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A European Spec Yacht in America?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by gcsi, Jul 17, 2016.

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  1. gcsi, Jul 17, 2016
    #1
    gcsi

    gcsi Member

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    I'm in the market for a 70-90 ft displacement motor yacht, will be based in US.

    Some of the boats under consideration are "European" with 50hz electrical system and quite a bit of other system components also made in Europe.

    Having never been down this road, what exactly am I wadding into? Will having to source European parts / service be an ongoing PIA? Is the on board electric as easy as just using Eurpean appliances and gadgets, or, just a wall converter for small stuff? I'm assuming boats Transformer will take care of dockside power coming in and convert to appropriate frequency. Or alternatively, should I stick with stuff intend to primarily be used in US?
  2. bobhorn, Jul 17, 2016
    #2
    bobhorn

    bobhorn Member

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    Transformer will NOT convert frequency.
  3. gcsi, Jul 17, 2016
    #3
    gcsi

    gcsi Member

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    Also has ASea Frequency Converter, should have been more specific
  4. P46-Curaçao, Jul 17, 2016
    #4
    P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    If you have a ASEA power frequency converter, then you only have to accept a longer delivery time and higher costs if you want to replace some equipment…

    You also have to find out, which country nearby, could supply you with the 220/50hz ‘appliances and gadgets’, to make it more efficient!
  5. captholli, Jul 17, 2016
    #5
    captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Leave your electrical system as is. Several outlets in the states for 50 cycle 220 through 240 volt appliances to hair blow dryers for your wife in Miami, Houston, Bayonne NJ and Chicago . World Import is one such source.
  6. 101TUG, Jul 17, 2016
    #6
    101TUG

    101TUG Senior Member

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    you need to see if your boat is single phase 220V of 3 phase 380V (more easy if you have sigle phase 220V)

    Hugues
  7. olderboater, Jul 17, 2016
    #7
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    You are asking for some very broad generalizations and the devil is in the details. Every European manufacturer is a little different. Some set up their boats for ease of use and others don't. Some use equipment and parts common and easy to get in the US. Others use those more difficult to procure and often delayed. Your questions are all good questions but just need to be answered specifically for any boat you consider.
  8. Ken Bracewell, Jul 17, 2016
    #8
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Tools are a consideration. Just keep in mind that you won't be able to drive over to Home Depot to pick up whatever power tool you'll need for onboard projects. Something as simple as an extension cord can cause a delay in your work if you don't have what you need aboard.
    We use lots of dc power tools to overcome this problem.
  9. Capt Ralph, Jul 17, 2016
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Let me wade in for a few.
    Is your boat built for the US market or your importing your own?
    Is the model your looking for available in the US? Already US ready?
    Planning on her ever returning to Europe?
  10. P46-Curaçao, Jul 17, 2016
    #10
    P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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  11. Capt Ralph, Jul 17, 2016
    #11
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    And it cost lots o money and makes lots o heat (less chillers???). Probably has one heck of a foot print.
    But if it's going to stay a US based boat (will be based in US, OP#1), why??
  12. gcsi, Jul 17, 2016
    #12
    gcsi

    gcsi Member

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    Boat's already in states, built for European market.
    Looking at another similar boat in Europe.
    Europe is in cruising plan, eventually
  13. Capt Ralph, Jul 17, 2016
    #13
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    So, European boat already here. Already running thru power converters.
    220v/50hz appliances already in use? Eventually heading back east?
    Just trying to get a better picture.
  14. gcsi, Jul 17, 2016
    #14
    gcsi

    gcsi Member

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    Yes to all of above. For the next few years, I need to be stateside every two weeks so Europe would be tough from a logistics perspective.

    If European based boat were purchased, would spend a few months cruising before shipping it back stateside.
  15. Capt J, Jul 18, 2016
    #15
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    An Atlas converter should be all you need to install and would convert 60hz to 50hz. Many things will handle 50 or 60hz, so replacing some stuff with U.S. parts is ok, other things will need to be sourced from Europe.
  16. Jorge Lang, Jul 18, 2016
    #16
    Jorge Lang

    Jorge Lang Senior Member

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    Also consider simple things like exhaust hoses and clamps in metric size. They will most likely need to ordered from Europe as there is limited supply here in the States.
  17. Loren Schweizer, Jul 18, 2016
    #17
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    Don't forget televisions and microwave ovens.
    The Euro 'PAL' was not compatible with the US system pre-digital.
    The timer for the US 60Hz. micro runs faster? slower? on 50 Hz. <<-------that's what CRS will do to you...
  18. P46-Curaçao, Jul 18, 2016
    #18
    P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    As stated before, this yacht has a converter that converts almost everything (180 - 520 volts and any input frequency between 45 - 65 Hz) to the needs of the yacht equipment...
  19. Loren Schweizer, Jul 18, 2016
    #19
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    CRS, plus going blind...I'm delaminating.
  20. Capt J, Jul 18, 2016
    #20
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Ohhh yes, I've been through that MANY times with Azimuts and their exhaust compensators and clamps.
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