What Works? / What Doesn't?

[Maine Sail]

I thought with spring right around the corner it would be a good time to post our stories of what has worked well for you and what has not.

Please lets not get into a manufacturer bashing discussion. Let's try and keep it to just what has worked or not for you. I know we'll have some who have never had an issue with one product and others who have. Please don't list products on hear say please only discuss or list products that you have actually owned.

Here's a few of mine;

What's Worked:

Garhauer - This stuff has been literally bullet proof with zero problems or failures.

Wichard - I have been using their snap shackles, shackles, headboard shackles and other items for well over 20 years with never one single problem or false opening.

IMAR - I use their Strattaglass products for my dodger windows and the stuff is simply amazing.

Collinite #885 Wax - Loooong lasting and a great final shine. tried many always come back to Collinite.

Awlcare - The polymer coating for Awlgrip finishes.. Easy to apply and long lasting.

Rolly Tasker Sails - Very well made products at incredible prices.

Raritan PHII Head - After having many other heads I find this one to be the best compact manual head. The pump design is great.

NavPod - Great produts that also hold up well to UV and marine life.

Icom - My Icom VHF's have never let me down, have very clear voice characteristics and overall just work.

Raymarine S1 Wheel Pilot - Has been a terrific performer and steers a boat right at its limit very, very well (better than any other I have owned below or above deck).

Raymarine ST Instruments: I have never had even one ounce of problems with any of my ST-50 or ST-60 series instruments I've owned.

Garmin - Zero issues after owning multiple units. I still use a nearly 10 year old 176 and she just keep plugging on. Also when I have had questions they have gone above and beyond in the customer service area.

Racor 500 Series Filters - I have installed one on each baot I've owned if not already there. Simple easy and very reliable.

Yandina Battery Combining Relay - While there is not a whole lot that can go wrong they have never let me down.

Furlers - Over multiple differnt boats these have all worked very, very well and been super reliable. Schaefer 2100, Hood Sea Furl, Furlex 200S, Harken MK IV, Pro-Furl



What Has Not Worked:

Raymarine C-80 - Experienced two failed internal PC board components and a delaminated screen all in less than two years. Raymarine support however was very good!

Raystar 125 GPS Antenna - Experienced a failure due to a design error which was later fixed. (they forgot drain holes)

Balmar Regulators - Experienced failures of two ARS-4's and one ARS-5 all the same exact type of failure where you could wiggle the plug and make it work but something broke inside the poured epoxy PC board. Balmar was tough to deal with but West marine stood behind the product each time.

Datamarine Instruments - Need I say more... No longer in business anyway other than for repairs which I guess is GOOD business..

Simrad WP-30 / WP-32 - Had both of these units and both were sent back for repairs. Also steered poorly from what I would guess was the fluxgate location. Simrad finally pulled out of the wheel pilot business.

Boeshield - The more I use it the less I believe it actually prevents corrosion or even reduces it.

Perko Latches/Hinges - Stay away from the chromed zinc stuff. In less than one season the twisting hasp on a brand Catalina's anchor locker was totally useless.

CDI Furler - Had one on a CD 27 and was not as relaible or trouble free as I would have liked did not really reef well. Disclaimer: This was about 15+ years ago so things have hopefully changed.

Uniden VHF - Bit the bullet in the first six weeks..

Rule Bilge Pumps & Float Switches - Nuff said...



That's a good start... What about you guys..

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I'd add a few:
Cleaning products - FSR, Roll Off, Collinite cleaner
Fuzzy (polar fleece) fender covers - Binnacle Company in NS, Canada - have tried others and they always faded
Holding tank - KO - no odor wonder but expensive
Plexus - used to machine buff acrylic ports and hatches
Flitz metal polish

Uniden - I'd have to disagree as our Uniden VHF with wireless microphone has performed flawlessly for a few years

 

[shemandr]

KO is worth every penny.

 

[Ross]

My Apelco fish/depth finder was great for ten years but the alarm function seems to have died.

 

[sailingdog]

What Works:

Blue Sky 2000E MPPT Charge Controller—Works well, simple to install

Lewmar Line Clutches—Bulletproof, relatively inexpensive, easy on the line, open under any load

Miracle Metal Polishing Cloth—from Seafit...works great.

