Search found 240 matches

by Maine Sail
Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:46 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Why?
Replies: 8
Views: 3542

Re: Why?

It's sad isn't it... This site helped me solve so many problems along the way. I'm always on the lookout for new posts, but haven't seen anything noteworthy of late. I still use the site as a reference because there is a ton of good info in the threads and will post if I have specific questions, bu...
by Maine Sail
Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:46 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: A Couple of New....
Replies: 5
Views: 3562

Re: A Couple of New....

Finished a few more articles, some of them rather eye opening.... The Hall of Fail http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/hall_of_fail SmartPlug vs. 1938 http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/installing_a_smart_plug Chart Plotter Mount For Edson Pedestals http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/plotter_mount_ed...
by Maine Sail
Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:37 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Main Sail's butyl tape
Replies: 2
Views: 3130

Re: Main Sail's butyl tape

My manufacturer guarantees me 1 year shelf life but in many years of testing Bed-It tape I have not been able to determine any marked changes over time. Store in a cool dry place and keep it in the bag and you should easily still be able to work it at 5+ years.. No need to stretch unless you need it...
by Maine Sail
Tue Dec 24, 2013 10:37 am
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: New Members Awaiting Approval
Replies: 0
Views: 5244

New Members Awaiting Approval

Perhaps the reason this place has been so quiet lately is that new members are not getting registrations processed in a timely manner..? Should this not be automated? Some new blood might help, if we could get them in to contribute.... This: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/1243314-post11.html And this...
by Maine Sail
Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:33 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: A Couple of New....
Replies: 5
Views: 3562

A Couple of New....

I know there has been some rumblings about content. I would cross post my articles here but they have lots of code that takes lots of time to edit back to standard text. When I do it for another site I promise to cross post here. For anyone interested these are my latest... Terminating Small Wires h...
by Maine Sail
Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:10 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Monitoring Battery Temperature
Replies: 4
Views: 2392

Re: Monitoring Battery Temperature

The vast majority of battery monitors I come across on boats, like 98%, are horribly programed and due to this they are also horribly inaccurate. Temp monitoring for the battery monitor is the least of the worries. Most batteries on most sailboats are at or near ambient temp or closer to sea water t...
by Maine Sail
Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:50 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Battery Cables
Replies: 7
Views: 2679

Re: Battery Cables

Thanks Dennis this helps a lot. I suppose that its best to use 2/0 cable size even though its a bear to work with. I don't have a lot of room and the batteries are located forward under the v-berth. The longest runs are the ground from the battery to the engine block at approximately 14 feet and fr...
by Maine Sail
Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:38 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Battery Cables
Replies: 7
Views: 2679

Re: Battery Cables

Has anyone in this forum had any experience making up battery cables with welding cable instead of 2/0 marine cable? It sounds like it may be more flexible and easier to run and it may be cheaper. The wire in welding cable is fine and flexible and very similar to UL1426 marine stranding. The jacket...
by Maine Sail
Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:12 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Restoring seized seacock
Replies: 5
Views: 2812

Re: Restoring seized seacock

Tallystick wrote:Nice article. Sadly I'm missing the bronze handle for my seacock. Gotta keep an eye out for one of those.
The Spartan handles fit many of the older WC's.. Paul at Spartan Bronze can ship you one..
by Maine Sail
Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:37 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Restoring seized seacock
Replies: 5
Views: 2812

Re: Restoring seized seacock

This will go over all the finer points of maintaining a tapered cone seacock..

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/tape ... e_seacocks
by Maine Sail
Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:36 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Shore power.
Replies: 31
Views: 6717

Re: Shore power.

Hello Larry, thanks for your offer of help. Unfortunately, I'm of the opinion the BlueSeas product is physically too large for my requirement - I shall likely be using a NewMar product . . . thanks anyway, much appreciated. They are all about the same size. The Blue Sea and Newmar switches are made...
by Maine Sail
Sun Jan 01, 2012 4:19 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Shore power.
Replies: 31
Views: 6717

Re: Shore power.

Thanks again Maine Sail for your input. I accept your advice as well. Luckily, the cable run from each inlet receptacle to the panel is much less than 10 feet - ei: Stbd. = 7ft. while Port = 5ft. - - - Does this mean I'm safe with a single main breaker - or, is the second one mandatory? So if I'm f...
by Maine Sail
Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:27 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Shore power.
Replies: 31
Views: 6717

Re: Shore power.

