantee repair only to have it returned without the
focus working … but luckily the out of focus pics didn’t show any spots. I
bought the camera with an underwater case, a very expensive purchase since the
case will not fit any other Canon camera. The camera is no longer sold and is
unavailable in Toronto. Don’t buy an underwater case unless you buy at least 2
cameras that fit the case. I have given up on Canon and have switched to Nikon.
5
Nikon:
D70s/D60 2009 Update – Remove the lens every week to clean the electrical
contacts and check the sensor for dust. The Nikon 18-200 zoom lens has a bad
habit of not autofocusing between 30-55 mm (poor performance for a $700 lens).
Dealer recommended constant cleaning to keep the units working.
2008
1.
Added 2 new 12 volt deep
cycle batteries for refrigeration, new printer, two new starter batteries,
Finnish propane tank and fittings, propane tank switch over unit, hook for use
with stern moorings, installed hooks on bow and stern mooring lines, cut mizzen
boom, new mizzen sail, replaced sliders on main, new transmission
2. Ball valve on holding tank discharge
outlet has seized (6 years old). I have not found a way to break it free. At
least with tapered valves you could loosen the business end and whack it with a
hammer. So much for modern technology
a. Random failures, weak transmission
modulation, random squelch failure. All of the problems turned out to be a bad
cable at the mic end. The unit was taken back to the retailer who sent it back
to ICOM who said they repaired it. The unit failed within an hour. I took the
mic head apart and found a couple of bad wires in the molded cable end. This
was a manufacturing defect that was not properly diagnosed or repaired by the
retailer/manufacturer.
b. The radio was replaced with an ICOM
422 and Commander II mic. Both units have worked well.
a. The pump was installed with a filter
and was used to pump water from the low spot on top of the center fuel tank to
the bilge. The pump ran for less than an hour in total (5 minutes at a time)
before failure. The motor would run but the unit would not develop a vacuum. I
dismantled the pump head and found no contamination or debris. Cause of problem
is still unknown and the pump has been replaced with a manual unit for a lot
less money.
a. 30 GB IPOD will not work from the
internal battery after becoming being exposed to a salt water environment. The
unit works if left in the charger. The IPOD did not get wet and was in its
case. It turns out that the problem was a dead battery (lasted 6 months). The
battery was replaced and the new one failed in 5 months. The unit has been
confined to the condo in a charger. We are now trying out an Ipod Touch to see if we have any better luck on the boat.
a. E18 errors if there is any dampness
in the air. The camera works well if warm or in a very dry environment … not
great for Ireland or England.
a. Carry LOTS of spare parts. We have 2
active units on Pilgrim. They all leak after 6 months of use. The repair kits
are available free in Canada but not to be found elsewhere. I have replaced the
galley unit with a Moen ceramic cartridge faucet and it has worked well for the
last year. I’ll be replacing the other 2 Deltas as required with spare Moens.
a. I hate to say it but the Garmin GPS
units I have been using have finally failed. The GPS II + still collects data
but the display is missing lines … ok if interfaced with a laptop which is how
I am now using it. This unit came with the boat.
b. The GPS V is very erratic and like
the Standard Horizon will put us randomly in the Middle East thus screwing up
the track facility. Luckily the Garmin and Standard Horizon seem to fail at
different times. This unit works well in every other respect BUT I can’t depend
on the location data for anchor watch or even a consistent track. This unit was a reconditioned model bought 2
years ago. WASS is NOT enabled in case you know about the WASS problem.
2007
1
Added a transparent vent
tube to the centre fuel tank to allow visual inspection of fill level while
refueling
2
Added additional
stanchion supported 3 inch tubes to provide storage for boat hooks/rods etc.
3
Made a fish cleaning
platform that overhangs the transom
4
Made sun screens for the
full enclosure
5
NASA AIS receiver –
replaced in 2013 with AIS transponder
6
Standard Horizon chart
plotter – many failures … not recommended
7
Sanyo
Xacti – The camera is rated for a 5 foot immersion.
Trust me … there is no leeway. At 5 foot 2 inches it leaked like a sieve.
Luckily the card survived so I could watch the death throws.
