Hello - We are having a 41 Plus built in Turkey. Our cruising plans include the Mediterranean, Canaries, and then onto Grenada. Looking for advice and suggestions for fitting out our new boat. Would like to hear what works and what doesn't from "Duck" owners.
owners.

Thanks, Robin & Warren

I've gone through the basic specs on your boat a few weeks ago based on what is on the asboat site. It is comparably equiped to the seahorse boat from what I can see, some differences.

One thing that would help is for you to identify what options you have gotten and which ones you are thinking about getting.

You should upgrade the inverter to the 3kw, an isolation transformer is a must on a steel boat, water purification is desired, AC in the med has some pluses as does heat depending upon when and where you are travelling.

The flybridge also has some good advantages for the med mooring that you will be doing.

What engine? Please get a genset.

Their boats look nice and I hear they have a timely delivery schedule.

Good luck and enjoy!!


Hugh

Thanks Hugh, we appreciate hearing your thoughts. Besides the items you mentioned, we are considering a water maker and washer/dryer. We understand some folks don't like to put these on board because of maintenance issues. What do you think? The engine will be a Volvo 120 h.p. which Asboat highly recommended.

Hi...Good luck with the boat...never cruised the Med,,,But the flopper stoppers can be worth their weight in gold...and get a good helm chair if you are going places...I would only get a gen. if you get the air con and the washer dryer...you could do without both if not cruising the extremes...and just put a monster alternator on the volvo( carry a spare), solar panels and wind gen..with a really good battery bank...at the end of the day it will come down to budgets so just do the good old list ...and prioritise...but the Floppers make a HUGE difference...Rope reels are valuable...all the best.

Robin and Warren

When you get a chance post some pictures. You can open an album in the DTN photo sectio or post them on PhotoBucket.com and link to DTN.

Congradulations on your new boat.

I agree with Don on the floppers, especially in the Med, both at anchor and underway.

In regard to the generator I think you are better off having one. I was planning to not have one and put a larger dual alternator on with a larger bank. Fact is with the time spent at anchor and the power consumption of these boats (not very low) you will find yourself needing to run the charging system basically every day, or every other day. (especially if you are running your heater at night/day, fridge/freezer, etc) As Don pointed out airconditioning, washer/dryer basically require a generator.

Even a VERY large alternator will put a VERY small load on that engine. Granted electronic engines do handle smaller loads better but you will still be generating a lot of noise, often in the evening during peak power consumption.

Since the electric systems are quite complicated and central to the operation of the boat having greater redundancy in power generation is a real plus. There are a variety of devices (electric water heater, electric stove, microwave, etc) that you should (or need to) runn from an AC source. I find a lot of this occurs around dinner time. With a quiet generator running you can also run the watermaker, washer/dryer if you want and the extra lighting used at that time of day as well as charge the battery bank without irritating your neighbors, as much.

I think a reliable, quiet and small generator (5-9kw) for your boat is a good idea. I'm pretty sure you will be happy you did it. I certainly am.

We did add the washer dryer to the boat, nice to have but it does take up some key space. I wouldl put this on the not required list. Space is more of an issue with the 41 than our sedan. We first looked at the 382 and with teh genset, plus all the other equipment there really wasn't much room left for the washer/dryer. I would encourage identifying items that you could potentially add later and have them pre-wired/plumbed. That way you can get a better feel for how you use the boat.

In regard to the watermaker. If you plan to spend more than a week away from very reliable water sources you really should consider the small to mid sized DC water makers. Water makers can give you a lot of freedom.

Don, I'm curious if you considered the sterling generator at all? With your chosen cruising grounds seems like the constant heat generation and quiet power generation would have been a good combo.

Hugh

Answer to Hugh below....did not think too hard about the stirling Gen. as we always planned to have the central diesle heating...in Antarctica..if/when we ever overwinter...that would be running 24hrs a day for months and is easy to maintain ....will go for minimum power consumption then too ...and it was easy to go with the standard SHM gen set up...though we put a keel cooler in to set the gen up with that and a dry exhaust when we do freeze in...I will be happy just to sail ICE at the moment...too many other things happening so she is still in Subic...I am worried someone will offer to buy it??

We're thinking of putting on a fuel polishing system and oil by pass filter. Any thoughts about these? Also, can anyone recommend a contact person for insurance? Thanks everyone.