Electrical issues with Autopilot 2 days into pacific crossing

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by ilenart

If they are two days out, cannot fix it and have no backup they should turn around / head to Galapagos and get it fixed

Turn around because a single piece of auxiliary equipment failed? I hope you are not serious.

Fix it on the journey if possible, but do not waste at least four days to do so, and an unknown amount of time in the Galapagos, even assuming it can be fixed and that the fix can be accomplished in there. But the choice is the captain's.

[ilenart]

Originally Posted by buzzstar

Turn around because a single piece of auxiliary equipment failed? I hope you are not serious.

Fix it on the journey if possible, but do not waste at least four days to do so, and an unknown amount of time in the Galapagos, even assuming it can be fixed and that the fix can be accomplished in there. But the choice is the captain's.

If they have no backup and cannot get it working, yes. The marquesas have no marine repair services, so they would have to keep hand steering to Papeete, a distance of 4,000 nautical miles. Given a choise to sail back 200 nautical miles or divert to the Galapagoes (which does have some marine services), it would be the smart / safe course of action.

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by ilenart

If they have no backup and cannot get it working, yes. The marquesas have no marine repair services, so they would have to keep hand steering to Papeete, a distance of 4,000 nautical miles. Given a choise to sail back 200 nautical miles or divert to the Galapagoes (which does have some marine services), it would be the smart / safe course of action.

Well, there it is. Hand steering, like a proper watch and lookout, is too much in an electronic age.

[robert sailor]

We handsteered with short handed crew for 2-1/2 weeks..not interested in a repeat performance anytime soon but it's easy enough to do. All the old fashion thinkers are reminding themselves why they have a windvane. Best to carry back up when on autopilot alone.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by AndyEss

PS - i keep an extra fluxgate compass as a spare. They're pretty cheap on Ebay. My non-electronic Monitor also does a great job steering when i single hand.
Redundancy of critical components / systems is key for existing in remote situations. Sailing the Pacific is pretty remote

Absolutely. I once fried a fluxgate compass due to antenna mismatch of HF radio antenna causing lots of RF in the boat (I guess, since no lightening was around).