Dear Steve and Linda: Your Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia was extremely helpful to me when I was outfitting my BCC “Calliste” for extended cruising in 1998. Currently in Tin Can Bay, Qld., Australia, on hard stand, repairing a gelcoat failure and discovering other maintainance problems as well.

I have removed her two ss water tanks and was using a welder’s Ss pickling paste to remove the rust that developed around the welds on the outside of the tank. This revealed some deep pitting in some places, what looks to be a depth about half the thickness of the metal. Having trouble on deciding what to do, got any ideas to pass along ???

Have been enjoying your web site and will continue to do so, when we depart OZ. Sincerely, Douglas

I have agonized over this problem for months now. Boy, if you could give me some insight on how to resolve this dilemma I would be most appreciative. In your first Encyclopedia you made reference to the use of a high-output DC genset coupled to an inverter for the AC. Our AC load is small and quite manageable. The largest load is hot water and the reverse cycle AC (both about 10 running amps). Intermediate use items are hand tools, microwave, nicad charger, 13 in. TV. So, my selection logic to date goes something along the lines of: Weight: 3.5 kW AC genset is ~280 lbs.; Fischer/Panda DC unit or Balmar Unit 200. This thing is going in a Hans Christian Christina 40. So, space and weight are of a concern. Fuel Consumption: The DC units seem to have a logic control to throttle back the engine depending on the load. I’m not certain if the AC units are loaded up regardless of the AC load on the generator. So, if you are not running at capacity, is your fuel consumption less than full-load?. I’m guessing that the 3.5 kW AC units consume about .3 GPH. Inverter: Regardless of the genset choice, you’ll want one. Unless you want to fire up the genset to heat a sandwich or catch the 6 o’clock news. I’m looking at the Trace 25. It should handle the inductive load of the AC just fine. I am running a house bank of four, 4D AGM batteries. With their low internal resistance they will accept a high rate of replacement charge off a DC unit. So, from your experience in setting up systems, is the 12V genset a good solid technology? Does it do a good job in keeping the house banks up to 13V while running a long term AC load? Any trade-off from one to another that should sway me? Given the above usage criteria, what do you think? Do you cover this subject in more detail in the Encyclopedia second edition? All the best and thanks in advance for your time, Kevin McGreevy

Steve: Just read your excellent article in the recent issue of Ocean Navigator, concerning heavy weather steering issues. We just placed an order for a 43′ Hallberg-Rassy, and I’m curious to learn what you think of the “beefiness” of its steering system. It has Whitlock wheel steering, with Cardan linked rod steering. Do you think this meets your recommendation for “twice ABS specifications”? Thank you for your help! Mike B

I have a compaq laptop (slow & old, but OK) and use weatherfax from J.E.Hoot to receive weathercharts and forecasts.

I have difficulties to find the best frequencies for the mediterreanean and I always seem to miss the timing. Any suggestions as to the software, or the emitting station?

Frederik

P.S. I enjoy your Mariners Weather Handbook and CD.

What effect is there on propeller performance and vibration when fitted in the opposite rotation to that recommended by the boat builder?

I just purchased a 9 year old Grand Soleil Maxi One (19.5m) and am having a lot of problems with engine & MaxProp giving a lot of very bad vibrations and engine not being able to obtain correct cruising revs (should be about 2700/2800 rpm–and getting black smoke when revving above 2200rpm).

Obvious answer is the prop is over pitched. However, on checking with MaxProp rep here in Athens, he just serviced and refitted the prop with 20 degs with right rotation. According to the Manual on board from the builders (Canteir del Pardo) the prop should be 14 degs–Left Rotation.

Of course the over pitching of the prop answers the problem of the engine not revving etc, but would the wrong rotation cause increasingly bad vibrations the more rpm’s applied?

I need some urgent advice because the incorrect running of the engine over the last 8/9 years (by previous owner) has caused all sorts of problems including overheating, broken pipe in heat exchanger and blown gasket leading to water into the cylinders and turbo etc on my recent outing with service engineers on board testing the engine after service. Thus, decided to put new engine as do not want to have further trouble/time/expense of trying to renew/overhaul existing engine.

Obviously have to find also a solution for the bad vibrations, but I cannot get Maxprop or del Pardo to reply to my emails and faxes.

I have recently seen a Macgregor 65 which has been set up for cruising for two people with a smaller rig and deeper draft. I am wondering if you have any knowledge of the capabilities these boats have for cruising. This boat has only been used for cruising the West Coast of America and Baja. Hope you can help. Thanks in advance. Bye for now. Brent G.

PS – I would be using this boat mostly for cruising between Australia and New Zealand and to the South Pacific Islands.

I got a Hylas 44 surveyed as part of my purchase of that boat. I want the boat (1989) to take it to the South Pacific with my wife. Do you know that design? Do you think is a good boat for that trip? Thanks!

I have for two years been cruising my Hylas 46, and have realized it is not the boat I need to continue cruising. I believe one of your Deerfoot series, ideally a 61 would serve me better. Do sellers go solely to brokers or do they sometimes ask if you know of a prospective purchaser? Do they often come on the market? I realize the last question is probably often asked and a generalization is difficult. If you have the time to reply I would appreciate it.–Mike Parker