Recent posts

#41

Boat Bits / Re: Importance of hull speed.....

Last post by Kettlewell - April 29, 2025, 05:37:26 PM

Could it be argued that a heavier boat is more likely to carry speed better, being less likely to get slowed by ocean motions?

Tho' a lighter boat is more easily driven...

Yes! Both can be true. Various boats perform differently in different conditions. For example, the heavier boat may well carry her way in sloppy offshore conditions with light winds, while the lighter boat may get knocked back. OTOH, a light boat can often quickly accelerate up to speed, while it takes the heavier boat longer to get going. Hull shape, weight distribution, sails, etc. all make a big difference too. Having a big propellor can really drag you back in very light air, like our current motor sailor. OTOH she moves right out once the wind gets up a bit. Average speed in the conditions you sail in are far more important than hull speed. Again, average speed in light to medium air is probably a lot more important than hull speed in heavy air, because we all try to avoid sailing when there is too much wind.

#42

Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...

Last post by Frank - April 27, 2025, 09:00:37 PM

No leaves on the trees yet
41 outside this morning but turned into a beautiful spring day and rose to 70.
Lots to do but had to fire up the motorcycle for a ride to visit my sister.
Happily "home" for a while....

Picture of out front and out back here at the cabin..

#43

Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...

Last post by CapnK - April 26, 2025, 07:14:15 AM

Fly home tomorrow....

Bittersweet.

#44

Gear Here / Re: Heavy duty collapsible wat...

Last post by CapnK - April 26, 2025, 06:33:52 AM

Thinking on how these might be better (in some ways) than building integral tanks like I'd been planning - which would save lotsa time *and* money. Being so flexible they'd conform to small and/or odd shaped spaces. They have, among others, sizes of 1, 2.6, and 5 gallons, along with a line of accessories now like filler caps/tubes. They'd make it east to capture rain, while keeping it from possibly contaminating water already aboard.

Once emptied, they could be blown up with air to provide flotation. Extras stow in no space at all, and the price simply blows away any other solution.

They are already surprisingly tough. Even so, it'd be very easy and quick to make terrycloth or fleece waterbagbags for each one to guard against chafe - see illustration.


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#45

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by CapnK - April 26, 2025, 06:02:28 AM

I plan to find, purchase, and cherish the last/latest possible set of paper charts I can get my hands on. I really don't think it a good idea to stop making them available for at least self-printing.

The older I get, the more I understand and appreciate curmudgeons...

#46

Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...

Last post by Jim_ME - April 24, 2025, 11:11:27 PM

Fly home tomorrow....

Thank you, Frank for sharing another winter in the islands.

Have a good trip home.

#47

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by Frank - April 24, 2025, 06:53:16 AM

You will love them once set up.
A true game changer!

#48

Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...

Last post by Frank - April 23, 2025, 07:05:13 AM

Fly home tomorrow....
Dingy is hauled out. My trusty old 8hp Evenrude flushed with fresh water, fuel drained and stored in the cockpit locker. (Bought the engine in 1989)
Dingy tarped to help with UV.
Final check below that hatches and ports are secure..
Pictures taken to remind myself how I left things..
Always feel I'm forgetting something, but thinks that's normal....
Looking forward to "home"...

#49

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by Godot - April 21, 2025, 05:26:51 PM

OK. With the new tariffs I figure I better poop or get off the pot. I bought two wattcycle 100ah group 24 LiFePO4 batteries. I kinda wanted more amp-hours; but I really don't need it and this will greatly increase my usable capacity and only costs $380 all in.

Well...all-in is a bit of a stretch, I guess. I need to reconfigure my energy system which I'm certain will mean more money spent.

#50

Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...

Last post by Frank - April 20, 2025, 01:39:57 PM

Thanks Bob
Another season is over for me here.
I stripped most of the canvas off while at Anchor. It is so much cooler prepping the boat while on the water than up in the yard.
Had very little to do once I was on the hard. Take down the genny to fold, flush the outboard and clean up.....
I'm still using the dinghy as a car here, so I will haul it up the day before I fly.
It sure looks bare in the yard!