http://www.cruisersforum.com/ is a great forum I use to solve any problems I come across.. For the most part the people are great, very quick to offer a solution with very little judging or criticizem thrown in. I would recomend anyone doing boat projects peruse the forum, because somewhere, someone has done what you are about to go through.
The forum members are such good people that they will even report on their own follies and mistakes, just so I can repeat them and confirm that that particular idea ond/or method was indeed a folly or mistake.
They don't call me "Do It Twice Allan" for nothing you know.
On a different note, we just moved closer to our boat and further away from work. We now live exactly 1000 meters from our boat, or 1 kilometer which if you still do distance old school about 5/8 th of a mile? It has been a while since I even thought in the old imperial measurements...lol
It is a smaller but way cheaper place, and even with the storage unit we rented we are saving a bundle.
Did I mention it is 1 kilometer from our boat?:)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Future Boat Dreams
Ahhh. Retirement in 6 years, I'll be 55. The Coronado 25 will be long gone by then. It is a wonderfull training boat but we will need something 10, 11 0r 12 feet longer.
We have no set make or model in mind but here are some necessities:
1) Keel stepped mast, chances of losing your mast completely is greatly reduced.
2) Wife insists on a wheel over a tiller, I do see her point.\
3) Shoal keel, the length of the boat.
4) Hammock, maybe two of them.
What we would love to have, but this is not written in stone:
1) Steel hull, for those times I decide to rub up against a coral atoll.
2) Twin keels for careening the boat for maintenance. (We will be on a budget)
3) Would love a center cockpit.
4) There is more but my brain is stalled out.
Here are some courses we MUST take in 6 years:
1) Marine diesel maintenance (Me at Humber College in Toronto)
2) Both of us must take a radio operators course.
3) First aid and CPR.
4) Learn how to use a sewing machine.
5) Take navigation courses, INCLUDING paper charts and how to use a sextant!
As for equipment, there could be an endless list $$$$$$. We are going to keep it simple, the less stuff you have the less breakage you have. That being said, I have to bone up on my refrigeration repair so I can earn a few extra folding dollars while cruising.
This is by no means complete or fixed, except for the first 4 things. We remain flexible about everything else.
Allan
We have no set make or model in mind but here are some necessities:
1) Keel stepped mast, chances of losing your mast completely is greatly reduced.
2) Wife insists on a wheel over a tiller, I do see her point.\
3) Shoal keel, the length of the boat.
4) Hammock, maybe two of them.
What we would love to have, but this is not written in stone:
1) Steel hull, for those times I decide to rub up against a coral atoll.
2) Twin keels for careening the boat for maintenance. (We will be on a budget)
3) Would love a center cockpit.
4) There is more but my brain is stalled out.
Here are some courses we MUST take in 6 years:
1) Marine diesel maintenance (Me at Humber College in Toronto)
2) Both of us must take a radio operators course.
3) First aid and CPR.
4) Learn how to use a sewing machine.
5) Take navigation courses, INCLUDING paper charts and how to use a sextant!
As for equipment, there could be an endless list $$$$$$. We are going to keep it simple, the less stuff you have the less breakage you have. That being said, I have to bone up on my refrigeration repair so I can earn a few extra folding dollars while cruising.
This is by no means complete or fixed, except for the first 4 things. We remain flexible about everything else.
Allan
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
New free stuff
Well, as a cheap sailor, I have to tell you of the cool things I got.
First, for my birthday, I got a brand new, 25 year old radio. Yup, still in its packaging, I have to look closer at it as I can't remember if its a VHF or a SSB. My ancient mind is leaning toward VHF.
Next, a friend in BC bought an old boat and is giving me (It is in the mail) his old GPS/knot meter. It is old, and the chip is only good for the Great Lakes and cannot be updated for some reason. I am excited.
We bought a new flare gun with flares. The old flares have expired.....That's it.
First, for my birthday, I got a brand new, 25 year old radio. Yup, still in its packaging, I have to look closer at it as I can't remember if its a VHF or a SSB. My ancient mind is leaning toward VHF.
Next, a friend in BC bought an old boat and is giving me (It is in the mail) his old GPS/knot meter. It is old, and the chip is only good for the Great Lakes and cannot be updated for some reason. I am excited.
We bought a new flare gun with flares. The old flares have expired.....That's it.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Long time since last post.
Yes, it has been a long time since our last post. Trying to settle my parents estate took up a lot of time, trying to get the co-executor, (actually she's an executrix) to cooperate and act accordingly took almost 20 months since the will was read. Soon we will be able to put the house on the market.
So, this sailing season was a letdown, only getting out a couple of times a week and not one overnighter.
The boat is out of the water and we just have to winterize her. We are hoping to have a larger boat next spring after the estate settles.
We are moving too, right now we are about a half hour drive from work and we are planning to move FURTHER away!!! We want to be closer to the boat.
