Hello all together<br><br>this Message board is a
good idea ...<br><br>We had big problems with our
original CQR anchor from Amel. Therefore we decided this
summer to change it. After some attempts (with a 25kg
"Bgelanker") we installed a 30kg Spade anchor. The mounting
from Amel must be modified only a little, because this
anchor does not balance itself. See the two photos in
the photo album Spade anchor. <br><br>Sorry for my
english. <br><br>Regards Hanspeter

Hi Ruth and Arnold<br><br>Last year I purchased a
SM#6 wich I have since sold to Bob. During the sea
trial the engine would not rev above 2100 rpms. The
problem was diagnosed as faulty injectors. They were
changed and the engine has been fine since then. However,
there could be other less expensive causes this is what
worked for me.<br><br>Thanks<br><br>Vito Ciaravino

Thanks DAhna, we replaced that too. I'll see if it makes a difference soon and let you know. Arnold, Pagan

We are Martha and Joe Graf. Our SV is Sharki,
hull #54. She is currently in dry dock in the
Chesapeake, we live in New Mexico. Hopefully, next summer we
will move aboard. After sailing the Chesapeake for
experience we hope to head out to wherever she takes us. One
question I have, any recommendations for adding a holding
tank or septic system? Looking forward to hearing from
other Amel owners. Martha

Ruthe and Arnold -<br>We had a similar problem
not long ago on our Sharki. It turned out to be due
to a defective kill switch (solenoid-operated
shutdown valve). When replaced, we returned to full RPMs.
Hope this helps.<br><br>Dahna<br>SV Alchemy

Ruthe, Arnold.<br>I have just bought an 11year
old SM from another club member 'Vito' I remember in
his original survey when he bought the bought from a
French couple, there was a similar problem. I think he
had some work on the turbo done. I am sure he will
respond with his thoughts.<br><br>So, the speed log
problem is no unusual?<br><br>As and when you can I think
all would be interested in what equipment you have re
placed and any improvements.<br>Bob

We're Ruthe and Arnold Grubin sailing a 7 year
old Super Maramu, Pagan, now lying in Tortola. We
have a problem that seems to have been stumping the
best minds in Tortola. The engine will not rev higher
RPMs under load than 2300. The turnbo was replaced,
the diesel pump serviced, the exhaust system checked,
the injectors adjusted, the fuel checked. Originally
it wouldn't get over 1600. The props clean as a
whistle. I suspect there might have been sabotage by a
mechanic I let go. Any ideas. We'll be in Tortola in
December.<br><br>I noticed some previous inquiries about storm
tactics. We were in 50 plus knots hours out of La Coruna
in Spain a few years ago for a day an a half. We are
able to heave to for a couple of hours in the middle
of the night to get some rest using only a bit of
the genoa and run down for a day an a half on a bit
of the main. Total water taken in the cockpit
couldn't have been more than a couple of bucket's
full.<br><br>As to the electronic log. I've tried everything.
Even having it serviced at Amel's station in
Guadaloupe. It just comes and goes. <br><br>If anyone's
interested I have replaced a lot of equipment over the
years, recently, due to age, quite a bit.

Delores -<br>We built a box under the aft berth
and installed four 4D Lifelines. We are now
considering what we will do with the old battery box space -
maybe a watermaker later...<br><br>Did you paint the
"teak" decks as well? I painted ours off-white last year
using 2 part Interlux with non-skid added. They had
been painted previously.<br><br>Dahna<br>SV Alchemy

We are about to compound and wax the topsides and
coach roof of our Sharki. The coach roof is pretty
oxidized, and I would like to spruce up the non-skid areas
of the coach as well. Does anyone know of a product
or sealer that can be used to protect the non-skid
that will not reduce its
effectiveness?<br>Thanks,<br>Dahna

Koen- I am interested in the details of your headliner replacement. Also, did you get the materials from Amel or buy it locally?

Hi Bob<br><br>All Amels list including my SM
2000. If you look at the design of the boat 80% of the
storage is on the starbord side. Load that baby for a
long cruise and shell straighten right up.<br><br>Vito

Thanks Richard<br><br>I have seen this product. I always wondered what it would be like to raise this sail in a gale with a good sea. Has anyone tried this.<br><br>Vito

About a year ago we happened to come across
acquiring a spinnaker off a J-24 for a laughable sum. The
sail fits just right when flown deep off the wind as a
mizzen spinnaker on our Sharki. Even though it's not a
large sail, we've outfitted with the ATN spinnaker
sleeve and that helps out quite a bit on setting and
dousing the sail and preventing it from snagging on the
radar or anything else.<br>Rich<br>Xanareva

Vito,<br><br>You may want to look at the ATN
"Gale Sail". Website is <a href=http://www.antinc.com. target=new>http://www.antinc.com.<;/a> I had a
local canvas shop create a similar sleeve to attach a
storm jib that'll hoist over the furled genoa with the
spinnaker halyard. Only tried it in protected waters in 30
kts. Works great. I will try to post a photo of this
'in action' shortly.<br>Richard<br>Xanareva (Sharki)

Our Sharki has about a 2 degree (or so) list to port as well. I've seen even more on a Maramu. Haven't heard of any explaination!<br>Richard

Does anyone have any advice for erratic speed log
readings on a sonic B&G. Also, is the 2 deg list to port
on my SM normal, I have noticed others but seem less
so. Majority of the heavy equipment is sited on the
port side, generator etc. is that why Amel moved the
battery bank to the starboard berth on the SM2000?

