The Essentials

Planning for an ocean crossing, what items would be required for Destiny?

I did not have much to rely on besides books and people I had online discussions with ( mostly online). My own opinion is that YouTube videos are like movies. They don’t tell you the ‘whole’ truth and paint a picture, which I now feel is more about entertainment, getting more views and likes and getting people to follow and contribute to their journey. I have an online presence, too, but it's more about cataloguing my journey and having a social media presence once I have ended this journey.

Let's start with the boat itself. Here are some crucial items to check on the boat:

1)      Fix Rig

In 2017, I replaced the entire rig when I got the boat. I did this regardless of whether I would sail around the world because it was a requirement by the insurance company and gave me peace of mind. The rig is the part that holds the mast and all the sails up, and it would be catastrophic to lose any of it. You can sail a boat without an engine, but not without the sails. Another vital component is the chain plates, which I finally inspected at the end of 2022. The mast was removed once in 2017 to replace all the internal wiring and then again in 2022 for a final check.

Destiny with its staysail

Staysail is furled

Destiny with two new sails and hydrovane ( in red)

2)      Running Rigging

At the end of 2022, all the running rigging, meaning the ropes, was replaced. I hope only to do this once and expect it to last until the completion of the circumnavigation.

3)      Electrical Wiring

I'm not very knowledgeable about electrical work since I focus on mechanical tasks. However, Destiny, the boat, was 22 years old in 2017, and I knew that the electrical wires would need to be replaced due to their age and the harsh environment the boat is exposed to. New electrical cables were installed inside the mast while it was down in Phuket in 2017, and this was inspected again in 2022.Electronics

All the electronics on the boat were outdated. This will require replacement. Items replaced and added are as follows:

-          Chart Plotter

-          AIS ( Automatic Identification System)

-          Radar

-          Wind Instruments

-          New 3D depth sounder

-          New, more reliable autopilot drive system

4)      Some other essential equipment required – as I saw what I would need to make the trip more comfortable.

Water maker—a Reverse Osmosis water generating plant—Destiny does not have much tank space for water, which is a severe hindrance when travelling long distances. I like to shower, and having a water maker would also reduce the need to carry bottled water for drinking.

Wind steering mechanism: I opted for a Hydrovane, self-steering with an independent rudder. This would mean another rudder to steer if the main rudder is lost.

A dodger is a structure that prevents waves from entering the cockpit or rain from coming in. I thought it would be necessary for long voyages. Later on, I planned to replace all the fabric top enclosures. This was done in South Africa.

The year before my departure, all the chain for the ground tackle was replaced, and a new windlass and anchor were added. These are critical equipment for safety while the boat and I were anchored.

I've been told I can be overzealous, but I see it as a testament to my thoroughness and dedication. I firmly believe in thorough planning and meticulous preparation. Sailing across the globe is an immense undertaking for the vessel and its crew. Therefore, I prioritize ensuring that both the boat and its crew are fully equipped and prepared to handle any challenges that may arise.

I needed to consider getting new sails. I had a new main sail and a new staysail made. The staysail is a removable sail between the main and the jib sail. It holds the mast and can sail the boat in storms (Storm Sail). We also added a removable running backstay to support the rig when sailing downwind.

One critical item I delayed to the last was the safety equipment. They included the life jacket and AIS MOB—MOB—Man Over Board, a device that releases an emergency beacon when submerged in water. I wear this in my life jacket. A life raft was also placed. All new pyrotechnics, flares, smoke canisters, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and smoke alarms were added.

Additional 230v large volume pumps were also purchased, which could be driven by the AC generator.

At this point, I had taken whatever steps necessary to keep Destiny and her crew safe.