Uk to New Zealand

[barnakiel]

As per #2.

Big boat, big crew, big cruising, big way = huge budget.

b.

[Jimbo485]

With that budget, I hereby offer myself as the captain. However, with that budget, I accept none of you as crew and I will grab a couple of paying backpackers.

You and your mates can ride a 747 to Auckland and I will hand over your yacht there and accept a few congratulatory beers.

Steinlager, thanks.

[sealions]

haha getting the message loud and clear, small budget at the moment but hopefully that will change...
potential for some finanacial backing to come in soon and change the budget but i have to work with what i have for now.
ill be doing a skipper course which should save the cost for hiring 1 and if another party member does 1 as well that could help alot.

the route across to the caribean and through the panama now does sound like the safest option, want to get does deep sea under my belt before i attempt to captain a boat going that far over deep ocean.

is there general plumbing/mechanical/electrical courses you can go on or do you have to specialise as per type of boat?
any good courses you'd suggest or certain schools as im still waiting to hear back about the name of the bromsgrove club.

cheers all

[goboatingnow]

Sorry, you intend to 'do a skipper course' and then sail to NZ!!!. I'll alert the rescue authorities in advance.

Seriously, skippering is about experience not schooling. schooling starts you off, but you are suggesting doing your driving test and then entering a F1 race!.

jeepers!

dave

[sealions]

haha by no means am i going to jump into it, however im prepared to listen to the more experienced
3 years to learn and gain experience by joining crews as much as possible does that seem enough or not? also ill be travelling with 1 or 2 people that have done the Caribbean crossing before...

jeepers =]

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sealions

is there general plumbing/mechanical/electrical courses you can go on or do you have to specialise as per type of boat?
any good courses you'd suggest or certain schools as im still waiting to hear back about the name of the bromsgrove club.

cheers all

Boat systems: engines, plumbing, electrical, etc, are pretty much generic. What works on one boat works on another.

Some of the engines might require a degree of specialized skills for the more extensive repairs but the engines are made by engine companies and installed in many different boats.

[barnakiel]

I am not sure 80k is realistic for you guys. It could be for me, but I did make this before. I simply do not see many Western based minds to fall into the 80k category (read interviews with ARC crowd on the Yachting World).

The good news is that UK is a good point to take off: there are many s/h boats somewhat lacking in conditions but 100% repairable and upgradeable. Also, plenty and not too expensive chandleries, etc., etc.

So I say definitely doable but much depends on who is doing it.

b.

[Jeannius]

Originally Posted by sealions

is there general plumbing/mechanical/electrical courses you can go on or do you have to specialise as per type of boat?
any good courses you'd suggest or certain schools as im still waiting to hear back about the name of the bromsgrove club.

cheers all

Found them. Still going strong it appears... Bromsgrove Boaters

There are diesel corses available but, as far as I'm aware, nothing electrical or plumbing related. Strange really as most problems on my boat seem to be plumbing/electrical in nature!

[Teknav]

Hi J! If you take a "chartering a bare boat" course, ask the instructor to give you some hands-on assignments in plumbing and in electrical issues. Because of presence of other students, don't expect very detailed instructions; a little knowledge is better than none.
To really troubleshoot electrical systems, you'll need the boat's electrical schematics. As for the plumbing, you'll need to get your hands on several design layers specific to your boat. These are not usually available, for most boaters. As an engineer, I look at the "hidden" designs prior to considering a boat. There are a couple of marine reference books that you can purchase, on these topics. I am not aware of the availability of courses teaching marine electro-mechanical troubleshooting.

Mauritz
Going to behave now!

[sealions]

ok thats great, so long as theres a manual for something its all about problem recognition =]
ill look up the bromsgrove boys and see about getting involved there, sounds like fun.
ill talk to a few of the other people planning on going on the expedition and see what they say about routes to use, ill make it very clear the suez is off limits though. seems the press wasnt overhyped =[
as neither of the capes are the best option for someone not used to sailing them panama seems the best option but a long route, quite a few test weekends should be in order and sounds like the best plan to get everyone used to the boat. also a chance for a cheek weekend away to visit a port somehwere...
once again thanks for all the info, ill repost when we have sorted out a few more details.

cheers everyone