So, this sailing season was a letdown, only getting out a couple of times a week and not one overnighter.
The boat is out of the water and we just have to winterize her. We are hoping to have a larger boat next spring after the estate settles.
We are moving too, right now we are about a half hour drive from work and we are planning to move FURTHER away!!! We want to be closer to the boat.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Dock Spiders
Here is an e-mail from my youngest brother and my reply. It gives you a great insight into my families working dynamics:
From my brother Ken:
...that all pales in comparison to what happened to me last night, I'm just happy to be able to tell you about it today-that's how close I came to my demise.
I hope (and you probably are) sitting down for this. Luckily for me Sarah (his wife) was close by and narrowly saved my life.
Last night as the kids and I were watching an episode of Doctor Who (the good Dr. David Tenant) I needed to use the bathroom, so as I entered the washroom oblivious to what danger lay meer seconds away i proceeded to expose myself (literally) to the imminent danger.
On my way to a sitting position, I caught it out of the corner of my eye, on the edge of the bathtub, poised to strike, was the largest, hairiest, ugliest spider I have ever seen outside of a tank or on tv.
Needless to say I never made it to a full sit down and my scream of defence (not terror) brought the family into the bathroom as i pulled my pants back up the quick thinking Sarah pulled her shoe off and saved my life by striking down my adversary and flushing it down the toilet.
Here is my rely:
Funny, funny story, you could submit that somewhere for money!
Ahhh, I too have a spider story, though in this case it was Ellie (my wife) who almost lost her life. Friday after work Hailey (our daughter) told us she wanted "Me" time and we should spend the night on the boat. Who are we to argue with such logic.
There we were, at the marina, I had a rum and DIET coke, (surprise, surprise), and Ellie had a glass (plastic) glass of wine.
We were sitting in the communal area beside the BBQs when IT happened. A fellow, (Chesley, located on our Facebook), calmly pointed out to Ellie that there was a huge spider crawling up her arm.
I didn't actually see it because my military training took over and I performed a tactical physical relocation to the boat about 100' away. I was later told I was a very fast cowar....I mean runner. In my defense I was getting Spider Blaster from the boat.
I found the blaster, then had to clean my glasses, oh, then I noticed my bunk wasn't made to my exacting Naval standards so of course I had to strip it down and remake it.
So now I'm heading back to save my wife, you know our family motto, "Family First" But on the way, as I was passing the washrooms I noticed a patrol of five members of the enemy spider clan. Big suckers they were. Hmm, what if the Spider Blaster didn't work? I would look the fool now wouldn't I? I decide to do a pre-emptive strike first as one cannot have the enemy behind him. I begin to sneak up on them. Remember they have 8 eyes each, multiply that by 5 and you get the odds that are against me. I go in regardless. I do wish the screaming would stop from the BBQ area, or was that screaming my battle cry? Details are fuzzy here. I do a chemical attack on this group, their deaths are slow, glorious and hopefully painful and full of remorse for being born spiders. I then made it back to the BBQ area but there was no sign of the enemy. It felt good to be a hero.
I was exhausted.......Allan
From my brother Ken:
...that all pales in comparison to what happened to me last night, I'm just happy to be able to tell you about it today-that's how close I came to my demise.
I hope (and you probably are) sitting down for this. Luckily for me Sarah (his wife) was close by and narrowly saved my life.
Last night as the kids and I were watching an episode of Doctor Who (the good Dr. David Tenant) I needed to use the bathroom, so as I entered the washroom oblivious to what danger lay meer seconds away i proceeded to expose myself (literally) to the imminent danger.
On my way to a sitting position, I caught it out of the corner of my eye, on the edge of the bathtub, poised to strike, was the largest, hairiest, ugliest spider I have ever seen outside of a tank or on tv.
Needless to say I never made it to a full sit down and my scream of defence (not terror) brought the family into the bathroom as i pulled my pants back up the quick thinking Sarah pulled her shoe off and saved my life by striking down my adversary and flushing it down the toilet.
Here is my rely:
Funny, funny story, you could submit that somewhere for money!
Ahhh, I too have a spider story, though in this case it was Ellie (my wife) who almost lost her life. Friday after work Hailey (our daughter) told us she wanted "Me" time and we should spend the night on the boat. Who are we to argue with such logic.
There we were, at the marina, I had a rum and DIET coke, (surprise, surprise), and Ellie had a glass (plastic) glass of wine.
We were sitting in the communal area beside the BBQs when IT happened. A fellow, (Chesley, located on our Facebook), calmly pointed out to Ellie that there was a huge spider crawling up her arm.
I didn't actually see it because my military training took over and I performed a tactical physical relocation to the boat about 100' away. I was later told I was a very fast cowar....I mean runner. In my defense I was getting Spider Blaster from the boat.
I found the blaster, then had to clean my glasses, oh, then I noticed my bunk wasn't made to my exacting Naval standards so of course I had to strip it down and remake it.
So now I'm heading back to save my wife, you know our family motto, "Family First" But on the way, as I was passing the washrooms I noticed a patrol of five members of the enemy spider clan. Big suckers they were. Hmm, what if the Spider Blaster didn't work? I would look the fool now wouldn't I? I decide to do a pre-emptive strike first as one cannot have the enemy behind him. I begin to sneak up on them. Remember they have 8 eyes each, multiply that by 5 and you get the odds that are against me. I go in regardless. I do wish the screaming would stop from the BBQ area, or was that screaming my battle cry? Details are fuzzy here. I do a chemical attack on this group, their deaths are slow, glorious and hopefully painful and full of remorse for being born spiders. I then made it back to the BBQ area but there was no sign of the enemy. It felt good to be a hero.
I was exhausted.......Allan
Monday, August 30, 2010
Outboard idle problem solved..
The problem with my outboard and its idle is all my fault. Being the cheap ass that I am I buy the cheapest, lowest grade fuel the add the oil additive. Well, I found out the ethanol in the fuel and the two stroke oil don't like each other.
Solution: Used the highest grade of fuel, it will have the lower percentage of ethanol. My problem is that I have a full tank of fuel and don't want to waste it, remember I'm a cheap ass.
Solution: When you're done using the motor, don't shut it off right away, disconnect the fuel line from the engine or the fuel tank and starve the engine into submission! This cleans out the carb from any unhealthy build up. Hope this helps.....Allan
Solution: Used the highest grade of fuel, it will have the lower percentage of ethanol. My problem is that I have a full tank of fuel and don't want to waste it, remember I'm a cheap ass.
Solution: When you're done using the motor, don't shut it off right away, disconnect the fuel line from the engine or the fuel tank and starve the engine into submission! This cleans out the carb from any unhealthy build up. Hope this helps.....Allan
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Engine work...again!
I went to a nearby power boat store and purchased an adaptor kit to remount my throttle and gear shifter cables to my kicker.
It cost me $100 and some change. To start.
Now this is where I get pissy about those bumper stickers that say " Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign!"
I want a bumper sticker that says "Want to give money away to business that have no quality products? Keep buying North American!
I am not kidding, out of all the parts in that kit, I was able to one single little plastic piece hook up the throttle cable....after I had to purchase a Dremmel type tool to modify a piece of MY throttle cable so it would fit in the plastic receiver. I couldn't modify the receiver as it is built way to flimsy for any modifications.
My motor is a Johnson Evinrude, the adaptor kit is a Johnson Evinrude product.
The gear shifter cannot be hooked up as it, well fuck me ever so gently, seems to be missing crucial parts.
So, in closing, beware any nationalistic, protectionist, 2 brain celled needle dicked asswipe who spouts off about protecting North American jobs as I'm in the mood to give his dentist some work. I truly can't believe the drivel that gets peddled as product around here. I can't believe there is idiots like me still around to buy that drivel.
That being said, I am going to do some independent investigation whether or not I was sold the correct adaptor kit or the kit is total shit.
If I was sold the wrong kit I will go after the fucking dealer.....if the kit is correct and it is just pure shit, I will go after Evinrude itself...I am not a happy camper.
On a good not, my $10 Jobmate hobby tool worked flawlessly, and it was only $10! A real dremmel was $60 and a Canadian Tire knock off was like $50. Mine only cost $10, and comes with a 1 year warranty to boot!
It cost me $100 and some change. To start.
Now this is where I get pissy about those bumper stickers that say " Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign!"
I want a bumper sticker that says "Want to give money away to business that have no quality products? Keep buying North American!
I am not kidding, out of all the parts in that kit, I was able to one single little plastic piece hook up the throttle cable....after I had to purchase a Dremmel type tool to modify a piece of MY throttle cable so it would fit in the plastic receiver. I couldn't modify the receiver as it is built way to flimsy for any modifications.
My motor is a Johnson Evinrude, the adaptor kit is a Johnson Evinrude product.
The gear shifter cannot be hooked up as it, well fuck me ever so gently, seems to be missing crucial parts.
So, in closing, beware any nationalistic, protectionist, 2 brain celled needle dicked asswipe who spouts off about protecting North American jobs as I'm in the mood to give his dentist some work. I truly can't believe the drivel that gets peddled as product around here. I can't believe there is idiots like me still around to buy that drivel.
That being said, I am going to do some independent investigation whether or not I was sold the correct adaptor kit or the kit is total shit.
If I was sold the wrong kit I will go after the fucking dealer.....if the kit is correct and it is just pure shit, I will go after Evinrude itself...I am not a happy camper.
On a good not, my $10 Jobmate hobby tool worked flawlessly, and it was only $10! A real dremmel was $60 and a Canadian Tire knock off was like $50. Mine only cost $10, and comes with a 1 year warranty to boot!
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