Recent content by Capt Ray

Here was my choice for a similar vessel. New Lewmar V3 Windlass AND Secured for the “big blow” & windlass project update. This third post discusses my observations about GYPSY model and CHAIN size. Related. Project Day Good luck... If there is NO windlass now on your boat, the size and...

+1 for "Yes always on, but only if you have an intelligent charger with the common 3-stage feature." These days the solar controllers have the same feature built in as do many DC-DC chargers for charging between banks of different chemistries (whose voltages at each stage is DIFFERENT! So, the...

+1 Peter Ricks at Novamar

Here is the intended link:

The two AIS frequencies are 161.975 (channel 87B) and 162.025 (channel 88B). Both are within close proximity to the rest of the +/- 4 dozen marine VHF channels (161.975 - 162.025). So the standing wave ratio (SWR) is predictably LOW across this whole spectrum for all marine VHF...

Here are 3 links to some innovative s/s hardware by a unique canvas shop up in Rockland Maine. The first two links are from the vendor's website. The 3rd link is from MY blog to show you how I applied their hardware for my rigid solar panels. https://www.geminiproducts.net/...

Our Mainship 390 simply has a plastic thru-hull fitting in the bottom of the anchor locker with a [heavy duty] hose going to a thru-hull fitting about 18" above the waterline at the bow. SO, when hosing down the decks we can stick the hose into the locker and just let 'er rip, to flush things...

I watched a fellow re-floor a trawler floor / sole about a year ago. He gave me a small piece of scrap stock and this is what I wrote on the back: 1/2" plywood Teak & Holly sole. $320 for a 4x8 ft sheet plus shipping from Chicago." The fellow doing the work did not know the vendor name from...

I'm going to take a different approach for MY answer to this one... no flaming please ... for my "alternative" advice! I have a 2000 Mainship 390 single screw with bow thruster. RH prop... so it will pull a bit to port when in reverse especially I goose it a little when docking port side...

Four thoughts for you: 1) I've often thought that I would install a tertiary (third) fuel filter IF I ever had problems... Racor 30 micron > Racor 10 micron > to my CAT 3126's engine-mounted 2 micron. 2) I've often thought of installing one or two of these fuel polishing units...

We full time liveaboard our Mainship 390. I have often thought of getting a "TALL Directors Chair" for this purpose. I googled the above string of text and lots of tall folding chairs came up. This is the one we would buy if needed...

I participate in 3 online forums: This one, MTOA, and AGLCA. I recommend joining AGLCA even if you do not plan to do the Great Loop... and attend one or two in-person "Rendezvous" events where they have "Trawler Crawls" ... fellow cruisers welcome attendees aboard for tours and talk about...

My dad always used to say, "It was put there to make you ask questions." The nuns in elementary school used to say, "Master Raymond, it is a Mystery," when I would ask them a question they had no clew as to the answer! If I had to wager a guess, and if there is one on both sides, I'd say it is...

Best to "spread it around" ... I have more than one go-to. Defender came through for me with a new head from stock, an anchor and chain from stock... it was worth the trip across on the ferry from Long Island to save on shipping the anchor and chain. They also have a large selection of RIBs...

Lots of good answers to this one! I'll add my thinking to the mix... You wrote "... running to a safe port..." Generally I like to be in a protected harbor, and I don't like "getting caught with my pants down", weather-wise. These are the questions that I would ask before doing anything...