Hello,

This is a message from current moderator of the group. I have seen some
people trying to join but they do not leave an email address I can
respond to.

Let me remind that membership is restricted--to join you'll need to
include an email address that the Amel Yacht Owners Group moderator can
respond to. Please follow directions to 'sign in', or send an email to:
amelyachtowners-owner@yahoogroups.com

Regards
'Joseba' (Jose Luis Isasi)

Hello Howard,
I had a hatch fitted in the aft cabin top and it works extremely well
especially whilst at anchor. See message nos 1781 and 1804 for a
description and Bali Hai SM 317 photo album for more details.

I had problems with my bilge pump but it was a self inflicted injury
because I was using the pump on manual switching when it had already
emptied the sump to its preset level. This caused the electric pump to
suck air thus emptying the pump above its top flap valve. The valve
then failed to do its duty as it relies on the head of water above it
to make it seal. The flap was only made of neoprene unlike the ones in
Whale Gulper pumps which have flaps with a slice of something heavy
like lead moulded in to make them seat properly.

Regards to all Anne and John SM 319

Hello, and thanks to everyone who replied to my question re:
ventilation and airflow on the Maramu. Your comments were very
helpful.

I've decided to add a hatch over the aft berth and possibly a smaller
one over the aft head as well. I'll try to post messages and
pictures as the work progresses.

Best regards,
Howard Berger
--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, amelliahona <no_reply@...>
wrote:

Hi Howard:
We have had our SM2000 in the Caribbean for 4 years. It is a great
boat and I am very happy with it. My observations on ventilation
are as follows:

Forward Cabin: Excellent air flow from hatch under virtually all
conditions.* Excellent air conditioning. I have two Hella Fans to
augment airflow as needed and/or if the boat is closed up under
sail or due to insects or rain.

Forward Head: Excellent air flow from hatch under virtually all
conditions. Excellent air conditioning.

Saloon: Adequate, but not excellent air flow from hatch. Better
with Breeze Boosters. I also have two Hella fans near the saloon
forward bulkhead to help if winds are light. The single 9,000
BTU Climma AC is ok for the eating area only but inadequate
for the galley and nav station area.

Nav Station: Only a Hella fan mounted here makes it bearable.**

Galley: This is a real sweat box. The portlight isn't adequate
and the saloon AC doesn't get this far. I just finished installing
a 4th AC unit (10,000 Climma)*** for dedicated output to the galley
and nav station area in order to keep the 1st mate (wife) happy.
The Breeze Booster Port Ventilator helps. I have several of the
Breeze Boosters and Port Ventilators and they are the only ones
that I have found to work on the Amel (self erecting) see:

www.breezebooster.com/index.html

Quarter Berth: Inadequate ventilation. The single portlight

doesn't

provide airflow and the port ventilator doesn't work because it is
located in the cockpit behind the dodger. I have directed an AC
vent from the new install to shoot AC air into the quarter berth.
I am contemplating installing a second portlight here to get
some airflow. There is a Hella fan here that makes it bearable.

Aft Cabin & Aft Head: Very marginal to inadequate airflow. Note
that the new Amel 54 has two aft hatches and a cabin top hatch.
The head portlight and small forward portlight are not adequate.
The AC is super and quickly cools the aft cabin. I have tried

various

breeze boosters for the aft cabin with marginal results. We have
three Hella fans in the cabin and I installed an additional Hella
fan in the aft head that makes showering etc ok.

Typically at night in the Caribbean the wind and temp is ok with
normal boat ventilation. The worst time is in the afternoons. I
manage my battery charging so that I can run the ACs and charge
the batteries in the mid afternoon, or I just spend this time in
the water. This is the only boat I have ever owned so I can't

compare

to others. We have the fresh air ventilation system for use when

at

sea or if it is raining. It is a boon and a desirable option.

Notes:
* Fresh air ventilation system is barely adequate when boat is

closed up.

** I think I orderd Hella fans as options when I bought the boat.

I have

since added two more.
*** Joel says he gets four units on all his boats. I installed

mine under

the galley sink, below the shelf, and tied it into the fresh air

ventilation

system as well as running vents to the area of the nav

station/guarter

berth and a vent that comes out into the galley from just to the

port of

the dishwasher.


These are just my opinions. Hope this helps,

Gary Silver SM 2000, Hull # 335



but is--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, "Howard Berger"

<svresolute@>

wrote:

We're considering purchasing a Maramu (1984). Looking at the

plans,

I'm struck by the lack of opening ports throughout the boat. As

a

considerable amount of the time we plan to be out cruising will

be in

the Tropics (both Caribbean and Pacific), the potential for

a "hot"

boat below is a concern to me. The Caliber 40 in which we

cruised the

Caribbean for more than a year has has a total of 10 opening

ports (5

per side), plus larger hatches than are present on the Maramu,

and

during the day it still got pretty hot below.

