NORDHAVN PRESENTS:

T U R N K E Y PA S S A G E M A K I N G

What happens when you apply production boat methodology to a

51-foot Nordhavn? You get a world class passagemaker that’s efficient

in fuel burn, price, and lead time. The brand new Nordhavn 51 is the

ultimate turnkey vessel for the buyer who would rather leave the

heavy lifting to the design professionals: the N51 project team has

taken the greatest care in creating the ideal long range cruiser,

overseeing every order detail from equipment, materials and fabrics,

right down to face cloths and utensils. The only customization you

need to make is to your itinerary.

Learn how the owners of the first Nordhavn 51 have customized their

itinerary at nordhavn.com/the-path-to-awanuinz.

Discover the entire Nordhavn product line at www.nordhavn.com.

NORDHAVN WORLDWIDE U S A | U K | A U S T R A L I A | T U R K E Y [email protected]
 Contents Issue #290 May/June 2024
36

Features
Ocean Voyaging
22 The Mona Passage
A rough sail through a treacherous
passage
by Ann Hoffner

Special Section
28 
Manual and Electric Windlasses
Choose a strong windlass for
easy anchor retrieval.
5 by Bill Morris

Departments 32 

Spring Cleaning for
Your Ground Tackle
Proper care and use of
Chartroom Chatter
4 Industry Leader Honored
your anchor, chain and
rode
28
by Trade Association by Harry Hungate
5 First Woman to Circumnavigate
Solo Nonstop
5 The Ocean Race Europe 36 Hard Dinghies for
6 C-MAP Reveals Latest Tech Pleasure and Survival
7 Notable New Titles by Bill Morris
Marine Tech Notes
8 AIS Transceivers: An Offshore Imperative
b y Bill Morris

Boat Focus
10 Solaris 44
Power Voyaging
7
14 Comfortable Cruising on a Nordhavn 68
by Bill Morris

Short Tacks 10
18 Feel of the Wheel
by Robert Beringer
20 A Rare Tropical Storm in the
South Atlantic
by Ann Hoffner

Voyaging Tips
8
38 Mount Desert Williwaws On the cover: S/V Whistler, a PDQ Antares 44i,
by Ann Hoffner sporting her sunshade, on a warm October afternoon,
anchored off Mana Island on Fiji’s west coast.
Nav Problem Photo by Margy Krause.
44 Isambard Kingdom Brunel
22
For more voyaging, follow us on:
and Great Britain @oceannavmag @oceannavigator @oceannavmag
by David Berson

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 1 1

 CONTRIBUTORS ®

T H E V O YA G E R ’ S R E S O U R C E

PUBLISHER
Dave Abrams
[email protected]
Ann Hoffner (Ocean Voyaging, “The Mona Passage,” page 22, Kathleen Ford, general manager
[email protected]
Voyaging Tips “Mount Desert Williwaws” page 38) has lived, 949-393-5440
taught, raced, worked and crossed oceans on boats
much of her adult life and for over twenty years has
written about her adventures for a variety of sailing EDITORIAL
magazines. Along with Tom Bailey, husband and EDITOR Bill Morris
[email protected]
photographer, she downsized from their P-44 Oddly
Enough to Ora Kali, a nimble, shoal draft Sabre 30 DESIGN/PRODUCTION Kim Goulet Norton

that is teaching them the joys of Maine Coast cruis- COPY EDITOR Jennifer Vigil
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS John Kettlewell
ing. Twain Braden
Ann Hoffner
Nigel Calder
Ellen Massey Leonard
David Berson
Ken McKinley

Harry Hungate Special Section, “Spring Cleaning for Your Ground

ADVERTISING/MARKETING
Tackle,” page 32) and his wife, Jane Lothrop, completed
a west-about circumnavigation of the world aboard US & CANADA Daniel Voet
INTERNATIONAL [email protected]
Cormorant, their Corbin 39 cutter. They recently com-
949-973-7745
pleted The Great American Loop aboard their Nordic CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Jon Sorenson
Tug 32 Bessie. MANAGER [email protected]
TOLL FREE: 800-887-1615

EVENTS/MARKETING

EVENTS & MARKETING Lee Auchincloss

COORDINATOR [email protected]

BUSINESS

BUSINESS OFFICE [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS/CUSTOMER SERVICE
[email protected]
1-619-313-4322
Robert Beringer (Short Tacks, “Feel of the Wheel ,” page 18) is a Ocean Navigator (ISSN 0886-0149) is published bi-monthly in January/February,

Florida-based freelance marine journalist and photog-

March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December by
Maritime Publishing, 3980 Sherman St., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92110. Periodi-
cals postage paid at San Diego, CA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:
rapher, and member of Boating Writers International. Send address changes to Ocean Navigator, 3980 Sherman St., Suite 100, San Diego,
CA 92110.

He is the holder of a USCG 100-ton Master’s License, Copyright © 2024 by Maritime Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this pub-
lication may be reprinted in any way without written permission from the publisher.
Subscription rate is $35.00 for one year (seven issues) in the United States and its
logging more than 28,000 miles under sail. His articles possessions. Canadian subscription rate is $49.00 U.S. funds. Other foreign surface is
$49.00 U.S. funds. Multi-year discounts are available, call (619) 313-4322 for details.
regularly appear in major national sailing and boating Distribution: Newsstand distribution, domestically and internationally:
Maritime Publishing, call (619) 313-4322.
magazines. His first book, Water Power!, a collection of Contributions: We solicit manuscripts, drawings and photographs. Please address
all material to Editor, Ocean Navigator, 3980 Sherman St., Ste. 100, San Diego, CA

marine short stories, is available at Barnes & Noble. 92110. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the safe handling of contributed materials.
All other departments, (619) 313-4322.

TM

www.maritimepublishing.com

2 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

Chatter
Chartroom

≪ Warren Kelly (center) accepts

the MMTA Frank Farrell
Distinguished Service Award
from Larry Russo, alongside
(L to R) MMTA President
Marie Hayward, Dylan Kelly
and Lisa Kelly.

Fall Boat Show and the

Courtesy Massachusetts Marine Trades Association

Boston In-Water Boat
Show, which were owned
by MMTA. He honed his
skills at the hand of his
mentor, Frank Farrell. It
was a personal honor for
me to present this coveted
recognition to Warren,”
said Larry Russo, Sr.
Industry Leader Honored by Trade Association Kelly said, “I simply
cannot express how
The Massachusetts a century and has always Farrell was a co-founder grateful I am to have
Marine Trades been a strong supporter of the New England been a part of the marine
Association (MMTA) of the MMTA and the Boat Show in 1957 and industry for the past 50
presented longtime Business of Boating was instrumental in the years. Being presented
industry leader and former (BOB) conference in formation of the MMTA with this coveted award
co-owner of Baert Marine, Massachusetts. Warren in 1964. He became the from the Massachusetts
Warren Kelly, the Frank is the fifth recipient of first full-time executive Marine Trades Association
Farrell Distinguished MMTA’s Farrell award, director of the MMTA in is simply an unexpected
Service Award. After a joining Joe O’Neil, 1975, a position he held honor for which I cannot
varied decades-long career, former owner of the New for more than 25 years. express my gratitude.
Warren Kelly and Bill England Boat Show; The presentation took I am honored to say
Baert recently sold their Dick Egan of Crosby place at the MMTA’s BOB that Frank Farrell was a
dealership to Port Harbor Yacht Yard; Ed Lofgren conference on Jan. 25, in close friend, and Frank’s
Marine based in Portland, of 3A Marine, and Larry Foxboro, Mass. The award contributions to our
Maine, and both have Russo, Sr., of MarineMax was presented to Warren industry set the standard
since retired. Northeast. by MMTA board member for this recognition, which
Warren has been a The award is in Larry Russo, Sr. makes this moment so
leader in the recreational honor of the late Frank “For over twenty years, very special on a personal
boating industry for half Farrell (1928-2001). Warren produced the level.”

4 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024

 to South America before
First Woman to returning north to Spain.
Circumnavigate Brauer was the only
Solo Nonstop woman and the race’s
youngest competitor. The
Former University of race has been a grueling
Hawaii at Mānoa sailor competition at the time
Cole Brauer has become of this writing, with more
the first American woman than half having dropped
to sail solo nonstop out. Brauer also had to
around the world. The overcome massive chal-
Sailing Energy/The Ocean Race

native of East Hampton, lenges, including injuring

New York, finished second her rib after being tossed
out of 16 competitors in by a massive wave and
the Global Solo Chal- becoming severely dehy-
lenge, a race that started drated. Brauer shared her
and ended in A Coruña,
Spain. The marathon
journey on colebrauer-
oceanracing.com
The Ocean Race Europe
30,000-mile journey took Pulling up to the finish Cruising sailors in tic Sea, through the North
130 days, and she crossed line, Brauer recorded a the English Channel Sea and English Channel,
the finish line on March 7. live video on Instagram. and the Mediterra- into the Atlantic Ocean
Starting the competi- She thanked her followers nean Sea may catch before a finish in the Med-
tion October 29 on her and said, “I can’t believe a glimpse at boats iterranean.
vessel, First Light, Brau- it. I still feel like I’ve got competing in The Racing will take place
er sailed south around another couple months Ocean Race Europe in the newest generation
Africa, across the Indian left of this craziness. …I’m 2025. The race will of high-tech IMOCA
Ocean to Australia, then really stoked. I’m really be the second edition boats that foil above the
crossing the Pacific Ocean stoked to be here.” of The Ocean Race water at record-breaking
Europe, following a speeds. The Ocean Race
debut event in the Europe will be more than
summer of 2021. a great sailing race. It is
The event will build also a Race for the Ocean,
on the foundations promoting the restoration
of the inaugural race of ocean health as the key
≪ Cole Brauer aboard and will be held under to sustaining life on our
her sailing vessel the banner of “Con- planet.
First Light during necting Europe,” with “This Race for the
Cole Brauer

the Global Solo a race course that Ocean is also about creat-
Challenge. stretches from the Bal- ing real changes.”

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 5

Chatter
Chartroom

including the Bahamas,

the Florida Keys and San
Francisco. Information
for 13,000 bridges with
enhanced geometry and
positioning, and the
addition of vertical and
horizontal clearances to
more than 6,400 bridges,
has been added for safer
navigation.

