The family Wynn, Jason and Nikki, have been off the high seas for 4 months due to continued problems with their brand-new Catamaran.
The Wynns will be very familiar to some Kiwi’s, they spent a long time in New Zealand the year before last and even sold their previous Cat while touring New Zealand.
Following their YouTube channel, we know that they have had a lot of complicated hassles with their new vessel, while reminding us often that new vessels come with problems, they have had well over what should reasonably be expected for a new boat.
Early Signs of Trouble: The Fridge
One of the first, and seemingly minor, problems came in the form of a faulty refrigerator. The appliance refused to turn on reliably, triggering an alarm that could wake anyone from a deep sleep at 3 a.m. Frustrated, Jason discovered poorly done wiring behind the fridge, leading them to believe the unit’s persistent alarm was symptomatic of deeper installation issues. Although HH, the boat manufacturer, replaced the circuit board and ventilation system, the fridge continued to malfunction. This was just the start of a series of equipment failures, which would soon prove to be much more serious.
Melting Solar Panels
Next on the list were the solar panels. Upon reaching Samal Island, Nikki noticed that their solar panels were delaminating—a condition where the top coating begins to separate from the solar cells. By the time they arrived, the panels’ surface was deteriorating so badly that it became jelly-like underfoot, clearly unsuitable for a boat where durability and functionality are paramount. HH replaced the panels’ manufacturer and commenced testing, but the replacement process has been slow. Unfortunately, their solar power setup remains in limbo, limiting their ability to generate power off the grid and compromising their independence at sea.
A Scary Battery Overcharging Incident
The most nerve-wracking issue so far was an overcharging incident with the boat’s AGM batteries. To clarify a misconception: while lithium batteries are often perceived as high-risk, Curiosity’s lithium house battery bank wasn’t the source of the issue. Instead, it was their 12-volt AGM starter batteries that dangerously overcharged, resulting in swelling and emitting toxic fumes. It’s likely that the factory-installed alternator—one without temperature control or monitoring software—played a significant role in the incident, as it lacked the sophistication needed to prevent such a situation.
Despite an isolating parallel switch meant to keep batteries separate, both batteries overcharged, leaving the Wynns scratching their heads. HH has been working on a solution, but as yet, there’s no solid fix in place. In the meantime, the crew has had to contend with the anxiety of sailing on a boat with potentially dangerous electrical issues.
Stray Current: A Slow, Corrosive Menace
Perhaps the most damaging problem for Curiosity has been an insidious electrical phenomenon known as stray current. This issue surfaced shortly after their purchase, presenting itself as accelerated corrosion on their boat’s hardware. Telltale signs included rapid degradation of the engine anode, aggressive rusting on metal hardware, and pitting on aluminium components like the mast base and navigation light housings. HH initially attributed this to a possible lightning rod installation issue, but despite multiple fixes, the stray current remained an unsolved threat.
The Wynns documented extensive corrosion on critical components, including their anchor and chain, both of which showed alarming levels of pitting. A call to Rocna, the anchor manufacturer, led to the shocking advice that they should not rely on their current anchor due to the extent of damage. Stray current is notoriously challenging to trace, especially in marine environments, and they have been working with HH to try and locate the source. While the manufacturer has identified the engine as a likely culprit, the process of eliminating stray current entirely has been slow and complex.
The Psychological Toll: Breaking From the Boat
Living on a vessel plagued by these types of issues is more than a practical headache—it’s mentally and emotionally exhausting. Jason and Nikki spoke candidly about the stress and disappointment that have come with their situation. As much as they would like to take matters into their own hands, warranty constraints mean they must rely on HH to address each issue rather than risk voiding their coverage by attempting DIY solutions.
With progress slow and setbacks frequent, they ultimately decided to step away from Curiosity for a while, giving themselves a mental break from the ongoing technical challenges. Living dockside and in a constant cycle of repairs, troubleshooting, and waiting on parts or resolutions can wear down even the most resilient sailors.
Taking Stock and Moving Forward
Despite the ongoing struggles, Jason and Nikki remain hopeful. They’ve poured hours into research, consulting specialists in fields ranging from electronics to corrosion, all in an effort to help resolve these issues as quickly and safely as possible. Yet, they are also painfully aware that they’re on an unpredictable timeline. Once a comprehensive solution is implemented, they plan to share their full experience to help educate others about the risks and realities of modern hybrid and electrical systems aboard sailing vessels.
In the meantime, they remain dock-bound, stuck between a dream and a daunting set of mechanical and electrical nightmares. Sailing might be an adventure, but for team Wynn, it’s also a reminder that even the most carefully planned journeys can go wildly off course.
If you want to check out their most recent video with all their detail, give it a watch here!
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