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Simplicity and self-sufficiency seem to rule aboard Briney Bug . . . Our philosophy is to keep everything simple and dependable; the third key to low-cost cruising. Keeping it simple allows us more time to play and cruise, since we spend less time on maintenance and repairs, or working to earn money so we can cruise. Briney Bug's electrical system consists of a single, large amp-capacity battery which only has two jobs: start the engine and power the compass light. So that we can easily evaluate the battery's state of health, we installed a conventional flooded battery. A flooded battery allows each cell's specific gravity and water level to be checked, and along with checking the battery's overall voltage, periodic load testing completes the battery's evaluation. When done regularly, these tests will reveal signs that the battery is failing, enabling us to replace it before it leaves us stranded. If the battery should fail us, we can fall back on the sail-assist rig, which is completely independent of the engine, its battery and its fuel supply. With the exception of our compass light, all other lighting is with kerosene lamps, including the navigational lights (which can be deployed without having to leave the pilot house). We burn either kerosene, paint thinner or jet fuel in the lamps, whichever is available and cheapest. For reading, if our one-inch wick lamps are insufficient, our Aladdin lamp is lit, which gives off the equivalent light of a 60-watt light bulb. To see into dark areas, we have flashlights located throughout the boat. Our AM/FM and shortwave radios also use dry cell batteries. All this allows us to dispense with that nagging chore of having to ask one another to turn off a light, so as not to deplete our battery bank. Foot and hand pumps move water and a sink spray-nozzle attached to a pump-up garden sprayer gives us pressure showers. We wash dishes, using soap in cold water and have done so safely for more than 10 years; so our hot water needs are minimal. Any hot water required is easily heated on the stove. Our dishes are kept in a self-draining storage rack, which eliminates handling dishes twice and saves space. Other gear includes several big anchors (and the necessary paraphernalia to deploy all of them at the same time, if needed), sink, stove, ice box, compass, head, heater, charts, pencils, erasers, parallel rules, dividers, canister horns, bearing compass, binoculars, clock, barometer, safety equipment, hand held GPS, lead line and sextant. We also have a pencil sharpener, and for those of you who know us and are curious, yes, it is hand-cranked. To monitor speed, we have a taffrail log, but once we established our various speed settings and marked the throttle housing for them, we have not since used it. We strive to keep all systems independent of one another. It's difficult enough when something fails, but the difficulties grow exponentially when interdependent systems go down.
We are big believers in having the necessary reference books and materials on board. Few of us know it all, especially us, so we want to be able to find information that is needed, when needed; this we just can't do it if the information ain't there. The appearance that we depend on ourselves is correct. We strive to develop our confidence in our abilities with what many refer to as older “traditional” skills, rather than “outsourcing” the responsibility to costlier, higher tech equipment, which is operated by others. Besides, what else is there to do while on watch than to hone these skills? We keep it simple because its dependable, it's usually cheaper, and per chance should something break, it is usually easy to return it to some form of working order during a passage. These are all important considerations once easy access to chandleries, repair parts and repair shops are left behind, and are even more important if wanting to cruise as safely, but inexpensively as possible. —Rudy and Jill Sechez
Here’s how the Briney Bug story is presented: What does Briney Bug look like? Editor’s note: Rudy and Jill Sechez, when they are not away cruising, live aboard Briney Bug in Port St. Joe, Florida, and provide boat and yacht repair services. They can be reached at 850-832-7748 or via e-mail by clicking here. |
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Simplicity taken to the max |
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