Well, CALYPSO is coming out of the water this Friday, so its time to plan the winter's projects...hopefully not as ambitious as this Spring and Summer. This year I replaced the Gray ports with Beckson Raindrains (see photo form article) and installed a Cape Horn windvane self-steering system (a future photo form article, perhaps). This winter I will be installing a radar on the mast for our foggy Nova Scotia cruising and I think I'll redo all the plumbing...and then next Spring...then... Ah, it never stops, does it?
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Why did you pick Beckson ports
I'm going to be taking my ports out and don't know if I'll need to replace them yet until I have them out and look at them. It looks like I can still by Bomar ports. Why did you get Beckson ports? Price? quality?
I'm going to be taking my ports out and don't know if I'll need to replace them yet until I have them out and look at them. It looks like I can still by Bomar ports. Why did you get Beckson ports? Price? quality?
Seacocks and. . .
I will finally install the real seacocks. I had replaced the gate valves with ball valves years ago. Now it is time for the seacocks. But I have to replace the thru-hulls to do it. I will finish the radar installation. I am having a stern stainless post fashioned at a local welding shop. There is an A/B refrigeration compressor and a ham radio/tuner sitting in the basement. I have to finish the deck painting. My list of minor projects is a mile long. BUT! Only 50 more days at work(and only five more paychecks
).
I will finally install the real seacocks. I had replaced the gate valves with ball valves years ago. Now it is time for the seacocks. But I have to replace the thru-hulls to do it. I will finish the radar installation. I am having a stern stainless post fashioned at a local welding shop. There is an A/B refrigeration compressor and a ham radio/tuner sitting in the basement. I have to finish the deck painting. My list of minor projects is a mile long. BUT! Only 50 more days at work(and only five more paychecks
).And Jim, thanks. . .
for that great photo essay on the portlight installation. I wish I had used Becksons instead of NFMs. Those look like they will drain, mine do not. Otherwise our installations were almost identical. I had to build up both the ends and the top/bottom. And the NFMs bolt-through so lining up the holes was really fun. One trick I learned. Use that chrome-looking tape with the peel off backing when taping to gelcoat. It sticks and seals as well as duck tape and does not leave that residual crap.
for that great photo essay on the portlight installation. I wish I had used Becksons instead of NFMs. Those look like they will drain, mine do not. Otherwise our installations were almost identical. I had to build up both the ends and the top/bottom. And the NFMs bolt-through so lining up the holes was really fun. One trick I learned. Use that chrome-looking tape with the peel off backing when taping to gelcoat. It sticks and seals as well as duck tape and does not leave that residual crap.
Beckson because...
I chose the Beckson Raindrains mainly on price & delivery and because I liked their camlock latches. I don't know if there are many pros & cons with different plastic ports, but Beckson has a good reputation. If I had the money I would have put in bronze, but I would never recoup the investment. The Grays lasted 20 years - I hope I am still sailing when the Becksons need replacing!
I chose the Beckson Raindrains mainly on price & delivery and because I liked their camlock latches. I don't know if there are many pros & cons with different plastic ports, but Beckson has a good reputation. If I had the money I would have put in bronze, but I would never recoup the investment. The Grays lasted 20 years - I hope I am still sailing when the Becksons need replacing!
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