New 418 Questions

 We have just finished a five month coastal trip on the boat, I cannot comment on crossing oceans, but a couple of other thoughts follow.

You mentioned in one of your posts that you are keeping the Delta anchor, maybe going larger. To be blunt, the Delta is rubbish, we found it difficult to set even in good holding and light winds. It seemed to hold once set, but we never tested it in wind / tide reversals.  I replaced the Delta with a 20kg Manson Supreme, which worked well on our trip to the Whitsundays. I do not think that the issues with the Delta will be fixed by going larger. You will also need more than the standard 30m of chain. We changed to 50m, the locker is pretty full at that, you might get 60m but would need to be constantly pushing the chain into any hollows.

I would also look at the following, to improve liveability and comfort.  In no particular order:

MOST IMPORTANTLY, check the wiring between control panel and engine, we had a engine fire related to wear on this wiring. It needs to be in conduit. 

Check the exhaust pipe near the gas locker, ours was rubbing.

You will need more gas storage. We get about two weeks from the bottle supplied. We kept a second bottle in the anchor locker.

Upgrade the fresh water tank level measurement, it is unreliable.

Upgrade the holding tank level measurement, ours had a single point. It is simple to add more points lower so you can monitor what is happening.

Have a think about how to drain the holding tank if the dump valve blocks, it is difficult and messy if blocked and filled above the inspection hatch. The single measurement point fitted is above the inspection hatch.  Don’t ask how I know......

Our boat is two cabin, we added a hatch to inspect the primary fuel filters in the store room.

Upgrade the primary fuel filters to include a viewable water trap.

Add a accessible screen to the chain locker drain, it has a narrow point about 40mm down that blocks.

Upgrade the mattress, it developed soft spots over the 5 months.

I would carry a second hand held for the VHF, or a charge cradle in the cockpit.

I would think that you will need more refrigeration capacity. We added a portable in the store room. (Two cabin boat).

You did not mention solar, we added 300watts, this was OK in good weather, but I would look at options for more if doing the job again.

Have a good think about how to manage the dinghy, we looked at a number of options and ended up using a RIB and davits. We were very happy with this on a coastal trip where the dinghy is used almost daily.

Hopefully the above list is not seen as to negative, the boats are delivered optomised for a particular use and need to be customised for how we wish to use them. I am OK with that.

Drop a note is anything above is unclear.

Gordon

I find the Delta holds well in sand and mud but is pretty hopeless in weed and not much good in shingle/stones.  However it would make a good kedge although a little bulky.  I got a Brittany for my stern anchor which was useful in the Stockholm archipelago where the locals use a stern anchoe and tie their bow to a rock.  I strongly recommend allowing time to explore the Baltic, but there is also some delightful cruising in the UK, the Brittany coast in France and Galicia in Spain.  You mentioned spending two years getting back to Australia.  Have you considered spending a season in Europe and overwintering somewhere before crossing the Altlantic at the end of the following year?  That might give you time to get into the Med too.

I'm also intereted in any advice of davits.  I have previously stored my dinght (2.5m) in front of the sprayhood but have a solar panel there now.  IIt does fit in front of the mast but compromises access to the anchor locker.  The issue with davits is the stern mounting points need to be at least 3m apart due to the bathing platform - wider than the length of my dinghy.

I have a 100W solar which makes a difference but is not quite enough to keep up with everything on long passages.  200W would be much better.

I'd also comment on the exhaust pipes.  I found mine were not secured in the void behind the aft port cabin and were moving significantly when the exhaust water was pusling through.  These needed a few cable ties to hold then in place to avoid significant chafe damage. 

Photo of davits. They are suitable for our 2.4m RIB, I always remove the outboard and store as per the photo.

I included a stiffener for the code 0 but still need to decide on the perfect all rounder sail, glad to hear you like yours.  It seems like the Elvestrom Furlestrom/North G1 on a furler with a mast pole is the ideal combination.

David

 

By "Stiffner" for the Code 0 I assume we are talking about a tie rod between the stemhead fitting and the stem? Have Hanse commented on the need for that? It's not something I've been advised to do and I've observed the stemhead attachment on the 418 looks substantial and stronger than on the 415. I'd be interested to know if Hanse have advised otherwise, particularly as I don't recall it being part of their "Furlstrom" option or seeing one in any of their brochure pics / videos when they flew a code 0?

 

Not having seen one I wonder if it could be problematic when raising the anchor?

 

Thx

 

Matt