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I went from two manual sea water flush toilets to VacuFlush using water from the tanks. We have had our vessel 13 years with this system. The longest run is about 20 feet of 1 1/2 hose for the bends and 1 1/2inch PVC for the straight runs, and never had a problem. We do need to replace the duck...

Had a hard time convincing the Admiral that this was more important than a trip around the world. At the yard I saw boats that required repairs that cost more than $100K. Even small sailboats that need costly upgrades that exceeded the value of the craft. Boaters are a generous bunch when it...

Yes, the yard finally decided that a fiberglass option was not the best and reinstalled a stainless steel tunnel. It meant boring out the entrance to the keel and installing a new stuffing box. All had to be fiberglassed in and aligned with the transmission. Quite elaborate and I could not have...

Ours is called Se la Vi, a Spanish, somewhat naughty, word play on the French C'est la Vie. We are often reminded by others that we misspelled the name. My wife is Latina and just laughs it off and those who understand Spanish get a chuckle out of it.

I was alerted by the marina that my alarm was going off. Found out it was the smoke from the wild fires that had blown into the Delta. It was a three hour round trip from home but at least I know the alarm works.

I actually never fixed it. I found out that the leak is higher up somewhere and I can fill the tank half way without a drip. Not the best solution but at least our boat does not list as much anymore. I kept the two part epoxy that is used for aircraft fuel tanks just in case.

BD good luck on your trip. With respect to oil filters, on our Perkins engine 6.354 I use a NAPA 1459 filter that has a check valve inside of it. That filter is also mounted upside down. Not sure if there is a filter like that for your engines but I have zero spills but for a few drops when I...

We pay $10. per foot per month in a covered, floating slip in the Sac Delta. Electricity is extra. Not bad when compared to the prices that many of you quote. I hope the owners of our marina do not read this.

The Aquatic Park harbor in San Francisco, close to Fisherman's Wharf, also prohibits engine powered vessels. I was told it is because of the exhaust pollution that motor vessels emit. But I see sailboats motor in all of the time and some use their outboard powered dinghies to go ashore. What gives??

As of yesterday, only essential travel is allowed between our two countries. So, if you can demonstrate that your travel is essential, you are OK, otherwise, you should/must stay put. Dirk

The PO of our 35 foot Fu Hwa trawler took her twice from San Francisco to the Sea of Cortez. He showed me some harrowing pictures of waves crashing up to the flybridge but he said the vessel handled very well. No risk of swamping either because of the many scuppers on either side. The other...

Funny that he mentioned that changing the duck bills is a filthy job. As a former plumber and a father of three kids, I have seen my share of poop in systems and thousands of diapers. If that is all it prevents folks from buying a VF, you have never been a loving father.

Welcome aboard. You have a lot of guts and are a role model for other women. Since the former owners are known, it would not hurt to get in contact with them. They know or should know all of the nooks and crannies of your vessel and may provide advice on certain maintenance issues. I was very...

I converted our two heads to VF over 10 years ago. They are both on a single pump system and I have had no problems at all except having to change out the duck bills every few years. Quite simple, actually. I don't get it when others on this forum say that the system is complicated. It is a lot...

Ours is a 1988 TT with a single Perkins. One of the steel tanks developed a leak which caused a lot of the diesel to empty out in the bilge. Mind you it must have been a very small hole or crack but I failed to discover the location of the leak as the diesel was seeping out. A minor panic, a big...

A cable news channel is reporting that there are 60,000 homeless folks living on the streets of Los Angeles. Their feces, urine and Lord knows what else are on a daily basis washed into the storm drains which empty out in the ocean. Imagine if a small city of 60,000 inhabitants wanted to dump...

OC, according to various websites, Leece Neville used to or is still manufacturing alternators for Balmar. I am a bit confused as I was contemplating getting a new Balmar charging kit for my boat. Can you elaborate? Thanks, Dirk

I am wondering the same. One of the side panels developed a small crack a month ago but has now reached the other side. Does anyone know how much a replacement may cost? Size is roughly 2 x 2 feet.

Instead of a hole saw I used a jig saw to cut the 6" hole. The SeaBuilt unit is a perfect solution and, if installed properly on a flat surface, it will be leak proof. BTW, I thought that my tanks were stainless steel but once I started cutting they turned out to be just regular steel.

If you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question. I was told by the broker that our boat is a 35' trawler and I have used that number every time I dock somewhere. I have never actually measured the real lengtht for the reason stated above, and no harbor master has ever questioned me...

I have bought Costco batteries and they are made by Interstate. Excellent experience and 40% less expensive than buying them at an Interstate store. You may have to shop around because not all Costco warehouses have them in stock but they will order for you. Their website provides good information.

Doesn't your engine come with a manual pump with which you can pump all of the oil out? I have the same Perkins engine in our trawler. The pump is located on the port side of the engine. And yes, it takes 10 quarts, the oil filter is a NAPA 1459. I have been using 30w DELO from Costco.

I built a contraption out of galvanized 3/4" pipe that is hinged on and extended from the swim platform. The kayak is 12' long, is out of the way and can be launched by lowering the rack into the drink. I got this idea from the folk that have their dinghy hinged to the platform. When under way...