Plastic Classic Forum

A30_John

It appears to be a combination of aesthetics in the lid and seat, as well as their "duty." I'm not sure what makes one toilet seat more beautiful than the next, but if you tend to crash down hard on your toilet, the zenith might be the one for you. Here's an explanation from http://www.lav...

A30_John

It looks like they both are. http://www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk/lavac_zenith.htm http://www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk/lavac_popular.htm I've understood that the popular model is a reengineered "successor model." The popular is cheaper to make, hence the lower price. Due to its smaller ...

A30_John

Britton, if you go for the porcelin Lavac make sure you measure carefully. That model is bigger. I did the research on the Lavac and learned that the newer "popular" far outsells the classic model. I didn't find any information suggesting the older model was better or longer lasting. It so...

A30_John

During these days of 50+ degree weather, then three days later nearing zero with wind chill, I check my stands every couple of days. What I'm watching for is either the boat sinking into the ground during the rainy weather (thus causing the stands to push hard against the hull) or the ground freezin...

A30_John

Maybe if you can be the first to track down the owner, and you're the first to make an offer... perhaps you'll be able to buy it. Maybe instead of a martime law expert you need a private investigator! :-)

A30_John

Tim has a good suggestion there. You might want to consider paying a maritime law attorney for a legal opinion on the salvage issue. Another suggestion is find out what authority has control over the clean up of that area and ask them what rules are in place about going in there and securing the boa...

A30_John

I have a Suzuki 6 hp 4-stroke long shaft engine that I used on my previous 18' swing keel sailboat. It was a good engine for that boat, but it had more power than needed - it would probably be a good engine for the Islander. It's fuel efficient and reasonably quiet. It also has a 6 amp charger that ...

A30_John

I am replacing my basic battery switch this year as it was the partially the blame for frying my handheld GPS this past year.

How so?

A30_John

...they will provide an upgrade which I have to purchase. "BUMMER" So when you you looking for charting software, buyer beware, check what charts are included. Does anyone have any experience with the Raymarine RC400 Portable GPS Charplotter? I'm thinking of replacing my Garmin with this ...

A30_John

Well, I have to jump in here: I believe it depends on the boat. Certainly. On this thread, I think the boat in question was a Hughes 25, and the PO already had the lines at the mast. But of course, if a person has a boat of such a size or design that he/she can't manouver safely on the foredeck for...

A30_John

I'm with Tim and Charlie - halyards at the mast - for all the same reasons. Many people lead halyards to the cockpit because they consider it a safety issue - stay in the cockpit where it is "safe." I also consider it a safety issue, but for me the issue is to be able to safely work on dec...

A30_John

I have successfully used the free downloadable charts with Memory Map Navigator, the PC part of the system, but have not transferred them to the handheld yet. It can also be used with Mapopolis in any vehicle for those trips ashore. Allen, I'll be interested to hear how the charts work in your hand...

A30_John

That being said....I hate being screwed for the costs of the charts. Especially now that the digital charts are FREE from NOAA. I'd look for something that uses the NOAA charts and am crossing my fingers that someone will create a program to convert NOAA charts to a Garmin format (not likely....but...

A30_John

Lucky you... my neighbor has a Rival and she took me for a sail on it a couple of years ago. Beautiful boats. I'm looking forward to hearing more about them on this forum.

A30_John

I had a steel boat once that used cork tiles on the ceiling to reduce condensation. The cork was put on with some kind of adhesive, then varnished. It looked good and didn't take up much headroom.

A30_John

Tim, I see from a visit to the daysailor site that the daysailor is under contract. Congratulations!

A30_John

Thanks for the Lavac info. Mine will be a seawater installation. I'm looking foward to seeing if this system will fit in my boat.

A30_John

At the end of the cruise, or when nessacary I just throw the contents of the sealed bucket in the trash. In terms of environmental impact, that might be worse than just emptying the bucket over the side. In a similar vein, I've used "Wag Bags" which are approved for landfill disposal: htt...

A30_John

Here's a link to Ben Ellison's weblog on marine electronics. Ben is a freelance sailing writer in Maine. He is constantly testing, and writing about, state of the art marine electronic gear. http://www.panbo.com/ He is currently researching "AIS radar" which is a promising new transponder ...

A30_John

I thought that the Dutchman system was supposed to be the perfect thing, but after I sailed from St. Maartin to Ft. Lauderdale with a dutchman rigged main, I was unimpressed.

Why? What did it or didn't it do for you?

A30_John

After you turn the house inside-out, you might find it outside - on the grass - with the sprinkler running - rusting

No rust if you get the Super Sabre! :-D

A30_John

Bring two and mesmerize a few deer while you're lighting up that dark path. Also, the fact that they make great clubs satisifies my inner-Neanderthal.

Do you mesmerize the deer with one flashlight, and then club it with the other? ;-)

A30_John

My flashlight of choice is the Pelican Super Sabre Lite. It's very tough, waterproof, and gives out great light. The only requirement it doesn't meet on your list is it's not "one hand operable." The light is turned on and off by twisting the head of the flashlight. To me this means no swi...

A30_John

Hope that little cutter made it safetly off the beach...

It did. The wind calmed down at high tide, they attached a long line to another mooring and pulled 'er off no worse for wear. They were very lucky.

On Saturday we were rewarded with the best sailing day of the season.

A30_John

For example, today's forecast is for south winds 25-35 knots with gusts to 45-55--and it's only September 29. I sure am glad the boat's not bouncing on the mooring now! We're getting the full force of that wind here today. I just checked my boat and she seems to be riding it out ok. However, if the...