I'd appreciate any comments from current or former owners of the

older

Maramu.

Best Regards,
Howard Berger

I thought this might be of interest to you all. A seven minute,
American made video featuring the 54, in which Joel Potter is interviewed.

The clip can be found on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsFZURpfdYQ

Needless to say, only watch when you have access to broadband, and not
through your Pactor or Iridium link!

Happy sailing

Roger

Thanks Roy, I appreciate your thoughts.

Gary

Hi John,

I know some people use the material used for spray hood windows, which I assume is vinyl. I
hope that this lead helps. You need to find someone that has actually used it as I have not
but intend to do so. Let me know if you find a definitive answer and I'll do likewise.

Best regards,

Rob
Between AMELS

Hi Gary,

The deck painting is holding up fine. It's been just over one
year, and the boat was in Maine last summer. We're planning on
taking her south this coming winter, so we'll see. I applied another
coat of Polytrol last fall, and had to buy some Penetrol to finish,
as my Polytrol ran out. I found that Penetrol is not quite as easy
to apply as Polytrol (you need to wipe it off sooner), but the
results were similar. I used about half a quart can of
Polytrol/Penetrol for all the brown decks. Apply with a brush, wipe
off with a cloth after about 10 minutes. I did not try it on the
white decks, or other fiberglass areas. I think it would work fine
on the white non-skid. I would not try it on any glossy areas.
Re the deck painting, we were very happy with the striping
device. It went very quickly, and was easy to use. You'll also need
a small brush for corners and around cleats, etc. And keep a clean
cloth with solvent handy. We used one-part polyurethane paint, very
easy and durable. Black looks good, but will make your decks hotter
than they are now (with the faded gel coat stripes). I'm not sure
any dark color will be any different. Many years ago, Amel made some
Mangos and Maramus with white stripes to reduce deck heat, but they
looked a bit strange. The white stripes definitely cooled the decks,
though.
Good luck,
Roy on Excalibur (SM #195)

--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, amelliahona <no_reply@...>
wrote:

Hi Roy:

I just re-read your post on painting the deck stripes in
preparation to doing my decks. I have been able to
purchase some Penetrol (the US equivalent of Polytrol)
from Budget Marine in Antigua. How much did it take to
treat the decks? Did you also treat the white cabin tops?
If so how much did it take to do that? Do you use the
Polytrol on other areas of you fiberglass? Finally, how
is your re-striping job holding up, and would you do
anything differently in hind-sight?

Thanks for the follow-up.

Gary Silver, s/v Liahona SM 2000 Hull # 335
Jolly Harbor, Antigua

Hi Howard:
We have had our SM2000 in the Caribbean for 4 years. It is a great
boat and I am very happy with it. My observations on ventilation
are as follows:

Forward Cabin: Excellent air flow from hatch under virtually all
conditions.* Excellent air conditioning. I have two Hella Fans to
augment airflow as needed and/or if the boat is closed up under
sail or due to insects or rain.

Forward Head: Excellent air flow from hatch under virtually all
conditions. Excellent air conditioning.

Saloon: Adequate, but not excellent air flow from hatch. Better
with Breeze Boosters. I also have two Hella fans near the saloon
forward bulkhead to help if winds are light. The single 9,000
BTU Climma AC is ok for the eating area only but inadequate
for the galley and nav station area.

Nav Station: Only a Hella fan mounted here makes it bearable.**

Galley: This is a real sweat box. The portlight isn't adequate
and the saloon AC doesn't get this far. I just finished installing
a 4th AC unit (10,000 Climma)*** for dedicated output to the galley
and nav station area in order to keep the 1st mate (wife) happy.
The Breeze Booster Port Ventilator helps. I have several of the
Breeze Boosters and Port Ventilators and they are the only ones
that I have found to work on the Amel (self erecting) see:

www.breezebooster.com/index.html

Quarter Berth: Inadequate ventilation. The single portlight doesn't
provide airflow and the port ventilator doesn't work because it is
located in the cockpit behind the dodger. I have directed an AC
vent from the new install to shoot AC air into the quarter berth.
I am contemplating installing a second portlight here to get
some airflow. There is a Hella fan here that makes it bearable.

Aft Cabin & Aft Head: Very marginal to inadequate airflow. Note
that the new Amel 54 has two aft hatches and a cabin top hatch.
The head portlight and small forward portlight are not adequate.
The AC is super and quickly cools the aft cabin. I have tried various
breeze boosters for the aft cabin with marginal results. We have
three Hella fans in the cabin and I installed an additional Hella
fan in the aft head that makes showering etc ok.

