Silhouette: Our Transport for a Year

Silhouette
Pieter, Pauline, Robyn and Kerry Lindeque
Sat 1 Jun 2013 11:12


Silhouette would normally sail with 2 sails - main and head sails. This is a total of 102sq metres of sail. We have the option of rigging a much smaller storm sail (instead of the front head sail) and then a very large spinnaker for lighter winds.

planvoi.jpgP1000577 (640x480).jpg


Spinnaker (640x480).jpg The colourful spinnaker is used in light winds


We have 3 long passages (Cape Verde - Tobago,  New York - Azores, Azores - UK) each taking about 2 weeks non-stop. During these passages we will probably be having a 3-hour-on-3-hour-off watch system at night.  Other than there are a few passages of 2 -5 days and then mostly just sailing for a day or overnight to get to the next stop.


Navigation?

  At the chart table we have an integrated chart plotter, radar and AIS screen. This plots charts, radar images and boat info (name, position, speed and direction of neighbouring boats). This also integrates with the autopilot to steer a planned route. As you can see the boat is virtually hands free...
Selfsteering (640x480).jpg   no, it is really hands free!
                                       
 

Communication ?
We have VHF radio with a range of 15-30 Miles, mobile phone and Wifi aerial - only useful close to land. We now have the luxury of a satelite phone which will give limited internet access (text email and weather) and of course voice.


Transport to shore?
dinghy (640x480).jpg     the dinghy with a 6HP engine




See you all in August 2014. Hope you enjoy the blog. Please tell us if you do as we will be picking up our normal emails.
Pieter, Pauline, Robyn and Kerry

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