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Re: Warning about "UFOs"

Bill Kinney
 

Just a word of reassurance.  This topic is one that comes up all the time, and is passed around the sailing world and it seems to grow larger and more panicked with each telling. It's is a great boogy-man story because it has the evil, greedy shipping companies as the villains and the poor smallboat sailor as the helpless victim.

All I can do is give my personnel take on the topic as someone who has been intimately connected with the sailing world for several decades. Ignoring press stories, and scuttlebutt that starts with "I heard about a guy...", and staying with things I know first hand.  Your experience might be different, so, here goes: I HAVE seen many things floating on the ocean that I would NOT want to hit, most of them large trees, or pieces of lumber. But...

  • In 10's of thousands of ocean miles sailing I have NEVER seen a container in the ocean.  
  • NEVER have I seen one wash up on a beach. If there were a significant number of them floating in the ocean surely this would happen?
  • NEVER have I talked to anyone who has actually, first hand, seen a container floating in the ocean or washed up on a beach.
  • NEVER have I heard from someone who actually can confirm they hit a floating container.  
  • I know of just one boat that hit an unidentified floating object, at night in the middle of the ocean but what it hit was just that, unidentified.  
  • Never have I hit a container at sea.
On the other hand, I know personally of two boats that sunk after hitting whales, and two others that were disabled after whale strikes. I have been on a boat that hit a whale, thankfully without consequences.  By my reckoning, whales are at least 50 times more dangerous to small boats than shipping containers, and the risk of boats hitting reefs are at least 50 times higher again.

It is human nature to feel that risks we have no control over are much higher than those things were we think we can control. This is why many people have a fear of flying, but not of driving a car, even though the risk presented in an automobile is many times higher. We, quite rightly, feel that there is very little or nothing we can do ourselves to mitigate the risk of a collision with a container at sea.  This lack of control of the risk causes us to greatly inflate the relative risk of the event.

I am not saying that hitting a container is impossible, but the risks are WAY WAY down on the list of things we deal with at sea.  The risk does not deserve the number of words written about it over the years. (Even though I just added to them!)
Re: maramu and santorin owners - what size dinghy do you have an where do you store

Dennis Johns
 

Hi Eric,

I just replaced my 16 year old Mercury 270 Air Deck Hypalon with a Zodiac Cadet Aero Series Inflatable Boat | Cadet 270 Aero 2020.  I think the Mercury lasted so long because I rolled it up and stowed it in a bow locker when not using it daily.  It is only a four man dinghy (three adults and a smaller person) but it does fit nicely in one of the bow deck lockers and only takes up space on the bow when in an anchorage.  The inflatable floor worked well for about ten years, then developed a leak that could not be repaired.  In Croatia I had a plywood floor fabricated that replaced it nicely.  I went with the Zodiac this time because I don't plan to be in the tropics anymore, so the extra cost of hypalon does not seem worth it.  If the inflatable floor goes away again, I think the floor I had made for the Mercury will replace it.

Dennis Johns
Libertad
Maramu 121

On Wed, May 12, 2021 at 5:09 AM Eric Meury <ericmeury@...> wrote:
Dinghy choices....and storage.  the boat came with a fiberglass carib and found it a bit heavy -  tried a portaboat - crap ...the folding transom fell part.   so back to lookint at ribs.  what size rib do you own and other than davits are where are you storing it and what comprimises are you making in your dinghy/storage selection.
Re: Tender Amel 54 #dinghy

Porter McRoberts
 

Ladies and Gents:

Re the OCT on an Amel 54:

I believe several (Teun, Paul, others) have an OCT. 
We’re strongly considering one. I see one for sale at 3.2m. Will it fit on the aft poop deck?  What’s the largest we can go and still not interfere with the mizzen traveler? 

And if you have a moment, can anyone comment on the OCT stability with say 3-4 dive bottles, kit and crew?

Quite appreciated!


Porter McRoberts 
S/V IBIS A54-152
Tahiti
WhatsApp:+1 754 265 2206
Www.fouribis.net

On Oct 9, 2020, at 10:32 PM, Ian Park <parkianj@...> wrote:

The Highfield seat cover and pocket is a nice design. Unfortunately the fabric is poor quality for the purpose. I have had two seat covers now and both disintegrated after a year; not UV proof!

