Vlad,
Thank you for the offer. It would be nice to get a chance to meet your daughter in China. Actually, China is one of the places I have quite a bit of pull in the 'Adventure' arena. Been going to China & Tibet since 1984, the first two Chinese to climb Mt. Vinson in the Antarctic stayed with me in Carson City before we headed to the Antarctic. They are quite well known in China because they climbed Everest & were the first Chinese to climb the Seven Summits (highest point on all seven continents). Also, was an advisor for tourism in Tibet and helped set up their Antarctic base and polar diving unit(Great Wall Base). I do not speak Russian, but can get by in Mandaran (also, Koeran, 'Ex-Wife was Korean). I'm currently at Patong Beach in Phuket for a week holiday-but, looking forward to seeing your questions when I get back to Sri Lanka next week. Cheers, Mike
Zeno's Arrow
Sonar
Vladimir,
You can look at available 'forward scanning' sonar units at the west marine website. As far as I know there is only one manufacturer for these units (mine is one of the origional 'Scout' units). As for positioning the transponder, mine is attached to my modified keel. However, my first transponder was not a 'thru-hull' and was glassed into the bow of the boat, inside below the waterline, but Not on the water ballast tank.
This was a technique that was recommended to me by some 'Bass Fishing' boater friends and it does work. Maybe some of the other folks on this site can give you some pointers. I do agree, given the type of trips you plan that a forward scanning system & back-up 'fish finder' off the stern transom would be a good way to go. Keep in mind that even with this set-up that in shallow 'muddy' river water doing anything over 5 kts. will not give you enough time to stop before you hit something that appears on the screen (learned the hard way).
mm
You can look at available 'forward scanning' sonar units at the west marine website. As far as I know there is only one manufacturer for these units (mine is one of the origional 'Scout' units). As for positioning the transponder, mine is attached to my modified keel. However, my first transponder was not a 'thru-hull' and was glassed into the bow of the boat, inside below the waterline, but Not on the water ballast tank.
This was a technique that was recommended to me by some 'Bass Fishing' boater friends and it does work. Maybe some of the other folks on this site can give you some pointers. I do agree, given the type of trips you plan that a forward scanning system & back-up 'fish finder' off the stern transom would be a good way to go. Keep in mind that even with this set-up that in shallow 'muddy' river water doing anything over 5 kts. will not give you enough time to stop before you hit something that appears on the screen (learned the hard way).
mm-
Frank C
Vladimir,
I had two transducers hanging down at the transom, the paddle wheel and the depth skimmer, each to alternate sides of the outboard. Since the paddle wheel is notoriously inaccurate, I just removed it - relying instead on the GPS (even though speed-over-ground does not address all needs, it's good enough for me). I switched to a shoot-thru depth transducer center-mounted to the hull directly under the companionway. But it seems that turbulence from the centerboard trunk destroys good readings when motoring. I'll probably move it slightly off-center, either under the 26X's aft dinette seat, or under the aft-berth.
I had two transducers hanging down at the transom, the paddle wheel and the depth skimmer, each to alternate sides of the outboard. Since the paddle wheel is notoriously inaccurate, I just removed it - relying instead on the GPS (even though speed-over-ground does not address all needs, it's good enough for me). I switched to a shoot-thru depth transducer center-mounted to the hull directly under the companionway. But it seems that turbulence from the centerboard trunk destroys good readings when motoring. I'll probably move it slightly off-center, either under the 26X's aft dinette seat, or under the aft-berth.
Weather Info.
Vladimir,
Like Frank I use only my GPS for speed readings. On Internet & off-shore weather communication:
(1) Primary system is Iridium with the laptop/data connection.
Phone was $500.00 (refurbished 9500 from West Marine), monthly fee $27.90, min. rate $1.49. However, text messages are included in the monthly cost and I have a friend who is a weatherman for a local CBS station in the US who text's me 'coded' weather info. for my location (no cost this way). When he advises me that things are changing I take a look on the net (but don't stay on long). This way I can get weather info. daily and e-mail with average of about $40.00 a month in bills (for times when I'm at sea). I also use the Iridium phone on shore in locations where my cell phone roaming costs are higher than the Sat. phone (for example, last week in Thailand I made 2 calls @ $1.49 a min., because the 'roaming' charge' on my cell would have been $3.00 a min.!). While you don't neede a weatherman to text you weather info. it would be helpful if the person sending the messages was a boater with some weather related experience. The phone is also a good backup for an EPIRB.
