Thought it be good to followup to all my first-time ocean questions with the
results which were less than stellar. I have a 21' Searay Openbow
(Sundeck) - 2004 which went through it's break-in period on lakes without
any issues. The first ocean trip was a planned run on either side of high
tide from Rosevelt Inlet at Lewes, DE to OC, MD and back the next day.
Forcasted conditions were cloudy with 2-4 ft seas day 1 and sunny with 1-2
ft seas for day 2 (return trip next day) plus clear weather out for the next
2 days.

About half an hour out off Rehobeth Beach the engine computer gave me a very
loud alarm on the electrical system and about 5 minutes later (about enough
time to decide to turn back) shut off the engine. We anchored where we were
about a mile off shore and contacted the coast guard via VHF (handheld) who
passed along our tow request and GPS reading to a tow company. Took about
90 minutes for the tow boat then about 90 minutes back to Rosevelt Inlet.

Later we drove to OC and picked up our plans after a bus ride to Secrets!

Root cause? Service center back home reported an inproperly installed cable
had "fallen off" the alternator (haven't picked it up yet to have a second
look). They've also been tasked with installing a 2nd battery (deep cycle)
and switch.

-trevor

"Trevor Miller" wrote in message servers.com...
Thought it be good to followup to all my first-time ocean questions with the
results which were less than stellar. I have a 21' Searay Openbow
(Sundeck) - 2004 which went through it's break-in period on lakes without
any issues. The first ocean trip was a planned run on either side of high
tide from Rosevelt Inlet at Lewes, DE to OC, MD and back the next day.
Forcasted conditions were cloudy with 2-4 ft seas day 1 and sunny with 1-2
ft seas for day 2 (return trip next day) plus clear weather out for the next
2 days.

About half an hour out off Rehobeth Beach the engine computer gave me a very
loud alarm on the electrical system and about 5 minutes later (about enough
time to decide to turn back) shut off the engine.
================================================== =======

All things considered, you might have been fortunate with the early
shutdown. 2 to 4 foot seas are a lot for a 21 ft open bow boat to
handle, and things could have gotten worse very quickly with some
thunderstorm activity.

Your experience also highlights another fact of boating life. Things
that work well in calm water frequently get shaken down a bit in rough
conditions. This applies to just about everything - electrical,
mechanical, fuel systems, etc. Another reality check to consider is
that 2 to 4 feet IS a relatively calm day on the open ocean.

It was not bad going prior to the shutdown....couple of waves gave us spray
over th bow but for the most part it was alot of fun. The boat is heavy for
it's size and breaks waves nicely...our relatives who own the beach house
where we staged have a much smaller and lighter sailboat which they
routinely have out.

I think a backup battery would have allowed a better days salvage...but I'll
be up for it again next season.

-trevor

"Wayne B" wrote in message
m...
"Trevor Miller" wrote in message
servers.com...
Thought it be good to followup to all my first-time ocean questions with
the
results which were less than stellar. I have a 21' Searay Openbow
(Sundeck) - 2004 which went through it's break-in period on lakes without
any issues. The first ocean trip was a planned run on either side of
high
tide from Rosevelt Inlet at Lewes, DE to OC, MD and back the next day.
Forcasted conditions were cloudy with 2-4 ft seas day 1 and sunny with
1-2
ft seas for day 2 (return trip next day) plus clear weather out for the
next
2 days.

About half an hour out off Rehobeth Beach the engine computer gave me a
very
loud alarm on the electrical system and about 5 minutes later (about
enough
time to decide to turn back) shut off the engine.
================================================== =======

All things considered, you might have been fortunate with the early
shutdown. 2 to 4 foot seas are a lot for a 21 ft open bow boat to
handle, and things could have gotten worse very quickly with some
thunderstorm activity.

Your experience also highlights another fact of boating life. Things
that work well in calm water frequently get shaken down a bit in rough
conditions. This applies to just about everything - electrical,
mechanical, fuel systems, etc. Another reality check to consider is
that 2 to 4 feet IS a relatively calm day on the open ocean.