Testing the new OptoLamp LED tri-color and anchor light, which will be mounted on top of the mast. It uses amazingly little power (< 0.2 amps) and is visible for Continue Reading →
During the winter rainy season here in northern California, I would sometimes come aboard Sparklemuffin to find evidence of water dripping onto the starboard salon settee. It appeared water was Continue Reading →
Today saw a fun project — fun if you’re a nerd like me 🙂 — installing an Aqualarm 20145-02 pump counter with 3 way pump switch, 2 pumps. The project Continue Reading →
I’m absolutely chuffed to have just learned that USCG Certificates of Documentation can now be renewed for up to five years at a time. This is great news for vessels Continue Reading →
Guess who got a new set of batteries for her house bank? Three Lifeline GPL-31XTs for 375 amp-hours of juicy goodness. These beasts weight a whopping 75 pounds each, and Continue Reading →
Since reading Rescue in the Pacific by Tony Farrington, I’ve been thinking about how to cut away steel wire rope standing rigging in an emergency situation.
Yesterday I finally received my McMurdo Smartfind G8 AIS EPIRB, which I’ve been waiting for for a year and a half! (It took a long time to get required regulatory approvals.) Continue Reading →
Recently the outlet pipe of the lone 24 year old bilge pump aboard Sparklemuffin broke completely off. Better at the dock than halfway to Hawaii, eh? ‘Cuz “if anything is gonna Continue Reading →
When I wanted to change my boat’s name, I could not find a simple set of instructions online. The USCG instructions weren’t 100% clear either. So here’s what I did Continue Reading →
Change Primary Filter These instructions are appropriate for the Parker Racor 500 series primary filter system as installed on my vessel. The details may differ for your situation, but the Continue Reading →