2006
1
Added 406 EPIRB/GPS
2
ICOM M800 marine SSB
3
ICOM
422 VHF
4
Life raft
5
Replaced stern life line
with s/s tube
6
Inspected chain plates
and standing rigging (4 shrouds replaced)
7
Added bookshelves
8
Replaced portholes with
stainless steel
9
Added handholds in main
cabin
10
Reinforcing fiberglass on
the keel
11
Removed the forward water
tank and reworked the area for the main anchor chain, a spare anchor and a
water maker / desalinator
12
Added grounding to the
mizzen and main shrouds
13
Replace windlass
14
Rebuilt the rudder
15
Added structural
reinforcement to mizzen support
16
Added “zincs-in-a-bag”
for use in hot marinas
17
Kingston
Davits – We Bent the tube on the port side with a 9.5 foot inflatable and had
to have braces welded on to keep them from collapsing. The turning blocks on
the tube ends chafe through the lines if there is any side-to-side motion of
the dink. Kingston was willing to replace a tube at 75% of the full price of
the unit. We replaced the Davits in Annapolis with ones made by Kato. Superb.
They even hold the dink with motor.
18
And a bunch of other
stuff to make life easier … enjoy life …
we plan to …
19
Flashlights
a. 7 LED Streamlight
4AA made by Streamlight Inc failed due to salt water
intrusion into the switch assembly. The unit was supposed to be waterproof and
certified for use in hazardous conditions. The switch can be bypassed and the
unit can be turned on/off by screwing in the lamp element.
b. LED headlight assembly 2 red and 3
white LEDS, unknown make but has Carolina on the headband, switch failure
prevents use of white LEDs.
c. Fox 40 dinghy kit contains a
flashlight that uses steel components. Guess what … they rust. Check the
flashlight every month. The case is not watertight so don’t leave it in the
bottom of the dink.
2004, 2005
1.
Ground tackle upgraded
with chain rode, added a 60 lb. CQR to the existing 45 lb. CQR – replaced chain
and 60 Ib anchor in 2013, sold 45 Lb anchor
2.
Second anchor hawser
added, stern anchor mount
3.
Wind generator (Kiss)
4.
SSB radio (Icom 706MkIIG), TNC (Pactor),
Antenna tuner (ICOM), SSB 23 foot whip antenna
5.
Second VHF radio and
backup antenna
6.
Boarding ladder moved …
moved back to aft in 2013
7.
Wind steering (auto-helm)
… removed in 2012
8.
Smart controller and high
power alternator
9.
240-120 transformer
10.
Refrigeration replaced with
EZ-Cold units (air/water- 12v)
11.
New main sail (Quantum),
new 130% Genoa (Quantum), modified mizzen (Quantum), boom modified to “Park
Avenue” style
12.
Inflatable dinghy (Achillies) which we did not like and therefore added a Boatex hard dinghy, which we love, outboard motor (Mercury)
5 HP which we detest
13.
Two 865 watt solar panels
(BP)
14.
North Sea survival suits
15.
New cushions in main
cabin
2003
1.
Fuel system reworked,
fuel tanks cleaned, centre tank inspection plate modification, fuel polisher –
added water separator
2.
Propeller replaced (Veriprop)
3.
Bottom sanded to gel
coat, epoxy moisture barrier on bottom
4.
Teak refinished – annual
task
5.
Radar (JRC1200)
6.
Full enclosure (Island
Canvas) – canvas replaced in Sweden
7.
New staysail (Quantum) –
recut for fuller in 2013
8.
Smart charger– replaced
in Germany
9.
Inverter
2002
1.
Canadian safety equipment
- SOLAS flairs, MOB ring, Life sling,
PFDs, fire extinguishers, bilge pump and switch
2.
VHF radio (ICOM 4200)
3.
House batteries (4xTrojan T20) and enclosures
(Blue Wave) – died in Sweden - replaced with Deka Promaster GC15
batteries in 2009 and 2010
4.
CO and fire detectors – need replacing every 2
years due to salt water environment
5.
Heads, sink and head hoses – need to rebuild
every few years – carry lots of joker valves
6.
Engine mounts, engine
hoses, engine anodes – replace ALL anodes every year
7.
Wind speed/direction
(Auto Helm ST-40)
8.
Speed Log (Auto Helm
ST-40) but using a ST-60 transducer
9.
ST-600 remote control
10.
Depth (Hummingbird)
mounted inside hull
11.
GPS (Garmin)
12.
computer (Shuttle) lasted 2 years – replaced with T series laptops