Redundant systems for reliable and stress-free cruising

A dual approach to technology

The digital switching system, for instance, provides a fantastic flexible and intuitive interface in normal use that can even be controlled via a smartphone app. Yet, it also has primitive manual switches that are immediately accessible and can therefore be used if problems arise with the touch screens, onboard Wi-Fi or software.

Comprehensive inventory of essential spares

Equally, each boat leaves the yard with a very full inventory of essential spares, including an electric pump for the freshwater system and a macerator pump for the toilets. “This is the mindset that we have,” says partner and co-founder Miha Breskvar. “We do a risk assessment for all these things to figure out the probability a specific item will fail and what the consequence of that failure might be.

For example, if one of the lights in the saloon goes off it's an annoying fault, but not extremely important – you could live without that one light for a year, though we put spare on board anyway. On the other hand, being without fresh water, or sailing 2.000 miles without the autopilot is a big problem, so it’s really, really important to have installed redundant systems onboard for these items that can’t be easily replaced at sea.

Miha Breskvar, partner and co-founder

Lessons from the Vendee Globe

At the extreme, we can see a similar approach borne out among the Vendee Globe competitors. A look at the masthead of almost any boat in the fleet, for instance, shows twin wind sensors, one on a vertical wand and the other on a more conventional horizontal wand.

In almost every case this thinking is carried on throughout the vessel. For instance, most IMOCA 60s have two permanently installed pilot rams and even two entirely separate data buses for the electronic systems. That way, if an error takes the network out, it’s possible to quickly switch to a backup pilot, which then gives time to troubleshoot the primary unit. Just as a critical system failure can wreck the chances of a Vendee Globe skipper, the same is true of a cruising adventure that often represents the culmination of years, or even decades, of dreaming and planning.

Designing for long-term reliability and easy maintenance

Right from the outset Pegasus Yachts has therefore employed exactly the same thinking as Vendee Globe skippers, with duplicate installations for key systems such as autopilots and water makers. Importantly these are not done as retrofits – instead, they have always been an integral part of the design and conception of the boat’s systems. This also prioritises ease of access for maintenance and repair, as well as optimising the ease of switching between the primary and secondary systems.

Summarise the benefits of integrated redundancy

• Ease of understanding: Organized technical areas improve user familiarity with the systems onboard.
• Quick troubleshooting: Segregated systems enable faster diagnostics and resolution of issues.
• Efficient maintenance: Routine checks and servicing are streamlined, ensuring the vessel remains reliable over time.
• Stress-free cruising: Knowing that critical systems have backups provides peace of mind during long voyages.

The perfect recipe for bluewater cruising

Easily accessed, spacious and separate wet and dry technical areas house all the associated equipment. This approach has multiple important benefits, including ease of understanding and troubleshooting problems, while routine servicing and checks are quick and simple to carry out. It’s the perfect recipe for a robust and reliable boat in the long term.