Re: maramu and santorin owners - what size dinghy do you have an where do you store

Ian Park
 

Eric
I have a Highfield Ultralight 270 (aluminium hull) with a 15hp 2 stroke. The book says max 9.9hp but that’s a 4 stroke which is the same weight. I got the Hypalon version.
Stored inverted on the foredeck, deflated when going any distance. Easy to lift over the side on a halliard single handed. I have a cheap Li Lo electric pump which plugs into the 12v socket in the forward heads. Does most of the work quite quickly then a few pumps to get necessary tube pressure.
My boat already had four small ‘U’ bolts fitted in the sides of the coachroof which accommodate a couple of ratchet straps, so security is fine.

Ian

Ocean Hobo SN96
Re: Tender Amel 54 #dinghy

Martin Birkhoff
 

Hi Mohammed,

the distance between the mizzens base and the travellers car is some 310 cm.

You have to think about the mizzen sheets inclination reducing the available space the higher the bow of the dingy will be. This is depending of the volume of the dingys bow tube of course. Some 50 cm above the aft deck the reduction may be 10 to 15 cm. 

We carrying a AB Lammina 9.5 AL. Length of the dingy is 290 cm. Stored on the aft cabin there is sufficient space to work at the winches and there is no restriction of the cockpit benches. 

Hope this information is helpful.
Fair winds

Martin - Mago del Sur - 54#40
maramu and santorin owners - what size dinghy do you have an where do you store

Eric Meury
 

Dinghy choices....and storage.  the boat came with a fiberglass carib and found it a bit heavy -  tried a portaboat - crap ...the folding transom fell part.   so back to lookint at ribs.  what size rib do you own and other than davits are where are you storing it and what comprimises are you making in your dinghy/storage selection.
Re: Super Maramu length of the Long Pole

John Clark
 

Hi Arno,
   yes I have seen that on some SM2Ks as well and also with the poles inside the rail.  The poles seem to work fine so I never gave it too much thought.


On Tue, May 11, 2021 at 7:18 AM Arno Luijten <arno.luijten@...> wrote:

Hi John,

You mean when they are stored on deck? First time I’ve heatd about a Insurance company interfering at that level. 
On Luna the 2nd pole is in on deck and goes past the pushpit extending to about the same “forwardness” as the bowroller


Regards,
Arno Luijten,
SV Luna,
A54-121
Re: Super Maramu length of the Long Pole

John Clark
 

No Bill that was the long poles.  They reported that the way Amel had them stowed they stuck out about a foot.  They said they were shortened so that they fit inside the rail.  The "short" poles were not modified.


On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 12:17 PM CW Bill Rouse <brouse@...> wrote:
John,

That would be the short poles, right?
CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
Address: 720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
View My Training Calendar


On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 11:07 AM John Clark <john.biohead@...> wrote:
Annie's poles were reported to be shortened by original owner because the insurance company did not like them protruding past the rails.  I never measured them but they work fine.

John Clark
Annie SM 37
St Thomas, USVI

On Mon, May 10, 2021, 10:53 AM CW Bill Rouse <brouse@...> wrote:
Dan,

I know of no such recommendation. I know that 1 SM owner (Hull before 200) says that he shortened his poles by 57.5 cm. to match the length of a SM2k. I am not sure that this statement from him is totally accurate. I doubt it but trying to determine the facts. And I am not sure of the length of the aluminum tubes on Feierabend SM #86. Can you give that to me? That may tell us all we need to know.

Here is SM444:
image.png
CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
Address: 720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
View My Training Calendar


On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 9:01 AM Dan Wilcox via groups.io <dwilcox123=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Bill,  

So is there a recommendation to shorten a long pole to be the shorter length for better storage and functionality?

Thanks, Dan
Feierabend SM #86

On Sunday, May 9, 2021, 02:53:54 AM PDT, Slavko Despotovic <slavko@...> wrote:


It is 467cm on Bonne Anse. End to end. The long pole.
-
Slavko
SM 2000
#279 Bonne Anse in Portoroz

Re: Help! Which gearbox fits best on my Amel Maramu with Beta 60 engine and original propeller.

michael winand
 

I went with a beta 60 with the tmc260  at 2.45 ratio, in a super maramu   happy, I think you will be too 
Michael Nebo sm251 


On Wed, 12 May 2021 at 7:37 am, James Watkins via groups.io
<ewatk49734@...> wrote:

Dirk   I did a refit on a Maramu hull 177 of a yanmar and used the original transmission.  I can send picture if you want them.

