Description of Ocean Explorer
This is a view of Ocean Explorer's deck layout. The Yankee jib can be seen rolled up on the Schaefer roller furling gear. A 45 pound CQR anchor lies in the bow pulpit on an all chain rode. There is a Lighthouse 1501 electric anchor windless on the bow covered by a Sunbrella cover. OE has a deckwash for cleaning the anchor rode as it comes up, and I consider this to be indispensable. The hanked-on staysail can be seen in its bag. The inner forestay is removable, but we keep it rigged virtually all the time. A Zodiac inflatable dinghy lies on the deckhouse and is fastened to thru-bolted Wichard folding padeyes. Note that all halyards lead to the base of the mast, as opposed to going aft to the cockpit; this arrangement reduces stretch, reduces stress on the deckhouse, and reduces clutter in the cockpit - and is very functional even when OE is sailed single-handed. Note the Dorade and the multiple hatches and ports which allow good ventilation of this boat. A six-man Zodiac raft fits nicely on the deckhouse. There is a good, watertight garage for the companionway hatch. The hard dodger provides excellent shelter and makes a rigid handhold for going forward. You can see one of the two 60 watt Kyocera solar panels mounted on the hard dodger. There is also a 120 watt Kyocera solar panel mounted off the aft end of the radar arch.
This is a view of Ocean Explorer's starboard quarter. Again, note the hard dodger with the two solar panels and the third panel on the aft end of the radar arch. OE has a new Monitor windvane steering system as of 2004 in addition to the Alpha 3000 below-deck autopilot which was original equipment. A 4 h.p. Evinrude is carried for the dinghy. You can also make out a small Danforth stern anchor and various pieces of man overboard rescue equipment. This photo nicely shows the permanently mounted preventer/vang system. You may have noticed the absence of brightwork. We love the esthetics of brightwork on other boats, but we think our stainless steel looks pretty good too, and it requires a lot less maintenance.
This is a good view (taken in one of the locks of the Welland Canal) of Ocean Explorer's Everfair Fourwinds II wind generator and its mounting on top of the radar arch. Between it and the solar panels, we are almost completely independent of shore power. We will plug in if we are in port for more than a couple of days just to have hot water. The 240 watts of solar panels alone will take care of our electrical needs and have the batteries (three group 30 gels for the house and another group 30 gel for the engine) topped off by mid-day. We use the wind generator at night and on cloudy days. The solar panels are hinged on both their starboard and port sides; this makes it convenient for cleaning underneath them.