A30_John

Tim, thanks for the discussion on coupling maintenance. I've made a similar vow to myself regarding stuffing box maintenance, but I never thought about doing what you've done with the shaft coupling. Mind you, I have looked at the rust on the coupling and thought it could benefit from a coat of pain...

A30_John

What was this thread about again?... It's about the Stimson shed (and all the things you can do with your boat once it's in the Stimson shed)! Thanks for the wiring tips, Tim. I've printed out your post, and I'll be referring to it frequently. And, thanks for the tip on 12 gauge wire. I was hoping ...

A30_John

Britton, I'm rewiring my boat too. Maybe we can compare notes. In preparation, I've been busy studying the ins and outs of how to build an electrical system. I bought Charlie Wing's boat wiring book. Any other references to good practical sources of information, examples on Web, etc. would be very h...

A30_John

... it's the last cruise of the season! The final photo of my final overnight cruise this season...

(I don't think I can bring myself to paint over the teak.)

A30_John

That's strange...I've never had a problem at all. In fact, this season I never even had to clean my internal strainer. Same here. And, I've motored through some serious weed piles this year. I wonder if this problem (or the lack of it) has anything to do with the location of the seawater intake on ...

A30_John

Britton, congrats on finding a yard!

I'm interested to see what you do re: shed with a 12' width.

What will your first project be?

A30_John

I'm curious about the extra framework you built to give your ridgepole tarp more clearance on the sides. How was that set up? Basically, I stood 2 x 4s on edge and put them up against the side of the boat. I used nylon cable ties to fasten them to the stanchion bases. Then I built a pitched roof su...

A30_John

That is a beautiful finish on the Mimi Rose... why it almost looks like fiberglass!

Thanks for the reference to a wooden boat without the brightwork outside. Did they use varnish in the inside? Or use 100% paint?

A30_John

Britton, Last winter I used the ridgepole solution and also built a framework along the sides to keep the tarp off the awlgrip. My ladder went up under the tarp. The space between the tarp and boat created by the framework allowed for good ventilation and clearance when working on the boat. Also, To...

A30_John

Thanks for the advice. I have a couple of old pieces of junk teak laying around here, and I'm going to experiment a little before deciding what to do. It sure would be nice to know how long the paint would last. I was estimating 3-4 years between paint jobs and someone knowledgable of the A30 told m...

A30_John

Britton, Whatever building you choose, I'd suggest putting some tarps down on the floor to act as a vapor barrier and covering them with plywood or something. I think you'd regret not having the vapor barrier. Keep us posted on your building. I'm wondering what I'm going to do for shelter this winter.

A30_John

Noah, this suggestion was made by a couple of others as well, and it makes a lot of sense. Two questions:

1) Is one coat of underlying varnish enough?

2) Will its adhesion to the wood be as good as paint on the bare wood? I'm wondering how tough it will prove to be over time.

Thanks.

A30_John

Good advice, thanks Tom. At this point my only hesitation about painting the teak stems from the irreversability of the process. For all practical purposes, once it's painted it will stay painted. It's a tough decision to make. That's why if I do it, it needs to be done nicely. Color selection is ke...

A30_John

Here is the Web site of the restoration of a 41' Rhodes Reliant. The boat was completed this summer by French and Webb boatbuilders in Belfast, Maine. They did a beautiful job. The commentary on the site is lacking, but there are some great photos showing the various stages of the refit. http://www....

A30_John

Mmm, taping off, 2-3 coats, 1+ days' time each Spring... and that's just the toe rails. From an aesthetic point of view... what's the feeling out there about using paint? Color recommendations to ease the pain of it all? One forum member who shall remain anonymous thought a buff colored paint might ...

A30_John

Your little ship surely has a guardian angel...

A coat of Awlgrip, and you'll be back in action!

A30_John

I have no idea how many coats were on there... it's what was there when I bought the boat. It was in good condition when the boat was launched this Spring. I was shocked to see how fast it deteriorated. Mmm... 2-3 coats of varnish every Spring?!! Egads! I salute the woodenboat folks who bright finis...

A30_John

The teak toerails, hatch covers, and coamings on my boat are currently varnished. After one season in the sun, the varnish is faded and peeling. Bare wood is starting to show in places. I love the look of varnish, but I have no interest in applying multiple coats of the stuff every year. I'm conside...

A30_John

Ouch.

A30_John

They certainly seem to have perfected the art of building boats to fine tolerances. But, given how cold the water can get in some areas, it sure seems dicey.

A30_John

I stumbled on this site today:

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/Fiberglass_Boats.htm

I'm curious to know how widespread the use of putty-based composites is, and whether they have been used on any larger sailboats. Has anyone on the list worked on or surveyed a boat made with these composites?

A30_John

Very nice indeed! :-D

A30_John

She's a beauty!

A30_John

Congratulations Tim, you've done a wonderful job. Let me know if you need crew for sea trials! :-D

A30_John

Nicely put, Rachel. I'm going to seriously consider a battenless main for offshore work when the time comes. In the meantime, it sounds like a coin toss as to taking some of the roach off my current main. I might keep it the way it is a little longer because once the deed is done... well, it's done!...

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Daysailor under contract

Good Blog on Marine Electronics

Cruising is really rough when...

Restoration of a 41' Rhodes Reliant

Painting Teak Toerails

Putty Boats