Hot Chilli
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 5
- Vessel Name
- Hot Chilli
- Vessel Make
- CHB 50 Yacht Fisher
Hi all
Thought i would introduce the admiral and I (Ric). We have been enjoying reading the forum regularly and have learned much from all of you, thank you.
We have been around small boats all our lives (fishing boats 22' twin 175hp that type of stuff) We got to stage where we wanted a change of lifestyle albeit work wise we remains very busy but this was meant to be part of a transition.
We are based in Adeliade Australia, an interesting part of the world for cruising.
We came across an economically priced 50' CHB sportsfisher (1990) which seems to be very similar in design to a Defever. We think it was originally sold as a Voyager 50
It was in need of some tender loving care but mechanically, it seemed in good shape. Powered by twin Cat 3208 with circa 3300hrs. The Boat was bought in the USA by the previous owner and brought to Australia in late 2015. A bunch stuff was refurbished including new Raymarine Electronics package, three new AC, two large fridges, and a change over to 240V.
We figured it was going to be our learning boat (big boat) and we took the plunge.
Life has never been the same, the admiral and I are both in the corporate world but have engineering backgrounds albeit we have not been on the tools so to speak. We did get a survey which in itself taught us a lot and whilst we thought the 50 odd observations required attention none was a show stopper and or catastrophic. We know so much more now!!!
The boat was on a hardstand, we did take it for a sea trial and put back on a hardstand. We then returned to Perth early 2020 (we were living there at the time) to find we were locked in because of Covid. We return to Adelaide late 2020 and progressed with some critical maintenance put the boat on the water and the adventure started.
About 6 months ago, whist reading trawler forum we realised we bought a project Boat !! We have no regrets, we have learnt so much... cursed a lot, laughed a great deal more and learned a great deal more about ourselves.
Cant believe it is almost two years since we put Hot Chilli in water.
We have since rewired the whole 12v system before the switchboard, installed an 800amh lithium battery banks, added an additional 50A pronautic for a total of 100ah charging capacity.
We have a separate 25AH PN for our 3 starter batteries. We installed Victron DC to DC chargers between the old alternators and the Battery banks. We used Victron distribution gear and managed our Battery banks on our ipad via Bluetooth. We have re piped our potable water pump to our original copper system using PEX. Plus a whole bunch of smaller projects. We also re furbished the windlass, re piped the hydraulic steering circuit between the cylinder and auto pilot. (someone had used the bleeders to connect hoses)
We are working hard to defined minimum viable cruising requirements remembering the advice we read from the Dashew' and the Calder book sits front and center in our saloon. Every day we learn more.
We have set ourselves 2025 as a key year in which we determine our next step.
In the interim we are attempting to hone our cruising skills, continue to define MVP for our post 2025 cruising journey, ensure we spent 50% of our time on the boat and we put more than 200hrs on the engines each year.
R&C Hot Chilli
Cant dance faster than the music is playing
Thought i would introduce the admiral and I (Ric). We have been enjoying reading the forum regularly and have learned much from all of you, thank you.
We have been around small boats all our lives (fishing boats 22' twin 175hp that type of stuff) We got to stage where we wanted a change of lifestyle albeit work wise we remains very busy but this was meant to be part of a transition.
We are based in Adeliade Australia, an interesting part of the world for cruising.
We came across an economically priced 50' CHB sportsfisher (1990) which seems to be very similar in design to a Defever. We think it was originally sold as a Voyager 50
It was in need of some tender loving care but mechanically, it seemed in good shape. Powered by twin Cat 3208 with circa 3300hrs. The Boat was bought in the USA by the previous owner and brought to Australia in late 2015. A bunch stuff was refurbished including new Raymarine Electronics package, three new AC, two large fridges, and a change over to 240V.
We figured it was going to be our learning boat (big boat) and we took the plunge.
Life has never been the same, the admiral and I are both in the corporate world but have engineering backgrounds albeit we have not been on the tools so to speak. We did get a survey which in itself taught us a lot and whilst we thought the 50 odd observations required attention none was a show stopper and or catastrophic. We know so much more now!!!
The boat was on a hardstand, we did take it for a sea trial and put back on a hardstand. We then returned to Perth early 2020 (we were living there at the time) to find we were locked in because of Covid. We return to Adelaide late 2020 and progressed with some critical maintenance put the boat on the water and the adventure started.
About 6 months ago, whist reading trawler forum we realised we bought a project Boat !! We have no regrets, we have learnt so much... cursed a lot, laughed a great deal more and learned a great deal more about ourselves.
Cant believe it is almost two years since we put Hot Chilli in water.
We have since rewired the whole 12v system before the switchboard, installed an 800amh lithium battery banks, added an additional 50A pronautic for a total of 100ah charging capacity.
We have a separate 25AH PN for our 3 starter batteries. We installed Victron DC to DC chargers between the old alternators and the Battery banks. We used Victron distribution gear and managed our Battery banks on our ipad via Bluetooth. We have re piped our potable water pump to our original copper system using PEX. Plus a whole bunch of smaller projects. We also re furbished the windlass, re piped the hydraulic steering circuit between the cylinder and auto pilot. (someone had used the bleeders to connect hoses)
We are working hard to defined minimum viable cruising requirements remembering the advice we read from the Dashew' and the Calder book sits front and center in our saloon. Every day we learn more.
We have set ourselves 2025 as a key year in which we determine our next step.
In the interim we are attempting to hone our cruising skills, continue to define MVP for our post 2025 cruising journey, ensure we spent 50% of our time on the boat and we put more than 200hrs on the engines each year.
R&C Hot Chilli
Cant dance faster than the music is playing
Last edited:
