Search found 240 matches
- Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:46 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Why?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3850
Re: Why?
It's sad isn't it... This site helped me solve so many problems along the way. I'm always on the lookout for new posts, but haven't seen anything noteworthy of late. I still use the site as a reference because there is a ton of good info in the threads and will post if I have specific questions, bu...
- Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:46 am
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: A Couple of New....
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3786
Re: A Couple of New....
Finished a few more articles, some of them rather eye opening.... The Hall of Fail http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/hall_of_fail SmartPlug vs. 1938 http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_smart_plug Chart Plotter Mount For Edson Pedestals http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/plotter_mount_ed...
- Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:37 pm
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Main Sail's butyl tape
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3554
Re: Main Sail's butyl tape
My manufacturer guarantees me 1 year shelf life but in many years of testing Bed-It tape I have not been able to determine any marked changes over time. Store in a cool dry place and keep it in the bag and you should easily still be able to work it at 5+ years.. No need to stretch unless you need it...
- Tue Dec 24, 2013 10:37 am
- Forum: Ramblings
- Topic: New Members Awaiting Approval
- Replies: 0
- Views: 7863
New Members Awaiting Approval
Perhaps the reason this place has been so quiet lately is that new members are not getting registrations processed in a timely manner..? Should this not be automated? Some new blood might help, if we could get them in to contribute.... This: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/1243314-post11.html And this...
- Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:33 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: A Couple of New....
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3786
A Couple of New....
I know there has been some rumblings about content. I would cross post my articles here but they have lots of code that takes lots of time to edit back to standard text. When I do it for another site I promise to cross post here. For anyone interested these are my latest... Terminating Small Wires h...
- Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:10 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Monitoring Battery Temperature
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2562
Re: Monitoring Battery Temperature
The vast majority of battery monitors I come across on boats, like 98%, are horribly programed and due to this they are also horribly inaccurate. Temp monitoring for the battery monitor is the least of the worries. Most batteries on most sailboats are at or near ambient temp or closer to sea water t...
- Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:50 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Battery Cables
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2872
Re: Battery Cables
Thanks Dennis this helps a lot. I suppose that its best to use 2/0 cable size even though its a bear to work with. I don't have a lot of room and the batteries are located forward under the v-berth. The longest runs are the ground from the battery to the engine block at approximately 14 feet and fr...
- Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:38 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Battery Cables
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2872
Re: Battery Cables
Has anyone in this forum had any experience making up battery cables with welding cable instead of 2/0 marine cable? It sounds like it may be more flexible and easier to run and it may be cheaper. The wire in welding cable is fine and flexible and very similar to UL1426 marine stranding. The jacket...
- Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:12 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: Restoring seized seacock
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2963
Re: Restoring seized seacock
The Spartan handles fit many of the older WC's.. Paul at Spartan Bronze can ship you one..Tallystick wrote:Nice article. Sadly I'm missing the bronze handle for my seacock. Gotta keep an eye out for one of those.
- Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:37 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: Restoring seized seacock
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2963
Re: Restoring seized seacock
This will go over all the finer points of maintaining a tapered cone seacock..
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/tape ... e_seacocks
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/tape ... e_seacocks
- Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:36 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Shore power.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 7108
Re: Shore power.
Hello Larry, thanks for your offer of help. Unfortunately, I'm of the opinion the BlueSeas product is physically too large for my requirement - I shall likely be using a NewMar product . . . thanks anyway, much appreciated. They are all about the same size. The Blue Sea and Newmar switches are made...
- Sun Jan 01, 2012 4:19 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Shore power.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 7108
Re: Shore power.
Thanks again Maine Sail for your input. I accept your advice as well. Luckily, the cable run from each inlet receptacle to the panel is much less than 10 feet - ei: Stbd. = 7ft. while Port = 5ft. - - - Does this mean I'm safe with a single main breaker - or, is the second one mandatory? So if I'm f...
- Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:27 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Shore power.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 7108
Re: Shore power.