Typically at night in the Caribbean the wind and temp is ok with
normal boat ventilation. The worst time is in the afternoons. I
manage my battery charging so that I can run the ACs and charge
the batteries in the mid afternoon, or I just spend this time in
the water. This is the only boat I have ever owned so I can't compare
to others. We have the fresh air ventilation system for use when at
sea or if it is raining. It is a boon and a desirable option.

Notes:
* Fresh air ventilation system is barely adequate when boat is closed up.
** I think I orderd Hella fans as options when I bought the boat. I have
since added two more.
*** Joel says he gets four units on all his boats. I installed mine under
the galley sink, below the shelf, and tied it into the fresh air ventilation
system as well as running vents to the area of the nav station/guarter
berth and a vent that comes out into the galley from just to the port of
the dishwasher.


These are just my opinions. Hope this helps,

Gary Silver SM 2000, Hull # 335



but is--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, "Howard Berger" <svresolute@...>
wrote:

There are saillike devices that can be put over deck hatches to force air into the boat. They actually work pretty good!

Those of you with late model Super Maramu 2000's will have a test switch
located left of the companionway steps to check if there is a grounding
fault. I have in the past had a fault when a leaking macerator pump seal
caused sea and earth ground to become connected.

I have again got a fault in the Masse - which means that sea and battery
ground are connected, but this time it is not the toilets that are causing
the trouble. It could be anywhere!

It started as an intermittent fault whilst sailing, then it went away for a
while, but now it is a permanent fault. I wonder if anyone else has had a
Masse - fault light appear where they traced the problem to? Any clues would
be helpful in what looks like a long and painful exercise in fault finding.
The fault remains with all circuit breakers tripped, but as the breakers
usually only break the positive wire, this is to be expected.

Ian Shepherd SM 399 'Crusader'

We're considering purchasing a Maramu (1984). Looking at the plans,
I'm struck by the lack of opening ports throughout the boat. As a
considerable amount of the time we plan to be out cruising will be in
the Tropics (both Caribbean and Pacific), the potential for a "hot"
boat below is a concern to me. The Caliber 40 in which we cruised the
Caribbean for more than a year has has a total of 10 opening ports (5
per side), plus larger hatches than are present on the Maramu, and
during the day it still got pretty hot below.

I'd appreciate any comments from current or former owners of the older
Maramu.

Best Regards,
Howard Berger

Hi
Bill,

My original AMEL Genoa, which I believe was 135%, had a foam luff retrofitted
by a previous owner. The sail worked well, but was very heavy. I
also have a 110% Genoa (also purchased by the previous owner), which I used
briefly in the Caribbean. I often found that the boat was underpowered
with this sail and I put up the original 135% Genoa in Trinidad, and it left up
for the rest of our circumnavigation. I have never used the 110
again. When I replaced our worn out old Genoa (Sails Specialty Ltd in
Auckland, New Zealand) I was told that the foam luff was not recommended as the
foam compresses over time and becomes less effective. Rather, a piece of
tapered line was used instead of foam (a feature I have since seen on many
other sails. They also eliminated the multiple layers of filler material
used in the clew (used to allow use of a pressed ring) by using a sewn in “D”
ring (reinforced with webbing). This
feature also reduced the weight of the new sail and allowed for a better
shape. I installed this new sail upon
arriving back in the Caribbean. It was cut the same size as the original
AMEL Genoa and is conventional Dacron of the same weight cloth. We have since
used this sail for a day reaching in steady 45 knots from the beam (reefed) and
for a rough three day beat up into the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Channel
along with all the normally great Caribbean sailing with no problems (or
regrets). I find I can point closer to the wind with this new sail
(perhaps just a result of having a new sail) and sail much faster in light
wind. The reduced weight makes handling
this sail on deck much easier and of course, reduces weight aloft.



Steve Leeds

Yacht MACCABEE

AMEL Sharki #121



Circumnavigator's Yacht Service

Fort Lauderdale, Fl

http://bellsouthpwp2.net/l/e/leedss/

Craig,

You are absolutely right. We have never had a joker valve on our strum box, which, in our case, is nothing more than wire mesh. I will keep a lookout for a stum box with a joker valve.

Thanks,

Robin.
Belouga, Santorin 004.

