VOYAGE 500

The VOYAGE 500 is the largest and most comprehensively equipped  vessel in our Bare Boat fleet. As stated elsewhere in this web site, all VOYAGE vessels share common design features and systems but this page will outline the items that are particular to the VOYAGE 500.
 

Generator

The VOYAGE 500 has a 6 KW Northern Lights generator set installed in the port side engine compartment. The generator runs off diesel fuel supplied from the main fuel tank and is cooled by seawater running through a heat exchanger system which in turn cools freshwater pumped around the generators motor. The generators primary functions are to provide AC electrical power to operate the air condition system and to charge the vessels house batteries.
 

As with the main engines the generators oil level must be checked every day and topped up if required, the exhaust cooling water flow should also be regularly checked.
 

Never enter the engine compartment to carry out generator checks while the main engine is running. The engine remains hot for some time after having been run so allow time for cooling down. Never open the fresh water filler cap on a hot engine. Before entering the engine compartment remove the starter keys from the control panels in the cockpit.
 

Generator Starting

The generator control panel is mounted on the port side of the navigation station. Below the desk to starboard is the AC selector switch. This switch should be in the “OFF” position before starting the generator. To start the generator both toggle switches positioned on the fwd side of the control panel should be squeezed together, as soon as the generator has started release the switches. As with the main engines holding the starter on too long will damage the starter motor.
 

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning can only be run from shore power or the generator, the inverter cannot be used. With either of these power sources selected the AC gauges at the navigation station will register voltage and current draw. Each cabin has its own air conditioning unit and control panel. As well as providing cooling for the cabins some air flow is directed into the salon and galley area
 

To turn on the air conditioning press the symbol in the top left hand corner of the control panel. The panel will light up and a few seconds later the air conditioning compressor switches on. Below the temperature read out are buttons to select the temperature setting.
  

Battery Charging from the Generator

The vessel’s house battery bank can be charged from either shore power or the generator via the onboard battery charger. The Link 2000 battery monitoring panel controls the charger, the button on the left side of the panel marked “CHARGE, PWR SHARE” needs to be selected and will register with a green light.  On the lowest part of the panel the “STATUS” lights should indicate “AC IN” and “CHARGE”. The “ACCEPT” light will also be illuminated during normal charging and then change to “FLOAT” when the charging cycle is complete.
 

The buttons marked “1” and “2”allow voltage, amperage and amp hours to be read for each of the two house battery banks. The batteries should be charged before the “A hrs” read out for each bank reaches - 200. It is often convenient to charge the batteries whilst the air conditioning is being run.
 

The battery voltage should not read over 14.5 volts during charging.

The AC source, either generator, inverter or shore power should not be over loaded by attempting to run too many AC loads at once. The AC load meter should not show more than 28 amps load, if it does turn off one of the 110 volt appliances

 

Windlass

The windlass is mounted below the foredeck and accessed from its own hatch cover. The up and down control switches, breakers and trip switches are in the same locations as on the VOYAGE 440 which is detailed in the Anchoring page of this web site.
 

If the windlass should fail to operate first check the breaker on the 12 volt control panel is on. Follow by checking the main, positive lead trip switch, mounted behind the access panel under the chart table.
 

Keep operator and crew well clear of all moving parts of the windlass and ground tackle during operation.

Do not overload the windlass whilst breaking out the anchor. Motor ahead while recovering the chain and use the weight of the vessel to free the anchor from the sea bed. Refer to Anchoring section of this web site.
 

The winch can be used manually and should be for final tensoning of the main sail luff. As with the windlass the powered deck winch will not operate if the 12 volt breaker or positive lead trip switch are not engaged. The positive lead trip switch is mounted next to the one for the windlass.
 

Do not use the power to sheet in the genoa as it is very easy to damage the sail. Likewise be careful not to damage the dinghy boom derrick when extending by power.
 

If taking on fuel take great care to ONLY USE DIESEL. If gasolene is accidentally pumped into the tank do not run the engines, call the base for assistance.

Observe proper precautions to prevent fuel spillage
 

Water Filler

The VOYAGE 500’s has 4 seperate fresh water tanks. The fillers are located on the side deck coamings, 2 midships port and starboard, 2 aft port and starboard. The filler cap is removed with the winch handle.

 The water filler caps are marked with a blue label. Take great care not  to confuse the water filler and fuel filler locations, extensive damage can be caused from putting the incorrect fluid into the tanks.