Updates for
North America Charts
• S atellite imagery
improvements for

C-Map
C-MAP REVEAL
C-MAP Reveals Latest Tech down to one-meter res-
olution across Florida,
C-MAP, based in Viareg- C-MAP’s product man- East Coast and Gulf
gio, Italy, and a leader ager. “Our product team Coast.
in digital marine cartog- is dedicated to sourcing • S atellite imagery
raphy and cloud-based new data and continually improvements for
C-MAP Reveal charts mapping technology, enhancing and improv- CMAP REVEAL X
≪

use color and shading recently announced a ing our charts.” across 19 states includ-
to help you identify major update to its The new data ing North and South
bottom structure North America charts, includes satellite imagery Carolina, Washington
details on your chart- introducing detailed data improvements in over 19 and Rhode Island.
plotter. for hundreds of lakes, states, including North • I mproved Shaded
improved satellite imag- and South Carolina and Relief for C-MAP
ery, enhanced shaded Washington. The popu- REVEAL and
relief and more. lar Shaded Relief, exclu- REVEAL X across
“We are thrilled to sive to C-MAP REVEAL more than 500 Lakes,
roll out this new update and REVEAL X, has including the Great
to our C-MAP users in seen improvements Lakes, and coastal areas
North America, signifi- across more than 500 including the Bahamas,
cantly transforming their lakes in North Ameri- Florida Keys and San
navigation experience,” ca, including the Great Francisco.
said Jakob Svensson, Lakes and coastal areas • High-resolution

6 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

 Notable New Titles
bathymetry updates for
coastal areas, including The Backside of describing his typically
the Bahamas, Florida Normal: A Sailing Life predictable American
Keys and San Francis- of Adventure” lifestyle with a family
co, and over 500 lakes by Roger Olson and a mortgage, the daily
for CMAP DISCOV- Seaworthy Publications drive to work and the
ER, REVEAL and X $20 worries and stress that
Charts. come with any form of
•N  ew raster charts for Like many fellow employment.
REVEAL X, providing boating authors and And just when
paper chart experience journalists, I make a he thought he had
for a more traditional living wading through achieved the American
look. personal accounts of Dream, his whole world
•O  ver 13,000 improve- fellow writers, weighing collapsed when his wife
ments for bridges their opinions and unexpectedly filed for a he and his girlfriend,
across America, includ- observations as part divorce, upending years Cindy, faced a horrible,
ing vertical and hori- of my research for a of Roger’s hard work and unexpected tragedy that
zontal clearance infor- potential new book or diligence. He reviewed threatened the future of
mation for more than article. Most of what I his options and finally their sailing plans.
6,000 bridges. read is well written and concluded the ultimate Further tragedy and
•O  ver 300 improve- poignant. But every way to emerge from loss beleaguered Roger
ments to navigable now and then, I find a catastrophe was to buy a in the South Pacific, yet
locks, significantly book that goes beyond bare, 28-foot hull, build he pressed on, eventually
improving the geom- the predictable, forcing the decks and cabin, settling in Panama. He
etry and positional me to review my own outfit her the best he is the producer of the
accuracy. motivation for pursuing could with his limited short film, “Melanesian
All of this is available sailing and adventure as funds and sail off to see Adventure,” now available
now in DISCOVER a way of life. the world from the deck on YouTube. He also
and REVEAL, as well Roger Olson’s of his own vessel. wrote another book, Plot
as DISCOVER X and book, The Backside of Roger sailed from Costa Your Course to Adventure:
REVEAL X charts, with Normal: A Sailing Life Mesa, Calif., on his Bristol How to be a Successful
Shaded Relief and Satel- of Adventure, is one Channel Cutter 28 Xiphias Cruiser, which explains
lite Overlay only avail- man’s personal account and went on to visit how to undertake offshore
able in the REVEAL of self-transformation many of the South Pacific voyages while dealing
product tiers. For more from regular middle- islands, including Central with the challenges of
information about class working stiff to America, French Polynesia anchoring, sailing through
C-MAP and its latest self-fulfilled offshore and Papua New Guinea, storms and dealing with
cartography offerings, sailor and adventurer. which is rarely visited by unexpected crises.
visit c-map.com. n He begins his story by outsiders. In New Zealand, Bill Morris

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 7

 MARINE TECH NOTES

AIS Transceivers:
An Offshore Imperative BY BILL MORRIS

W herever we may find

ourselves on our vessels,
there are sure to be other
VHF radio or activates the
DSC (digital select calling)
function, which transmits the
which features output data
on a 4.3-inch color, weather-
resistant display. The graphic
craft out on the water moving vessel’s name and position screen presents information
along at cruising speed with the vessel’s MMSI code. regarding surrounding AIS-
with their crew occasionally There is an obvious transmitting ships, as well as
looking out over the water for advantage to installing a self- coastal stations and aids to
other vessels. Although having contained AIS transceiver navigation within normal VHF
someone on watch 24-7 is on your vessel: every AIS- range.
imperative, this practice is equipped vessel in your area The FA-170 also shares data
not foolproof, particularly in is aware of your location. If with radar and other navigation
heavy fog or rain. Fortunately, two vessels are closing within systems through a local area
with the latest generation of an unsafe distance, both crews network interface to support
AIS transceivers, we have a are aware of the potential for related onboard collision
means of knowing what is out collision and have time and avoidance systems, such as
there, even in those moments sufficient distance to correct bridge alert management
The Em-Trak when the watch takes a nap. course. Particularly if you are and AIS transmission to alert
A100 AIS trans- The standard AIS- singlehanded and sitting at surrounding vessels.
ceiver permits equipped VHF radio is the helm steering through Full-color C-Map
easy networking limited to receiving AIS dense fog, you need to know Max cartography is a
with other elec- transmissions and displaying your AIS transceiver has your key component of this
tronics in your them either on a small back. sophisticated AIS system,
nav station. screen or on a separate A number of AIS which can serve as a back-up
chartplotter. To alert another transceivers have emerged on to your main chartplotter. A
vessel, the operator calls by the market to fill the needs of built-in GPS and GLONASS
offshore sailors, particularly satellite navigation receiver
those of us whose help to keep you on track
vessels are not while staying in touch with
equipped other vessels in your area.
with radar. You can install the SI-TEX
Furuno SAS-600 on a dedicated
offers a range pedestal or flush-mounted to
of several the nav pod in the cockpit.
AIS models, The unit is rated IPX6 and
including the IPX7 waterproof. At roughly
FA-170, a $1,500, this device is at the
Class A AIS top of its class and the choice
transponder, of many commercial vessels as
Em-Tra
k

8 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

well as cruising craft. a broader range of detection and
The Em-Trak A100, “the world’s enhanced safety.
best-selling commercial grade Class Featuring NMEA 2000, NMEA
A AIS,” measures 8.2 inches wide 0183 and USB connectivity,
by 4.1 inches high by 5.4 inches the ICOM MA510TR can talk
deep, not exactly diminutive yet still to virtually any other electronic
of appropriate size for the medium- device on your vessel, such as a
size to larger sailing yacht. chartplotter, radar, VHF radio or
The Em-Trak A100 transceiver external GPS.
features a grayscale display, With its IPX7 rating, this
NMEA 0183 waterproof
communication ICOM
and a GPS There is an obvious transponder
antenna with 33
advantage to installing can be installed
feet of cable. The in the cockpit
A100’s plug-and- a self-contained AIS with the GPS
play connectivity transceiver on your chartplotter and
permits easy VHF radio for
networking with
vessel: every AIS- maximum safety Split Lead
equipped vessel in
other electronics while navigating
SSB Antenna
in your nav your area is aware of through a
station. crowded seaway.
Em-Trak’s
your location. This unit also
– GAM/McKIM –

rugged AIS features a man-

Press Fits Over
transceiver is overboard Backstay

easy to install and use and has (MOB) signal, a collision alarm and M
demonstrated a record of “proven an anchor watch alarm, which is
reliability” on both commercial activated when the vessel is adrift at
and pleasure craft. With a rating anchor. Available online for roughly
of IP52, the A100 is best installed $800, the ICOM MA510TR AIS • NO NEED FOR BACKSTAY INSULATORS
below decks, although it can stand offers top quality from a name we • EASY INSTALLATION

up to a good dose of dust or ocean trust. • NO SWAGING, NO CUTTING

spray. With a price tag of roughly A big part of safety in any seaway • TOUGH, WATERPROOF – REUSABLE!!

$500, this model certainly offers a in today’s cruising environment is • STIFF 34’ LDPE HOUSING SECURES FIRMLY TO
BACKSTAY

lot for the modest investment. not only knowing where we are, but • TUNABLE ACROSS THE HF BAND

Another high-quality, yet more also knowing where others are on

GAM Electronics
affordable AIS model is the ICOM the water. Installing a high-quality, PO Box 305 Harrison, ME 04040
Phone: (207) 583-4670
MA510TR AIS transponder with stand-alone AIS transceiver is one www.gamelectronicsinc.com
[email protected]
GPS antenna. This Class-B device big way of ensuring our safety in
is capable of receiving both A and an ever-more crowded cruising
B AIS signals, a feature allowing aquasphere. n

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 9

 BOAT FOCUS

Solaris 44
S olaris Yachts of Aquilea,
Italy, designs and builds a
unique line of state-of-the-art
you can take advantage of
the ample space abaft of the
helm—her beam is 13 feet,
cruising yachts for sailors who eight inches all the way back
desire the best mix of speed, to the transom—by opting for
stability, comfort and ease of a large stern cabin with wide
maneuvering in all kinds of twin berths. The standard ver-
weather. With sailing vessels sion of the rear deck layout is
ranging in size from 40 to 111 comprised of a roomy sail lock-
feet LOA, you can sail the er, large cockpit lockers and an
world’s oceans in a deck and independent storage space for
cabin setting that embraces a the dinghy or life raft.
rare blend of easy handling, The quality and finish of the
ergonomics and simple, func- interior joinery are distinctive
tional luxury. features of Solaris, renowned
The Solaris 44 is emblem- and appreciated among the
atic of the company’s focus on many Solaris owners crossing
technology and responsiveness the world’s oceans today. The
to the needs of crew and pas- refined selection of hardwoods,
sengers. Measuring a modest combined with the skilled,
44 feet, roughly the size of handmade care in the details,
today’s typical cruising yacht, yields an airy, sophisticated, yet
the Solaris 44 was made for warm feeling to both the interi-
short-handed crew. Designed or and exterior. The end result,
by Javier Soto Acebal, all the according to Solaris, is a vessel
lines, or running rigging, on that responds to every antici-
this vessel lead to only two pated need of the crew.
winches, both within easy Every model in the Solaris
reach of the helm. Even in range, unlike in some other
the middle of a stormy night, mass production yachts on the
a single crew member should market, is built in accordance
have little trouble handling the with the strict rules of the Maxi
jib and main sheets. Ocean Yachts (MOY), even
When you prepare to though these rules are intended
choose the specific design of to pertain only to larger yachts.
the Solaris 44’s deck layout, Solaris meets or beats structural
MOY requirements with mate-
Solaris Yachts

The Solaris 44 offers ample deck rials contributing to stiff, solid,

space for guests and crew. stress-resistant construction.

10 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

Solaris Yachts

The main and structural bulk- with a minimum 1.5-inch unidirectional and bidirectional
heads are built of composite thickness and are laminated fibers. The keel, sustained by
to the hull, rather than glued a one-inch-thick, 316 stainless The Solaris
together with silicone as is the steel flange plate, is connected
VESSEL
44’s sleek hull
common practice in many to the hull backing plate by design con-
SPECIFICATIONS mass-produced boats. 1.25-inch-thick stainless steel trasts sharply
The main bulkhead and bolts. with older
Solaris 44 principal reinforcement design Two characteristics when yacht designs.
Furler: Furlex TD furling system
Auxiliary engine: 40 hp Volvo Penta
form what is essentially a combined together distinguish
Battery monitor: Mastervolt Masterbus “structural cage” bearing the Solaris Yachts from its compe-
and EasyView local loads of this yacht, such tition, according to company
Batteries: Mastervolt lithium-ion
Electrical system: Mastervolt battery as the mast, chain plates and spokesman Luigi Magliari
charger and VR-200 charge regulator keel. Solaris claims, “The yacht Galante. First are the organi-
Communications: ICOM VHF and B&G
AIS
is unaffected by any deforma- zation’s 35 years of experience
Electronics: B&G system package with tion and torsion in all sea and in building and refitting yachts
interactive displays and NKE Carbowind wind conditions.” To achieve of all sizes and types. Second
sensors
Deck gear: Four Harken Performa 50 this, all joinery is laminated to is the Solaris yard’s location by
electric winches the hull, contributing to the the sea, permitting sea trials in
Anchor: Delta 44 lbs. (20kg)
Bow thruster: Max Power Compact
overall, essentially monocoque order to refine virtually every
Retract CR70 12V composite structure of the design solution before com-
Prop: Max Prop feathering prop cabin and deck. mencing production. If there is
Fuel tankage: 58 gallons (220 L)
Water tankage: 100 gallons (380 L) The chain plates, which in something requiring additional
Water system: Planus electric toilets most yachts are fabricated of polishing in a given design, it is
Safety: Viking Pro four-person liferaft
with portable electric inflator
316 stainless steel, are made of a quick jump from sea trial to
28 vacuum-bonded layers of design modification in order to

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 11

 BOAT FOCUS

iron out the details. and perfecting “the non-deformation adjustable stainless mounts. An ample
Experience and sea trials have of the yacht derived through struc- galley with refrigeration and freezer
demonstrated that most yachts suf- tural continuity,” or in other words, provide enough room for food prep
fer from the effects of wind and sea, the development of monocoque, or adjacent to the dining area. Long,
resulting in at least some hull and monolithic, structural designs. tinted portlights line both sides of
cabin deformation over time. In some Step aboard a Solaris 44 and stroll the cabin and allow enough light to
boats, hull and cabin creaking, plus around the wide, spacious, flush teak cheer up the cabin while controlling
the occasional crack in hull and deck deck surrounding a swept, low-profile the sun’s glare. Walk forward to the
structures, gradually develop, threat- cabin top, tinted skylights and port- vee-berth and behold a large, wide
ening the overall integrity of the ves- lights, dual helms and running rigging bunk with a lighted bookshelf, a
sel’s hull and superstructure. Though arranged neatly and safely out of the spacious closet and a seat for dressing
usually expected and generally benign, way. Also take note of the separate while underway. Your stroll through
these fissures can lead to an unaccept- storage area in the transom for the the Solaris 44 will reveal a yacht that
able degree of failure at some point in dinghy. is neither too big nor too small, easily
a vessel’s lifetime. Then step down the companion- managed by one or two crew mem-
For this reason, Galante points way and behold a wide, spacious cabin bers, large enough for a small family,
out, the priority of Solaris designers with ample seating and a large table yet still allowing a cozy feeling for a
and engineers has been developing mounted on a pair of highly polished, small crew. n

EXTEND YOUR RANGE

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12 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

DMS MagnusMaster

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DMS Universal

The Ultimate Solution for Defective Advanced operating system for

or Outdated Fin Stabilizer Systems all yachts with existing fin stabilizers
Contact your nearest DMS Service Center to Find Out More
Waterline Boats Platypus Marine Daytona Marina & Boat Works
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Port Townsend, WA 98368 - USA Port Angeles, WA 98363 - USA FL 32114 - USA
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[email protected] [email protected] www.dmsholland.com
 POWER VOYAGING

Courtesy Nordhavn

Comfortable Cruising on a Nordhavn 68

BY BILL MORRIS

M any of us who cross

oceans on rough-going
sailboats often wonder what
dhavn yachts include plush
cabin features and fuel-effi-
cient propulsion plants, along
washer-and-dryer combo,
allowing crew and passen-
gers to maintain a freshly
it would be like to undertake with aggressive electrical cleaned wardrobe throughout
The Nordhavn voyages in comfort and style generating and power storage an entire voyage, something
68 boasts a while maintaining a good turn systems, designed to take you unheard of on a small, hum-
robust power of speed over the water at the across the world’s oceans in ble sailing yacht.
plant, state-of- same time. After all, crossing comfort and safety. Out on the foredeck of the
art navigation oceans doesn’t have to be pain- N68 you will see a heavy-duty
equipment and ful or complicated. Hence the Amenities electric crane for lowering and
amenities. choice of a larger, faster, more The skipper of a new retrieving your ship-to-shore
comfortable motor yacht. Nordhavn motor yacht can motor launch. Just forward of
If you are ready to invest look forward to a long list of the crane is a Maxwell 4500
in a vessel that provides for all amenities, which include a vertical electric windlass with
your passage-making require- wide array of electric appli- dual station controls, capable
ments while keeping you ances and deck systems. In the of pulling up to 4,500 pounds
comfortable while on the high galley you will find a large, of ground tackle. That is
seas, consider the Nordhavn front-opening refrigerator and certainly more than enough
68, by Nordhavn, a builder of freezer, an automatic dish- power to retrieve any conceiv-
high-end luxury motor yachts washer and a trash compactor. able size of anchor-and-chain
in Dana Point, Calif. Nor- Nearby you will find a stacked combination for this size of

14 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

vessel, even in a stiff breeze. And of course, all electronic a John Deere rated at 160
The unit draws 2 kW of DC installations meet or surpass horsepower and cooled by a
current, which is backed by a American Boat and Yacht heat exchanger. A “V” drive
generous source of generator Council (ABYC) and appli- Hurth Marine gearbox trans-
and battery power. cable international standards mits power to a 1-3/4-inch
to ensure safety and maxi- shaft with a Gori three-blade
Navigation mum functionality. folding prop.
Each Nordhavn yacht
has a custom-designed and Main and Auxiliary Propulsion Vessel Stabilization
installed navigation station The main propulsion All vessels, power or sail,
to meet the specific needs of engine is a 425-horsepower regardless of size, are subject
the owner. As Robert Kinney John Deere, keel cooled and to constant wave action while
of the Nordhavn electrical with dry exhaust. The gear navigating offshore hour after
subcontractor Alcom Marine box, or transmission, is a Twin hour, day after day through-
explains, the typical coastal Disc with electric shift and out the entire voyage. On a
mariner usually opts for a clutch. Racor vents and air sailboat, the sails help to atten-
minimal array of navigation cleaner system keep the engine uate this sideways action by
and communication devic- room atmosphere clean for constantly slicing through the The dining area
es, including a VHF radio, crew. Also, a Racor fuel filter air and stabilizing the vessel of the sumptu-
radar and chartplotter. with 2-micron filter elements with opposing atmospheric ous Nordhavn
On the other hand, a is used for both the main and resistance. 68 belies the
N68 outfitted for offshore auxiliary engines. The N68’s On large motor yachts, power, speed
cruising carries two depth main propeller is a Hung Shen such as the N68, the same and stability of
sounders, radar, two autopi- “Silent” four-blade, left-hand sideways resistance is achieved this ocean-going
lots, magnetic and satellite unit measuring 44 inches by via stabilizer fins placed on motoryacht.
compasses and other redun- 34.5 inches. the hull underwater. Vessel
dant systems. “The ocean The auxiliary engine is stabilization is controlled by an
crosser has complete dupli-
cation,” Kinney emphasizes.
Offshore, opting to repair
or switch out equipment is
not practical, particularly in
inclement conditions or in a
crowded seaway within 100
miles of a harbor.
While underway, the total
electrical draw for the entire
nav station, along with vari-
ous other electrical applianc-
es and systems throughout
the vessel, is 30 to 40 amps,
Courtesy Nordhavn

which is easily backed by

ample battery storage and
power-generating capacity.

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 15

 POWER VOYAGING

electronic gyro that detects the rate Although both alternators are pow- batteries, the huge amounts of power
and speed of roll in the hull, sending ered by the engine, they, along with packed into 8D and 4D banks can
corrective action to the stabilizer fins the two separate battery banks, are generate a much larger amount of
while underway. Mechanical power isolated from each other to prevent heat over a given length and size of
is transmitted to the vertical-axis power loss in both banks. wire than flooded or AGM batter-
fins by an electronically activated In addition to the alternator, a ies. This equates to greater stress on
hydraulic pump and a set of control 27.5 kW Onan generator provides cables, connections, switches, fuses,
valves. house power within a sound enclo- circuit breakers and other electrical
For stabilizer fins to work prop- sure to dampen noise. The generator components.
erly, the vessel must be underway to uses a wet exhaust system similar For this reason, Nordhavn ensures
allow Bernoulli’s Principle to take to that found on main engines in oversized copper cables and wiring
effect. Just as with a set of sails, the smaller vessels. are standard in all installations. As
faster a fluid mass passes over a foil, a matter of fact, even in Nordhavn
the lower the pressure on one side Redundancy yachts still being sold with AGM
and the greater the righting force at Redundancy in electrical storage batteries, the builder has begun
the side facing the oncoming water and wiring is Nordhavn’s way of upgrading all wiring installations to
current. With a pair of stabilizer fins ensuring, to the best of the com- meet the demands of lithium-ion
and a vast store of battery power to pany’s ability, the smooth, unin- amperage and power requirements
back them, passengers and crew can terrupted operation of all onboard in anticipation of new owners opt-
expect a consistently smooth ride in systems, be they for navigation or for ing to upgrade to the latest battery
virtually all conditions. crew comfort and convenience. The technology.
large AGM battery storage system And just for good measure, even
Charging and Monitoring Systems and electrical inverters, powered by the cords connecting shore power
While traversing an ocean on an Onan 27.5 kW, 120/240V AC, to the Quattro inverters are doubled
your Nordhavn yacht, you certainly 60 Hz generator, allow batteries to in order to reduce heat and electri-
will want to watch videos, talk on support many of the vessel’s electrical cal resistance in the copper cables,
the radio, take a hot shower and components. This permits constant essentially eliminating any chance of
enjoy the AC at your whim without use of lights, air conditioning units, overheating in the shore cables.
worrying about battery charge. A cooking appliances, watermakers, a While small-boat skippers may
Nordhavn yacht’s array of AGM bat- washing machine and dryer and so view the probability of overheating
teries requires an aggressive charging forth around the clock while under- in electrical wiring as a minor, easi-
and monitoring system capable of way or at anchor. ly-managed concern, the captain of a
keeping up with the huge storage Much of the overall safety of the large, ocean-going vessel such as the
capacity. N68 and other Nordhavn yachts N68 or other model knows man-
The most critically important lies in the company’s obsession with aging the sheer amount of electrical
battery on any motor vessel is the not only oversizing copper cables, current at every corner of the vessel
starter bank, which needs to be but also doubling them in critical, plays a critical part of the boat’s safe-
fully charged and ready to use at a high-current installations, particu- ty at anchor, at dockside and while
moment’s notice. The two 4D start- larly from the main battery bank to underway.
er batteries are charged by a dedi- the propulsion engine and from the Nordhavn is the quintessential
cated 40A, 24V alternator, and the auxiliary banks to the Victron Quat- example of a yacht builder commit-
house bank is charged by two 175A, tro inverters. ted to ensuring quality and safety in
24V DC belt-driven alternators. On yachts with lithium-ion house all its vessels. n

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 SHORT TACKS

Feel of the Wheel By Robert Beringer

There’s nothing quite like the
feel of a tiller or wheel in your
hands, that tactile sensation of
A much more flesh on wood as you steer the
experienced vessel to a distant waypoint.
Robert Bering- To me, this has always
er, right, at been the most rewarding
the helm of part of sailing. With gentle
his vessel.A movements of your fingers,
young Robert the boat responds—silent,
Robert Beringer

Beringer, stealthy, ready to go anywhere

below, takes there’s wind.
the helm of Driving a boat is all about
his father’s the senses, and the skilled a Sunfish at summer camp in steering a multi-ton piece of
wooden sail- sailor learns to use them all. Ohio, my instructor noticed I fiberglass through a poorly
boat. The wind on your face, the was moving more like a snake marked inlet, you better
angle of heel and the gurgle than a boat. “There are no know what you’re doing. If
of water sliding past the hull curves in sailing,” he barked something goes awry, you can’t
all play a part in the ballet of from the chase boat. “Sail a say, “It wasn’t my fault!” The
sailing to guide you on your straight line, then change to first time I took the wheel
way. Even in the dark of night, another—at a precise angle of a big boat, it was a friend
it’s possible to tune in and to the wind.” Thoroughly of a friend’s 50-foot racer on
connect with the gloaming. flummoxed, I pleaded: “How a weekend delivery across
Like Hemingway said, “A man do I make this thing go Lake Erie. “Let the new guy
is never lost at sea.” straight?” have a turn at the wheel,” the
When learning to sail on The solution he advised owner said, gamely. It was
was to pick an object on shore well after sunset, the offshore
and aim for it. I fixed my gaze winds were up and there were
on a distant barn and from all these experienced sailors
that day on, I sailed that boat around me. It wasn’t until I
arrow-straight. The following grabbed the huge metal wheel
winter in math class, I had that I realized how much of
an epiphany when I realized a burden it was. “Don’t screw
that sailing was nothing but a up,” that little voice kept
geometric diagram on a plane saying in my head. “Or you
of water; a series of acute and won’t get a second chance.”
obtuse angles and polygons. I was glad it was so dark;
Sailing a boat is also about no one could see how nervous
Robert Beringer

responsibility and personal I was. Around midnight, we

growth. When you’re the one had to execute a jibe, and

18 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

when I sang, “Prepare to jibe—jibe drive, which allows them to focus on minutiae. Now is not the time to talk
ho!” everyone actually followed my everything else that needs to be done. about the numbers on the magnetic
directions and scrambled around But like a well-run company, the compass. Just relax, feel the helm
the deck. I stood my watch until we well-run sailboat cross-trains everyone and aim for that white house on the
saw the lights of Canada, and when on the team to fill various onboard shore.
done, my legs felt like rubber. Wow, I roles and fit in where needed. Almost immediately they see the
thought. This is so cool! And if you feel, as I do, that it’s similarities and differences between
Humans are creatures of habit, every old salt’s responsibility to get cars and boats and, hopefully, they
and I’ve found through many years of fresh blood into the sailing lifestyle, begin to connect with the boat on an
being guest crew that various owners there’s no better way to do that than emotional level. The most frequent
have their own comfort zones, to plop a neophyte behind the helm question I get is, “How do I stop this
which tend to fall into one of two and teach them how to drive. I insist thing?” And after an hour, when it’s
categories: (1) they want nothing less on it for everyone who comes sailing time to give someone else a turn, I’ll
than to perpetually drive their boat with me. I’ll hover nearby and give know I’ve done well if the driver-in-
and won’t let anyone else touch the them gentle, confidence-building training is reluctant to give up the
wheel, or (2) they prefer that others tips without overloading them with wheel.

With a Cape George Cutter

Photo courtesy Golden Globe Race 2022

A Tradition of Swift Seaworthy Designs since 1973

Sceptre 41
Derived from William Atkin’s 1930’s classic, Photo Credit: T. Schmidt
refined over the decades in sizes to suit any offshore mission:
31’, 34’, 36’, 38’, 40, 45’ Port Townsend Sails
Hasse and Co.
360.385.1640
www.ptsails.com [email protected]
919 Haines Place Port Townsend WA

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 19

 SHORT TACKS

A Rare Tropical Storm in the South Atlantic By Ann Hoffner

track them. remains over warm water for
South Atlantic Ocean water several days, the core starts
is generally colder than in to go from cold to warm. It
the north, thus less likely to may become fully tropical if
fuel tropical cyclone activity. thunderstorm activity builds
Strong winds aloft create near the center, bringing
greater wind shear, which the strongest winds and rain
generally prevents storms from closer.
gaining height and therefore The western South
strength. Atlantic is rarely travelled
Still, South Atlantic storms by recreational sailors, and
NOAA

are not as rare as the “A” in then generally by those on

On Feb. 18, an area of low “Akará” would imply. Brazil’s circumnavigations via Cape of
pressure just off the coast of list of potential names has Good Hope and Cape Horn.
Rio de Janeiro was identified already gone around. Two The current Global Solo
Storm Akará by the Brazilian Navy tropical cyclones, Catarina in Challenge race boats must
forms off the Hydrographic Center’s Serviço 2004 and Iba in 2019, made head up the South Atlantic
coast of Meteorológico Marinho as a global news, Catarina as an to finish in Spain. The race
Argentina subtropical depression. Two extremely rare hurricane and frontrunners, Cole Brauer and
in the South days later, it became a tropical Iba as a tropical storm. Short- Philippe Delamare, were both
Atlantic Ocean depression and that evening lived Anita in 2010 and 01Q home and had passed the 30s
on February 22, was named Tropical Storm in 2021 were also tropical 41w position for Akará by the
2024. Akará. storms. time it was declared, but in
This was surprising Most of the named storms the grand scheme of things,
news. Tropical storms are on Brazil’s list were not, in not by much. They expected
uncommon in the South fact, tropical but subtropical, to encounter storms in the
Atlantic Ocean, leaving the with a large, cloud-free center Southern Ocean, but moving
impression they don’t exist. of circulation and very heavy forward, South Atlantic
While there’s no official thunderstorm activity in a tropical weather also may have
South Atlantic season, band at least 100 miles from to be considered. Boats must
tropical weather does the center. Subtropical storms round Cape Horn by March
occasionally form between form from extratropical 31, which means the bulk
December and May during storms (blizzards, Nor’easters of racers will still pass Brazil
Southern Hemisphere and ordinary, mid-latitude, during its autumn.
summer and fall. NOAA’s low-pressure systems) that Whether Akará is a sign
Office of Satellite and Product migrate into the subtropics, of climate change and ocean
Operations makes projections the geographical and climate warming is debatable. Perhaps
of tropical storm formation zones lying between 25 and 40 the world is simply paying
and gives positions of degrees north and south of the more attention to South
identified storms but doesn’t Equator. If a subtropical storm Atlantic weather. n

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 Mona Passage
A rough sail through a treacherous passage
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANN HOFFNER

I
t was dark with a dimen- We exited this harbor in late major feature on a cruise from
sionless blackness that afternoon, hoping to follow the U.S. East Coast to the
comes at sea on a starless, Bruce Van Zant’s instructions Caribbean, except for boats
humid night. Oddly Oddly Enough, for a thornless crossing of the that go offshore or in rallies.
Enough’s stern faced swells Ann and Tom Mona Passage to Puerto Rico. Known to cruising sailors as
and rising wind. We’d been Hoffner’s Peter- Van Zant is big on night sail- the Dreaded Mona Passage, it
meeting them head-on an son 44, under ing to take advantage of island runs north-south, separating
hour earlier when we left the sail in Fiji. effects that lighten the easterly the East Coast of the Domin-
breakwater that sheltered the winds, which blow steadily ican Republic from much
harbor at Samana on the east year-round. We had enough smaller Puerto Rico. Though
side of the Dominican Repub- light to get to Cayo Levantado 70 nautical miles wide at
lic. They had been the cause and its shoals before dusk, and its narrowest between Cabo
of our turning back instead of our general weather outlook Engaño and Punta Higuero,
plowing eastward to the Mona was good. But once out of the the distance to travel between
Passage. We couldn’t see, just shelter, I wasn’t feeling good ports is much greater. Tom and
feel them. The blanket of about the trip, uncertain about I had already crossed once on
black meant nothing reflected the reefs in the dark. Now we Kraken, our Kaiser Gale Force
back at us, and like most of were slipping back into the 34, and now we were getting
the islands we had visited, nav- harbor, going on my helming to the Caribbean in time to
igational marks were far apart instincts, backed up by radar, enjoy the islands before hurri-
and their purpose not easily having been out this way just a cane season and at the start of
deciphered. We were using few hours earlier. our worldwide cruise on Oddly
radar to navigate our return. The Mona Passage is a Enough, our Peterson 44.

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 The Mona is typical of we didn’t have the luxury Yolas are similar to pangas,
an ocean passage in that it of waiting in Samana for a the fiberglass skiffs often
connects significant bodies of good weather window. On seen in the tropical regions
water. The Northwest Passage the trip down through the that cruisers travel, original-
connects the Atlantic and Bahamas from Florida, we’d ly designed by Yamaha as
Pacific Oceans, the Drake had excellent luck; since leav- part of a World Bank devel-
Passage runs between South ing Georgetown, Exumas, opment project. Yolas are
America and Antarctica and the trades had died away and between 19 and 30 feet long,
connects three oceans, and we motored southeast for maybe up to 40, designed
the Windward, Anegada and days, expecting each hour and built by fishermen in
Mona passages connect the for the wind to pick up. It Puerto Rico and the Domin-
Atlantic with the Caribbe- never did, meaning we didn’t ican Republic to launch
an Sea. A lot of water flows have to tuck behind islands off their beaches. “Yola” is
through them, helping to to wait for weather or dodge Spanish for yawl, but boats
make for treacherous sailing strong headwinds underway. built today are powered by
under certain conditions, But by the time we reached engines. The yola passen-
especially in the Mona where the northeastern tip of the gers crammed into them are
the bottom is very uneven. Dominican Republic, our mostly Dominicans, some
Choosing a good window
for the dreaded Mona Pas-
sage helps remove some of Ann and
the uncertainty of the trip. Tom Hoffner
At 18 degrees north, we crossed the
were in the northeast trade Mona Passage
wind belt. The wind direc- on the Kaiser
tion varies from southeast Galeforce 34
through east to northeast, Kraken during
depending on the weather, their first jour-
but the wind going to Puerto ney south.
Rico in the Mona is virtually
always going to be against
you, except in storms. Those
interested in a comfortable
trip can hang out in Samana,
watch the wind cycles and diesel supply was low. Hence Haitians, and all are seeking a
wait for the trades to ease up the stop in Samana to refuel. better life in the U.S.
in speed before leaving. Another group of boaters Migrants using small
My parents were flying also cross the Mona with- boats often make the news.
into Puerto Rico in a week, out the luxury of a weather Currently, many of the sto-
and we had agreed to travel window. They are illegal ries highlight people trying
together on land. As cruisers immigrants who leave the to cross the channel from
well know, making promises Dominican Republic in the France to the UK, most of
like this can lead to trouble. dead of night in “yolas,” them from Iran, Albania,
Because Tom and I had got- flat-bottomed wooden boats Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
ten ourselves on a schedule, with single outboard motors. A steady stream of people

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 23

 A yola is intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Mona Passage.

crosses the Florida Straits in Haiti led to an uptick in Mona in yolas. The Coast
from Cuba to the U.S., and crossings by Haitians after Guard knows only of the
the Mediterranean has its 2020. Another ones they interact with—
share, crossing from Africa The Puerto Rican econo- when something goes wrong
group of
to Europe. Because of the my appears to have turned a and they are called up, or
boaters
shifting nature of political corner, and forecasts of labor wreckage appears, or aban-
and economic fortunes in shortages in various sectors also cross doned migrants are found on
home countries and destina- are leading to another rise in the Mona an island, or a worried family
tions, the migrations move in the number of boat trips of without the member calls to report an
waves. Dominican citizens. From luxury of overdue yola. Many yolas also
The first recorded illegal Oct. 1, 2023, through Jan. a weather successfully cross, and their
trip from the Dominican 31, 2024, the Coast Guard window. passengers may be able to
Republic to Puerto Rico took carried out 24 interdictions Illegal meld into the Puerto Rican
place in 1972 when immi- of 780 non-U.S. citizens, immigrants side if not caught. Although
gration surged following the mostly from the Dominican leave the Dominican migration devel-
assassination of Dominican Republic, and in February Dominican oped mainly due to sociopo-
dictator General Rafael Tru- another 71 migrants picked Republic in litical and economic factors,
jillo in 1961. The Domin- up by the crew of the Coast personal relationships and
the dead
ican population in Puerto Guard cutter Joseph Doyle social networks established
of night in
Rico peaked in 2010, and were repatriated to the with friends and family help
“yolas,” flat-
for a decade, Mona cross- Dominican Republic. Even to propel migration.
ings declined as Puerto Rico Boat Watch has been keeping bottomed The immigrants don’t
became less attractive, bat- track and in April of 2021 wooden make the trip on their own
tered as it was by hurricanes, reported an abandoned yola boats with recognizance. Smugglers
earthquakes and a devastating named Aomema showing single do the arranging, charging
financial and economic crisis signs of having been drifting outboard from $500 to $4,000 for a
that led the government to for a long time. motors. crossing. Even $500 is a huge
bankruptcy. Then pandem- Nobody knows exactly amount, considering that in
ic-era restrictions and crises how many people cross the 2023 the minimum wage in

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the Dominican Republic was mood-lifting that daylight timetable we needed to meet,
US$250 per month. Those gives, but our inability to we hove-to outside Bahia de
who can’t pay up front are pick a weather window put Samana and in morning light
expected to work to pay off us in the same situation for anchored off the crowded
their debt and are vulnerable this trip as immigrants whose government dock and were
to sex trafficking. The immi- yola captains left the country promptly cleared in by the
grants must travel light, and when their boats were built— comandante’s crew, who came
they are usually not given at the mercy of whatever con- out to see us.
life jackets, water or food ditions came our way. After a few weeks of sight-
for a trip that can take from Kraken made a much seeing, we left Samana on
a day and a half to three or more conventional trip to the Kraken at 1620 in the weak-
four days. The yolas are built
quickly, specifically for the
Luperón
trip, and not for long-term
use. The Mona Passage cross-
ing is roughly 110 nautical Nagua
Samaná
miles from Miches, a com-
mon point of departure for Route of Oddly Enough
Miches
yolas outside Samana Bay, DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
which is 125 miles from
Nagua on the northeast coast.
Rincón
In reality, the trip can expand PUERTO
Mayaguez RICO
to many more miles than Boquerón
Isla Mona
these straight-line distances
would indicate. C ARIBBEAN
SEA
On Oddly Enough, the
return to Samana left us
absolutely no wiggle room. Caribbean eight years earlier, ening trade winds, carried on
We anchored well out from leaving Fort Lauderdale for east for an hour to pass the
the wharf near the breakwa- a night crossing of the Gulf shoals around Cayo Levan-
ter to signal to officialdom Stream then taking three Oddly Enough tado, then turned southeast
our intention to be transient months to island-hop from bashed close- across the mouth of the bay
and got a good night’s sleep. the Abacos through the Baha- hauled against to the foul ground off Miches
In the morning, we had a mas. We then made the final a strong north- on the mainland. From there,
second visit from the offi- overnight sail from Big Sand westerly wind we followed the gentle arc of
cial who had cleared us out Cay south to Luperón, where through the the DR coast, staying in the
the day before and arranged we left the boat in the care of Mona Passage. calm of the land’s night lee
a water taxi to collect our a friend to return home for until early morning. A night
empty fuel jerry jugs so we the holidays. In the new year, lee is the thermodynamic
needn’t go ashore. He now we made easting along the effect of differential heating
said we could forgo another Dominican Republic’s north and cooling of land and sea.
despacho as long as we left coast, following Van Zant’s Land cools off much faster
that day, so at 0900, off we advice to take advantage of than the ocean after a day of
went. This time we had the the night lee. As we had no heating. At night, warm air

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 25

 down, the trades eased, and
we had a fast, night motorsail
until at sunrise we passed
The real Isla Desecheo and turned
unpredict- southeast to approach the
ability of Puerto Rican coast in steadily
the region rising wind. We also missed
comes the night lee on this coast,
not from which we enjoyed by arriving
the steady after midnight on Kraken. I
winds but can remember the last several
from the hours just muscling Oddly
move- Enough as close to directly
ments of into the wind as she would
motor and still keeping some
the water.
wind in the main. The seas
A complex
were uncomfortably close
seafloor together and hit from a vari-
morpholo- ety of directions, but mostly
gy results we plunged bow-on through
from a mix them, causing the occasional
of ocean- spray to douse Oddly’s side
ograph- decks. It was totally against
ic and Van Zant’s advice, and Krak-
Tom on Kraken’s bow. tectonic en could never have done
forces that it, but once through the
over the ocean rises and cold- it was a good passage. are actively cut in the reefs into Bahía
er land air flows out at the Unlike Kraken’s calm form- Boquerón, it all lay down.
surface to take its place, creat- passage, once Oddly Enough ing and Sailing this part of the route
ing an offshore wind. In the passed outside the shelter of by daylight, we were lucky
reshaping
tropics, the offshore wind can the breakwater, the full force not to encounter afternoon
the land-
be quite significant, holding of 15 to 18 knots of trade thunderstorms, which often
back or even replacing trade winds from the east southeast
scape. build up off this coast and
winds. Coasting along toward hit us, and with two reefs in break off to roam out over
Cabo Engaño on Kraken, we the main, we slogged east- the coastal sea.
encountered winds of less ward under motor. Off Punta Conditions like this in the
than five knots, and even Balandra, a pod of whales Mona can be uncomfortable
when we broke away from greeted us, spouting and for a well-found cruising
the coast at dawn for the sounding, the morning sun yacht but become dangerous
actual crossing, the light wind sparkling off their exhalations. for an overloaded open boat
held. There were big ocean Oddly Enough crashed driven by a single outboard
swells, but with her full keel, heavily forward, making engine. The real unpredict-
Kraken under motorsail swept hard-won progress until ability of the region comes
up and down them easily, and evening, when the seas lay not from the steady winds

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but from the movements of the east side of the Mona, an of Junk,” as my logbook
the water. A complex seafloor extensive bank extends from calls it, looked rough in the
morphology results from a the west coast of Puerto Rico, morning light from Oddly
mix of oceanographic and extending along the route to
Conditions Enough—360 acres of rugged
tectonic forces that are active- Mayaguez and Boquerón. like this in rock rising to 683 feet. It is
ly forming and reshaping the There are also three small the Mona only 13 miles from Rincón,
landscape. Part of the North uninhabited islands. The can be the closest point on the
Equatorial Current flows largest, Mona Island, is a uncomfort- Puerto Rican coast and not a
over this uneven terrain into nature preserve with resident able for a place of entry for cruisers; the
the Caribbean through the rangers but no fresh water. well-found only official one on the west
Mona Passage. Seas can build Despite the winds and cruising coast is Mayaguez. However,
seemingly out of nowhere, seas, crossing the Mona for yacht but it might as well be on the
especially around places like us had its magical moments. become moon when smugglers drop
Cabo Engaño, where the In the middle of the passage, danger- people off. In May 2022,
ocean heaps up to cross a a pair of what looked like ous for an at least 11 people died and
wide bank. Water that seems either female humpbacks or 38 others were rescued off
overloaded
deep to a small boat can minke whales dove back and Desecheo when their boat
open boat
cause surface chaos, as indi- forth under Kraken’s keel for capsized. Under these cir-
cated by the depths of five almost an hour, showing us
driven by cumstances, the U.S. Coast
to 20 fathoms reported on the white undersides of their a single Guard is charged with sav-
the bank seven miles south fins and bellies, which looked outboard ing people and also figuring
southeast of Cabo Engaño, blue in that incredibly clear engine. out what to do with them.
where strong tide rips and water. And a single dolphin The real Had they made it by yola to
heavy swells are visible for came to play on the last unpredict- Rincón, they still might not
many miles. It takes effort to morning and escorted us to ability of have survived, as many others
avoid the bank on a direct Puerto Rico. the region attempting to make the land-
crossing. Samana Bay has Isla Desecheo is a land- comes ing there have died in the
uneven banks on all sides mark for sailors turning not from surf, which makes this north-
and across any course. On toward Puerto Rico. “Island the steady west corner of Puerto Rico a
winds but mecca for American surfers.
Safety risks for women on
from the
the boats is very great, and
move-
migrants who get tossed into
ments of the sea to swim to the islands
the water. risk drowning, shark attacks
and even greater exposure
than that on open boats.
On both Kraken and
Oddly Enough, after our day-
and-a-half crossings, we had
the luxury to head to secure
ports where we could drop
Kraken sailing on the Bahama banks. anchor, rest and clear into
Puerto Rico legally. n

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 27

WINDLASS & GROUND TACKLE

Choose
a strong
windlass for
easy anchor
retrieval.

Manual and Electric Windlasses

BY BILL MORRIS
Bill Morris

E
very ocean-going vessel For many of us, especially in tune with their watery, off-
needs to have a depend- those on very large yachts with grid environs.
able anchor windlass heavy anchors and long lengths Despite what you may have
to take the hard work out of chain, the convenience of heard about manual windlasses,
A vintage of deploying and retrieving an electric windlass makes a operating one does not require
SL510 Hyspeed the anchor. We can choose voyage all the more pleasant, super-human powers. Quite to
manual wind- between a traditional manual taking the worry out of the the contrary, a manual windlass
lass on Bill windlass or a modern electric possibility of having to negoti- is designed to make the job of
Morris’ Cal 30, model capable of handling ate with difficult, rocky terrain raising the anchor easy, elim-
Saltaire. extreme stresses in every type of by hand. inating the strain you would
anchoring situation. otherwise endure by pulling up
Despite what you may have Manual Windlasses the hook and chain with your
heard about manual windlasses, If any single object on bare hands.
operating one does not require a cruising vessel embodies The object of these machines
super-human powers. Quite to energy independence more is to offer a good measure of
the contrary, a manual windlass than anything else, it is a mechanical advantage, which
is designed to make the job of manual windlass. Strong and means lots of cranking and a
raising the anchor easy, elim- dependable, it is emblematic of nice, little workout, but well
inating the strain you would rugged, die-hard, individual- within the physical limits of
otherwise endure by pulling up istic cruising sailors who insist an adult of average strength.
the hook and chain with your on being in constant physical And when compared to electric
bare hands. control of their ships, viscerally windlasses, the manual device

