CRUISING
ONBOARD EQUIPMENT
Batteries
Batteries are a constant curse on any
boat; there are times, especially while ‘off
grid’, when you never seem to have
enough power.
The answer is obvious: get more
batteries and whatever you do, don’t be
tempted to use your engine start battery
for anything but starting the engine. In
addition, consider improving your
recharging capabilities by adding another
alternator to your main engine, buying a
small generator, or using solar panels.Tanks – fuel and water
Try not to rely on a single fuel tank or a
single water tank on board. You’ll probably
refill both at numerous places as you travel,
so quality will vary and also mistakes
happen – pump attendants can so easily
fill the wrong tank with the wrong fluid.
No matter what size your fuel and water
tanks, have a couple of spare 20-25lt
containers for each. I always keep one of
each of these full – you never know if your
tanks are going to drain in error, become
contaminated, or have other problems.Radio
A fixed VHF radio is essential if the boat is
to be used at sea. But if she is only to be
used inland, a handheld radio is more
than adequate. Two handheld sets can be
used between crewmembers if ashore.
A further benefit in having handheld
radios is that there’s no need for an
external aerial – which is one less item to
catch on tunnel roofs, bridges and low
hanging trees. But bear in mind whatever
type of radio you decide on; whoever
operates it must possess a current radio
operating licence.Shopping trolley
I used to hate these ‘bags on wheels’ or
‘granny wagons’ whenever I saw some
old lady pulling one. But I now know these
trolleys are so very useful. Try carrying a
full gas or fuel container a kilometre or so
along a rough tow path and you’ll bless
the person who invented them. Not to
mention their use for normal shopping.mooring. If this is likely to happen I
double up my stakes one behind the
other for the same line but with a bit of
‘slack’ between them.
There are people out there who think it’s
funny to undo a boat and watch it drift off.
If I’m not sure of the area I’m mooring in, I
use four – or more – mooring lines. It’s
quite a deterrent to the casual vandal,
particularly if you double them back and
tie them off on board.Stern anchor
I carry a stern anchor as well as my main
and have found it so useful. If we go
aground, I throw this anchor as far I can,
then use the stern windlass to pull us off.
Also, where the bank of a waterway is too
shallow, the stern anchor is handy for
keeping the stern out of the main channel
when hanging off the main anchor.Fenders
Inflatable fenders are often not designed
to take the pressure of several tons being
pressed against them, as can happen in
locks. The expensive sound of them
exploding has made me avoid replacing
them. Do not use old tyres, lock keepers
hate them; if they get loose, they can get
caught in a lock’s mechanism.
The old bargees used long lengths of
wood tied at both ends and wrapped in
old sacks or carpet, but these have been
supplanted by lengths of honeycombed,
reclaimed black plastic, about a metre
long, which can be tied at both ends and
hung at an angle to the waterline, or tied
at one end and hung vertically. Being thin
they are more inclined to stay in place
than the sea-boat’s ‘inflatable sausage’
fenders, and they
immediately drop
back into position
if lifted. Made of
slippy plastic not
only do they
slide when
rubbing against
something, but
tend not to markthe hull. But they don’t float!
Another way of ‘fendering off’ is to hang
lengths of thick rope down each side of
the hull. However, a problem with such
rope is that grit can get embedded,
leaving deep scratches in the boat’s hull.
I have also used lengths of rubber hose,
with a rope through and a large knot at
each end to stop them dropping off, again
wrapped in a soft material.Never ever tie up your boat while
in a lock. When being lowered
it’s too easy for a rope to
become trapped, preventing the
boat from dropping. This can be
very dangerous. I’ve seen ropes
pulled so tight they’ve snapped,
and a person nearby getting
whipped by the broken rope’s
end; I have seen cleats pulled
from their mountings and go
flying – a great danger to anyone
in the vicinity.
Being raised is less of a
problem, but it is far easier to
have control of the mooring line
and pull in the slack as the boat
lifts if the rope is not tied.ROPES IN LOCKS
TOP TIP
Lock keepers
often have quite a
collection of fenders
and some are willing
to sell them.
RIGHT If tyre
fenders fall
off they can
sink and jam
lock gatesA yacht moored near the village of
Genelard on the Canal du Centre in the
Loire Valley, FranceWilliamPayneC
arolynJenki
ns/AlamyImagebroker/Ala
myAndyArthur/AlamyA variety of different
fendering systems
on display