[PUP] PPM, Convergence, narrow boats, etc.

[Ken Williams]

John Harris mentioned the stabilizer issues on the NAR. At the conclusion of
the NAR, Naiad sent out a letter to the press summarizing the various
problems. It's interesting reading...

http://www.kensblog.com/uploads/16765/naiad.pdf

My boat, a Nordhavn 62, had zero problems, although I should mentioned that
our system was completely overhauled just prior to the rally.

Milt Baker, who was responsible for all the rally logistics sent out a great
email, commenting on the Naiad letter. Here is an excerpt:

"...I have four personal take-away lessons from this:

1. It is my impression that the database on specking systems 
for the kind of hard "commercial" duty seen on the small Nordhavns on 
this rally is painfully thin. It has grown significantly with this 
rally. I would hope that even as I write this Naiad engineers are 
analyzing the failed parts to see why they failed how they can be 
built better and looking hard at whether the systems were correctly 
specified in the first place. I would also like to think that they 
are looking at ways to make the systems work better with fewer 
components.

2. For someone building a small ocean-crossing yacht like a 
Nordhavn, there's a LOT to be said for specifying a stabilizer system 
at least one size up from the systems currently recommended--and I am 
not talking about the size of the fins here. Yes, it costs more 
money in the short run but it's likely to take a lickin' and keep on 
tickin' in the long run as they used to say in the Timex 
commercials. In short, if the goal is reliable and trustworthy 
stabilization--rather than good warranty service--go up one size or 
more. 

3. For a captain contemplating an ocean crossing in a small 
yacht equipped with an active fin stabilization system, getting a 
factory-authorized team to service AND SEA TRIAL the system shortly 
before departure is a no-brainer. Likewise, carrying a made-up set 
of spare hoses and spare oil for the system.

4. One NAR yacht, the N46 Envoy, had both Naiad stabilizers 
and paravanes. Skipper Wayne Davis and his crew were awfully happy 
to have those paravanes when the Naiads quit. My own new N47 will 
have both active fine stabilizers and paravanes. Belt AND suspenders!..."

Ken Williams
Nordhavn 68, Sans Souci