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

[John Marshall]

My take away from this, and the more successful passagemaking  
experiences on boats with newer stabilizer systems, particularly ABT  
TRAC, seem to confirm it, is that the reliability of stabilizers has  
improved dramatically.

The note Ken included revealed issues related to sizing and competency  
of installation, and I suspect reflects larger ten years ago (from  
now, at least) competencies. Also to the detailed maintenance and  
examination that's required before starting a crossing. But its still  
amazing the number of boats which had problems.

Naiads fell out of favor with Nordhavn and were no longer offered by  
the mfg on most models from about 2004 and on. Since the move to Trac  
systems and a general upsizing of componenets, quite a number of boats  
have made Atlantic and Pacific crossings without stabilizer issues.

The other message that seems clear is to buy the heaviest duty system  
you can. Some 68 footers are built with the Trac 220 system and 7.5 sq  
ft fins, but my 55 has the heavier 250 system and 9 sq ft fins, which  
are used on up to 80 footers by some manufacturers. That and a keel  
cooler to keep the hydraulic fluid cooled without additional pumps.

Naiad has redesigned their systems, and with an oversized system, I  
know of at least one guy who is happy with them now: Steve Dashew on  
Wind Horse. His recommendations on his web page strongly recommend  
oversize systems, and in addition, designing the hull of the new 64  
FPB to incorporate stabilizers at the optimal location, and also to  
build some pretty elaborate special framework in the aluminum hull to  
increase strength in that area.

Check out the construction photo:

http://www.setsail.com/dashew/fpb64update_jul10.html

John


On Nov 9, 2008, at 9:27 PM, Ken Williams wrote:

> 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
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