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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.

Photo by Jose Carlos Pitti Rios

Countdown to the ARC

Sailors from over 30 nations came together yesterday in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, at the opening ceremony of the 40th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC),

Savvy Navvy_NMEA Connect

Savvy Navvy Gets Connected

These days connectivity is everywhere. From smart appliances to assisted driving, all of our electronics seem to have an app. So it only makes sense

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