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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2003 : 19:51:48

In cruising configuration, I store about 10 gallons in the lazerette and 10 in the V-Berth. I decided against on-deck storage, but you could certainly do it. I suppose it's possbile that a spark in the lazerette could cause a gas vapor explosion. However, the lazerette is vented, I fill the tanks in the cockpit, and my little boat hasn't blown up yet (25 years and counting). I think with reasonable care, modern tanks don't leak and the risk is manageable. My spare tanks are in the V-Berth and that area has no electrical, is not connected to the bilge, and would contain any spills. I'd rather not get water in the gas stored on deck. My kayak doesn't matter!

As to the tiller pilot, it's a personal choice. For me and my crew it's nearly essential. If mine failed the week before we left, I'd go and buy a new one. I think it's available under $200. 3 people / 8 hour cruise means about 3 hours each at the helm. We'll be fishing, reading, playing games, and having lunch. Also tweaking the sails.

Solar panels.

Make sure you get the flexible ones. What you can get from West Marine you can get here for $50 less. http://www.solarelectricinc.com/ It's about 5 miles from my office, they take credit cards and ship world wide, and I would recommend them to anyone. If I did it again I'd buy the United Solar USF 32 - a 2 amp panel for $199. I have 2 of the USF 11 0.7 amp panels with cost $99 each. Your boom is plenty big enough to hold the USF32. The USF 32 is equal to 3 USF 11s for the price of 2.

I tie the panels to the boom when I want to charge. I soldered the wires together and lead them through the companion way to the voltage regulator that sits on the shelf above the galley. The regulator is not needed for these small panels but I got it anyways (at the time I was thinking I'd leave the panels up all the time in the slip). I have a waterproof plug wired in at this point for disconnecting the panels. You can roll them up and put them away when not needed, remove all wires, no deck plugs to leak or corrode over time. The solar leads are then connected to a patch panel I made that allows me to select charging from solar, engine or shore power. It also has a battery voltage display. Just some simple wiring and a rotary switch. Currents are so low on the C25 you don't have to get fancy. Then this panel connects to the main battery switch located under the galley. The panel also provides a couple of 12 VDC cigarette lighter plugs for onboard 12V accessories.

We could take an hour and hook the whole thing up here in Mission Bay next summer.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

ppetracca
Navigator

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USA
163 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2003 : 20:50:55

Jim,

Show me where to find a tiller pilot for $200.00. Everything I've looked at has been $600.00 and up and up and up.

I think I will need you to draw me a picture of the solar panel/charging system. I can't seem to picture it in my head. I see the panels on deck (boom) then from there I'm lost. It could be that I am trying to picture it after 3:00 pm. I'll read it again in the morning. Talk to you soon.

<img src="http://hometown.aol.com/ppetracca/images/famreduced.jpg" border=0>

Patrick Petracca
"Yankee Spirit"
#4795 fk/tr
Albuquerque, NM

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2003 : 16:42:47

lets make it simple. The panels come with color coded wires and cigerette lighter plugs. If you have a 12 vdc recepticle, just plug it in. Otherwise, cut that off, solder on some clips (like on jumper cables) and clamp them on the battery terminals when in use.

Well, here's one under $300. http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=15698

I know I've seen them in the $200 range. Keep an eye on sailnet for a sale between now and next summer.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

ppetracca
Navigator

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USA
163 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2003 : 17:26:20

Jim,

Thanks for the simplicity....now THAT I can handle. And it will work well here in NM too.

Will look into the tiller pilots...I guess I have more choices than West Marine and Boat US.

<img src="http://hometown.aol.com/ppetracca/images/famreduced.jpg" border=0>

Patrick Petracca
"Yankee Spirit"
#4795 fk/tr
Albuquerque, NM

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2003 : 10:24:03

"I fill the tanks in the cockpit, and my little boat hasn't blown up yet" Not recomended!

Our cruising fuel includes a 6 gallon tank in the cockpit and a 2nd tank stowed in the dink:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce801207692f5c0000001610

Doug - #1913 Noeta

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2003 : 11:24:55

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Our cruising fuel includes a 6 gallon tank in the cockpit and a 2nd tank stowed in the dink:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce801207692f5c0000001610
Doug - #1913 Noeta
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Becareful what you allow to get started.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4798

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.