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We're here in the Bahamas, and I have asked a number of cruisers about their Starlink. Everyone has said they have the RV plan and don't use it while moving. One person said they used it while moving and got kicked off the plan. So they reinstated and simply don't use it while underway...

We just went from the coast of Maine to West Palm, through the ICW from Virginia down. We have twin Cats, and we have both bow and stern thrusters. Some of the marinas that we were in are very tight. Couple that with a nice side breeze. Or no one at the dock to catch a line. Or, or.... When...

We have a Splendide in the main, aft berth. There are plywood L brackets holding it in place on the sides and back. Its heavy, but I was able to lift/drag it out to run my lines for the watermaker behind it. Seems like it should come out somehow so it can be plugged in. As for winterizing, I...

Always find my typos after I submit. The "found" panels should be "four" panels.

Here is a picture of during our install. Other pictures are even less flattering of us. Underneath the roof, I have large fender washers on each bolt. We installed four panels, two each in series. The four wires (plus ground) are then routed down through the middle cross brace that runs...

All good advice so far. I installed 52 panels on our barn three years ago, and all still working. This spring, we installed four panels on the boat. Two charge controllers (Victron) for amp limitations. The controllers are mounted in the ER, close to the batteries. The bluetooth connection...

Also, please feel free to PM me with questions. I have ripped out lots of wires, tracked down traces and runs, scratched my head in awe as to why in the world they did this, etc. One nice thing we found this fall when replacing the cutlass bearings, the OD of the forward bearings are smaller...

Our 1988 Californian 48 CPMY has a plaque in the same location. JB1188

Our boat is not light, but lots of windage like yours. We installed both bow and stern thrusters on our boat. Best investment we ever did, pure and simple. Not only do we like them, but when I come into a marina with a tight slip and dockhands want us to back in, they like to hear those...

Just remember that the inverter has to handle not only the running amps/watts of the fridge but also the in-rush current at the start of the cycle. Good inverters can (which includes Victron). Off-brands, who knows?

You have to remember your location. Having previously lived in Alaska with the numerous mountains, valleys, and terrain that wanders this way and that, weather can change rapidly simply by a small shift in wind direction. I was once in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska waiting to give a presentation on...

As for vendor, I installed 53 panels on our barn, and found the Alt-e store to be very helpful in pre- and post-sales. I had one bad panel, and they worked with me on testing and getting a replacement. They are located in Massachusetts, so I could drive my pickup/trailer down to get everything...

I am remiss in not thanking everyone for their thoughts. I am in the midst of installing a water maker before launch. When I said to the Admiral maybe we want just two burners, she scoffed and rolled her eyes. To her (and lucky me), all trips and vacations are partly evaluated on the quality...

Although you can run the fridge off a good inverter, keep in mind that small 110 volt motors (less than 1 hp) are terribly inefficient. If you really want to lower the power consumption, get a dual voltage fridge. They typically have a 12 or 24-volt compressor (much more efficient) and a...

We're looking at various induction cooktops to replace our old coil top. While there are a number of 120-volt one- or two-burner tops on the market, a 120-volt, 3-burner is a bit hard to find (lots of 240 volt). I did find one (made by True Induction) that seems to get around the issue by...

Having been through a hole in the boat (rudder pulled out), we made the following modifications. 1. Y Valve for raw water intake to engines 2. Several cans of spray foam insulation 3. A few small pieces of plywood or pvc boards 4. Additional high volume bilge pump (we now three) 5. Lights in...

My wife and I are visiting several islands in the Bahamas over a two-month period to look into bringing the boat down from Maine next winter. (Flew down, flying from island to island.) We're staying in VRBO's but visiting marinas and conducting "research" in the local bars, talking to fellow...

Another thing to consider is to install an LED at your helm for each bilge pump. When they are energized and pumping, the LED will let you know that. Our boat had the lights at the breaker panel, but that doesn't tell you anything when you are at the helm (especially the upper helm). I now...

Several villages have been mentioned on Prince of Wales Island, but don't forget Thorne Bay. It is on the east side (closer to Ketchikan). I've flown in and out of there several times for a job I did for them. For the true Alaska experience, the float plane fires up and heads out. Hmm, you...

If you are thinking of your boat as an investment, you are in for a big disappointment. Therefore, all the rules are discarded, and buy whatever if you want it and can afford to never see that money again. We bought our sailboat, our current boat, and my old Porsche under those premises, and...

And always remember to carry a few cans of spray foam in the event a leak does occur. Have seen a lobster boat or two laid up for repairs with foam spilling out where they hit bottom.

Correction. I posted "NE Harbor Inn," but the Admiral tells me (correctly, as always) it is the Asticou Inn.

In answer to a couple questions (or more like one answer and one observation). We have been in NE Harbor a couple times, once this summer (we live in Rockport, ME, so it is relatively close). Coming in, NE Harbor has a number of moorings, series 30 for 30-foot, series 40 for 40-foot, etc...

I forgot to mention that on my to-do list is to put Y valves on the raw water intake to each engine. One hose will go to the thru-hull / strainer and the other to the bilge. I'll put a screen on the end. That way, it will be a quick flick to get a lot of water out of the bilge. I've heard a...

Ok, so I don’t quite know what to file this under: Anchoring among lobster pots in Maine; Lessons learned; What could go wrong, will go wrong; or whatever. In any event, here is a summary of what happened this past weekend. And, please don’t hold me accountable to the sequence of events –...