On A New Tack

Getting Engine Data onto your Instruments Introduction The Nanni engines on our catamaran use the Nanni SI.4 digital control panel.  It is connected to the engine with several cable bundles. One of them is a J1939 bus, which is used to constantly send engine data when the engine is running. This includes the following data: engine RPM engine hours engine water temperature engine oil pressure tank level (only if a tank sender is connected to two wires on the back of the engine panel trouble events (over-heating, etc.) Why Do this? There are two main reasons I can see to do this.  One is just as simple as getting the above information added to and therefore available from NMEA.  This allows to be inside at our Nav Station and see all of this information about the engines without having to go outside, which can be great in inclement weather. The more compelling reason, in my opinion comes into play when you have a PredictWind DataHub and their professional level subscription...

We recently made the crossing from Panama to French Polynesia (Nuku Hiva, The Marquesas) and there are quite a few steps that need to happen for clearing in.  Here they are in the order in which they should be completed. These were accurate as of May 2026. Note: This is for those with and without a Long Stay Visa - the only step that changes in Step 7. Clearing In Steps  Fill out the entry form several days before arriving. You will need to create an account. https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/commencer/declaration-unique-plaisance-polynesie-francaise Fill out the bio-security form 48 hours before arriving. https://www.mes-demarches.gov.pf/commencer/demande_arraisonnement_voiliers  Technically, you are supposed to complete and submit the Maritime Health Declaration and email it. https://en.pf.yellowflagguides.com/arrival/obligations-and-formalities/   Create an account on Escales for you boat so you can register for a mooring/anchorage in the areas where this is req...

 Why? The original raw water impeller pump in the Nanni N4.38 engine is a Johnson Pump 10-24334-01, which is known to develop a leak prematurely at the seal. Other Vision 444 owners have had to replace these original pumps after between 300 and 1000 hours, when they start to leak. Fortunately, Johnson has created a 10-24334-11 part number that supposedly corrects this problem.   Parts, tools and supplies you will need a new Water pump or two, preferable the 10-24224-11 model. We ordered ours from marinepumpdirect.com for ~$250 each.  If they are not in stock, use the Contact Us link on their page as they order them in a larger order when there is demand or low stock. a 27mm deep, 6 point socket .   You don't need a super quality one; it's just to remove the hose barb. Trust me, you need a socket. Ratchet (likely a 1/2" drive) for above. Screwdrvier or nutdriver to remove the hose clamps Hose Remover Tool Optional, but super helpful all over the boat to...

French Polynesia Buddy Boat Form ** Are you crossing too? Follow this link to submit your info and find buddy boats for your crossing! ** This link will bring you to a Google Form where you can enter your voyage data and then see a sortable table of results to help find buddy boats! Note, this article is a work in progress and will be updated over time.  If you have something you think should be here, please add a comment (bottom) or find us on WhatsApp (we are in all of the relevant groups). Resources for Crossing the Pacific to French Polynesia Scroll down for the following topics! Reach out if you would like helpful information added to this page. Canal Transiting Info French Polynesia Long Stay Visa Provisioning Guidance Sailing Totems Zoom Series on French Polynesia Arriving in FP Links to Various Resources   Canal Transiting Info We covered this in a previous blog article, which you can find here . French Polynesia Long Stay Visa TBA Provisioning Guidance TBA Sailing To...

Canal Transiting Info Terms: Captain : The person that will be at the helm as the boat transits the canal.  For boats under 65', this can be you.  For boats 65' and over, there will be a Canal Authority Pilot that will in control of the vessel as you transit.  Agent : Is a paid liaison between you and the Canal Authority.  They cost non-trivial money (~$500), but they make the process literally easy. Advisor : A Canal Authority employee that will be on your boat while you are moving in the canal.  They will tell you where to go, and at what speed. Line Handlers : You will need 4.  They can be friends/volunteers, they can be paid, or it can be a combination of both. We hade three amateurs (Sue being one of them) and we hired one professional. Locking : The process of going up or down a lock. Basic Steps and Preparing Contact a Canal Transit Agent , well before your transit. While you can do the process on your own, we felt the expense for our agent was extre...

Re-configuring a Victron Energy isolation transformer This is a companion article to a YouTube video  covering the same topic. What are they and why do I need one? Victron Energy isolation transformers are often used on boats that connect to shore power in order to provide a means of providing isolation between the shore power and the AC power that exists on the boat.  The transformer sits in between those two worlds and isolates that two power supplies through magnetic flux and an air-gap. The reason this is needed on a marine vessel is because without it, small leakage currents can flow between the earth ground for shore power and the "earth ground" connection on the boat, which is usually connected to water through a propeller shaft, out-drive, sail-drive or sacrificial zincs. That creates a loop and that small leakage current greatly accelerates any galvanic corrosion that naturally happens. Current flows through the water because of the salt content, or even in fresh-wat...