200 miglia. Un record! Il vento che ci veniva contro e le onde alte hanno frenato il nostro avanzamento per gran parte del viaggio, mettendoci tutti alla prova. Abituati a una velocità di crociera di 6-7 nodi, farne 3,5 significa moltiplicare x2 i nostri calcoli sull’arrivo, obbligandoci a ridimensionare il viaggio. Purtroppo R. (Un membro dell’equipaggio) non si è sentito bene, perciò abbiamo dovuto ricalcolare anche i turni al timone, perdendo ore di sonno preziose. Escludendo questi due inconvenienti, la prima parte della traversata è stata veramente pazzesca. La luce della Luna rendeva il mare un manto scuro ma non spaventoso. La sensazione non era di venirvi inghiottito ma di camminarci sopra con gentilezza. Una sensazione impagabile. #traversata #barcavela #vivereinbarca #vitainbarca

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We got increasingly frustrated by our small petrol (gas) outboards that we use very infrequently on our dinghies and Chat 18 catamaran. Never quite knowing whether they would start, or how long they would run. Usually because the small jets would clog up, a problem aggravated by the ethanol fuel now used in the UK, USA and elsewhere. So earlier this year we bit the bullet and bought a used Torqeedo 1103 electric outboard. It was on ebay, from "one careful lady owner" - actually the advert said "only used on a fresh water trout farm" which we hoped was much the same thing. And we have been very pleased with it this summer, using it on Sagitta's tender, sometimes for long distances, yet never seeing the charge drop below 80% So we then tried using it on our Chat 18. And immediately discovered two problems, probably common to other small daysailing boats. First, the battery was much larger than the integral petrol fuel tank. So, when tilted up on the swingdown bracket, the Torqeedo hit the tillerbar. That meant we had to use the transom mount, which in turn meant the leg had to be angled back in use to clear the immersed rudder blade. Very inefficient and too close to the surface. And second, when tilted up and turned sideways the tiller control arm would detach - something that doesn't happen with a petrol outboard. So we had to remove it, and then reattach it whenever we wanted to motor. Fortunately Torqeedo has realised that many people have these problems and so supply reasonably priced, extra long cables, not just for the battery but also for the tiller arm. Accordingly we bought a 1.5m (5ft) battery cable and a 5m (16ft) tiller cable. This video shows the results of the first motor, one calm winter evening. I still have to re-route the cables through the back of the cockpit and more permanently mount the tiller arm. The deeper propellor is more efficient and there is no aeration when cornering or in waves. Top speed was very close to 5 knots, about hull speed on an 18ft boat. In reverse speed was about 3 knots. Although it's more awkward to lift the outboard leg without the battery in place it does now fit comfortably below the tillerbar when raised for sailing. So we're very happy so far! For once there is audio on this short video. But even if you turn the volume to high you won't hear the outboard - another bonus! More on the Chat 18 here https://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/2-catamarans-under-25ft/475-chat-18-daysailing-catamaran And Torqeedo here https://nestawayboats.com/

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Trying to increase the views on your Sailboat Life Youtube Channel? I've found the perfect hack. I've been told by multiple people that the best way to promote my sailing vlog is to post lots of beautiful videos of my girlfriend frolicking on the sailboat in a bikini. Trouble is, I don't have a girlfriend, so I borrowed this one under Youtube's fair use policy. Super convenient and much cheaper than the real thing! We just have to critique her, um, technique. I think she inflated that dingy rather well. What do you think? If you'd like to watch my long-form videos, that'd be swell! @EdwardSeaton If you'd like to help me achieve my sailboat life dream, consider becoming a Patreon or helping out on Paypal! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QRY32Z64LYWF4 https://www.patreon.com/EdwardSeaton You can help for as little as 3$ per month and every little bit helps. Thank you for comments, likes, and new Subscribers! Notice This video may contain copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available for the purposes of criticism, comment, review, and news reporting, which constitute the fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work for purposes such as criticism, comment, review, and news reporting is not an infringement of copyright.

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