Recent content by pgandw

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    Hanging fenders from rail post

    I put bumper strips on the dock, rather than worry about fenders on the boat. Very happy, spent about $80 to fit out slip for 19ft Carolina Skiff. Attwood corners for the dock corners, and several vertical strips on the dock pilings.
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    Tarps

    The Walmart boat cover ($70) is adequate, has lasted me 3 years so far. OK with it as a substitute for a $400+ fitted custom cover. But the Walmart is slowly stretching, probably only work another year or two.
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    Marinco solar vents-Junk?

    My 19ft sailboat had one previous owner installed in 2020. When I bought boat in 2022, fan would only run during the day when sun was shining. By 2023, it took bright sun. And in 2024 it died. I replaced with a passive vent that pulls air out when the wind crosses it. Works pretty good...
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    I forgot the name of a recommended E10 gas tank cleaner.

    Problems with E-10 seem to occur in particular places in the US, but certainly not everywhere. Problems seem to be more prevalent in very high humidity areas that have high condensation (and dew) when the temp drops below the dew point (happens frequently in Eastern NC, as my neighbors will...
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    Yams/Suzukis and Lithiums

    Correct for starting a high hp motor with a LiFePO. For preventing battery meltdowns and fires, any standard BMS will shut the battery down before damage to the battery or drawing excessive current (BMS controls maximum current out of or into an LiFePO battery). A "weaker" BMS is rated for...
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    Yams/Suzukis and Lithiums

    Actually, the BMS (Battery Management System) will prevent drawing more current out of the battery than the battery can handle. BMS for a 100AH LiFePO battery is typically rated at 50 amps, 100 amps on an upgraded model. Trying to draw more current than that causes the BMS to shut the battery...
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    Yams/Suzukis and Lithiums

    Charging fully off an outboard alternator depends on the programming of the regulator. You can get around this with a DC-DC charger that is designed to properly charge LiFePO batteries. Lithium batteries currently come in 2 different battery chemistries. Lithium-ion is more power dense, and...
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    Engine hours

    My 2022 Suzuki 115hp keeps the official hour count internally in it's computer. The dealer reads it out when I take it in for service. I keep my own log, which is usually high by about 10%-20% due to estimation rather than starting and stopping my stop watch on time.
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    Navionics

    Using Phone Link on my Windows computer, I am able to run the Boating app on my computer, which gives me a slightly larger screen to view things in (but will not go full screen). And have the mouse instead of my finger. Better than the phone, but not nearly up to par with the chart viewers...
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    Navionics

    It will be a fall/winter project. I renewed Navionics for 2 years at the old price, so my subscription runs through May 2025. Aqua Maps seems like the most promising - I don't want anything complex or expensive - I have a 19ft Carolina Skiff and a 19ft Stuart Mariner trailer cruiser sailboat...
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    Navionics

    Garmin is working very hard to chase away their small time customers. They have doubled chart subscription rates, and - as you noted - gotten rid of the chart planning tools from their web site (chart viewer and ability to import from said viewer). In other words, if you don't own a Garmin...
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    Coast Guard Requirements

    Expiration dates are on flares - and it's only 3 years in most cases. However, there is no approved disposal method for expired flares. Keep the expired ones along with replacements, tests showed 20 year old flares almost always worked. Although more expensive, a distress light lasts a lot...
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    Lanyard to disable engine when operator leaves the helm

    North Carolina law changed to require use of lanyard and kill switch if on plane (mirrors CG). Pretty sensible, but difficult to enforce. But it sure beats mandatory while trolling or getting ready to dock or motor sailing. For jet skis, use of the kill switch/lanyard is mandatory at all...
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    Water in the fuel

    It's a separate vent hose that feeds into the gas cap. That allows you to fill the tank with vent fully open, but the vent is mostly to totally closed when the cap is closed. Fred W
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    What To Get?

    For sailing, generally 18-20ft is about right for 2 for an overnight, and room for 4 in the cockpit. Anything bigger, and trailering and mast stepping and rigging gets to be a PITA every time you want to go sailing. Anything less, and stability for comfortable sailing becomes an issue. Fred W...
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