Hi Rich!<br><br>Thanks BTW for setting up the
website for us Amel owners!<br><br>Concerning the
batteries ... we have installed 4 (Trojan) T125 golf
batteries in the orignal area. We installed a starting
bettery to the starboard side of the engine. We actually
did that as soon as we got the boat 6 years
ago.<br><br>We also installed a 4 gallon Isotherm water heater
in the engine compartment. It was a pricey purchase
but the Isotherm out performs the 6 gallon stainless
steel that was on the boat. We wanted to gain room in
the lazarrette.<br><br>Gene (my husband) is
considering installing 4 Lifeline Glasmats 6 volts and 1
starting battery when these "die." Do you or any other
Amel owner have any input to that matter? What is Amel
putting in the new SM's.<br><br>We also installed bigger
alternator (Aqualine) for the house bank, multi-step
regulation.<br><br>Yesterday, we applied Awlgrip two-part Linear Polyurethane
enamel in Off White to the topside and to the
masts/booms. It is gorgeous. We are fortunate we have a friend
(woodworker) who sprays professionally do the job for us. I
did all the prep sanding and he did all the
prep/paint application.<br><br>Today we applied a two part
epoxy to the bottom after peeling the hull.
Monday/Tuesday we will paint the bottom with Pettit Trinidad SR
in black. We will lastly apply a red boot stripe
with a separate blck pinstripe above that.<br><br>Then
we will go to the coast and hit a piling full of
barnacles! Isn't that the way it's supposed to
happen?<br><br>I am so tired ... and through all of this, I am
also stripping/varnishing all the exterior wood/ cabin
sole/steps. I will be glad to get Stargazer to Charleston and
get back on her. I have missed living
aboard.<br><br>Delores<br>Stargazer

Delores,<br><br>Concerning the space you have
available underneath the companionway steps, we've had our
engine starting battery relocated there on our Sharki.
The separate 'house' battery bank (three 105 Ah group
31 deep cycles) sits in the engine room. I've seen
another Sharki that fitted in the standard Amel battery
bin four of the T125 Trojan 6V golf cart batteries
without modification to the battery bin (other than
fitting a new hold-down device). When I'm ready to
replace my house batteries I'll rewire for the increased
capacity with the four golf cart
batteries.<br><br>Rich<br>Xanareva

Thanks Charlie for the info on the cabinetry work
and description of the storage underneath the
companionway steps. The runged drawer is what I had in mind.
On the Sharki at the present I can fit a milk crate
there but I don't want to continue to allow it to slide
on my newly varnished floor.<br><br>As far as go
sailing ... most sailors are amazed to learn that we have
sailed our Stargazer on this freshwater lake for just
about every weekend that we have owned her (6 years).
Lake Murray is 575 miles of shoreline and has depths
up to 200 feet.<br><br>We sail year around in
light/medium/strong winds. Winter is our favorite. And night sailing
is awesome! We always take our home to some
anchorage ... our favorite being called Hurricane Hole ...
about a 3 hours motor or all day sail. So we do venture
much on this great lake. The sailing club of which we
are members has a strong group of sailors owning some
incredible yachts on this lake. We as a group gather for
many a "raft-up". We all have dinghies and venure to
shore a good bit and two of us have kayaks for
excursions. So we have "mimiced" the cruising life in many
ways. Most of our sailing friends now have taken their
yachts to the Southeast Coast and are sailing there. One
is in Grenada. <br><br>Now we are ready to sail the
East Coast and learn Stragazer's responsiveness to the
tides and currents. We of course don't have bow
thrusters but will manage and I am sure will experience a
many "exciting" time.<br><br>We have done many boat
deliveries on other boats so our experience is comfortable
with the coastal concerns. The one thing we will have
to do now is deal with hurricane warnings and
watches. <br><br>We will currently be in Charleston, SC
for a couple of years and then see how things stand
with parental health.<br><br>The Amels are the
sweetest sailing machines we have encountered. So solid
and so secure. One can't help but feel very safe
onboard.<br><br>One day we may own the Super Maramu but right now we
are very happy with our Sharki! But it is so nice to
hear from all the SM owners and know that there are
little improvements to make. <br><br>We could almost say
the same about the Sharki!<br><br>Delores<br>S/V
Stargazer

We renewed our healining (foam backed) with the
new (same looking) stuff with felt backing. Took us 4
weeks work (2 people), but the result is "as new".
<br>If I knew then what I know now we could have done it
in 3 weeks. contact me if U want some
tips<br><br>Koen Velleman<br>Flash4<br>Super Maramu
No17<br>koenvelleman@hotmail.com