28 www.oceannavigator.com
can claim full allegiance to the dustry dedicated to producing the drive shaft. Unlike the 555,
green cause: it uses not a single replacement parts for the old which is lubricated internally
milliamp to operate. Simpson Lawrence machines. with grease, the 510’s chain
Horizontal manual wind- If you take a stroll through and sprockets require a bath
lasses are designed to reduce any North American cruiser of heavy gear oil to keep them
the job of weighing anchor marina today, you will see a from rusting and binding up.
to a straightforward, routine high percentage of the off- The one irksome annual chore
procedure without the aid of a shore-bound vessels are still with this machine is uninstall-
hydraulic pump or an electric equipped with a 555 windlass, ing the unit from the foredeck,
motor. Internal reduction the enduring standard for removing the clutch and cover
gearing makes it possible for the various knockoffs of this plate, and inspecting the gear
an adult of average strength to device. The 555 is designed oil. Milky sludge indicates
pull, depending on the model, to convert both forward and water intrusion. If the gasket
up to several hundred pounds backward motion of the is shot, you will have to cut a
of ground tackle in a stiff windlass handle into a one-way new one from a sheet of cork
breeze. With rare exception, the rotation of the horizontal drive or thick paper gasket material,
manual windlass mounted on shaft, to which both the cap- taking care not to break the
the bow of a cruising sailboat stan and wildcat are connected. fragile, narrow piece while you The Lewmar
has a horizontal drive shaft with The double action turns spur poke holes for the screws. After H3 Electric
a wildcat and a rope capstan, reduction gears, two of which reassembling the unit, remove Windlass is rec-
each mounted on either side of are spring loaded to alternate in the bronze NPT plug from the ommended for
the unit’s gear box. Virtually all and out of the meshed se- base of the port side and fill boats measuring
of these units have the wildcat quence, keeping the drive shaft with gear oil to the top of the 30 to 40 feet
mounted on the starboard side moving in its single direction. thread. The cone clutch oper- LOA.
directly aft of the bow roller, The 555 features a high-speed ates in the same manner as that
permitting the chain to make a gear with a handle fitting on of the 555, and both clutches
solid connection with teeth of the port side and a low-speed require occasional lubrication
the wildcat. gear fitting on the starboard
side. Having separate handle
The Simpson-Lawrence fittings for the two gears rather
Legacy than a selector switch ensures
When Simpson Lawrence simpler operation, lighter
sold out to Lewmar in 2000, construction (40 pounds) and
one of the most lamentable fewer components to fail under
casualties of the transaction extreme conditions.
was the complete closure of The 25-pound Hyspeed
the Simpson Lawrence line of 510 is decidedly not a min-
manual windlasses. However, iature of its big brother, the
parts for the 510, 555 and 555. The 510’s one-speed
Anchorman windlasses can be drive system, which also has
found on the Internet, and here a mechanical advantage of
and there you might even find 12:1, is comprised of two bi- Le
wm
a brand-new 510 or 555 still in cycle chains and two sprockets ar
through the
the original box. Fortunately, mounted in opposite directions grease nipple to keep
there is a thriving cottage in- to permit one-way rotation of them operating smoothly.

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 29

WINDLASS & GROUND TACKLE

New Manual Windlasses ers and fuel tanks. Built with a gear drive similar to the SL
Several American and Euro- roughly the same dimensions 555 and therefore can last for
pean manufacturers continue and mechanical operating sys- decades with little servicing.
to produce manual windlasses tem as the Lofrans Royal, the Both the 9A and 9B accept
along with their electric or Ursus sells for roughly a grand ¼, 5/16 and 3/8 BBB chain
hydraulic models. One of the and will probably last as long and feature a cone clutch to
most frequently mentioned in as the Lofrans. The wildcat ac- hold the wildcat in place while
dockside conversation is the cepts 5/16 proof coil and BBB retrieving the anchor.
Lofrans Royal, built in Monza, chain. The company offers Also on the list of manual
Italy. Available in anodized little in the way of construction windlasses is the Muir Easy-
aluminum or white enamel details, so it is advisable to find weigh 500 vertical windlass,
and very reasonably priced, an Ursus owner, inspect the which comes in several options.
this one-speed, double-action windlass and read the product You can choose a pure chain
horizontal windlass uses a bevel literature included with the gypsy set-up, a chain gypsy
gear drive system to pull up unit before deciding whether to with rope capstan or either of
to 430 pounds and is recom- make a purchase. the two with or without a rope
mended for vessels ranging R.C. Plath of Portland, hawser. Similar to the SL An-
The Lofrans from 26 to 39 feet LOA. The Ore., prides itself in high-qual- chorman, the Easyweigh 500 is
Royal Manual Royal weighs 22 pounds, ity precision metal spinning, operated with a standard winch
Windlass has slightly less than the SL 510, which contributes to the handle, which means you can
a maximum and its hot-forged bronze wild- continuing success of its simply increase leverage simply by
lift load of 440 cat accepts ¼-inch, 5/16 and designed and constructed man- using a longer handle.
pounds. 3/8 high-test, proof coil and ual windlass. Model 9A is cast
BBB chain. in high-tensile, marine-grade Electric Windlasses
A windlass appearing almost aluminum, yielding a strong A combination of factors
identical to the Lofrans Royal is yet light machine based on continues to feed the growing
the heavier bronze Model 9B. popularity of electric wind-
The Model 9A weighs in at lasses on modern cruising
28 pounds with combination boats. Bigger vessels, bigger
capstan and wildcat, and the battery banks, an aging boater
Model 9B, also available in population and an ongoing
chrome plate, with the same trend away from the analog life
configuration, weighs a compa- toward a push button/touch
rably hefty 45 pounds, which screen lifestyle have conspired
is still only five pounds more to make the electric windlass
than the SL 555. Though R.C. de rigeur on modern, high-tech
Plath does not publish pull cruising yachts measuring as
Bill Morris

maximums for its windlasses, little as 25 feet.

both the 9A and 9B are known The latest Defender and
the Ursus horizontal windlass, to handle up to 800 pounds, West Marine catalogs no longer
produced by Vetus of the UK. and they have served well for carry manual windlasses, now
Vetus supplies a wide range many years on the decks of listing only the electric vari-
of equipment to the nautical sailing vessels in excess of 35 ety, although some small to
industry, including engines, feet LOA. The double-acting mid-sized electric windlasses
plumbing fixtures, bow thrust- horizontal system is based on do include manual override

30 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

capability. tric windlasses are generally series and Maxwell’s RC and
If you are outfitting a large designed for small to medi- VWC series, not only because
yacht, between roughly 45 to um-sized boats and are intend- of their competitive prices
60 feet on deck, an electric ed for ¼-inch to 5/16-inch but also their reputation for
windlass is probably the best chain with ½-inch nylon rode, durability and ease of use. The
choice. For very large passenger the perfect package for week- profile of the Lewmar V series
vessels, a hydraulic system, such end fishing trips to local coastal
as the series built by AI Crane, islands. However, the wind-
is the obvious choice but lasses are not designed for total
outside the range of a typical, immersion in breaking head
cruising vessel with only two to seas, or for long exposure to the
four crew members. hot, humid conditions preva-
Just like manual windlasses, lent in tropical cruising.
electric windlasses come in two
species: vertical and horizontal. Vertical
Vertical windlasses generally Most of the electric wind-
occupy less space than a wider lasses being sold today are of
horizontal windlass, but on a the vertical type. They are less Bill Morris

large yacht, the main difference complicated to manufacture,

essentially boils down to the take up less deck space and wildcat-only windlasses is so
owner’s preference. Both types are easier to operate. A vertical compact they look like small
are available, from diminutive combination of drum and foredeck ornaments. Sleek and The vintage
models for small boats to large, wildcat, available on large understated, the Lewmar V Simpson
hydraulic systems for yachts of models, allows you to move belies its pulling power, ranging Lawrence 510
much greater size and displace- from nylon rode to chain much from 1,000 pounds for the V1 Hi-Speed man-
ment. more easily than by having to wildcat to 3,190 pounds for ual windlass,
switch from one side of the the V5 wildcat/drum combi- still a favorite
Horizontal windlass to the other. nation. among cruising
Many cruisers prefer the Also, with the motor safely Maxwell offers several sailors, has a
profile of a horizontal electric below deck, a vertical windlass low-profile, capstan-only units gear ratio of
windlass, dividing the wildcat is less exposed to the elements in its VWC series. Known for 12:1.
and rope capstan to either side than an above-deck motor. their elegant sculpted appear-
of the motor housing. Some Another feature of vertical ance, the VWC series windlass-
units divide the wildcat and windlasses is their manual es feature a built-in hawse pipe
capstan yet have the motor override capability. Lewmar and chain stripper. Both the
mounted below the deck. Ideal is known for its winch han- RC and WVC models include
and Lofrans offer high-quality dle hole in the end cap at the a reversing solenoid, circuit
horizontal electric windlasses top of the windlass, allowing breaker panel, and in case of
for mid-range cruising yachts, manual operation. Maxwell’s power loss or mechanical fail-
and both offer manual over- vertical machines have a slot in ure, an emergency handle for
ride. Very large yachts, measur- the top cap specially designed manual override.
ing well over 70 feet, also use for manual operation. The windlass we choose for
horizontal windlasses, such as Some of the most popular our vessel will have an outsized
those from Ideal Windlass. vertical windlasses in their influence on the success of
Lewmar horizontal elec- class are Lewmar’s V and CPX future voyages. n

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 31

WINDLASS & GROUND TACKLE

Proper care
and use of
your anchor,
chain and
rode

Spring Cleaning for Your Ground Tackle

BY HARRY HUNGATE
Bill Morris

T
his article is intended to fatigue cracks, which reveal with cotter pins or safety wires
be your annual checklist. themselves as thin lines of rust must be carefully examined to
If this is the first time you in the galvanized coating. If ensure the cotter pins or safety
A claw anchor have inspected your ground you find any items of concern, wires are there and correctly
is a popular tackle, then it will very likely you will wisely condemn the installed. On the bow of your
no-frills design require much more than an anchor and purchase a replace- boat, have a look at your an-
for all sizes of inspection. Ground tackle ment. If the anchor is rusty chor rollers. Do the rollers re-
offshore includes your anchor, rode overall, it may be cost effective volve freely? If not, remove the
vessels. (chain/rope) and windlass with to have it re-galvanized. If your axle bolts and clean any dirt or
its accessories. Before relaunch- anchor has two or more parts, corrosion. An application of
ing or setting out for your first make sure no parts are loose, SuperLube on the axle bolts
cruise of the new year, invest missing or damaged. Any will get them rolling smoothly
some time in inspecting your fastenings with nyloc nuts? again. Are the axle bolts secure-
ground tackle and performing DO NOT reuse a nyloc nut ly fastened? Remember not to
any maintenance and repairs as a locking nut since it will reuse nyloc nuts.
that will ensure you will less not lock securely on reuse. If Moving on to the rode—
likely suffer any failures and you remove it, make sure to chain, rope or a combination
will sleep well at night. replace it with a new, unused of both. Attaching the rode
Your primary anchor: if it is nut. It would be wise to keep a to the anchor will be via a
a one-piece design, simply look spare nyloc nut or two aboard shackle, a swivel or a combi-
carefully for corrosion or metal for replacements. Any bolts nation of both. Inspect for

