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Messages - Steve_in_lex

#1
Main Message Board / Re: Considering changing props
September 21, 2023, 04:39:16 PM
Thanks all, this is very helpful.
#2
Main Message Board / Considering changing props
September 19, 2023, 03:42:23 PM
I currently have a 2-blade folding prop.  This summer we motored into some stiff wind and high seas, and I was thinking that a 3-blade prop might help with that.  I'd want a folding one.  I've looked at this forum re: suggestions on size and type on this forum, but some of them are dated regarding current props that are on the market.  Any suggestions on the make and specs for a 3-blade folding prop?  And, do you think it would make a noticeable difference motoring into significant seas and wind?  We have a Universal M-35 hp engine.  Thanks.
#3
Main Message Board / Catalinas in Maine
September 02, 2023, 03:18:30 PM
This is of no particular importance, but an interesting development.  In 2015 we bought our C-34, Brisa, and we've sailed her a lot around midcoast Maine.  For years, seeing another Catalina was quite unusual, especially one that hailed from Maine.  This year, though, they're all over the place.  Mostly in the 30-40 foot range, probably two-thirds of them of the newer generation (315, 355, 385).  It's nice to have company!
#4
Main Message Board / Re: Mystery sail
July 11, 2023, 04:04:23 PM
Could the numbers be the assiged offshore racing #, and Quicksilver a prior name?  Could potentially be from a different boat or even a different class.  Just wondering.
#5
Thanks all. The lights in the forward cabin used to work fine, then the port one went out a year ago and now the starboard.  These are very helpful tips for diagnosing the problem.
#6
Any suggestions on where to start to track down the cause of the two ceiling lights in the forward cabin not working?  I've changed bulbs and that doesn't make a difference.  All the other ceiling lights work fine.  Thanks.
#7
Postscript:  The boat I was wanting to follow (between Maine and Antigua) arrived in Antigua just fine.

However, I poked around Marine Traffic and yes, but if you still can't see the vessel with the satellite upgrade, it may be that, "The vessel is equipped with a Class-B receiver, which is more difficult to be picked up by the satellite."   That might've been the issue.

https://help.marinetraffic.com/hc/en-us/articles/204809588-Activate-Undelayed-Satellite-AIS-tracking
#8
...and a sail area/displacement of 20 is nothing to sneeze at.
#9
Main Message Board / Question re: tracking boats at sea
December 19, 2022, 04:54:32 AM
This isn't related to C-34s, but I'd appreciate any general knowledge about tracking boats far out to sea.  On Saturday (12/10) our daughter left the coast of Maine on a straight shot to Antigua aboard a 105' schooner, Eros.  Using Marine Traffic app I tracked Eros until she was about 25 miles off shore, traveling 9.5k due south; but I haven't been able to pick up any sightings since then.  I assume it's because they're out of range of land-based AIS antennas, but would have expected Marine Traffic to indicate a satellite-based position.  (MT shows the type of boat without identification for sat-based pickups, with an extra charge to identify it; but there's no sailing vessel in the area where they should be.)   Any suggestions on how to search for a satellite signal?  (I'm wondering if that requires a different type of AIS transmitter?). Thanks.
#10
Main Message Board / Re: Label Maker Recommendation?
September 11, 2022, 05:52:01 AM
Dymo.  Easy to use, different size fonts, special characters, different options for the background tape, and the labels stay on.  Mine is an earlier version of the Label Manager 280.
#11
Main Message Board / Re: Beating Upwind
February 13, 2022, 02:59:35 PM
Stu - Very helpful information about the effect of both wave height and period.  I hadn't thought of the relationship that way.

Keelson - I went from a baggy 130 to a nicely cut 110 and it's worked great, especially upwind.  In Maine we often get decent seas and 15-20K winds, and if it blows, we reef the main first and are powered by the jib.  Tacking's a good deal easier with a 110 than the bigger jib. 

Off the wind we lose some speed compared to a larger jib, but it sounds like that's not your issue.
#12
Love it.  When we bought ours we had her soda blasted to take 8 years of paint off, and resurfaced from scratch.  She came out beautifully.  Forgot about the scotch though!  Next time.
#13
Make the tails of the windex symmetrical.   (Or, maybe I DO point 20 degrees higher on starboard?)
#14
Main Message Board / Re: Battery charging setup
January 06, 2022, 10:19:06 AM
Robert/Juno, it sounds like you're onto something.  At any rate, it's only relevant for a future charter.   

In the course of researching this, I looked through the C34 comments and articles and am thiinking that I'll replace our boat's A/B switch with an automatic charging relay.  Several different people, all relatives, use our boat, and we've had people drain the batteries by leaving the switch on Both for a week at the mooring.  Not good for family relations.

Looks like ACR's are pretty idiot-proof.
#15
Main Message Board / Re: Battery charging setup
December 28, 2021, 08:43:56 AM
Thanks, all, for your comments.  It didn't make sense to me either so I'm glad I'm not crazy. 

FWIW, the boat was a Jeanneau 41 and the engine was a replacement that looked close to brand new.  The guy who did the briefing was very knowledgeable in every way except (seemingly) the engine.  I'll write the Sunsail/Moorings base in Tortola to comment on the recommendation to run the engine in neutral for 90 minutes, morning and evening, which is a buzz kill when at anchor in a beautiful setting.