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Many of us have made the exact same transition at some point. For us, we gave up sailing after about 3 boats and 30 years. After being boatless about a decade, we had a strong desire to get back on the water instead of sitting at the beach. We also did not want something that looked like a...

They are very similar, but I think the eProp has the edge in range and appearance. After several years of use, mine did fail to work on one trip. Unlike a gas engine, there is not much you can try to troubleshoot other than obvious connections and battery charge. It either turns on or it...

I've had one of these for years and like it a lot. It is 2 pieces, motor and battery, which each weigh about 20 lbs which is easy for both of us to handle and store. https://www.epropulsion.com/spirit/

I'd second the recommendation for Permateek. Not cheap, but one of the best products available. Looks and feels like wood. Easily maintained and very durable. Less slippery than non-skid when wet. Doesn't get as dewy overnight and leave black footprints behind. Available in lots of colors...

I've done my floor in oil-based satin poly and it came out great. I find it works best to this the poly pretty liberally and also wipe the surface with mineral spirits just before applying. This leaves a very smooth finish with no brush marks.

That was exactly my initial thought as well RT, you beat me to it. Why in the world would you want to try this??? Risk contaminating your fuel tanks to save ~$25?

Wouldn't a rigid panel make more sense and perform better than flexible especially if mounting on a solid hardtop? Flexible is a little cheaper to buy, but not drastically so.

Can you post a picture? I replaced all mine with LED from Amazon. Many of the new replacement bulbs will work with regardless of polarity. I also replaced some fixtures because the lens was cracked. Also from Amazon.

The cat is slowly taking over the house. Boat time will begin in the Spring and I'll post some pics and an update, good or bad. I like the toilet trick, but no clue how to train that, although this cat does seem pretty intelligent. Maybe some day.

Well we are definitely adopting the cat, it will arrive at our home soon. Looks very sweet and luckily has been cared for the last couple months by someone who found it abandoned at a gas station but he cannot keep it. He has also taken it to the vet. How well it adapts to the boat is TBD in...

Thanks for everyone's helpful and honest feedback, both pros and cons. We will be taking the cat into our home tomorrow. How and whether it ends up boating with us is still TBD until the season starts again in a few months, but as usual TF has been a helpful resource. Thanks again.

Thanks Peter, I'll let you know how it turns out. We cruise locally on the 35' boat in my picture and rarely more than a week at a time, maybe 2 tops, but that would include some marina visits. International is not a concern at the moment.

I appreciate everyone's prompt replies. We need to make a decision by tomorrow at the latest.

I know dogs are pretty common on a boat, anyone have any experience with cats? We are considering adopting a found stray but wondering if that will seriously hamper our cruising. Online info is inconclusive and just wondering if anyone has any real experience or feedback. Seems like they...

Interestingly, my Yanmar manual states 125 hrs OR 6 mos. Seems like many people like to focus one one number and not the other. I change my engine and genny oil each fall before winter layup because it's better for the engine parts to sit for 6 mos in uncontaminated oil than to change in the...

That is twisted logic. If they had to pay for lots of returns, wouldn't they have a lesser warranty? They have a better warranty because they have confidence in the quality of their product and they experience fewer returns so they can offer a better warranty. I wish you the best with all...

Because quite often you get what you pay for. Many years ago at a power squadron course, the CG instructor made the statement "When purchasing equipment for a boat, always buy the best you can for whatever function you need." I wouldn't say that everyone should follow that 100% of the time...

Probably true but there is some discussion in this thread about flexible vs. rigid, so I thought it was worth mentioning because perhaps not everyone knows these things.

For what it's worth, the installer of my system recommended against flexible panels unless you need them to flex. He said for the same quality panel, the flexible ones are more expensive. But more importantly, any panel loses efficiency as it heats up. A rigid panel with an air space...

I have Phifertex Plus shades on all my exterior windows with adhesive snads on the surfaces. They were custom made, but still not very expensive. Pretty quick and easy to install and remove. Would be hard to reach if on on the inside of the windshield.

I wouldn't say "fully over" but at least back to normal, or the new normal.

I just added a 200W panel to my hardtop. Plenty to run the fridge and keep batteries topped off. While I was at it, I had a small inverter installed so I can run some smaller AC loads w/o needing the generator (single-cup coffee maker, microwave, TV, AC outlets.)

Volvos have a bad rep on TF. Allegedly hard to get parts and service. I have no personal knowledge, only what others have said here.

Keith, I have the same exact problem on my boat. Haven't solved it yet but I keep trying. I'd be intereted if anyone has actually had this problem and found a solution.

Mike, This has been debated here many times. I can't disagree with any of your points but there are a few comments I'd add to your generalizations about single vs. twin. Twins are not always faster. 1 larger engine vs 2 smaller ones can get you similar HP and same or faster speeds. 2...