What works for me / What works for you ??

letterman · Feb 10, 2008

great thread

I keep all my clothes in plastic tubs. They stay dry in a moist environment.I read the clouds, all the time.I read everything, all the time.I prefer to read charts for the distance I am sailing that day.I let others steer the boat, but no matter how many beers, I still have an eye open for surprises.I think outside the box.I love my Simmons 10x50 binoculars. I also carry a cheap pair of 8x50.My dingy is a cheap blow up from Sam's Club. Had no problem all the way to Florida.I like libraries, for email and such, when traveling.I have a cloth grocery bag that I take everywhere. Reminds me of my Bootbag from grade school.I am not that anal about sail trim.I repair everything that breaks ASAP.I try to do everything myself, including motor repair.Autohelms are great for singlehanding, but I prefer to steer.1,000,000 spotlight is as small as I like. I usually carry two.I have a small flashlight that I attatch to my life jacket. It points down all the time and is perfect for night sailing. I don't make a lot of noise while sailing at night while others sleep.I know how to set the sails, no need for autopilot. I practice steering by sails only a few times a season.Beer, cold or lukewarm is fine.I like my anchor rodes in a roller. Pulling them up without one is tiring.If I can tie up for free up instead of anchoring, I will.If I don't know, I ask.I reef early.I have a winch handle for every winch, save the mast. Only one there.I carry lots of spare line. I make my own dock lines.Not one of my fenders match. One wet locker (out of two) is for raingear, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts. And we use them!I have a wetsuit, and drysuit on board for emergencies.Forward facing sonar/depth finder is the only way instrument I need, aside from GPS, which I need while away from shore.I find humor in most everything. I prefer chess over backgammon.And last but not least, I like thin, tall women! Whooot Whooooooo

Ctskip · Feb 10, 2008

Great thread Maine Sail, Thanks

for being. Not only straight up and down to earth, but also for being unselfish in allowing all into your world. As for coffee. Talk about an addiction. We use a French press and grind our beans ahead of time. I will look for Yuban though. The wife likes differant combinations of coffee. I have to admit some are pretty good. Is there anything better than a quiet anchorage at sunrise, with a good cup of coffee and a woman that brings it? I live for sunrises and sunsets. Ain't life grand? Thanks again for your insight, and for allowing us to view the boating life through someones eyes that has "walked the walk" and is still "doing it". Keep it up, Ctskip

Richard Bryer · Feb 11, 2008

And one more

I like good, straight up people who know what they are talking about. You see quite a few of them here, they are what makes this site so valuable.

Tom S · Feb 11, 2008

Maine Sail - Good list

I too prefer a Keel Stepped mast and a dry bilge. Somehow I have found them to be mutually exclusive. No matter how well concieved it seems that driving rain will find its way through the slots where the sheaves are on the mast

Tom S · Feb 11, 2008

Here is my list

In addition to what has already been written here is my spin on a few things mentioned or not yet discussed. (BTW I agree with most of what has already been listed)What works for me / What works for you ?? I too am the "default mechanical & equipment " person so that might color some of what 'works for me' as I am not afraid of gear and most everything that is on my boat has been installed by me or I understand how the piece of gear works. I have lots of Spares and backup stuff like others (it shows with my waterline, if you need an extra kitchen sink I probably have it ). Here are some items that I have on my boat and that I really like having & either increased my pleasure or safetyNote: Another point that influences my decisions for certain gear is that I happen to solo or be short handed sailing often - yes these things are not infallible and they have broken before but I can sail without any of these things - they just make things safer & more enjoyableI like an autopilot - it has opened my horizons I like a chartplotter and full complement of integrated electronics at the helm (wind, speed, depth, etc) . Like Maine Sail I want it where I can see and use it. To me a good integrated system can give instant information and reduce anxiety in situations where their might be doubt or information overload (yes I double check & validate what I see from electronics with my own eyes and paper charts)I would like a second repeater (speed, etc) forward of the companion way, such that if I do adjust sail trim up there I can instantly see if its helping with increasing speed or notWind Direction and speed gauge is not absolutely needed, but Its fun and I can tweak my sails . I think it has made me a better sailor.I have radar - probably only needed it a handful of times over the last 6 years. It paid for itself, in spades, the first time I needed it.I have the Questus backstay Radar mount and have been very happy with it so far.I love having a walkthrough transom. Unless I go world cruising I don't think I'd want it any other way.I want a REAL Stainless Steel stern rail around the whole cockpit. There is something comforting in steadying yourself and holding onto a Solid 1" rail. I do not like the new trend I see on sailboats these days where they just have a little life line across the aft section of a boat. I think this is ridiculous, I feel its would be much too easy to fall off and if not I could see getting hurt . http://www.jboats.com/j122/images/j122sweb10.jpgI like a having a dodger , but it needs to be a low sleek design. I think those dodgers that are 5 ' high are just plain 'unsightly' and look like a wedding cake ornament. Yes I guess if your 6'5" you don't like hitting your head, but one can always duck.This is the first boat I have had a bimini. I like it. When I am anchored and it rains, I especially like having a connector piece between the bimini and the dodger and then having little side panels. It opens up use of the cockpit when it rains and makes it cozy and mostly dry.I have a remote on/off and Volume control for my stereo at the helm which I love (Consider it one of the top 5 greatest things added on my boat, that's not 100 % needed).I have a Standard Horizon RAM mike at the Helm and I like it. I also have the integrated Hailer/Fog Horn Signals on my VHF and if I had to do it all over again, I think I would do it different. Don't get me wrong, the VHF and Hailer work great, but I see 2 issues that make it less than ideal. 1) When you turn on the Hailer/Fog Horn part of the VHF you have essentially lost use of your fixed VHF and must use a handheld to contact other boaters, (and in the fog you might want to make sure you really get your message out) 2) You cannot turn on the Hailer from the cockpit. You must go below and press a few switches (that you must know as most people not savvy with the VHF will have difficulty on how to turn on hailer) . Most times when you want to use the hailer you are at the helm and want to say something immediatelyPressurized hot water shower and even at the stern walkthrough - Glorious ('nuff said)Link/2 Battery Power Gauge - every cruising boat I have will have something like this on the boat. When cruising its great to know how empty or full the batteries are. (I Consider it one of the top 5 greatest things added on my boat, that's not 100 % needed)Accuguage Water & Holding Tank gauge. When cruising its great to know how empty or full.Fully automatic and permanently installed separate starter Battery. With echo charger, all batteries charge when there is a charge, but no switches to remember to throw . In the event of a failure of any one battery or system I have switches that can bypass and keep me going (Consider it one of the top 5 greatest things added on my boat, that's not 100 % needed)http://tomsenatorc36projects.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b357774384f3Lastly. I have come to really like my Electric Windlass and the way I have set it up. We anchor alot as we sail all over LI Sound and then anchor most of the nights we go out so it is used often. The key was modifying my anchor roller and having a big 44lb SPADE anchor such that its self launching and retrieving . EVEN BETTER was when I added a remote control anchor windlass switch in the cockpit !! (I consider one of the top 5 greatest things added on my boat, that's not 100 % needed)http://tomsenatorc36projects.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0CbM2rZy3bsX-gNow I can lower my anchor from the safety of my cockpit and retrieve it too. Its a thing of beauty ! I can do this as I have the Maxwell Freedom Windlass which allows automatic chain/rode transition without having to move the rode from the gypsy to the drum. (Will not work with Windlass' where you have to remove anchor rode from gypsy to warping drum when transitioning from chain to rope) Its automatic up and down, just like a well designed anchor system on bigger motorboats. I thought if motorboats can do that why can't A system like this can be a safety item also, especially for the solo or short handed sailor. There have been time with storms or such in tight quarters where I don't think I could have as easily left the helm and dropped anchor. With this set up I can stay at the helm and position the boat exactly where I want and drop the anchor from the safety of my cockpit -- retrievals the same. Its a snapThe Admiral has proclaimed its one of the best things I have added to my boat (and I have to agree). I think any boat I own from here on in I will do something like this. The key to making this work so well is designing this as a "complete anchoring system" -- All parts have to work together or its not going to be satisfactory

Tom S · Feb 11, 2008

Maine Sail - what boat did those Keel Bolts come off of ?

I have never seen anything like that. It definitely gives one 'pause' when it comes to things on a boat that might be "out of sight"

Jim · Feb 11, 2008

Question for Sail Maine

I think all keel bolts leak. The questions is how much. There is no way the caulk can hold up to groundings and cold weather.My questions is do you agree?