We learned a long time ago that making decisions on boat purchases based on marketing brochures or the claims of sales personnel leads to all sorts of difficulties. That is one of the reasons we like to go cruising for long periods – it gives us a chance to test gear in the real world, on a long term basis.

It is our habit when we build a new boat to try out new concepts and equipment. Sometimes this leads us to a new approach. Often we end up going back to what we used before because the new gear didn’t live up to its initial promise.

Having had Beowulf in the water now for almost 28,000 miles of passaging we’ve had a chance to sort things out. We’re pared down to what we think are the ultimate systems for her needs – and Beowulf’s systems continue to work well.

The only real maintenance to speak of was the replacement of two Jabsco bilgepump motors. Both of the Village Marine Watermakers continue to work fine, the Glacier Bay fridge system, although very noisy, is operating OK. (However, one of the compressors is a making a noise which sounds like a bad bearing.) And our Teleflex diesel heater makes all the hot water required for heating the boat in cold climates – as well as for our showers/baths in the tropics. Both our Yanmar diesels, the genset and main engine, are running smoothly. The Electrodyne alternators, mated up with the four-cylinder Yanmar, continue to put out heaps of power,and the Trojan traction battery bank is still going strong.

The spectra running rigging is in good shape after five years. We’re still unhappy with the handling of this Yale Maxibraid, but it is strong, stretch-free,and we’ve had negligible chafe. We’re going to look at some alternate rope constructions this summer.