Cruising the ICW lessons learned

[Bearkeley]

This group has been instrumental in helping us find and maintain our Albin. We just completed our first 60 days cruising down the ICW and wanted to share some of our lessons learned so far.

https://ourhappylife.wordpress.com/2018 ... s-learned/

We have an Albin 27 FC with a 4D61. Let us know if we can be a resource, just like many of you have been to us!

[Carl]

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

[DesertAlbin736]

Very nice! Your well done blog whets my appetite even more for our own upcoming 2018 Pacific Northwest cruise adventure from Blaine, WA to Desolation Sound in British Columbia, aka the "Salish Sea" that we're planning for June & July.

On the solar panel charging issue, what kind of charge controller if any do you have for your panels?

The reason I ask is that the one I have for the 20 watt trickle charge solar panel on my wheelhouse roof also has a digital readout meter that can tell me exactly what the voltages are to the tenth of a volt of each battery bank in real time, and the volts and amperage output of the solar panel. It can also allocate the proportion of solar charging amps that go to the start and house banks in 10% increments, as well as options for different charging regimes for different types of batteries, that is conventional FLA, Gel cell, or AGM. I also put a switch inline so I can switch off the solar panel when the engine is running. Because I have AGM batteries I also have an external voltage reg for the alternator with status indicator lights, plus the 'idiot light' on the Yanmar engine instrument panel that lights up if/when the alternator quits charging.

51ZmYN+nHfL._SX425_.jpg

smart charge 3.jpg

[jcollins]

This group has been instrumental in helping us find and maintain our Albin. We just completed our first 60 days cruising down the ICW and wanted to share some of our lessons learned so far.

Well written and very interesting. Thanks!

[ChrisP]

Very cool write up. Please continue to post as your journey progresses.

[Bearkeley]

desert albin, we have a 20 amp MPPT controller made by Renogy. It is a lot smarter than I am.

[Bearkeley]

IMG_0754.JPG

[WillieC]

Very cool! I have been following your posts here, there and everywhere I find you. Very encouraging and refreshing.

Thank you and safe travels.

[Bearkeley]

Thanks for the kind responses. We really are enjoying MaryJo. We have seen a lot of boats on our way down here and we have been really proud of our girl. Strangers come up all the time to admire her....she’s not just like any other boat in the marina...she’s unique and often, costs a lot less than other boats...even with all her upgrades! . We are grateful to this group for educating us about Albins and finding our MaryJo!