Recent content by jwnall

I hardly ever check the Trawler Forum any more these days, since I sold my boat. But since two people whom I admire tremendously (Peggie Hall and Janet H) are having a discussion, I just want to put my two-cents in for what it is worth. During my time as a moderator, I found that the focused...

Well, after about 55 years of boating with sailboats and trawlers, I guess I am finally out of boating. Got rid of my trawler, which I was no longer using and which needed more maintenance than I am capable of providing at this point in life. The happiest of those 55 years, I suppose, were the...

I won't try to give you any advice, since there are many others on here who are much more qualified to do so, and will gladly share their expertise. I will say, however, that I made the same decision, back in 2012. Sold my Allied Mistress 39 ketch and went to a trawler. For the reasons you...

I'm thinking of removing the old, bedraggled Sea Dek which is on my boat now and painting the deck with Tuff Coat Marine Paint. Anyone have any experience with this product? The ad's look good, but then ad's always do. John

Can you give me a hint for locating it? I looked, but didn't see anything which fits that description. Not a problem. Our living room fits that perfectly. John

Ordered some from Rochford. Good price. And found a "slightly used" Sailrite Ultralight LS-1 for sale locally for $200. So bought it. No electrical cord, but looks almost new. Lady said that it had only been used for less than 5 hours. But she didn't tell me the story behind it, although I...

Thanks. And yes, I agree too. Start small to get the feel for the machine. And I would assume you meant Rochford Supply???? John

After a lot of looking and thinking, I've decided that my wife and I are going to try and make a replacement Bimini top ourselves. Don (Bacchus) convinced me that it is something which is possible, even for a couple of novices, and I already have an old Sailrite which we had on the sailboat...

Well, I did my looping many years ago (1995 to 1999, to be exact), and now just enjoy being a river rat. No bridges, no locks, no intricate patterns of crab craps to thread through. :- ) But thanks for the comment, since it may be advice that someone else would be grateful for. John

Hmm. It does indeed say that they offer canvas service. So I fired off an email to them this morning to see if that service is still available. Good sleuthing!! John

My boat is at Shields Marina, and they do not have any sort of canvas facility there, nor is it mentioned on their website. I sure wish they did -- it would be very convenient! :-) But your comment does give me an idea -- I will ask the guys there if they know anyone in the area. So thanks.

My canvas Bimini top is getting to the point where it needs to be put into well deserved retirement. I was thinking about getting a new one, but then someone suggested that I might want to try a hard top, such as offered by hardtotop.com I looked at their website, and it looks interesting...

Thanks for all the advice and comments. Actually, I do have a Sailrite, which I bought about 10 years ago thinking that I could learn to use it and do all sorts of neat things for the boat. Well, I am of the opinion that there are some people who just cannot use a sewing machine, and I am in...

Hmm. Well, all that sounds a bit discouraging. No way to get the boat in to a shop, and I don't much think that getting someone to come to the boat is feasible. We are too much out in the boondocks. Maybe I should just look into replacing the Bimini with a hard top. I'm going to do some...

Thanks. I'll make a note of that, but hopefully someone will come up with a recommendation closer to home. Seems as if there should be places like that in Florida. In fact I feel sure I can find a place, but finding a place on the Internet and having someone personally recommend a place are...