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Ask Sail

Ask Sail: Recycled Sails

I am considering buying used sails for my 1985 Beneteau First 38. I’d like to find some sails from another Beneteau First 38, but if I can’t, what should I look for?

Ask Sail: A Faltering Start

My Yanmar 3GM30F diesel engine has about 650 hours on it, and this season, it’s been a little hard to start it. Are injectors or compression the problem?

Ask Sail: The Price of Safety

It looks like I can save some money by buying an EPIRB without a built-in GPS receiver. How important is GPS capability for 406-MHz EPIRB signaling?

Ask Sail: An Explosive Situation

When the engine is under load and moving the boat at a decent speed, the voltmeter is pegged past 16 volts, and after a little while the wires (which are appropriately sized) running to the battery switch from the engine get pretty hot. Am I hurting my batteries?

Ask Sail: Wax-on Poly Paint

I have built a 33ft Kelsall-designed catamaran with vacuum-bagged cored composite panels. I finished the exterior with International’s two-part Perfection polyurethane paint (in white)…

Ask Sail: To Snuff or Furl

I just purchased a 1983 Bristol 38.8 with a large sail inventory, including a nice big cruising spinnaker. Apparently the old owner flew it out of the bag, which isn’t something I’m anxious to try. What would you recommend to make the sail easier to handle?

Ask Sail: So Many Numbers

I recently purchased a used Hunter with VHF and SSB radios installed, both with MMSI numbers pre-memorized. To prepare for a bluewater cruise I am now installing an AIS transponder, and the technician has asked for another MMSI number. What should I do?

Ask Sail: Running Rough and Dry

I have a Soverel with a small diesel engine that has sat idle for a couple of years without fuel stabilizer. The engine starts, but runs rough. There is also no discharge from the exhaust line.

Ask Sail: Straight and True

Before I re-launch the boat should I also have the shop check and true the transmission output shaft to its flange? This is a lot more work, but I’m prepared to do it to get things lined up properly.

Ask Sail: VHS/GPS Interface Woes

I just bought a new 25-watt VHF radio with a built-in AIS receiver. I began seeing AIS targets right off the bat, but got no graphic or numerical information as to their location in relation to me.

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A Race for the Community

This past weekend, Baltimore’s Downtown Sailing Center hosted its annual regatta supporting an array of community partnerships and accessible sailing offerings.

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Oracle’s Comeback

Oracle Team USA comes back from an 8:1 deficit in the 2013 America’s Cup, winning 8 consecutive races to beat Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Ask SAIL: ropes

Ask SAIL: a Bag of Lines

You ask, we answered: Ask SAIL is back.   Send your questions to sailmail@sailmagazine.com to be featured in the magazine. We have a whole bag of lines

Trivia

Today’s Trivia: Overbearing

Based on its pieces, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that the compound word “overbearing” is a term with nautical origins. This synonym for

Photo courtesy of Mantus Marine

Mantus M3 Chain Hook

Innovation and perseverance deserve to be rewarded, especially when it comes to something as important as anchoring. Mantus Marine has continually improved their chain hook

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