On the subject of the dual ac receptacles: As I see it, a power supply cable is attached to each and then brought to the selector switch - Port/Off/Stbd. Yes.. UNLESS the wire length from the inlet to your main breaker is longer than 10 WIRE feet. If longer than 10 feet you need an additional main ...
- Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:38 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Shore power.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 7108
Re: Shore power.
Hello again Dick, Thanks for the link, these are looking closer to what I previously saw "somewhere" and I might pursue these if something else doesn't show up. Maine Sail, thanks also for your link. I like the prices but I always get worried about quality when something appears so much c...
- Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:46 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Shore power.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 7108
Re: Shore power.
Guys,
Sterling Power has these switches for under $30.00 !!!!
http://sterling-power-usa.com/manualcro ... power.aspx
Sterling Power has these switches for under $30.00 !!!!
http://sterling-power-usa.com/manualcro ... power.aspx
- Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:18 pm
- Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
- Topic: Stainless Rigging 302/304 vs 316
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3953
Re: Stainless Rigging 302/304 vs 316
There are very few extruders of marine wire left these days. The best stuff comes out of Korea and is most often 316 SS. This is what most good rigging shops are using these days. Loos is now out, or actively getting out, of the wire business and that leaves an open door for suspect Chinese SS. If b...
- Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:06 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: cutless bearing tolerence
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1273
Re: cutless bearing tolerence
That is a quite a bit of movement. The rubber on most bearings on sailboats is barely 1/8" thick and you say you can move your shaft that much? Ideally there should be no side to side or up / down slop. It should fit snug.
- Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:24 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Makrolon?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1482
Re: Makrolon?
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x105/CD28Tantalus/AnchorCocktailCove.jpg I didn't realize acrylics were in vogue. Nor did I know polycarbonate was more flexible that other materials, great detail to know. But yeah, this is going on a late 1970s Bomar with two support beams to lend support to the...
- Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:29 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Makrolon?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1482
Re: Makrolon?
In theory acrylics have come a long way structurally. Some hatch manufacturers and repair companies claim it is the choice of material now. I am still skeptical. Most hatch manufacturers, Lewmar, Hood, Atkins & Hoyle, Manship, Goiot and many Bomars use cast acrylic. Bomar is one of the few make...
- Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:34 pm
- Forum: Tools and Techniques
- Topic: Car battery arc welder
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2530
Re: Car battery arc welder
Now you know why battery bank fuses are so important...
- Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:40 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Solar Panel Blocking Diode not Working?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1123
Re: Solar Panel Blocking Diode not Working?
Your phantom loads, stereo memory, LPG sniffer, bilge pump etc. etc. could be more than what the solar panel can even keep up with let alone charge. In hot weather that panel will hardly keep up with the self discharge let alone put any charge into the bank.. Does the panel have a charge controller?...
- Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:50 pm
- Forum: Ramblings
- Topic: How to "draw" on photos and diagrams?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4416
Re: How to "draw" on photos and diagrams?
I use MS Paint, all PC's have it, though I am not very good at it. This was my latest..
I also use MS Paint for drawing on photos..
I also use MS Paint for drawing on photos..
- Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:15 pm
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Butyl tape source
- Replies: 36
- Views: 15165
Re: Butyl tape source
Maine Sail, This is interesting; could I ask a few questions? Sure.. What brand/manufacturer is it that you sell? (I'm going to guess Tremco.) Tremco's current tapes are denser than the stuff that builders used to use and tougher to compress under a fitting. Through many months and hundreds of phon...
- Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:37 pm
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Butyl tape source
- Replies: 36
- Views: 15165
Re: Butyl tape source
Hmmm, I feel like I am interupting here but I just want report back the outcome of my order... As mentioned I ordered Heng's 5828 1/8"x1/2"x30' trimmable butyl tape from MakariosRV.com before I had a chance to read MaineSail's cautionary post here and the back and forth ensued. I called M...
- Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:52 pm
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Butyl tape source
- Replies: 36
- Views: 15165
Re: Butyl tape source
Rachael, You took the words right out of my mouth. I saw Maine Sail's post right after I placed my order with MakariosRV . So, it was a D'oh moment when I saw Maine Sail's post. I had to scramble to tell them not to ship the order before I can resolve to understand the difference. BTW, MakariosRV d...
- Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:59 pm
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Butyl tape source
- Replies: 36
- Views: 15165
Re: Butyl tape source
BTW, what's the difference between glazing tape and butyl tape? Thanks! There are vast differences in butyl tape. Some you buy on the net is not even butyl at all but rather a water soluble putty tape. I have had three or four customer send me a rolls they bought advertised as "butyl" tha...
- Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:26 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Block brand advice
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1612
Re: Block brand advice
You can't beat Garhauer for value and quality. Never had anything Garhauer fail and if it does they'd simply replace it..
- Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:24 pm
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Dodger Costs?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5374
Re: Dodger Costs?
Hood does EXCELLENT work and with canvas you do get what you pay for. Plus he's part of the Hood family and boating is in his blood. Really good guy to boot. $3000.00 is very fair for one of his dodgers.
- Fri Jul 08, 2011 5:32 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1772
Re: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?
With in-boards most of us don't have that luxury... Don't those rubber donuts you can put in your driveline (flex coupling) isolate them electrically as well as reducing jarring when you shift from forward to reverse or vice-versa? If you're in salt water your engine is still "connected" ...
- Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:48 pm
- Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
- Topic: Sizing Solar Panel and Battery
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2731
Re: Sizing Solar Panel and Battery
What you take out requires slightly more to go back in. It is on order of about 110% - 125% of what you used that needs to be put back in in terms of energy. Also, the last 10% of charge takes the longest due to acceptance tapering.. A 50W panel should be decent but you'll also want a good charge co...
- Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:19 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1772
Re: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?
An isolated ground system is fine and in many ways simpler and more reliable from a corrosion standpoint because you can lift your motor. With in-boards most of us don't have that luxury...
- Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:51 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: electrical upgrade
- Replies: 36
- Views: 8833
Re: electrical upgrade
House battery. Will be 4 in parallel. So I need a deep cycle in a group 24 box. Any ideas? This is kind of why I went off to the 6 volts that fit in the GR24 box. Those were disappointing. Ric, If you thought four 6V batteries were disappointing then you'll likely be very disappointed with four gro...
- Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:50 am
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: bolt lube
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2328
Re: bolt lube
I have used everything over the years and always have Duralac, Lancote, Blue Loctite and Tef-Gel on hand. By a rather wide margin I choose Tef-Gel now days for isolating dissimilar metals. I have found noting that works as well or lasts as long. A little bit goes a long way. If the bolts are subject...
- Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:19 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Fuses right out of the Battery?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1877
Re: Fuses right out of the Battery?
The reason ABYC does not recommend a fuse in this line is because it would not work. The amps needed to crank an outboard would blow the fuse. Don't ask me how I know this. ;) This is simply not the case. If the wire is sized properly and the fuse sized to protect the wire within its ampacity limit...
- Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:45 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: stained stainless
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2670
Re: stained stainless
There are only two acids that will actually passivated SS, Nitric, which you can't easily get, or citric acid. Please be careful with strong acids like muriatic, oxalic etc. as they can leave a dull finish on the SS that will tarnish/rust significantly faster than if you use a passivating acid like ...
- Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:09 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: What adhesive for this?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2393
Re: What adhesive for this?
The reason I would glass them is to prevent moisture ingress to the wood and the eventual rot. Bilges tend to rot wood, and make it soft & punky. I replaced two backing blocks this week just ten years old and made with "marine" plywood. They were rotted, soft and punky in just ten year...
- Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:14 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: What adhesive for this?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2393
Re: What adhesive for this?
Personally I would glass them in like any stringer with either epoxy, polyester or vinylester. Coat the limber holes so they don't absorb bilge water and you should be good to go. I'm sure Tim would have the best advice when it comes to glass work..
- Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:46 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1506
Re: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery
I was expecting an answer today on the max starter draw from Beta but as yet I haven't heard back from them. The only information in the owners manual lists the starters output as 1.2 kw. I don't tend to think of starters in terms of output but then the Brits speak a bit differently than me. If thi...
- Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:21 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1506
Re: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery
I generally size my battery cables at 100% of the maximum peak draw of the starter motor and for a 2% voltage drop. While this in only a short duration in-rush it seems to make big differences in the way motors start. The ABYC is quite absent on starter motor sizing but in conversations with John Ad...
- Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:09 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: LED INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1696
Re: LED INTERIOR LIGHTING
I did some exhaustive research into this about two years ago and wound up at Sensibulbs. While expensive you tend to get what you pay for. I needed lights that hit the WAF (wife acceptance factor). Since then some strides have been made and they are getting better and better every month it seems. La...
- Tue Mar 01, 2011 12:09 am
- Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
- Topic: Anybody have experience with Reedville Propeller Company?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1228
Re: Anybody have experience with Reedville Propeller Company?
I recall Main Sail recommended Walter's Machine and Buck Algonquin... Buck Algonquin and Walter Machine Co. are just two manufacturers of flanges. Rust needs a good shafting shop to do a fit & face. Don't know much about the one he mentioned. http://waltergear.com/ http://www.buckalgonquin.com/...
- Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:43 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2668
Re: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
Whoever made that video obviously sells that stuff. Well, I made that video and I have nothing at all to do with selling that stuff at all. I just repair it and have seen shafting failures quite often when DIY's and even some "pro's" try to re-use a coupling. The key and set screws are no...
- Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:13 am
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2668
Re: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
One of the guys at the Wooden Boat Forum also recommended a split coupling. What's the advantage? The split coupling is: 1- More secure and offers less chance for damage to the shaft & key. A loose coupling can shear a shaft just like a loose prop can. 2- Is usually easier to remove as there is...
- Sun Feb 27, 2011 9:25 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2668
Re: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
Straight couplings are and should always be a light press fit. If they just slide on this a bad situation waiting to happen.. A previously rusted coupling will almost never have the proper fit when re-installed. I think I have seen all of about two that were able to be re-used safely over the last 2...
- Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:14 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Double tapered shaft?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 776
Re: Double tapered shaft?
Double tapers are very nice and certianly an upgrade from a standard straight coupling. Sabre/Back Cove among other high end builders often use double tapers. You do however need ROOM between the gear box and the stuffing box in order to properly install the coupling if your space is tight go with a...
Re: A new toy
Knabe's are very nice, my sister has an upright that sounds amazing, was my grandmothers.... They don't make them like that anymore...Quetzalsailor wrote:A 1919 Knabe 6'-4" grand with an original Ampico player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvB-UeKkqDU
I've wanted one of these since I was about 14.
- Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:53 pm
- Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
- Topic: Pulling and replacing a cutlass bearing in a stern tube
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3114
Re: Pulling and replacing a cutlass bearing in a stern tube
I really hate to even mention this method but if you're VERY good with a Sawzall and a fine tooth metal cutting blade you can chisel away the rubber along the bottom of the bearing, so you can see metal, then use the Sawzall carefully & slowly with the rudder turned out of the way to cut 98% of ...
- Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:38 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Batteries-Flooded vs AGM and Gel
- Replies: 4
- Views: 897
Re: Batteries-Flooded vs AGM and Gel
My observations and experiences over the last few years have led me to some thoughts on AGM's and how the purchasing decisions are made. I see a lot of folks buy them based on either misguided advice or just for the wrong reasons based on how they use the boat or how they charge the bank. AGM's have...
- Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:55 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: constructing a mooring
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1136
Re: constructing a mooring
Here's the image Tim was linking to: Image Courtesy Hamilton Marine http://www.hamiltonmarine.com/750w/0125.jpg At roughly 90 pounds per cubic foot, out of the water, cement loses a lot of weight in the water.. When you submerge cement the calculation for weight changes, and the multiplier is .55. S...
- Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:23 pm
- Forum: Questions and Answers
- Topic: Auto Alternator ?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1473
Re: Auto Alternator ?
Maine Sail, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity with your time and knowledge. This information is invaluable and is exactly what I have been wondering all these years! No, more than what I was hoping to learn. One quick question, if I were to buy a used alternator as a back-up what typica...