(2) I get backup weather off VHF, SSB & from ships at sea when possible.
(3) Other systems I examined seem to be more expensive, less portable, and high risk on skilled maintenance support.
MM
Like Frank I use only my GPS for speed readings. On Internet & off-shore weather communication:
(1) Primary system is Iridium with the laptop/data connection.
Phone was $500.00 (refurbished 9500 from West Marine), monthly fee $27.90, min. rate $1.49. However, text messages are included in the monthly cost and I have a friend who is a weatherman for a local CBS station in the US who text's me 'coded' weather info. for my location (no cost this way). When he advises me that things are changing I take a look on the net (but don't stay on long). This way I can get weather info. daily and e-mail with average of about $40.00 a month in bills (for times when I'm at sea). I also use the Iridium phone on shore in locations where my cell phone roaming costs are higher than the Sat. phone (for example, last week in Thailand I made 2 calls @ $1.49 a min., because the 'roaming' charge' on my cell would have been $3.00 a min.!). While you don't neede a weatherman to text you weather info. it would be helpful if the person sending the messages was a boater with some weather related experience. The phone is also a good backup for an EPIRB.
(2) I get backup weather off VHF, SSB & from ships at sea when possible.
(3) Other systems I examined seem to be more expensive, less portable, and high risk on skilled maintenance support.
MM
Vladimir,
Thanks for the information on NAVTEX. Also, keep in mind that fluxgate compasses do not work well in the far north (which I suspect you already know). Also, sailing with the windvane on rivers didn't work well for me on the Mackenzie where the fast current, unsettled winds and many sweeping bends caused problems, by the time the autopilot corrected for changes I was often already out of the channel. However, in wide open areas and lakes it worked quite well. I found the best overall system to be to lock down the rudders directly ahead and to dip an oar in the water now and then for course corrections. This proved to be the least demanding steering alternative for narrow fast water while under sail, powersailing, and when just powering up or down stream. MM
Thanks for the information on NAVTEX. Also, keep in mind that fluxgate compasses do not work well in the far north (which I suspect you already know). Also, sailing with the windvane on rivers didn't work well for me on the Mackenzie where the fast current, unsettled winds and many sweeping bends caused problems, by the time the autopilot corrected for changes I was often already out of the channel. However, in wide open areas and lakes it worked quite well. I found the best overall system to be to lock down the rudders directly ahead and to dip an oar in the water now and then for course corrections. This proved to be the least demanding steering alternative for narrow fast water while under sail, powersailing, and when just powering up or down stream. MM
Vladimir,
Didn't know you were a whitewater rafter. I started out in the adventure industry myself with Sobek Expeditions back in the 1970's. Went all over the place doing trips; Zanskar in Ladak, Coruh in Turkey, the big 'Z' below Victoria Falls in Africa, Bio Bio in Chile, Grand Canyon, Alsak in Alaska, etc. Boy those were the days, young, fearless, and stupid; not an altogether bad way to spend your 20' & 30's!
As for the SSB weatherfax/laptop system, I had this on Zeno's Arrow for several years, but never really found it very successfu. I think my problem was mostly related to finding the right freq. & inexperience tuning the thing properly. After I got the Iridium I stopped using it, except to listen to the various cruiser nets for information about cruising friends & for 'Herbs' Caribbean weather updates.
Didn't know you were a whitewater rafter. I started out in the adventure industry myself with Sobek Expeditions back in the 1970's. Went all over the place doing trips; Zanskar in Ladak, Coruh in Turkey, the big 'Z' below Victoria Falls in Africa, Bio Bio in Chile, Grand Canyon, Alsak in Alaska, etc. Boy those were the days, young, fearless, and stupid; not an altogether bad way to spend your 20' & 30's!
As for the SSB weatherfax/laptop system, I had this on Zeno's Arrow for several years, but never really found it very successfu. I think my problem was mostly related to finding the right freq. & inexperience tuning the thing properly. After I got the Iridium I stopped using it, except to listen to the various cruiser nets for information about cruising friends & for 'Herbs' Caribbean weather updates.
-
Captain Kimo
- Engineer
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:03 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: 96'MacGregor 26X, Johnson 50HP O/B,"FOREVER",Callville Bay Marina, Lake Mead Nevada
- Contact:
I mounted my transducer for the Humming Bird SX 100, just ahead of the CB trunk in the bilge. Has to shoot thru the ballast tank, so it has to be filled. Side benefit, I know when my ballast tank is filled when I start to get readingsFrank C wrote:Vladimir,
I had two transducers hanging down at the transom, the paddle wheel and the depth skimmer, each to alternate sides of the outboard. Since the paddle wheel is notoriously inaccurate, I just removed it - relying instead on the GPS (even though speed-over-ground does not address all needs, it's good enough for me). I switched to a shoot-thru depth transducer center-mounted to the hull directly under the companionway. But it seems that turbulence from the centerboard trunk destroys good readings when motoring. I'll probably move it slightly off-center, either under the 26X's aft dinette seat, or under the aft-berth.
. Originally, thought I might have to move the transducer, so I used Plumber's Putty (used for toilet bowl sealing) to secure to bilge per a Mac sailor recommendation. Used the whole can and press to remove air bubbles. Works like a charm. When it cannot find the bottom (over 400 feet on Lake Mead's Colorado river channel), it tells me how far below water surface the transducer lies (2-4 feet depending on heel) 
Maddmike
When this year are you planning to head to Hawaii.
I'm assuming the summer or fall as I've heard the winters are pretty wild between the mainland and Hawaii.
Are you planning any additional modifications to your boat before you head off and if so... what?
I'm on Hawaii ( The Big Island ) right now and was thinking about you and your next big adventure.
I had the chance to go up the coast on a Catalina 34 yesterday. We saw humpback whales breaching totally out of the water 200 yards from the boat. It was quite spectacular.
When I get home next week...the cover is coming off the 26X .....and will hopefully be in the water by April 15.
When this year are you planning to head to Hawaii.
I'm assuming the summer or fall as I've heard the winters are pretty wild between the mainland and Hawaii.
Are you planning any additional modifications to your boat before you head off and if so... what?
I'm on Hawaii ( The Big Island ) right now and was thinking about you and your next big adventure.
I had the chance to go up the coast on a Catalina 34 yesterday. We saw humpback whales breaching totally out of the water 200 yards from the boat. It was quite spectacular.
When I get home next week...the cover is coming off the 26X .....and will hopefully be in the water by April 15.
Moondance,
Unlike most of my adventures, the trip to Hawaii has to be planned around my work schedule in Sri Lanka, Europe and Nevada. At this point, my plan is to have the boat ready to go by late April (no additional major modifications are planned) & then depending on weather & work, head out when the opportunity makes itself available. By & by, I lived in Hilo (went to U. of H) on the Big Island in 1970-71 and ran a military Crash/Rescue-SAR team out of Bradshaw Army Airfield (up Saddle Road). It is what really got me hooked on sailing & travel adventures in the first place. MM
Unlike most of my adventures, the trip to Hawaii has to be planned around my work schedule in Sri Lanka, Europe and Nevada. At this point, my plan is to have the boat ready to go by late April (no additional major modifications are planned) & then depending on weather & work, head out when the opportunity makes itself available. By & by, I lived in Hilo (went to U. of H) on the Big Island in 1970-71 and ran a military Crash/Rescue-SAR team out of Bradshaw Army Airfield (up Saddle Road). It is what really got me hooked on sailing & travel adventures in the first place. MM
Trailer Boat
By the way for those interested,
Check out the Phuket 8 Sport Boat (Google pictures), sailed one last week while in Thailand; very fun boat, drove my mates crazy because I kept making comments on how it could be rigged for single hand long distance crusing and live aboard (not!) . Before anyone asks,; about $50,000.00 US fully rigged w/trailer FOB Thailand. MM
Check out the Phuket 8 Sport Boat (Google pictures), sailed one last week while in Thailand; very fun boat, drove my mates crazy because I kept making comments on how it could be rigged for single hand long distance crusing and live aboard (not!)
. Before anyone asks,; about $50,000.00 US fully rigged w/trailer FOB Thailand. MM