Blue Water Preparation

BLUE WATER & LIVE ABOARD CRUISING

Are you planning an extended or blue water cruise to the Mediterranean, crossing the pond, heading for the Caribbean, circumnavigation, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, down under, polar-regions or simply live aboard? ROWLANDS can advise you on the best overall solutions to cater for your needs so that you have peace of mind, true independence and on board environmental control. We have significant experience in preparing vessels for extended voyages and subsequent to customer consultation will prepare a detailed specification and quotation for supply, installation and commissioning of integrated systems for power, water, climate control and communications. All you will require is food and fuel.
Options include:

POWER
· Alternating current (AC) generators
· Inverters
· Combination inverter battery chargers
· Battery systems
· Battery charging and management systems
· Alternator controllers and regulators
· Wind and water turbine generators
· Combination wind and water turbines
· Solar panels - flexible and rigid

WATER
· Desalination systems, AC, DC and propulsion engine driven

CLIMATE CONTROL
· Air conditioning systems
· Heating systems

COMMUNICATIONS
· HF/SSB transceivers
· Fleet broadband voice, data and internet communications
· Satellite TV receivers

Installation of an AC generator has a number of advantages:
1. Provides full control of on board power systems at all times with the press of a button unlike wind and water turbines which are dependent on uncontrollable conditions.
2. Facilitates installation and use of power hungry appliances which would otherwise be off limits.
3. Dispenses with the requirement to run the main engine for battery charging thereby conserving fuel.
4. Provides a power source for operating air conditioning, water maker, water heating and the occasional luxury - a hair dryer maybe?
5. 'Black start' capability - ie if all batteries are discharged thereby denying start-up of the main engine the generator can be started and the batteries recharged.
6. Dispenses with the requirement for additional service battery capacity.

Typically a generator is operated once or twice daily for battery charging and simultaneously provides power for water heating and water making.

WIND & WATER TURBINES
Wind and water turbine generators are an alternative to AC generators and although dependent on the elements or the vessel being under way will provide a viable power source for battery charging but require human management input.

Our local partners offer a comprehensive range of complementary services including engineering, boat yard services, rigging and sail making.

Boats fitted out for Atlantic Ralley for Cruisers 2010
Boats fitted out for Atlantic Ralley for Cruisers 2009