? Good morning. This is Byron McCord in Alaska with Tartan 27 number 646 (I think! - have to double check the number on that brass plate under the cabin hatch). I corresponded about 4 times with Russ Cobb back in 2014 after he had reached the Philippines, and I believe was concentrating more on house building than sailing. He was preparing Hygelig for sale, for someone else to continue the adventure.?
? What follows below are cut and paste excerpts from Russ¡¯s response to my questions, finally followed by a picture he sent me of him sailing on a bluebird day. I¡¯m guessing that this picture does not show the bow device for preventing deck wash, that was mentioned. I hope that some of this is of interest to someone!
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Sincerely,
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Byron McCord
Hi Byron,
??? You've asked some challenging questions.? Let me respond to the passage question first.? I am from the East coast, specifically Charleston, SC,?along the Intra-Coastal Waterway.? That was an ideal location to learn about the T27's capabilities.? (I have hull 699 which is the modified version of? the original Tartan.)? One lesson learned early on was that the shortest distance was not always the fastest.? I continue to learn that beating to windward is no fun, especially on a long haul with a scarcity of protected anchorages.? The boat can do the trip north; the crew may mutiny early on. The decision depends on many factors: available time, willingness to put up with the uncomfortable motion going into the wind, experience of captain and crew, and of course the actual weather.?
?? Hygelig has a Yanmar 2 cylinder similar to the Kubota.? I find that motoring into 10 knots of wind is about the upper limit of the engine.??Ten?knots of?wind and? the chop of the water make??motoring too slow and frustrating.? Of course tacking is an option but does add many miles to a passage.?
?? And besides, Hawaii is so pretty!? But put the question to West Coast sailors for a more informed response
Modifications:? The T27-2 has port and starboard berths with?a compact galley to starboard?by the companionway and a chart table/icebox to?port by the companionway.? I have installed a gimbaled 2 burner stove with crash bar?to help protect the cook.. The 7 cubic foot icebox is now a 2 cubic foot?refrigerator. ?Both berths are equipped with lee cloths to hold crew while sleeping.? The forward berth has become stowage for cloths and anything else that fits.?
For passaging I feel a wind vane is a necessity.? It is superior to any helmsman, rarely complains, uses no electricity, and works on and on.? For the days of motoring in quiet conditions an autopilot is the device to keep crew happy and the course true.?
?? Let me take a break so you can hone any other questions.? I've made many additions/alterations over 34 years, some for comfort and appearance,?others for safety.? I am happy to share my experiences with you, so please feel free ask any questions.?
Russ
All good and pertinent questions.? Taking them in order:
???FURLING:??I crossed the Atlantic with hank-on sails.? I remember hanging onto the forestay with one hand, my nose with the other as I replaced the jib with the storm jib.? I decided if one were racing or out for a pleasant day in the bay, hank on sails are fine, but for passaging the furling system is wonderful.? And believe me, I can furl faster that I could change sails.? I use my sail in all conditions, including as a storm jib.? I also save the stowage space if extra sails.? Among the 40+ cruising boats where Hygelig is anchored, only 1 or 2 will have hank on sails.? I know no?cruiser who does not have furling headsails.?
????When I installed the furling system I found myself sailing more because I could have the proper amount of sail deployed.
I would not leave home without it!
???STOWAGE:??? I have no problem with food stowage for long passages.? I use a lot of canned goods such as beef stew for easy quick heating or even cold if the weather is too nasty to heat.? Pasta is good for calmer weather.? By myself I cook enough to last for left overs the next day.? Oatmeal for breakfast is a good option.? Fruit and veggies for the early days of the passage unless you have a fridge.? Without a fridge there are good items that last without:? cabbage, cheese stored in cooking oil, carrots, apples, etc.?
?? Water on a long passage is always a concern.? The T27-2 has a 30 gallon tank and depending on the length of passage I will carry another 10-15 gallons of fresh water.? For daily showers I save 1.5 liter plastic bottles which can be stowed anywhere.? In the galley I have a salt water pump for washing dishes and any cleaning.? I even tried shaving with salt, but decided fresh was more civilized! My longest passage has been 30 days with no water issues.? With my wife aboard we were 17 days from Bermuda to the Azores and we still had another 2 weeks of fresh water aboard.
?????CREW:I crossed the Atlantic?with my wife?(not her dream), but have been single-handing since 1990.?(another good reason for furling).? Either way calls for different watch systems.? We found that a 2 hour watch at night was about our limit.? Relaxed watch keeping during the day. By myself I try to maintain a 20 minute sleep cycle at night, not always easy to do without a very loud alarm.? In NZ I found a watch keeper with gets progressive louder--and it must be obeyed!
??? I will send this before I press the wrong key and it disappears.
Russ
Byron,
??? Continuing with your questions.
??ELECTRICITY:??? I have a wind generator on its own pole and a 50 watt?panel? on the cockpit life line.? I have since added another 50 watt panel on the port side..? For my needs (fridge, electronics, nav lights, etc) this is adequate with sufficient wind and sun.? Panels are now cheap and orth the money.? Generating amp hours with the alternator (even a large output with a smart multi-stage regulator is annoying and expensive.? I have 4 six volt batteries in series (one unit) which works well if one has the space.
???DINGHY:? On a small boat like the T-27 there is no safe option for carrying a dink on the deck.? I have an inflatable with is stowed in the port locker when at sea.? Not having a dinghy is an option if one never goes ashore, but otherwise is a necessity.
???STOVE:? Alcohol has the least BTU's of any of the fuels. Kerosene is very hot but the burners always need cleaning and easily flare up and can be a challenge to find.? Propane is easily made safe--I stow the tanks in the cockpit.? It is readily available and has plenty of heat.? It is important at sea that your stove be gimbaled and that it have pot holders.? A pot of boiling water down your front can ruin a cruise.? Make a galley belt to hold one secure while working at the stove.? A crash bar in front of the stove is good to hold when heeling.? (I? have interior photos but they are on the boat and I am visiting in Luzon.? I will send when I return.)
By the way, the Cape Horn is a great vane.? I use the Navik which is no longer in production.
???QUESTIONS FOR YOU:?? My comments all relate to the newer version of the T27.? I assume you are working with the original design.?
????? When are you planning this voyage--I assume not tomorrow!
????? Do you have time restrictions or retired?
????? Does your wife share the dream?
Keep the questions coming!
Russ
Byron,?
??? Hope??you? received?the 2 previous responses to your questions..? ?Another item to add to the pleasure and safety of your cruising, whether to Hawaii or direct to the inside passage, is an HF radio--either with a ham license or without.
?? With an HF radio and a ham license (easy to get today without having to learn Morse code) you can maintain contact with family/friends through the Pacific Seafarer's Net. They will post online your daily positions and give you phone patches to friends and family.? You have the option with a modem to send and receive e-mails and GRIB files (wind predictions for anywhere in the world).? Great fun as well as a first line safety communications system.
??? Without the ham license you lose the option of using the Seafarer's net except in emergencies.? You can sill have internet and GRIB files, but with an annual fee of $250 (may have increased).
??? The ham ticket adds so much to your cruising and I highly recommend it.? Gorden West runs weekend courses which include exams for the license.
Russ
Byron McCord