My Gear

1. Auto pilot (Tiller pilot)

Simrad TP10: Used up 3 of these during my voyage. Unfortunately this type is unfit for longer ocean sailing.

2. Energy supply

2.1 Main battery: 2 each 12V 40Ah valved gel.

*Test: lasted for 77.5 hours (with breaks) with a 21W lamp. The ship has 5W and 10W lamps, therefore they should last for a week without recharging, especially if used only for evening lights.

(After Fiji I used LED lamps in Carina.)

Battery charger: operates from 220V shore side power.

Generator: output 12V 3A, driven by the engine, so charging time is limited.

Swapped the batteries for 2 each 47Ah in Koper Sept. 2006 and I bought one 55W battery for reserve in Gibraltar Nov. 2006.

Also, in Fiji, bought 2 used “deep cycle” batteries, one 100Ah, the other 120.

2.2 Solar panel: (H-55 mini)

Output 55W; Potential: 12V; Current: 3.4A; Weight: 4.6 kg; Size: 750 x 524 x 34 mm;

Accusealed Ltd.

*Test: measured 1.1A during a sunny morning, in early spring. Should be more during the summer with more light power of course…(Rotorman measured 2.2A on this model).

This first solar cell broke first in the Caribbean in 2007, then finally - and irreparably - broke after Fiji in 2008. A good friend, Zoltán Magyar sent me a similar one to Australia, that is still operating! Thank you!

2.3 Wind Generator. (Rutland 503 + HRS 12V Regulator)

Output: 80W max; Potential: 12V; Current: 1.2A (in 15 knot winds); Weight: 3.6 kg;

Diameter: 510 mm; 3G Technologies Ltd.

The wind generator finally irreparably broke in the Indian Ocean, it’s coil shorted. It has since been repaired in Hungary.

3. Depth sounder

Plastimo Echotest II Depth Sounder (Frequency 200 kHz, Display: LCD (7 segments),

Weight: 200 g, Waterproof to 50 m depth)

4. 3 GPS: Gamin 72, an old Magellan GPS 60, Foretrex 201

5. Paper charts for the whole route (more than 100) + digital charts.

6. VHF DSC radio (Cobra MR F55 EU)

7. Manual anemometer

8. Built-in speed log, log and compass.

9. Pumps: Manual: capacity 0.7 liter/stroke; electric: 15 liters/minute.

10. Ocean (offshore) Life raft (4 person, in bag), size: 68 x 38 x 25 cm. Weight 24 kg.

11. Emergency signaling devices: (4 red parachute flares, 4 red star flares,

4 red hand flares, 4 orange smoke bombs.

12. GME EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) MT400; 406 MHz – COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system.

13. Laptop (Compaq M700, 14.1”, P3, 850 MHz, 192 MB, 30GB HDD, CD, XP…). This one broke, the new laptop: HP 501.

14. Navtex (Mscan Meteo software + 518 kHz receiver)

15. HF radio (Icom IC-725)

Other than the above, a must for any small ship to have for an ocean voyage (based on KöViM 2/200 (VII.26.) regulations) (Hungarian Ministry of Transportation)

Main anchor (Guardian G-23; 5.9kg), Spare anchor (12kg, 4 fluke)

Anchor chain (10+10m) and anchor line (2x20m), signal buoy.

2 oars, grappling hook, swimming ladder, 4 fenders, national flag, black cone,

2 life belts, blinking light, 5 life jackets (sea type: reflecting with whistle), 1 inflatable lifejacket, 2 straps, 25m trailing rope, signal light, boatswains chair (home made + spelunking type), cutting tool, storm anchor, damage repair equipment, sail sewing kit,

hand compass, binoculars, barometer, thermometer, fixed navigation lights (per COLREG), leakage plugs.

Radar reflector, signal mirror, code flags & pennants, foghorn, signal lamp, headlamp, spare electric bulbs, spare parts.

Perhaps most important: Polyurethane foam, polyester synthetic resin (plus glass filament and talc), silicone, oil, grease…

Others:

Gas stove + 2 bottles of propane gas, kitchen appliances

Foul weather gear, neoprene clothing

Diving equipment

More as desired…

My gear was supplemented with 3 new sails in Panama; main, jib, storm jib, thanks to the cooperation of István Dénes and Farkas Litkey.

Also in Panama: a Waterlog 100 distiller

Translated by Laszlo Kapitány