Equipment

'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Wed 13 Feb 2008 16:58
I suppose I ought to say something about Troutbridge, apart from the fact that she is a Broadblue 385.
I opted for the standard 20hp Volvo engines, tankage is standard at 2x 52 gall diesel and 1x 104 gallon water. The rig is standard, but I think it's fair to say that's where 'standard' stops.
I have an Echotec 12 volt watermaker, which will allegedly produce 49 litres per hour (about 36 when it was tested for 15 mins, now 'put to bed' for a while)
4 x 110 A/H house batteries with a smart charger/inverter system
2 x 125 Watt rigid solar panels
3 x 68 Watt semi rigid panels (all 12 volt of course)
I also have an Ampair 100 wind/water generator. I'm thinking about installing a permanent mounting for the wind mode, but have to watch the weight and balance so may well stick with the 'hoist in the rigging' kit.
VHF/SSB/Iridium + Epirb
25kg Rocna with 90 metres of 8mm chain
16kg Spade with 20 metres chain/+ warp
I've 'invested' in a Jordan series drogue which I hope never to use and am investigating a sea anchor as we speak
There's an Avon 6 man liferaft and an Avon 310 inflatable floor dingy with 3.5hp Mercury outboard.
I had Broadblue install plenty of bookshelves (now pretty full) and a vegetable cupboard in which I installed a rack system.
When I look at that list it doesn't seem like much, but it was pretty wallet-watering to get it all done.
Still in Beaucette Marina (fortunately for my cruising fund the restaurant is closed for a month) and still flying for Aurigny (until mid April). I've arranged for Troutbridge to be lifted-out mid April to be cleaned, anti-fouled and have the Kiwi props fitted. After that.......
In March I'm hoping to actually get some sailing done to test out the new anchor, fine tune the reefing system and generally get a feel for the boat. I'm leaning towards doing a bit of sailing in the Chichester area before I finally head South, just to see what breaks whilst the boat is under warranty!

--
On board Troutbridge
Beaucette Marina,
Vale
Guernsey GY3 5BQ
07911735158