Craig & Katherine <sangaris@aol.com> wrote:
Robin,
Your technique of using the manual pump to clear "muck" is a good
one that works well for me.
Priming used to be an issue, but that "joker" valve in the "strum"
box,(rubber thingy with three star points facing up, like the valve
in your toilet discharge line) is meant to keep the suction hose
filled with water, so no priming issue.
Sounds like your "joker" valve is missing or old and crusty - mine
was gone and I just happened to spot a new strum box that had the
joker included - voila! problem solved.
Cheers,
Craig Briggs - Santorin #68

Gary,
I replaced the genset bearing myself. This was very easy to do on my
SM which is a 1996. I removed the hot water heater to make it easy to
get at that end of the genset. I have not done the valves yet, and
plan to do it this spring. I purchased a service manual for my model
from the dealer.

Don

10 Feb 2007

Roy Benveniste must be sailing as I haven't heard back
from him in follow-up to my post about the long term
effects of his deck stripe treatment etc.

Anybody else used polytrol and or Brightside paint
for the stripes and deck treatment that would care
to let us know how the treatment has held up and any
down-sides to using Polytrol/Penetrol on the deck and
or the cabin rooftops.

Thanks,

Gary Silver s/v Liahona SM 2000 Hull # 335

10 Feb 2007

Hi Bill:

About 2 years ago I purchased a "Caribbean Blaster" 110% Jib
from Joel's guy in Ft. Lauderdale. It has a foam luff and I have
loved it. I echo the remarks made about the size of this sail
when used with Caribbean winds. The foam luff gives the sail
better shape when furled and I don't think you loose anything
when fully deployed as the foam luff just "fairs' the luff of the
sail better to the "foil" of the furling mechanism. I can see
no down-side to having a foam luff on a furling headsail.

I have kept my Gateff headsail for the day when I do more
downwind sailing again but for winds of 15- 45 knots the
Caribbean Blaster is a great sail.

Gary Silver SM2000 Hull # 335

10 Feb 2007

Hello everyone:
Some time ago I purchased a copy of the Onan MDKAL (the genset
Liahona (2001 SM hull # 335), operator's manual and Parts Catalog.

Page 16 of the Operator's Manual shows a table entitled "Periodic
Maintenance Schedule". I have two questions:

1. At 800 hrs it indicates to adjust the valve lash and says this
must be performed by an authorize Onan Dealer. Has anybody
had this done, and if so what where the cost and time requirements?

2. At every 5 year interval the generator bearing should be
replaced. Again the indication is that this must be done by an
authorized Onan Dealer. Again, anybody had this done?
If so please post your experiences.

Thanks in advance,

Gary Silver

Robin,
Your technique of using the manual pump to clear "muck" is a good
one that works well for me.
Priming used to be an issue, but that "joker" valve in the "strum"
box,(rubber thingy with three star points facing up, like the valve
in your toilet discharge line) is meant to keep the suction hose
filled with water, so no priming issue.
Sounds like your "joker" valve is missing or old and crusty - mine
was gone and I just happened to spot a new strum box that had the
joker included - voila! problem solved.
Cheers,
Craig Briggs - Santorin #68

Bill, I wouldn't even think about putting a 153% genoa on your Amel. The boat sails just fine with a much smaller headsail. I personally think a 135% would be a great cruising sail. With the larger sail you have a reef in it most of the time anyway. Buying a larger sail then you usually use is not cost effective. Also the smaller sail has a much higher cut then the big one allowing you to see under the sail. Peter Grimm sailmaker in Ft.Lauderdale made me a 110% genny for the Caribbean winds and I.v'e had it on ever since. We just sailed from Turks and Caicos to Panama,900 miles, and sometimes we even had to reef the 110%. I lose some speed going to weather in light air,but when I ease sheets the boat really flies. I think the big genny gets partially blocked by the main when you are off the wind. Anyhow my SM goes as fast as I want to go, or as fast as the seas will let me go. I did 197 miles in one day in the Caribbean. john
"Moondog" SM248

From: "btleonore" <leonorebt@earthlink.net>
Reply-To: amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com
To: amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Amel Yacht Owners] FOC replacement
Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:31:51 -0000

Hi, I am considering buying a new FOC and have an old letter from Amel
stating that the size should be 153.8% Genoa. Does anyone know the
dimensions for that. Also would you install foam in the luff or not.
I do not think mine (SM72) has foam. Would you recommend Dacron and
any particular style. We are just a cruising boat so nothing fancy is
wanted. By looking at the Amel diagrams that came with the boat, it
appears that the luff is 17.1m, leach 16.15m and foot 9m. Does this
comport with what I am looking for? Thanks for your input.
Bill on Leonore of Sark.

_________________________________________________________________
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John:

Related to your question quoted below:

I belive that what Joel was refering to was Polytrol (European Name),
or Penetrol (US name). Researching on the web indicates that they
are the same thing. See the Photos section for pictures of deck
treated with Polytrol. Search the message base under Deck Stripes
for more information about using this product.
Regards,

Gary Silver, SM 2000 Hull # 335