Nicro Solar Vents—Keep the air moving in the boat, don't let water in

Rocna Anchor—Sets well, resets well, only complaint is the amount of bottom it brings up with it

Standard Horizon Handheld VHF—works well, good battery life, decent sound quality

TackTick Instruments—Work well, simple to install, low maintenance, have wind, speed and depth


What Doesn't Work:

Raymarine ST60 Instruments—Had lot of problems with the wind instrument

 

[Rick D]

What Works, What Does Not

Well, I don't really fit out as much as you guys since the boat isn't winterized. But, here's my list:

Works:

1. LifeCaulk. I have used this for over 40 years and it has never failed.
2. GoreTex thread. I had this used in my last dodger and am expecting great things and no rot.
3. Schaeffer gear. I have had 20 years experience with it and they seem to be well done, although I am a big fan of Garhauer and it's value.
4. Lonseal vinyl flooring. I did my cabin with the teak/holly. As much as I love a varnished sole, I should have done this stuff years ago. It's kinda like why we have FRP boats instead of wood.
5. Furuno radar. I'm on my third and I love the user interface and reliability. There is a reason you see them all over the world.
6. Tohatsu-made outboards. I'm on my second and they have been dead bang reliable if the fuel is fresh.
7. Raymarine instruments. Unlike Maine, I have had some problems over 20 years, but the service has been great, they have excellent service website communications and they seem to be the value leader.
8. Island Girl cleansers. Not the miracle they suggest, but almost.
9. Edson steering systems. A bit of annual service, and it's good to go.
10. Pettit Trinidad bottom paint. 4 years average in SoCal with a diver.
11. Meguire's one-step wax. Easy to apply with a orbital buffer and wears great. Three-step may be better, but no good when you are in the water.
12. Spectra line. Fabulous for halyards.
13. Ace Hardware. I can't even tell you how much I saved on projects buying there and my local will special order marine parts for me.

Didn't Work For Me:

1. UK zip up sail cover. Replaced the zipper twice, had to hang on like a monkey to zip it, the sail fell out of it, it was ugly when the sail was up. I replaced it with my own retactible lazy jack system but have never founf a satisfactory mainsail control system.
2. Sta-Set X. Stuff is like concrete and gets worse as it ages. I took mine of after cussing at it for two years and gave it to the fire department.
3. Island Girl wax. Didn't work for me; didn't set up. Looked really good on application tho.
4. Magma BBQ. I have one on the boat and one at home. Nice construction but flame goes out way too easily and they are finicky.
5. Jabsco heads. I am so conditioned to these that I almost forgot to list them. Work OK if you keep them lubed, just don't even think of an overhaul kit. Replace the pump instead for more than the head costs. Or change it.
6. Acrylic ports. I hate how these begin to craze in a few years. The odd part is they all don't and parts of others don't. I have to believe there is some chemistry out there that would make a huge difference in the lifespan of them.
7. Chelsea clocks and barometers. We splurged on these for the boat with wind-up shipstrike clock and matching barometer. I think they have more than doubled in price. I have returned the clock once and the barometer twice. They charge an arm and a leg for service and take their sweet time too.
8. PVC dinghies. After having three disintegrate from under me, I went to a hard dinghy for the past 15 years. One less thing to aggravate.
9. Big candle power spotlights. Most of these have so much splatter as to be hardly usable. I have brought a Blue-Dot version which PS found to be much better some years ago. Looking forward to testing it.
10. Z-Spar masts and gear. Nice engineering but god help you if you have to call France to deal with them.

 

[Ed Schenck]

I posted something like this a few weeks ago after several nights offshore:
"Things that have worked really, really well: new Yanmar 3YM30, old(10 years) Simrad WP30 has always steered all the way in all conditions, old Origo stove cooks as well as at home and if it is slower then I can’t tell, crew members Don and Gary are great, Cricket head will flush anything and has for ten years, A/B refer is efficient and keeps everything cold, ten year old Mermaid reverse cycle has kept us warm when tied up(we thought we would need it to cool, not heat):, Garmin 172C is worth more than its weight in gold, and don’t forget the boat. Ladylove is stable, safe, fun, and relatively fast."

Interesting how my experiences differ from Maine's. I would definitely agree with Garhauer, Lewmar, Edson, and Magma. I would add North(main), Lee(yankee), New England(lines), and Nexus(instruments, now ComNav). I might be the only sailboat on water without a single RayMarine device.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Things that work:

Raymarine S1 autohelm (Once I finally got it right)
Garmin GPS
Lewmar winches
Magma Propane Grill

Things that didn't work:

Jabsco Heads (Biggest piece of crap to crap into)
Dahlgren Marine Works (Responsible for the biggest rip off ever)

 

[tommays]

Perfection Paint Recall

I was liking Perfection untill the second quart of Snow White i bought last week got recalled TODAY because it causes fisheyes

I will say they were good about it and sent a rep to look at the problem BUT they had me spend a whole LOT of type chasing my tail before they pulled there samples and said OS this stuff is NO GOOD

Hey but whats another 20 hours of prep to paint my mast twice

 

[bffatcat]

what works what dosent

works
Old rebuilt barient/barlow winches
5200 in keel to hull joint
35 year old pressure alcohol stove (its easy if you know how) could be trouble if u dont
Stayset X for halyards
Rolly tasker sails

Dont

Old worn out pump thru heads
simple self steering gadgets that work with line

 

[Chuckbear]

Here is a report we did about 3/4 of the way through our last trip on the equipment we had on board at
http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/search/label/0022. Cruising Equipment Report

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Works

Raymarine Tillerpilot - used all the time for cruising has worked flawlessly

Bimini from SBO - Pre-measured Bimini from the chandlery section here has been great!

