Lately I’ve been thinking quite a bit about buying and installing an AIS transponder but stuck in the need/want and affordable/ not affordable tests. The bottom line being that I just don’t want to spend $700 or so for a transponder with all the needful bits. Here’s a solution for an alternative solution that would …
Minimal boat, minimal systems. Just about as seaworthy as you can get.
I spent a good portion of yesterday making copious amounts of sawdust as I whittled the laminated wood into something that looks like a self-steering gear. There’s a lot to be said for an angle grinder and a flapper sanding disc. Talk about a mess. Honestly, the best part of the day was jumping overboard …
OK, I’ll admit that I have more power tools aboard than the average cruiser. That said, I can build a new mast, a dinghy, or a self-steering gear, and that can both make and save money. My $100 drill press alone has already saved me a few hundred dollars just in doing new chainplates for …
While I make no secret about what I think about consumerism-led boat projects, I will admit to having a wish list of things that I want to have on the Islander. For starters, there’s AIS. We already have an AIS receiver as it’s part of our Standard Horizon radio but it would be nice to …
The title really does make for an apt VolksCruiser mantra… I spent a couple of hours today working on the thirty or so year old Vetus manual windlass that came on the Islander despite the fact that it’s not really something I want on the boat. I’ll put it up for sale but I could …
Today’s mailbag included this , shall we say, rant on the subject of senseless horsepower on boats. It’s well worth the read. For me, the whole idea of a 500-horsepower outboard engine on a boat (much less four or five of them is simply insane. Then again, the largest boat engine I’ve owned was a …
Have you noticed that it’s almost impossible to find a new manual anchor windlass? Or, if you do it’s more expensive than a powered one? When you do find a good manual windlass the cost is often right at the cost of a brand spanking new electric windlass. Is that nuts or what? The Islander …
Now that we’ve finally sorted out the various Yanmar issues, pretty much got the boat livable, and no longer seem to be sitting around waiting for parts, it’s time to finally get around to the fun stuff. Which translates to tweaking the rig and installing some needful stuff. As far as the rig goes, the …
I’ve always been intrigued with the idea of windvane self-steering. In fact, my first interest in sailing or cruising came about when I read about Robin Lee Graham’s quest to be the youngest circumnavigator in National Geographic. The hook for me was a picture of Robin Lee Graham fiddling with a self-steering gear and something …
