[PUP] Spares for a 2 year cruise

[scottebulger@comcast.net]

Scott Strickland recently consumed 20+ filters on an Atlantic crossing, after taking on a load of dirty fuel.  Scott had sufficient filters aboard, so he was able to complete the trip without interruption.  

As I provision my boat for a 2 year cruise I'm wondering how many consumable supplies I need to carry with me?  I have pump rebuild kits, impellers, an injector and other spares, but I'm really talking about the belts, fuel and oil filters for the main/wing engine and the generator.  The trip is about 10,000 miles, so if I average 6 knots it will be around 1,700 engine hours.  If I change oil every 200 hours, that's about 9 oil changes. 

My intuition is I should go ahead and purchase the consumables I know I'll need for the trip, and then resupply when I travel to and from the boat, if necessary.  Since much of my voyage is mostly near the coastal US, I know I can get things at almost any good marine supply store, so it's not like I'm crossing an ocean.  About half the trip with be in remote areas, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Venezuela.  My plan is to go through the maintenance schedule and buy the materials that will get me to 2,000 hours on the engine.  That should cover the voyage.  Again, I can adjust if necessary about half way through the trip, prior to heading to the Lesser Antilles.

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA