Recent content by henryj2

What is good for soaking (to soften and clean) a clogged diverter valve in a head waste line?

Yes and Yes. We found some burner pans at Target that can be made to work. They lasted about as long as the ones we purchased by mail from a dealer. They were a lot less expensive although no better quality. Of course, every time you change them, you can't clean them you just have to throw...

When we purchased boat 10 years ago replaced beat up old 3 burner Princess with new, same model. It has been semi-junk from day one. Cover lid does not work properly and wiring is of very low quality. Top is so flimsy burners always at angles plus oven handle came off (repaired with 5200)...

Princess comes with two 1000 wt. front burners and 500 wt. back burner. This is because many marinas offer only 30 amps which, if all burners are on, leaves little juice margin for other uses. You can easily replace back 500 with another 1000 is you have 50 amps. or better.

Well said.

A sailboat friend is thinking of switching to power and looking at 1986 Ponderosa 48 aft cabin. I am not familiar with these boats so wonder if any members can provide helpful input as to manufacturer, reliability, quality, etc.. Thank you in advance.

Loved all the comments and many right on point for me. 80 years of age. Wife 77. Lifetime boaters. Have lived aboard present vessel since 2012 in San Diego South Bay and Ensenada, mostly the former. No longer interested (nor able) to do much in engine room. Even keeping brightwork sharp...

Amen to all that. And remember, 2001? you will still find a lot of expensive items very soon that require updating, repair or replacement. When we made our purchase about 10 years ago our trawler was rated as in "excellent condition" and after two months in the boatyard and $35K it probably...

Our Gulf Star was built in 78 and sold in 79. My wife and I have lived aboard her for 8 years here in San Diego and in Mexico. Great boat. My 12th boat and, considering my vintage, quite likely my last. The old Perkins have always been a little loud and a little smokey but have never missed a...

Thanks for the comment: Speed: garmin Usage: as stated, dip stick hours: clock Could well have been 8 knots, note I said "approx. 9 knots" I agree could well have been only 8 or right at it on average. Bash from Ensenada to SD pretty rough and bouncy.

Fuel usage Thank you to those who replied. The answers to the various questions posed are: 1. It is a 354 turbocharged. Would like to say it was a typo but more of a senior moment, I fear. 2. 6 cylinder. 3. Main tank conforms to hull shape. We also have an axillary tank under the aft deck...

We have a 1978 Gulf Star 44' with twin original Perkins 254's with approx. 1,500 hours on each. With main and aux. fuel tank we can carry over 700 gals. of diesel fuel. We measure fuel usage by dip stick. On a return from Ensenada to San Diego at an average of about 9 knots it appears we used...

We would appreciate recommendations to replace the weather station on our trawler. We would like one that gives up temp and humidity outside the cabin and in, wind speed and direction and rainfall amounts. Our old system is no longer functioning and has always been problematic in any event...

Oh, yes. Many of us have gone through it and understand. We sold our 1965 Owens 28' (single engine, no generator, etc. etc.) that had been just a weekend and holiday home on the the relatively gentle Lake of the Ozarks to live full time on our 78' Gulf Star 44 in San Diego in 2012. Moreover...

Stumbled upon a solution. Problem seemed to be could only get the small extraction tube down the dipstick guide. Oil Extractor (West 6.9 qt.) seemed to be losing suction where small tube connect to larger tube. Noted dipstick guide could easily be removed from engine with a 5/8 wrench. This...