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Ask Sail: Vanged if You Do

by Win Fowler, Posted May 1, 2013

One thing I need to install is a liferaft, and I may want to put it on the coachroof right behind the mast, but the solid boom vang prevents this.

Ask Sail: Solenoid Surgery

by Nigel Calder, Posted April 30, 2013

when first pushing the start button, I sometimes get no response. Releasing and pushing the button a couple of times finally engages the starter.

Ask Sail: Line up your Drawers

by Don Casey, Posted April 26, 2013

The drawers have never been painted before and are made of plywood. What kind of paint should we use?

This past summer I purchased a used Valiant 40 with rod rigging. Though the rigging is about 20 years old, the seller assured me he recently had it reheaded and that it should last several more years.

Ask Sail: Low Revs and Soot

by Nigel Calder, Posted March 27, 2013

I own a 1987 Catalina 27 with a Universal M18 diesel engine. I’ve had the boat for just over two years, but because the hour meter is broken, I don’t know how many hours are on the engine.

Ask Sail: Dead Fish Magnet

by Gordon West, Posted March 22, 2013

My docked vessel has lately been attracting dead fish! I seem to be the only one around who has this smelly problem. I recently had my corrosion-control system refurbished. Could this be the cause?

Ask Sail: Seeing Green

by Don Casey, Posted March 15, 2013

One of the stainless steel chainplates on my Olson 911S is tinted green both above and below deck. The fasteners that bolt the plate to the internal bulkhead do not show the same condition.

Ask Sail: Smoking Like a Hippie

by Nigel Calder, Posted February 25, 2013

"Can you give me some ideas on what might cause excessive white smoke in the exhaust of a 2-year-old Yanmar diesel?" Nigel Calder replies.

Ask Sail: Zinc-Air Batteries

by Gordon West, Posted February 14, 2013

I am racing an ultralight sailboat in a three-day regatta. I am counting every ounce that comes on board, and a conventional wet-cell or AGM battery will put me over my weight limit. Is there any new battery technology I can use?