Trident Two-stage Propane Regulator, Problems

by John May 18, 2005

The Problem After two days going to windward on the same tack, returning from Svalbard (Spitsbergen) to Norway, our bilge gas alarm went off. We searched everywhere for the source to no avail until I opened the gas bottle locker to a very strong smell of propane.

Tank Tender, Hart Systems

by John November 18, 2005
A Tank Tender panel

Our Tank Tender from Hart Systems is 20 years old and one of the few pieces of original equipment left on Morgan’s Cloud.

Cummins Diesel Engine, Model 6B5, Problems

by John May 18, 2006

The Problem When doing a scrupulous 50 hour check of our then brand new engine, I (John) found a bolt in the bilge. After much twisting of myself into awkward positions with a trouble light and a mirror, I finally found where it had come from: the oil pan. Things only got worse.

Glacier Bay Refrigeration

by John May 18, 2007

If you choose to have refrigeration on your boat, which we do as fulltime live-aboards, there is a price to be paid—refrigeration is a highly complex system. However, Glacier Bay is very reliable and, though expensive to purchase, very low in energy consumption.

Ideal Windlass

by Phyllis May 18, 2007

We have oversize anchors and chain to deal with tough conditions and so require an oversize windlass as well. Though we don’t like the extra weight on the bow, we think it’s worth it to have a reliable, quick way to weigh anchor, especially when a rapid retreat from ice is necessary. The Ideal Company [...]

Northern Lights Generator, Model M643 (5KW)

by John May 18, 2007

Our Northern Lights Generator is a piece of equipment that just keeps on working. We are religious with maintenance and oil changes but are rewarded with reliable service.

Shurflo Pumps

by Phyllis May 18, 2007

Finally, a pump that can actually work for three years without a rebuild! After years of 6-month rebuild schedules on our other pumps, we were ready for Shurflo!

Milton Cat, SOS Services Laboratory

by John May 18, 2007

The SOS Services Laboratory provides a great service. Once you have set up an account with them, they will forward special oil sample containers to you that you then fill with a sample of oil taken each time you change the engine, transmission or generator oil. SOS Laboratory will then analyze it. They keep a [...]

Glacier Bay Refrigeration System

by John May 18, 2007

Question: We’re thinking of installing the Glacier Bay MicroHPS unit on our 45-foot sailboat; air cooled, using a 390Ah AGM battery bank. I noticed you have installed a Glacier Bay system and have had good luck with it. Can you enumerate further? Any complaints or problems? Did you use the Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs)? I’ve [...]

Installing A Propane System

by John May 18, 2007

Question: I am presently rebuilding the propane system on my 36′ sailboat. The 20lb tank, regulator and shutoff valve are located in a sealed box (vented overboard) inside the starboard cockpit locker. Some suppliers recommend that a high pressure solenoid shutoff be installed on the high pressure side of the regulator, i.e. between the tank [...]

Which Alternator And Regulator?

by John May 18, 2007

Question: We are trying to decide between an Ample Power and Balmar alternator and regulator. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Broadwater Stove (Cooker), Problems

by John May 18, 2008

The Problem This is a beautifully fabricated four burner stainless steel stove (cooker) that, when we bought it in 1996, was billed as the best money could buy; supposedly even better than the New Zealand-fabricated Princess stove, which really was the best stove money could buy (unfortunately, our Princess stove was on our old boat, [...]

Force10 Stove (Cooker), Problems

by John May 18, 2009
The inadequate mounting bracket Force10 provides for their marine stoves (cookers).

After much agonizing, we finally made the decision to replace our Broadwater stove (cooker) that has given us so much trouble since we bought it seven years ago; mainly because the manufacturer seems to be, after several fits and starts, well and truly defunct (more on the Broadwater).

Force10 Stove (Cooker), Problems, Take Two

by John November 8, 2009
A professional gas technician tests the Force10 stove (cooker) for gas leaks on aluminum expedition sailboat Morgan's Cloud.

During our recent refit we replaced Morgan’s Cloud ’s old, and much hated stove (cooker) with a three burner model from Force10. Getting the new stove working properly and safely has not been easy.

Force10 Stove (Cooker)

by John November 13, 2009
The Force10 marine stove (cooker) in the galley of aluminum expedition sailboat Morgan's Cloud.

This post will undoubtedly floor those of you who have read about our problems, some of them dangerous, with the Force10 stove. And I won’t kid you, we deeply and personally resent the time, effort and money expended over nearly two years that getting this stove working safely and properly has taken—it is simply not [...]

Diesel Fuel Day Tank

by John December 18, 2009
The diesel fuel day tank and other mechanical gear on Polaris, an aluminum expedition sailboat.

Polaris, the sailboat we looked after for a month in Greenland, is fitted with a diesel day tank that’s installed so the bottom of the tank is higher than the intake on the main engine and Refleks heater. (The Webasto heaters require a combined metering and lift pump, so their position, relative to the tank, [...]

Kerosene (Paraffin) Cooker

by John December 18, 2009
A Bertschi three burner kerosene stove on Polaris, an aluminum expedition sailboat.

Back in the day, many offshore voyaging pioneers like the Pyes, Smeatons, and Hiscocks cooked on Primus stoves: Peculiar machines that relied on hand pumped air pressure to force kerosene (paraffin) into a burner that was preheated with metholated spirit (industrial alcohol). Tales abounded of flare-ups, singed eyebrows and sea-cooks totally traumatized by the unpredictable [...]

Have You Ever Looked Into Diesel Outboards?

by John January 18, 2010

Question: Have you ever looked into diesel outboards?

Basement (Cellar) Sump Pumps

by John January 18, 2010

Many offshore boats are fitted with some kind of high capacity emergency bilge pump, sometimes known as crash pumps. We have long considered one for Morgan’s Cloud but have shied away because we don’t like cluttering up the main engine with belted devices and we have yet to find a pump that is compact enough [...]

Cummins Diesel Engine, Problems, Take Two

by John April 6, 2010
Cummins marine engine with head removed.

We are in the throes of re-powering Morgan’s Cloud, and as far as we are concerned, this unpleasant and expensive task has come about 4000 engine hours too early.

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