In 1982, I mounted four ARCO Solar M-55 monocrystalline panels to a stainless steel frame above the dodger on my Ericson 41 sloop, Wind Shadow. On sunny days during the hours closest to noon, my amp meter indicated an 8 to 10 amp charge. Before and after the midday feast, the flow tapered to 2 to 6 amps.
I was sailing solo to Bermuda one year when the weather turned wicked. The wind and waves kept building, until finally I lay ahull with the sails furled. Knockout blows from the steep seas pounded my Westsail 32, Antares. When at last the storm blew over I found both halyards were loose and had wrapped around the masthead in a huge tangle. I had no choice but to climb. Going aloft in a
Inflatable life jackets are effective, reliable and comfortable. However, unlike traditional foam-filled life jackets, they must be properly maintained if they are to function correctly. This goes double for a life jacket with an integral safety harness and/or automatic inflation. Inflatable life jackets include a number of parts that must all work properly if the life jacket is to function at
A smart regulator can boost your alternators charging performance, which means you dont need to run your engine as long to keep your batteries happy. Sterling Marine Powers ProRegD digital alternator regulator can be tailored to your battery typeflooded, gel, or AGMto ensure the most efficient four-step charging schedule. It assesses battery bank size, state of charge and current output, and
For a number of years, I used a piece of 2×4 screwed to the side of the garden shed as a mount for my 3.5hp Tohatsu outboard. It would perch happily thereon while I dangled its nether regions in a cooling tub of fresh water, sputtering and burbling away as the salt got rinsed from its innards. This year, I decided something more sophisticated was in order for my faithful motor. I wanted a
Among the multitude of things that needed upgrading on our project boat, the cockpit drain seacocks loomed large. The wheels on the 1973-vintage gate valves were frozen open so the valves could not be closed. This is a typical problem with gate valves. The valve stems and the valve body are usually dissimilar metals, and eventually theyll corrode so that the valve sticks on the position it was
Back in the 1990s when I was cruising full time and living aboard a 1964 Pearson Alberg 35, my electrical system was dirt simple. I had two 100AH wet-cell batteries, a battery selector switch, a 30-watt flexible solar panel and a multimeter. When I wanted to know how the batteries were doing, I put the
As part of the gradual replacement of outdated systems on our Norlin 34 project boat, it was time to look at communications. As any radio manufacturer will tell you, the problem with VHF radios is twofold: they are inherently reliable, thus tend to be a long way down the list of essential upgrades for owners of older boats. As long as you can use Channel 16 in an emergency or call your launch
Wayne Steinhauser of Hartford, South Dakota, asks:”We sail on an impounded Missouri river lake with only one pump-out station within 100 miles. We find returning to the pump-out station is troublesome when we spend a week or more exploring and sailing. Were thinking of installing a composting toilet. What is your opinion of these?”Don Casey
Jan Warren of Brighton, Michigan, asks: “I have a 1982 Catalina 30 and have just purchased a 4:1 boom vang. What is the best way to attach the vang to the boom and mast? I have been told to do it different ways and am a little confused. The vang is set up with a snap shackle for the mast attachment. I was thinking of installing a Forespar curved base mast eye and drilling
Five years and a ton of sweat equity turned a “piece of work” into their soul mate boat.
SAIL‘s team is on the docks at the Annapolis Sailboat Show so come on over to booth F5 and say hello! And don’t forget to
A shakedown passage across the Bay of Biscay proves challenging and empowering.
About halfway through the 635-mile Newport to Bermuda Race, in the middle of the night, partway through our Gulf Stream crossing, the boat I was
Seawind 1370 Seawind Catamarans have managed to walk a thoughtful line creating serious bluewater cruising cats that deliver solid sailing chops without the complexity and
The latest iteration of Moody Yachts’ “monomaran” concept is the DS48 (DS for deck salon), and the new model includes even more features designed to
Lin Pardey / Paradise Cay Publications It’s fair to say that few sailors can write about passagemaking with more authority than Lin Pardey. And true
We were sailing from Atlantic City to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, on a breezy summer day, and I’ll admit we were kind of a hot
With a full walkaround deck and big boat features, the latest from Jeanneau hits the sweet spot in 34 feet.
The new Catalina 356 is among five of the Florida builder’s models that are part of the 6 Series, a newly launched range that represents
