There are large solar arrays on many of the cruising yachts we meet these days. A combination of high efficiency monocrystal panels and MPPT controllers makes it feasible to get most, if not all, of your systems power from the sun. Of course mounting space is always an issue.
These folks were docked next to us […]
A couple of notes from the FPB 64s.
Pete Rossin (FPB 64-3) has a detailed look at his navigation station on the Iron Lady website. You can see lots of photos and read Pete’s comments on how he is using this gear by clicking here.
Osprey (FPB 64-4) has safely crossed what many consider the most dangerous […]
The inlet for Saint Augustine, Florida has a well deserved negative reputation. Shallow, shifting sandbars, lots of current, and occasional strong onshore winds can make for a wicked brew. The detail on the entrance above, or rather lack thereof, is an obvious caution indicator.
We are now in the habit of checking new destinations with Google […]
A couple of years ago we fitted these vacuum gauges to our Racor air cleaners on our little diesels. They give an indication when it is time to clean or change the air intake filters.
It has been 1200 hours since we cleaned these. The vacuum gauges were not showing much of a pressure drop, but […]
One of the true joys of cruising is finding the odd gem of an establishment. In the case of Cocoa, Florida, this takes the form of an ancinet and wonderful hardware store, perhaps the most wondrous we have visited. S.F. Tarvis dates back to 1865, when an itenerant merchant, who traded the Florida waters in […]
We have discussed the merits and demerits of wet and dry exhausts in the past. After much study, and dialog with commercial and pleasure users, we opted for a wet system on Wind Horse and saw no reason to change with the FPB 64s. Recently we were challenged on this subject, and after answering, challenged again, […]
If you carry an outboard larger than two horsepower some thought it going to have to be given to getting it on and off the dinghy. We have always used the spinnaker halyard for this where we were not carrying the outboard already mounted. But a davit or boom mounted on the radar arch (or […]
There are many ways to build a good spinnaker sock, and this one has an interesting rigging detail on the control lines. Check out the red and green colors, so you can easily determine which is the port and starboard side.
Barcelona’s Port Olimpico is home to many small and medium sized sailboats, all of whom spend their lives Med moored. Almost universally they have simple, light, and inexpensive passeral systems. The one above is our favorite.
It is a ladder with plywood screwed to the rails and rungs, and occasional anti skid strips.
Next favorite, mooring close […]
Water pump impellers, such as those on the engine or genset, are typically reliable. But they do wear, and old age takes its toll. Todd Rickard recently dug up a pdf file on inspection which is quite interesting.
To download this pdf click here.
