Recent content by CarlF

Small diameter dinghy painters on large smooth stainless stern cleats require a different hitch than the half wrap cleat hitch taught to most Americans. Always use the European “full wrap” or the “multi wrap” to keep the line from slipping. I also always tie a 2nd line to the dinghy for overnight.

While I do lots of my own engine work, I always get a yard to do alignment. And not some boatyard kid. I ask around to find the most experienced guy who’s been doing it for decades. Invariably he gets down into the bilge and grumbles “Who f*cked this up” The problem is that one alignment...

Fifteen years ago I tried going from sailboat to planing trawler. Sold the boat six months later and bought a motorsailer. The problem is that planing on an 40ft boat isn’t comfortable in even a small offshore sea. There’s a lot of noise, slamming over waves, and spray covering the windows...

Some insurance companies won't cover boats with owner installed lithium banks. They will ask for the name of the ABYC certified electician that did the work. If you don't tell them about the batteries, then they may not cover you if you make a future claim. So I would locate a nearby...

Do not use ceramic car finishes on gelcoat - must be paint. I’ve had great luck the last five years with Rejex as an alternative to Collonite. I goes on much easier than wax (no power buffer needed) and seems to last longer. I was introduced to it by a guy with a $10M sports fisherman next to...

Don’t you people have liability insurance? Nothing in my liability policy says I can’t try to help someone. I’ve probably towed over 100 boats out of one scrape or another in 50 years of boating. I always try to help. Life’s too short to worry about a one in a million lawsuit. If I was sued...

I think unoccupied and in danger of sinking is all they need to board. Better, the marina probably told them it might sink when they called. The marina would never contract because of liability issue but are quick to call a “buddy” who can do salvage - and often get a bottle of Scotch for their...

Welcome to Admiralty Law! BoatUS is really two businesses. One is a tow boat company that for a few hundred dollars a year will tow you in from a soft grounding, out of gas, or similiar. The other business is as a salvor working under the US Admiralty Courts when the boat was in danger of...

A boatbuilder once told me that couples cruising on one of his boats would add 20 years to their active lifes. I think he's right. Look at anyplace cruisers congregate - many are OLD - in their 80's but still cruising. There's no doubt in my mind that cruising couples stay physically active...

A remarkable thing about the ME is that it needs virtually no maintenence. Mine is 10 years old and hasn't required ANY. Not even a joker valve replacement - which brings up another ME unique advatage - it has TWO joker valves in line with each other. Both have to go bad before you need to...

I would really advise against doing the Loop with small kids. There are very few children on boats doing the loop (older crowd) and the short time spent at each stop makes it hard to meet any friends. Unless you are lucky enough to buddy boat with another boat with similar age kids, it will be...

On a painted bilge I would do TSP (not too strong to not damage the paint) and then Mr Clean erasers for any remaining stains. But the best answer would be strong TSP followed by fresh paint. It will look great!

Polishing will not make 3 year old diesel new. The diesel of today is a complex bit of chemistry and modern engines are picky about fuel - such as cetane level. It would be best to start with fresh fuel. You can probably sell the old to a fishermen who’s low tech engine will burn anything.

My practice is: I use 5:1 scope measured for high tide (including height of bow). This makes my swinging radius compatible with both 3:1 and 7:1 neighbors. The exception is the CQR and Delta anchor that really needs 7:1 Let the whole 5:1 out but don’t let the boat drift back too fast...

As mentioned, Sounddown is the best place for boat sound control. They are also very helpful on the phone. Give them a call. To control engine noise you need: 1) Seal all gaps coming into the salon. Even a small opening will defeat all the work you do. 2) Use a combination of foam and dense...