32 www.oceannavigator.com
damage, corrosion and missing windlass chews the wire ties off whatever your rode tail is fas-
parts. The strongest galvanized occasionally, so we keep a bag tened to in the chain locker.
shackles are the ones with the of colored wire ties handy for Next up is the anchor
pins painted red. The shack- instant replacement. This also windlass: electric, hydraulic
le pin must be safety-wired causes us to inspect the chain or manual, none are carefree,
to the shackle. Get a roll of more frequently than once a and they do require periodic
stainless steel or Monel safety year. Inspect any thimbles on maintenance. Download the
wire and keep it in your tool your rope rode and replace owner’s manual and parts list
kit if you do not already have them if necessary. from the internet. Order a set
one aboard. Handy tip: form Chain rode should have a of seals and O-rings as you will
a very tight eye on each end rope tail attached to the vessel likely need them. Scrub with
of the safety wire when you in case you ever have to “cut soap and fresh water and rinse
cut it from the roll. A freshly and run.” Make sure that the thoroughly. Inspect carefully
cut wire end can inflict a nasty rope tail is long enough to for corrosion, paying particu-
puncture wound. reach your bow roller, as you lar attention to the mounting
Inspect the chain or rope do not want the hazard of a
by laying it out on the dock. stressed chain flying across
Look carefully for worn links your bow. If you have time,
and degraded galvanizing in you can tie a fender to the tail
general. Reversing (swapping so you can retrieve that expen-
end-for-end) the chain can add sive anchor and chain.
additional years of use. Chains Don’t forget to inspect your
usually can be re-galvanized secondary anchor (and your
at least once before losing dinghy anchor). We carry a
strength. Repair links are avail- Fortress anchor deployable
able to join lengths of chain, either bow or stern and an
but I am not comfortable with eight-strand braided rope rode
such devices because they are with 20 feet of chain. It’s light
likely to be a weak link. If you enough to load it all in the din-
Bill Morris

have a rope/chain combination ghy and carry it out to kedge

rode, inspect the rope/chain us off (don’t ask how I know!)
splice very carefully. They are Eight-strand braided nylon bolts and the bolt that holds
strong if done properly. Rope rode is much easier to store down the chain stripper. Stain-
rodes should not have any and deploy as it does not kink less steel bolts and aluminum This CQR
signs of chafe or torn strands. or hackle as does three-strand housings are a sure source of anchor has a
Renew/replace markers on nylon rode. corrosion. Corrosion can be swivel, which
your rode. We use colored Rinse the chain or rope repaired with JBWeld if not allows a wide
nylon wire ties on our anchor rode in fresh water and restow too severe. (See photo). radius of rota-
chain, and they can easily be it when dry. It is a good idea We have had Lofrans tion without
inserted into nylon rode. Some to clean out your chain locker Tigres electric windlasses on dislodging the
boaters mark their rode with at this time. Be sure that the both of our boats. If you are anchor.
paint, which is much harder anchor locker drains properly. purchasing new, then go for
to maintain than simple wire Remember to check on the the plain aluminum anodized
ties. The chain gypsy on the condition of the eye bolt or finish, as it is more durable

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 33

WINDLASS & GROUND TACKLE

than the white powder-coated can be cut into the shaft and Remove any accumulated
finish. Lofrans recommends gypsy. The best practice (as I brush dust—compressed air
the lubricating oil be replaced learned later) is to cut a second makes this easy. Inspect the
every four years, and that is keyway at 90 degrees to the ex- commutator for wear. Severe
good advice for any make of isting keyway. Or a new shaft wear is evidenced by no re-
windlass. can be purchased most likely maining undercutting between
It will probably entail at great cost and long delivery. the commutator bars. An
removing the windlass and Rotate the shaft and listen and electric motor repair shop can
pouring out the oil as there feel for any roughness in the recondition your commutator.
may be no drain plug. See the bearings. Clean the bearings (Just don’t tell them it’s for a
December 22, 2010, issue of in diesel fuel. Replace the boat!)
Ocean Navigator for my article bearings if they do not rotate When reassembling and
on servicing the Lofrans Tigres smoothly. Never spin ball bear- installing the windlass, coat the
windlass. The information ings with compressed air to cable terminals with silicone
therein is generally applicable clean them as this will damage electronic grease. Pay particular
to all windlasses. You may have their highly polished surfaces. attention to sealing the case
to remove the electric motor If you remove the shaft, be sure over the electric motor. If there
to change the oil, but first to replace the oil seals. is a gasket, replace it with a
carefully label the wires. A pho- The chain gypsy or rope new one or seal the cover to
to or two is also a good idea. drum on the windlass will have the case with silicone rubber
You will not want to work on a ratchet and pawls, which will gasket sealer. If there are nylon
the deck, as parts and tools are need cleaning and lubricating bushings on the mounting
likely to end up overboard. Al- with grease. Superlube or white bolts to the deck, replace these
ternatively, you can surround lithium grease will do the if they are worn or damaged.
the windlass with a cardboard job. Make sure that the pawls Seal the bolts with self-amal-
box to limit the range of travel swivel freely and the tiny pawl gamating electrical tape and
of fast-moving parts and tools! springs are in place. apply a dab of silicone rubber
Pour out the old oil into a Inspect the brushes in the (RTV) sealant, as the mount-
container and inspect the oil electric motor. Pull on the ing bolts are prone to leakage.
for metal particles indicating leads and make sure the brush- I have no experience with
wear or milky or cloudy oil es move freely in their holders. hydraulic windlasses, but the
indicating water intrusion. The spring tension should be same advice is applicable to
If any of the above is noted, equal on all brushes. Brush- these devices, with the excep-
then flush the windlass with es should be replaced when tion of the hydraulic motor.
fresh diesel or windlass oil, and worn down to half the origi- An automatic transmission
refill with the recommended nal length. (Call the windlass shop can probably remedy any
windlass oil, usually SAE 80 or manufacturer’s support line problems with your hydraulic
90 gear oil per your manufac- and ask for the length of a new motor or pump. Inspect for
turer’s recommendations. brush). Check the fastening signs of leaking hydraulic oil
Remove the chain gypsy screws for tightness. Rotate and chafed oil lines and hoses.
and inspect the shaft. It is not the motor shaft and listen and Manual windlasses require
unusual to find a distorted key- feel for rough bearings. Replace cleaning and lubrication.
way in the soft, stainless steel if necessary. If this is beyond Inspect for corrosion and worn
shaft. This repair is a job for a your skill set, an electric motor bearings. Inspect the chain
machine shop. A larger keyway repair shop can do the job. gypsy for wear and replace if

34 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

worn. A slipping chain is a real safety over time, so inspect and replace as Continue to the batteries, checking
issue for you and for your boat. The necessary. Also inspect the deck plug for security and corrosion. Service
small snap rings that keep the gypsy and socket for corrosion or damage. your batteries and replace them if
on the shaft tend to rust, so try to ob- Replace the batteries in the wireless necessary.
tain stainless steel snap rings (circlips) controller at this time. One final bit of advice: never
if possible. Also, touch up the paint The heavy-duty relay that controls fasten your anchor snubber to your
on your windlass if needed. Anything the windlass is the weakest link in windlass, even if it has a cleat on
that will slow corrosion is always a the system, based on our experience. it. The aluminum housing is not
good idea. The relay contacts oxidize and wear strong enough to withstand the strain
Inspect both foot switches for the over time. If your windlass begins imposed by a proper blow. Install a
windlass: are the covers serviceable? to require more than one press of chain lock between the windlass and
Are the rubber boots intact? Are the the switch, then it’s probably time bow roller. Always tie off your anchor
cables corrosion-free and securely to replace the relay box. Inspect the snubber to a fixed cleat or Sampson
attached to the switches? If you have windlass switches at your helm station post. Use three-part nylon line for
a hand-held wireless or wired con- and replace if necessary. Follow the your snubber, as it will stretch under
troller, give it a thorough inspection. cables from the relay box to the strain unlike double braid line, which
The insulation on the coiled wire on circuit breaker. Check the cable nuts will shock-load your anchor and likely
the wired remotes tend to degrade for corrosion and proper tightening. dislodge it. n

multifunction dinghy
Row
Motor
Sail
Survive

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Cruising and Living Aboard

Our Jackline Insurance Solutions protect you, your yacht,

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www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 35

 A gaff-rigged Portland Pudgy calmly sails to
windward in a light breeze.

covering a lot of bases for avid off-

shore and coastal cruisers.
One quick look at a Portland
Pudgy reveals a stout, tough,
all-weather, compact vessel with
surprisingly ample storage space
for food and water if needed in an
emergency. Sitting inside a Pudgy,
you are surrounded on four sides
by buoyant chambers with large
portals for storing supplies.
You will marvel at every atten-
tion to detail going into the
design and construction of the
Pudgy: a built-in compass, place-
ment of tow-eyes and grab-lines,
textured gunwales and floor, drain
gutters, drain plug and more. All
of this in a boat measuring 7 feet,
8 inches long, 4 feet, 4 inches
wide, and 2 feet, 4 inches deep.
Owing to the great amount of
Portland Pudgy

storage and internal flotation, the

interior length is a comfortable
6 feet, 2 inches long with a total

HARD DINGHIES
of 16.1 square feet of space. The
Portland Pudgy is a USCG-ap-
proved vessel with a carrying
capacity of 557 pounds, enough
FOR PLEASURE AND SURVIVAL for two or three crew members, an
outboard motor, navigation gear,
BY BILL MORRIS food and water.
Other features include two col-

O
nce we leave sight of land able lifeboat we can jump into for lapsible oars with sleeves and col-
on our offshore sailing survival. lars, a Richie illuminated compass,
adventures, there is always The Portland Pudgy, manufac- towing bride harness, tethered
a question looming over us: what tured in South Portland, Maine, is drain plug, three seats with poly-
if we hit something and have to a top-quality, multi-purpose din- ethylene hand-holds, stainless steel
abandon ship immediately? While ghy designed with both comfort oarlock sockets and double roller
the odds of this happening are and stability in mind, especially wheels for easy storage on land.
infinitesimally small, we’ll sleep for rough conditions. This is a Russel and Karin Carlyon of
better if we have a solid, depend- dinghy you can sail, row or motor, OC Tenders in Bay of Islands,

36 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

New Zealand, began their foray Although not recommended as a to be up to the task of handling
into dinghy construction while lifeboat, this lightweight dinghy the extra weight and torsion of an
looking for a solid offshore tender molded of durable plastic is easy outboard motor.
with the ability to perform as a to transport, whether on the bow If you prefer rowing, you can
fast, inshore sailing dinghy. Rus- of your main vessel, in the back of pull yourself to shore with a pair
sel, who has a strong background a pickup truck or on the roof rack of 65-inch, two-piece aluminum
as a windsurfer, had the structural of your car. oars, which are collapsible to 34
insight to envision a tough, small The Backwater dinghy mea- inches for storage. The oarlocks
vessel capable of withstanding off- sures 7 feet, 8 inches long, weighs are of a proprietary design, so it
shore conditions in an emergency. 68 pounds unequipped and has a would be wise to order an extra
Among the features of the OC carrying capacity of 352 pounds, pair as replacements if you are
Tenders product line is, first and which equates roughly to two preparing for a long offshore voy-
foremost, its carbon fiber con- people plus cargo and equipment. age.
struction, which yields a light but All seats, which contain high-den- Before taking the plunge with
strong hull and deck structure, sity flotation foam, are removable the purchase of a new, hard-shell
and non-skid surface on the deck for storage and stacking, and cup dinghy, take time to weigh the
and cockpit floor. holders are located at convenient options in buoyancy, construction
You will appreciate OC Ten-
ders’ design with a tank bulkhead,
pockets, two seat blocks, large The OC270
drainage bung, standard davit lift- is construct-
ing eyes, thick rub strake, floating ed of carbon
painter, tiller extension and a pair fiber and
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reational boats in protected water. fore, you can expect the transom offshore cruising itinerary. n

