Messages

Maybe this time?  At 86kb, this image should load.   I saved it before without the .jpg.   I should know better.

Here is one option I found this year.  A Chicago to Mackinac Solo Challenge competitor mounted a Selden pole on a Catalina 36.  It does block the anchor locker but I figured it could be lashed to the lifelines or tucked below.   

As I recall, the hole pattern matched so the job was fairly easy.

A few years ago we switched to a 15 Rocna and after banging up the gelcoat on the pointy end, replaced the nroller with the long, maybe 30", unit from Garhauer.   The only issue I have had since is when my anchor/chain shackle was mounted with the pin toward the roller, the pin caught the Schaeffer fin and bent it outward.  It looks goofy but can be bent back most of the way.  The Rocna has been a great anchor for us.

Oh yes, I have fused all wires as they leave the source.   No fires on our boat, I hope.   No bears either and we stayed away from Heywood Island.   

The number 6 wires terminate at a pos buss fed by the 2/0 wire straight from the battery bank and the neg attaches to a maybe 2 ga wire feeding the neg buss on the hull directly behind the panel.   I also prefer the fewest connections possible but with the size of wires so conveniently placed I didn't see the logic of running extra wire.   The pos buss was installed to better handle the 2/0 from the bank which was a little short and inhibited the opening of the panel for maintenance.  I did clean all connectors and made sure that the nuts stay tight for the best connections hoping to limit voltage loss.  #6 wire came in larger than required for voltage loss from the panels and I used the #6 because I already had a spool on the shelf and could see no harm in going larger.   

So far, I have seen a max current of 6 amps from these panels so the wires are definitely large enough.   These Chinese flex panels are under performing but I did not measure the output until too late to return them.    Short circuit voltage is 19.7 versus the 20.5 on the label.   My canvas guys velcro attachment tabs may be shading the panels a little in one edge and my next step is to pull the panels out in the totally open air and retest.   Meanwhile I think I have what I need and can carry on.   The logic that the controllers just need to sense battery voltage tells all and I think I get it now.  Thanks for the input guys.

I have installed a pair of 100w flex panels in the bimini each wired to a separate Victron MPPT controller. These controllers are mounted high in the aft port locker with the outputs joined and running forward with 6 ga wire to the panel.  Since the panel is fed by, I believe, by 1 ga wire , I reasoned at the time that the controllers would sense battery voltage at that point just fine.   
So, should I redirect the outputs straight to the house bank or does it not matter?   The run from controller to panel is about 15' while extending to the house bank would add another 8' or so.  Maybe this is splitting hairs but if I can increase output by some percentage it would be worthwhile.  Thx

And then there were five boardings.   A friend with a 55' Chis Craft called Amara was boarded last week at Heywood before he had heard the warnings.   They emptied 2 fire extinguishers to little effect.   The approach of another boater in a dinghhy apparently finally scared off the bear.   
We just returned yesterday from the North Channel, avoided Heywood and saw zero bears.   We did though find 77-80 degree water and one fat walleye.

Steve, do you have any images that show the mounting?

Hi all, This is a followup on the mast issue we had at haul out last year.  One owner asked about the why and what happened.  We usually haul with a group and a hired crane and have an excellent record, and still do.  With the crane operation that is.   My issue was in hauling the mast down the road to the storage lot.   We have been using a 2 wheel cart under the CG at the spreaders with a towing yoke strapped the mast butt which attached to a vehicle's hitch.  I hit a bump on a turn and the mast came off the hitch after which it was run over by a tire.   The result was a total loss of the mast which has now been replaced and is ready for launch.   Our insurance, Chubb, covered the cost with no issues.  We were fortunate that Catalina still had one extrusion on the rack which was a perfect match.   Lessons were learned and this new mast will never be hauled in that fashion again. 

I did the serpentine kit install this winter on my M35a and it went very smoothly.  We did not think the large pulley would fit as is but no machining was needed and everything fit perfectly.

Not sure of the age but it appears to have been original equipment on a 34.   I used it for a couple of years and except for the fact that it was short on our boat was ok.   Granted, the new main is a bit nicer but that cost a bit more. 

Still have the sail and it's in Traverse City.   The trees are a bit late in turning this year so you still have time to come up and enjoy the weather.

I wouldn't mess with adding anything to an older sail.  The fit was ok anyway if you didn't mind losing the top foot and a half.   For the money it's a good compromise, in my opinion and the sail is in pretty decent shape.   And in my way in the garage.

The windlass has sold.