[PUP] Redundancy (was Selen or Kadey Krogen)

[Truelove39 at aol.com]

Hi  Scott,
 
Your  thoughtful post came at a time when I was getting rid of redundancy; 
hence mine!  So you might guess I respectfully  disagree on the need for 
redundancy, which boat builders have taken to preach to  owners so as to maximize 
their profits. Modern  electronics and machinery are pretty bulletproof; aside 
from a close or  direct lightning strike there's no need for duplicate 
electronics, IMHO. We  are seeing more and more people who  will not leave port because 
the wind instruments are inoperable or the AIS isn't  working. How did we 
ever get along before we had all these wonderful gadgets? If  one cannot tell how 
hard and from what direction the wind blows without an  instrument, then one 
should stay ashore. We know many  circumnavigators, some of whom have done it 
more than once, and they don't  have all this redundancy which is often seen 
on coastal boats. Spares,  sure, but not complete systems.
 
Of  course there's a high "gee whiz" factor in having lots of lights and 
knobs and  switches, and if one has the wherewithal and the desire, by all means 
they  should have their bells and whistles.
 
I  just uninstalled our 2nd VHF and wired the AIS direct to the antenna,  
eliminating the splitter. Why? Because using 2 VHFs (one on 16 and one on 13)  
has never worked well in practice - feedback and forgetting to turn  the other 
one back up - I find it much simpler to use one. I will keep  the 2nd VHF 
aboard as a spare and sell the splitter once we get back to the  States. 
 
Regards,
 
John
"Seahorse"
 
 
>c.   The boat is light on current, redundant electronics.  I'd duplicate  a
source of chartplotting, radios and autopilot for a cruise of the  length
your considering.


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