 

Best Regards

Jim Watkins

Maramu 177  Act II

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: Dirk Hazenoot Maramu Huli 171 via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 9:08 PM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] Help! Which gearbox fits best on my Amel Maramu with Beta 60 engine and original propeller.

 

Dear Amel friends, On our Amel Maramu hull 171 construction year 1985 the engine needs to be replaced. Our choice is a Beta 60. I've been configuring the motor for a week now. But unfortunately I can't figure it out myself. One says this and the other says that, in short, I have completely lost the thread. Which gearbox should I choose and with what ratio? My advisor in Holland says that I should go for a ZF25 hydraulic or a PRM 280 Hydraulic and my mechanic in France says that I should go for a mechanical ZF25 so that I can then tighten the prop. I am curious which gearbox and with what ratio you think best suits my Amel Maramu with a Beta 60 engine.

 
Re: Warning about "UFOs"

Germain Jean-Pierre
 

Danny et al,

I hear the design of new containers incorporates  alt water dissolvable plugs in strategic locations on its outer walls...

If true, reduces sour risk a bunch

Cheers 

Jean-Pierre Germain, Eleuthera, SM007, NZ


On 12/05/2021, at 6:39 AM, Danny and Yvonne SIMMS <simms@...> wrote:



Hi Gerhard,

you rightly say that there is little we can do about these lost containers because they float so low we cant see them, even if a good watch is being kept. The Amel bulkhead system is our friend. On the SM (which I know best) we have the collision bulkhead which seals off the anchor chain locker. The access port on mine is always closed. Then the gasketed door to the front cabin. We had a report in this last week of a SM being holed forward of this and by closing the door was able to restrict water ingress to the front cabin and make port safely. The water only rose to the level of the berths and the fore /aft trim of the boat was little affected. 

Another example of Henri Amels superb attention to design that matters.

Danny

SM 299

Ocean Pearl

On 11 May 2021 at 23:23 "Gerhard Mueller via groups.io" <carcode@...> wrote:

Gladefully it still don't have happened to me. But more and more container ships lost a large amount of containers at sea. They are called UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects) and they are a real danger especially for sailing boats and fishing boats because even in moderate sea they are not seen or very late. Also the radar don't see them with no area above waterline. Since October 2020 and March 2021 more than 2,500 containers are lost. It is said about 12,000 containers are drifting in the oceans right now. Most of them goes to the ground when lost from the ship but others like reefer containers can float a very long time.
<Scan.jpeg>

--
Gerhard Mueller
Amel Sharki #60
Currently Kalamata, Greece
Re: Help! Which gearbox fits best on my Amel Maramu with Beta 60 engine and original propeller.

James Watkins
 

Dirk   I did a refit on a Maramu hull 177 of a yanmar and used the original transmission.  I can send picture if you want them.

 

Best Regards

Jim Watkins

Maramu 177  Act II

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: Dirk Hazenoot Maramu Huli 171 via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 9:08 PM
To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io
Subject: [AmelYachtOwners] Help! Which gearbox fits best on my Amel Maramu with Beta 60 engine and original propeller.

 

Dear Amel friends, On our Amel Maramu hull 171 construction year 1985 the engine needs to be replaced. Our choice is a Beta 60. I've been configuring the motor for a week now. But unfortunately I can't figure it out myself. One says this and the other says that, in short, I have completely lost the thread. Which gearbox should I choose and with what ratio? My advisor in Holland says that I should go for a ZF25 hydraulic or a PRM 280 Hydraulic and my mechanic in France says that I should go for a mechanical ZF25 so that I can then tighten the prop. I am curious which gearbox and with what ratio you think best suits my Amel Maramu with a Beta 60 engine.

 
Help! Which gearbox fits best on my Amel Maramu with Beta 60 engine and original propeller.

Dirk Hazenoot Maramu Huli 171
 

Dear Amel friends, On our Amel Maramu hull 171 construction year 1985 the engine needs to be replaced. Our choice is a Beta 60. I've been configuring the motor for a week now. But unfortunately I can't figure it out myself. One says this and the other says that, in short, I have completely lost the thread. Which gearbox should I choose and with what ratio? My advisor in Holland says that I should go for a ZF25 hydraulic or a PRM 280 Hydraulic and my mechanic in France says that I should go for a mechanical ZF25 so that I can then tighten the prop. I am curious which gearbox and with what ratio you think best suits my Amel Maramu with a Beta 60 engine.
Re: Warning about "UFOs"

Danny and Yvonne SIMMS
 

Hi Gerhard,

you rightly say that there is little we can do about these lost containers because they float so low we cant see them, even if a good watch is being kept. The Amel bulkhead system is our friend. On the SM (which I know best) we have the collision bulkhead which seals off the anchor chain locker. The access port on mine is always closed. Then the gasketed door to the front cabin. We had a report in this last week of a SM being holed forward of this and by closing the door was able to restrict water ingress to the front cabin and make port safely. The water only rose to the level of the berths and the fore /aft trim of the boat was little affected. 

Another example of Henri Amels superb attention to design that matters.

Danny

SM 299

Ocean Pearl

On 11 May 2021 at 23:23 "Gerhard Mueller via groups.io" <carcode@...> wrote:

Gladefully it still don't have happened to me. But more and more container ships lost a large amount of containers at sea. They are called UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects) and they are a real danger especially for sailing boats and fishing boats because even in moderate sea they are not seen or very late. Also the radar don't see them with no area above waterline. Since October 2020 and March 2021 more than 2,500 containers are lost. It is said about 12,000 containers are drifting in the oceans right now. Most of them goes to the ground when lost from the ship but others like reefer containers can float a very long time.

--
Gerhard Mueller
Amel Sharki #60
Currently Kalamata, Greece
Super Maramu anchored near Sint Maarten bridge

Alexandre Uster von Baar
 

Good morning, 


If the owner of the Super Maramu anchor near the Simpson Bay bridge want to meet, needs ride for grocery shopping, etc. let me know.  


Sincerely, Alexandre
Super Maramu 2000 Secondary Saltwater Manifold made by SOFOMARIN of welded polypropylene pipe

CW Bill Rouse
 

As promised here is the order information for the Secondary Saltwater Manifold made by SOFOMARIN of welded polypropylene pipe.

 Super Maramu late model Secondary Saltwater Man...


Bill
CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
Address: 720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
View My Training Calendar
Re: Warning about "UFOs"

Aras Grinius
 

Never would have guessed that many.

Aras
Sharki #163 1988


On Tue, May 11, 2021 at 7:23 AM Gerhard Mueller via groups.io <carcode=me.com@groups.io> wrote:
Gladefully it still don't have happened to me. But more and more container ships lost a large amount of containers at sea. They are called UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects) and they are a real danger especially for sailing boats and fishing boats because even in moderate sea they are not seen or very late. Also the radar don't see them with no area above waterline. Since October 2020 and March 2021 more than 2,500 containers are lost. It is said about 12,000 containers are drifting in the oceans right now. Most of them goes to the ground when lost from the ship but others like reefer containers can float a very long time.

--
Gerhard Mueller
Amel Sharki #60
Currently Kalamata, Greece



--
Aras Grinius
Warning about "UFOs"

Gerhard Mueller
 

Gladefully it still don't have happened to me. But more and more container ships lost a large amount of containers at sea. They are called UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects) and they are a real danger especially for sailing boats and fishing boats because even in moderate sea they are not seen or very late. Also the radar don't see them with no area above waterline. Since October 2020 and March 2021 more than 2,500 containers are lost. It is said about 12,000 containers are drifting in the oceans right now. Most of them goes to the ground when lost from the ship but others like reefer containers can float a very long time.

--
Gerhard Mueller
Amel Sharki #60
Currently Kalamata, Greece
Re: Super Maramu length of the Long Pole

Arno Luijten
 

Hi John,

You mean when they are stored on deck? First time I’ve heatd about a Insurance company interfering at that level. 
On Luna the 2nd pole is in on deck and goes past the pushpit extending to about the same “forwardness” as the bowroller


Regards,
Arno Luijten,
SV Luna,
A54-121
Re: LiFePO4 Batteries, what they can do for you.

Regards Geoff Kidd - Hopefully on track to sign as SV KEYDAH Merchant
 

Thanks for your response Dan.

And apologies, Ken, for diverting from your original subject. I will apologise to your face when watching your next Aquarious video.
Re: Isolation of hull inside Amel54 or AmelSM - and hatches etc.

Ian Park
 

Electric blanket is AC powered working off the inverter.

Ian

Ocean Hobo SN 96
7141 - 7160 of 65032