Rene Etherton of Chicago, Illinois, asks:”When were anchored out my audio system works fine, and we get great reception on our HD LCD TV. But back in our marina we get a loud hum on the audio system, and TV reception from several stations is always breaking apart. Why does this happen?”Gordon West replies:Im almost certain that the hum in
Larry Barth of Columbia, South Carolina, asks:”For some reason the metal fuel tank feeding the Fischer Panda genset on my Hunter 41 now contains some water and other debris. How should I clean the tank? Would I be better off replacing the fuel tank with one made of plastic? Also, there is still about 10 gallons of diesel in the tank. How do I filter the fuel so I can use
John Green of Kemah, Texas, asks:”Many sailboats in my marina have grouper or guppy anodes that dangle in the water on a wire clamped to a shroud or backstay. Ive asked a number of owners why they are doing this, and their answers range from grounding the standing rigging, to preventing galvanic corrosion of the rigging, to helping lightning find a route to the water
Ben Hathaway of Coos Bay, Oregon, asks:”My boats VHF and SSB both have the same Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. Ive recently purchased a new marine VHF handheld with DSC capability. Should this new handheld have the same, or a different MMSI number?” Gordon West replies:This is a great question, and its one that is
David Kampenga of Houston, Texas, asks:”Im thinking about converting my Hunter to an electric motor propulsion system, which would involve installing a 6kW 48VDC motor. I would like to keep the fixed two-blade prop thats on the boat. I would also like to retain the existing gear reduction, which is 2.14:1. I dont quite understand the reduction gearing and am curious how
Mark Gagyi of Vermilion, Ohio, asks:”Last year I converted from a manual to an electric windlass and replaced the rode. Now I wish I had more chain. Is it is safe to weld some more chain on to what I now have?”Don Casey replies:The answer is no and the reason is that the welds in every link of an anchor chain must be stronger than the rod
Joanne Rideout of Astoria, Oregon, asks: “I’m a new crewmember racing on an Olson 30 and one of the jobs I’ve been assigned is going on the foredeck to skirt the genoa when we tack. I’ve nearly fallen overboard a couple of times trying to get the sail inside the lifeline after it gets caught outside. What’s the best way to skirt a genoa when it gets stuck? Also, how do I
Jack Fyfe of Westerly, Rhode Island, asks:”Ive really enjoyed reading about Nigel Calders solar projects, because I am getting two 24-volt Sanyo 205 watt panels and two Morningstar MPPT controllers. Im using AWG 2/10 wire for the 25foot run from the dodger where the panels are located to the battery switch. I wonder whether connecting the charge controllers to the
John Manzano of Charlottesville, Virginia, asks:”I am planning to install a copper grounding plate on the hull of my Pearson 365 for lightning protection, but Im not sure how to connect the mast and shrouds to that plate. The boat has no keelbolts. Do I drill a hole through the hull, and if so how big should the hole be? What should I use to seal the hole?”
David Stiller of Miami, Florida, asks:”Im getting a new Standard Horizon GX2100 marine VHF with integrated AIS receivers, and Im curious whether it will work with my Shakespeare masthead antenna?”Gordon West replies:AIS frequencies are 4.6 MHz higher than normal VHF ship-to-ship channels. However, Ive done some tests, and Don Henry at
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The fire alarm went off with a wild shriek at 0300, about 10 minutes after I’d turned the engine on to start motoring through a