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 37

 VOYAGING TIPS

Mount Desert Williwaws BY ANN HOFFNER

T he last night of a summer

cruise is bittersweet.
Food lockers are diminished,
a final sail out of the Gulf
of Maine and into sheltered
Frenchman Bay. On the last
out. These are the glorious
mornings sailors live for. We
exited the passage, passed the
Ora Kali at dirty clothes exceed the morning of last year’s cruise entrance to the Rockefeller
anchor. clean, and there’s relief in not to Penobscot Bay and back, enclave of picturesque
having to choose another safe we dropped the mooring at wooden boats at Seal Harbor,
harbor for the night, but the Southwest Harbor at 0945 East Bunker Ledge – with its
freedom from land cares also with just a few high clouds, strange, pyramidal granite
soon will end. wildfire haze obscuring the monument topped by an
For Tom and me on Ora heights on Mount Desert empty flagpole – and sailed
Kali, returning home means Island and a light north into the open Gulf. The wind
wind. was still out of the north at
Ora Kali had spent most around 8 knots. I was at the
of her previous life with helm. I asked Tom to bring
owners in Maryland and up seltzers and a chocolate
New Jersey, but as a Sabre energy bar, and he was just
30, she was built in Maine. settling back into the cockpit
We sailed her home here when WHAM! A gust
a couple years ago, and in slammed Ora Kali across her
the process learned how to port beam. I immediately
cruise on a small boat. She eased the mainsheet and
was small, at least in contrast she came mostly upright,
to our bluewater boats. tore along for a minute, and
One thing we became well then the gust passed and she
aware of is the need to plan sailed calmly as if nothing
carefully to make distance. untoward had happened.
The 17-plus miles straight- We were a quarter mile off
line distance today would Hunters Beach Cove, an
translate into considerably indentation in the coast. The
more by the time we tacked sun glinted off cars lined up
up Frenchman Bay. on the Acadia Park Loop
We had the engine off Road.
by 1000 so we could reach As I watched, a dark patch
down Eastern Way in the appeared on the otherwise flat
lee of Mount Desert Island, water and raced toward us.
or MDI as the locals call “Dump the traveler!” I
it, where the water was yelled to Tom.
flat except for the wakes of He yanked the port
Ann Hoffner

nature tour boats heading traveler control line out

38 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

 Ann Hoffner

of the cam cleat and let the katabatics. These are

it go. Ora Kali was full nighttime winds that drop
broadside to the wind. We Ever since I off the highlands rimming
had all sail up, and even the coastline as heavy, cool Sun setting
with the traveler dumped,
crossed the South air at the heights descends to over Southwest
it threatened to lay her on Pacific on Oddly replace warm surface air off Harbor, Maine.
her side. I had never laid the ocean, pushing back the
a sailboat over far enough Enough, I’ve been tradewinds. We spent several
to be called a knockdown fascinated by local magical nights making
and didn’t feel like doing it easting by reaching along
now. When the gust passed, effects. In those the coast of the Dominican
the wind returned to 7 or vast stretches, Republic and then finding
8 knots, way too light to anchorages during the
warrant putting in a reef. we were often day. Though technically
Tom centered the traveler incorrect, we called these
car, and with the main filled,
the only ones to winds “williwaws;” the real
we sailed on. experience local williwaws are katabatics
What was causing these that happen at cold, high
conditions? weather, which is latitudes.
When Tom and I first synoptic weather The wind dynamics
sailed to the Caribbean in the south of MDI can be traced
1990s, the fleet, mostly made conditions as they to the island’s beginnings
up of small bluewater boats exist over a broad 500 million years ago. The
like our Galeforce 34, took geologic forces that molded
the thornless path to get east, area but are mod- this 108-square-mile lump of
which involved leaving on a rock—erosion and volcanic
northeast bend in the trade
ified by local con- and tectonic movement of
winds, and when we got ditions. the earth’s crust—created
to the big islands, catching 30 named peaks rising

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 39

 VOYAGING TIPS

Ann Hoffner

“
from sea level, all but one areas of water with steeper
of which run north-south and/or taller terrain upwind
separated by broad valleys. I’ve hiked both often have significantly more
Lines of dark Mount Cadillac, 1,530 feet Gorham and Cham- intense and varying wind
water heading tall, is only three miles from plain Mountains and patterns. I suspect there
out toward Ora the coast, and the highest are lee eddies just behind
Kali, above. point within 25 miles of the noticed the wind the terrain, and when these
Home in Atlantic shoreline anywhere forms ‘cats paws’ in turbulent eddies reach the
on the North American water’s surface, (they cause)
Sorrento,
fascinating patterns
opposite page. continent between Nova the gusts.”
Scotia and Mexico. along the water. I’ve Ever since I crossed the
We could have been seen generally the South Pacific on Oddly
experiencing the north Enough, I’ve been fascinated
areas of water with
wind funneling through by local effects. In those vast
mountain passes, which can steeper and/or taller stretches, we were often the
cause the wind to rush down terrain upwind often only ones to experience local
as through a tunnel with weather, which is synoptic
considerable speed, but I
have significantly weather conditions as they
doubted it was just this. more intense and exist over a broad area
Mike Dorfman, a varying wind pat- but are modified by local
software engineer at Verisk conditions. In this same way,
Analytics, runs the Weather terns. I suspect there local winds are those shown
Guy on the MDI Facebook are lee eddies just on synoptic weather maps
page. I asked him for some behind the terrain, but modified by friction or
local knowledge about other topographic or thermal
the phenomenon. He said and when these tur- effects. Wind conditions
he didn’t have an official bulent eddies reach in the mountains are of
scientific explanation, only particular concern to forest
the water’s surface,
more evidence and a theory. fire fighters, and the National
“I’ve hiked both Gorham (they cause) the Wildfire Coordinating

”
and Champlain Mountains gusts. Group says there is no
and have noticed that the substitute for an adequate
wind forms ‘cats paws’ in – Mike Dorfman, engineer, understanding of local wind
fascinating patterns along the Verisk Analytics/Weather Guy behavior.
water. I’ve seen generally the Dorfman called the

40 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

gustiness below MDI’s mountains hills. was rigged 3:1. It was easy enough
“lee eddies.” But eddies imply The ocean south of MDI is to reach the controls under the
change of direction, and we saw heavily dotted with lobster floats. dodger, but the rig didn’t have a
no change in direction, only a big In the lee of the island, the colorful big throw. Reefing the main would
increase in wind speed in the gusts. floats looked like harmless confetti have left us wallowing between
What we experienced is more when the water was calm, but a gusts, even more vulnerable to
likely to be a version of a mountain when a gust hit, I couldn’t head their force. When I got tired of
wave. According to NOAA, air up to pass safely above nearby this, I headed off the wind to gain
flowing across a mountain range pots and so risked being blown distance from MDI and try to
usually rises relatively smoothly down on them. Though we were escape the gustiness and the worst
up a slope but once over the top, sailing, we could still catch a pot of the pots.
pours down the other side with warp in our propeller or rudder. After Otter Cove, the coast
considerable force. It can bounce We developed a rhythm: Tom trended north into the wind, and
up and down, creating eddies and stood where he could reach the our first tack took us easterly.
turbulence. It also creates powerful traveler control line and also watch Once we passed the bottleneck of
downdrafts as well as vertical waves for the next wind line to race Porcupine Islands, which guards
that may extend for great distances towards us while I watched for Frenchman Bay, we were on
downwind. The mountain wave pots to leeward. When I felt the open water and the lobster floats
phenomenon is not limited to gust about to hit, I yelled for him were few and far between. Our
high mountain ranges, such as the to dump the main, and then we chartplotter, a reliable Simrad
Rockies, but is also present to a hung on until it passed when he GO7 XSE, showed a classic
lesser degree in smaller mountain brought the traveler back up. Our zigzag course as we tacked across
systems and even in lines of small Harken mid-range traveler system the wind that held steady out of
the north. Over a total trip of
six hours, we motored only 15
minutes to exit Southwest Harbor
until we had crossed the bay and
stood off Sorrento to take the sails
down. Then we motored onto Ora
Kali’s mooring.
Our house and car were a half-
mile from the harbor. We would
be walking home. After tying on
sail covers and tidying up, we
filled our backpacks with only
necessities, like books we were
in the middle of reading, and kit
bags. We could bring Ora Kali into
the dock later to unload gear and
food.
My logbook for this final entry
Ann Hoffner

of our summer cruise ends simply,

“Home!” n

www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 41

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www.oceannavigator.com MAY/JUNE 2024 OCEAN NAVIGATOR 43

 NAV PROBLEM

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

and Great Britain BY DAVID BERSON

A fter the success of Great

Western (ON issue
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
288),
Brunel thought iron would
be better hull material. Iron
at that time was less expensive
repaired and had a long and
very successful career, primar-
ily as a sailing ship carrying
set his sights on an even larger than wood and would not immigrants from England to
ship, Great Britain, which from hog as a wood ship would Australia. It was converted to
1845 to 1853 was the largest at over 300 feet of construc- all sail in 1881. More about
passenger ship ever built at 322 tion. Initially, Great Britain that in our next issue.
feet LOA. Brunel, an innova- was designed as an auxiliary For the sake of having fun,
tor, took radical design leaps as sail/paddle wheel vessel, not we will create a problem for
the Great Britain was the first unlike the ship Great Western, February 29, a leap year. The
but Brunel, always the tin- trip takes place February 29,
kerer, changed his mind and 1848, another leap year.
instead designed a six-blade We will be using the 2024
screw propeller, mounted Nautical Almanac. The DR is
aft to move the ship. This N 46° 25’ by W 58° 06’. The
was the first of its kind. This height of eye is 20 feet. We
decision during construction are doing a lower-limb sun
set back the launch a year. sight at a time of 16:23:35
To assist the steam power, LMT.
Great Britain was rigged 1. What is the GMT?
as a six-masted sailing ship 2. The captain observes the
with retractable masts. Great sun with an Hs of 12° 30.’
Wikipedia

Britain was also the first ship Find the HO.

ship to be built of iron and was whose standing rigging was 3. Calculate LHA.
the first ship to be outfitted made of iron cable instead of 4. Using HO249, Volume
In 1845, SS with a screw propeller. The the traditional hemp. The first 3, calculate intercept LOP.
Great Britain ship became the template for outbound trip from Liverpool Then plot estimated position.
was the first all future ship-building con- to New York took 14 days,
iron steamer struction and was the very first averaging 9.25 knots—fast, Answers
to cross the iron, sail-assisted steam vessel but not a record. 24’ by W 58° 14’.
Atlantic. to cross the Atlantic. In its transatlantic iter- ed position is N 46°
Great Britain was so big ation, Great Britain had a away at 244°. Estimat-
that a specially designed dry relatively short career because 4. Intercept is 36.3 nm
dock had to be built in Bristol early on, it ran aground off 3. LHA is 62°.
to accommodate its construc- Ireland and was sold as sal- 2. HO is 12° 37.7’.
tion. Initially, the plans called vage. It bankrupted the com- 1. GMT is 20:15:59.
for wooden construction, but pany, but Great Britain was

44 OCEAN NAVIGATOR MAY/JUNE 2024 www.oceannavigator.com

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