clareb

Thanks, really appreciate the advice and looks like we have just saved $10K and a possible maintenance headache - at least until we go further afield. From the sounds of it we can see how we go for a season in the Pacific. We don't have a washing machine or space to put one and we're going to try and set up some rain catchment.

We're slowly gearing the boat up to head to the islands in 2018 and not sure if a watermaker is really needed. On the one hand they give a level of security and automony. On the other hand they're another thing that could break, they use a bit of power, and they're a pretty big expense. We could certainly use the money elsewhere. Anyone had experience with/without a watermaker while in the islands for a cruising season? We're thinking Tonga and Fiji and no clue as to whether water to easy and cheap to come by.

Working out the % of my income spent on the boat has put a bit of a damper on the evening...

Thanks! Much appreciate the advice.

Thanks Ed. I'm afraid Para only stock the hard stuff but I'll check out spotlight. I've also heard reticulated foam can be good. Anyone here made their own flat cockpit cushions that can offer some advice?

Any advice on where to find closed cell foam for cockpit cushions for use with sunbrella-type fabric? It's easy to find very hard mat-style close cell foam but the softer stuff for cushions seems to be scare in NZ.

Maybe someone will buy it to use as an art installation - looks like it's useful for that

You can charter a Noelex 25 or 30 in the Bay of Islands pretty cheaply (we did this when starting to sail as you can also do courses on them) so you could go up for a few days and see how you find one. We chartered through Great Escape and from memory it's about $200 a day/night. Always great to have a few days on a boat to know if that's the model for you (ie. can you fit the kids on it and still have fun!). I really loved the Noelex 25 - was a great boat to learn on.

I love this guy's videos, he's so enthusiastic and thorough.

Thanks Dtwo. We are very excited (I'm the other half!). We'll have our daughter with us so the SSB will be important, I'm a bit concerned about how hard it will be for an only child cruising for an extended period of time.