Garmin GPS's - I have a few of these and I don't know if I would use anything else, but I better get my rebate from the last one soon...

Doesn't work

Cold, wet wintery weather just doesn't seem to work for me...

 

[John]

Works:
CPES epoxy sealer/filler for sealing marine grade plywood. Easy to apply. A scrap piece I've had sitting out of doors has shed the rain like it was a piece of plastic.

Silver Tip laminating resin: Great for laminating plastic laminate or veneer to wood. Easier to work with than contact cement since the laminate can be adjusted into place after place down. Holds great.


Doesn't work: Schaeffer stainless steel roller furler parts - dropped a stainless steel part in the water and the damn thing sank right to the bottom!

 

[okawbow]

Works:
Pettit Unepoxy bottom paint. Cheap and works as well as any hard anti-fouling. Can handle being on a trailer-sailor.

Simrad TP-10 tiller pilot: excellent performance for the money.

My Yanmar YSE-8 is 33 years old, has been misused, abused, and run for many thousand hours, and is still strong and dependable.

Interlux- Interdeck antislip deck paint. 3 years hard use and still perfect.

Bad:

Kestrel 2500 wind/weather meter: Works ok but hard to use and overpriced.

Barska Marine compass binoculars: Cheap, but can't read the degree scale without losing sight of thr target.

 

[mjfin]

Works:

TERRO ant killer. About $4/bottle, ACE HW. Mostly borax & sugar syrup. About two tablespoons will kill ALL ants within 3 days within 4000 sq ft. The critters line up like pigs in a trough and go home to feed the queen, never to return.

 

[FourPoints]

Works:
-Colinite #885 wax

-Daly's Profin and Seafin teak oil / varnish products

-Kestral 1000 Wind Meter

-Garmin 540s Chartplotter

-iCom M34 floating handheld VHF (I've tested the waterproof claim numerous times)

-Blue Sea line bags (cockpit is MUCH easier to move around in without having tons of lines flying around your feet). Only had them one season, but they look as good as new still.

-Sta-Set X Halyards

-Z-Spars / US-Spars Ordered a good bit of equipment from them this spring, was very easy to deal with their Florida office, shipments were prompt and accurate.

-Barton mid track / sliding cleats. Hard to find (sailcare.com carries them) but hard to beat for light to medium duty cleats at ~$35 each

-Tilex Mold and Mildew remover with Bleach Great for removing those nasty mildew spots that appear on fiberglass. Spray on, let sit for ~5 minutes, hose off, fiberglass looks nice and new, mildew is dead / gone.

That's all that comes to mind right now.

 

[RAD]

What works and highly recommend
Collinite #885 Wax ...still have a shine since March
Raymarine S1 Wheel Pilot ....best product I added to the boat and the wife loves it
Navpod and Edson.....rebuilt the whole helm for comfort and nav equipment use....worth every penny
Garmin....my 182C works well
Electronic bilge pump switch......on my second year
Raritan PHII Head....take care of this head and it will take care of you
West Marine ablative paint...its made by pettit
Trojan 12 volt golf cart battery's
Progressive Dynamics battery charger
Harken winches
Sailor's Solution's Sensibulbs......great product

What doesn't work

Standard Horizon Intrepid+ VHF radio.....its been a problem since day one with my remote mic and its discontinued
WM Zodiac pvc inflattable......what a waste of money
Anchor Lift windlass....unfortanantly I had to use the same brand cause I had no time to rebuild/fabricate for another brand
Plexus plastic cleaner/polish......waste of money

 

[gettinthere]

+My Turbo Venturi works great for sucking the condensate out of the drip pan of my A/C. +My PSS shaft seal.

++No more water in the bilge

 

[rpwillia]

Part of my list

What works:
Standard Horizon Intrepid with remote - totally rock solid
Humminbird everything - work good and excellent support
Raymarine S1 Autopilot - really like mine
West Marine Bottom Paint - cheap and on the river it is excellent for years
Garhauer everything - great help when choosing too

What doesn't work so good
Cobra VHF - Never had one, but a friend does and its a POS

 

[MJWarner]

Works:
Strong Track main sail system. No more clawing down the sail. let go the halyard, turn around, and voila! It's down.
Speed Seal impeller cover. Makes changing impeller fast & easy.
West Marine. I shop for best price, They match it. I use their certificates I earn to get the price down on large purchases, combined with their sales. I've used their system to save a lot over the years.
Those puck LED lights that stick up and work on AAA batteries. Used them in the head instead of batterybank lights. Worked great, last forever. (well, at least 4 years so far)
Explorer charts for the Bahamas. Spot on.
Honda 2000 portable generator

Didn't:
Skipper Boob's ICW Anchoring book. Went aground in Fl 4 times using his anchoring spots.