On the subject of the dual ac receptacles: As I see it, a power supply cable is attached to each and then brought to the selector switch - Port/Off/Stbd. Yes.. UNLESS the wire length from the inlet to your main breaker is longer than 10 WIRE feet. If longer than 10 feet you need an additional main ...
by Maine Sail
Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:38 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Shore power.
Replies: 31
Views: 6717

Re: Shore power.

Hello again Dick, Thanks for the link, these are looking closer to what I previously saw "somewhere" and I might pursue these if something else doesn't show up. Maine Sail, thanks also for your link. I like the prices but I always get worried about quality when something appears so much c...
by Maine Sail
Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:46 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Shore power.
Replies: 31
Views: 6717

Re: Shore power.

Guys,

Sterling Power has these switches for under $30.00 !!!!

http://sterling-power-usa.com/manualcro ... power.aspx
by Maine Sail
Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:18 pm
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Stainless Rigging 302/304 vs 316
Replies: 6
Views: 3455

Re: Stainless Rigging 302/304 vs 316

There are very few extruders of marine wire left these days. The best stuff comes out of Korea and is most often 316 SS. This is what most good rigging shops are using these days. Loos is now out, or actively getting out, of the wire business and that leaves an open door for suspect Chinese SS. If b...
by Maine Sail
Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:06 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: cutless bearing tolerence
Replies: 4
Views: 1183

Re: cutless bearing tolerence

That is a quite a bit of movement. The rubber on most bearings on sailboats is barely 1/8" thick and you say you can move your shaft that much? Ideally there should be no side to side or up / down slop. It should fit snug.
by Maine Sail
Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:24 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Makrolon?
Replies: 6
Views: 1396

Re: Makrolon?

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x105/CD28Tantalus/AnchorCocktailCove.jpg I didn't realize acrylics were in vogue. Nor did I know polycarbonate was more flexible that other materials, great detail to know. But yeah, this is going on a late 1970s Bomar with two support beams to lend support to the...
by Maine Sail
Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:29 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Makrolon?
Replies: 6
Views: 1396

Re: Makrolon?

In theory acrylics have come a long way structurally. Some hatch manufacturers and repair companies claim it is the choice of material now. I am still skeptical. Most hatch manufacturers, Lewmar, Hood, Atkins & Hoyle, Manship, Goiot and many Bomars use cast acrylic. Bomar is one of the few make...
by Maine Sail
Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:34 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Car battery arc welder
Replies: 2
Views: 2138

Re: Car battery arc welder

Now you know why battery bank fuses are so important...
by Maine Sail
Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:40 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Solar Panel Blocking Diode not Working?
Replies: 5
Views: 1059

Re: Solar Panel Blocking Diode not Working?

Your phantom loads, stereo memory, LPG sniffer, bilge pump etc. etc. could be more than what the solar panel can even keep up with let alone charge. In hot weather that panel will hardly keep up with the self discharge let alone put any charge into the bank.. Does the panel have a charge controller?...
by Maine Sail
Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:50 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: How to "draw" on photos and diagrams?
Replies: 9
Views: 3856

Re: How to "draw" on photos and diagrams?

I use MS Paint, all PC's have it, though I am not very good at it. This was my latest..

Image

I also use MS Paint for drawing on photos..
Image
by Maine Sail
Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:15 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Butyl tape source
Replies: 36
Views: 14615

Re: Butyl tape source

Maine Sail, This is interesting; could I ask a few questions? Sure.. What brand/manufacturer is it that you sell? (I'm going to guess Tremco.) Tremco's current tapes are denser than the stuff that builders used to use and tougher to compress under a fitting. Through many months and hundreds of phon...
by Maine Sail
Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:37 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Butyl tape source
Replies: 36
Views: 14615

Re: Butyl tape source

Hmmm, I feel like I am interupting here but I just want report back the outcome of my order... As mentioned I ordered Heng's 5828 1/8"x1/2"x30' trimmable butyl tape from MakariosRV.com before I had a chance to read MaineSail's cautionary post here and the back and forth ensued. I called M...
by Maine Sail
Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:52 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Butyl tape source
Replies: 36
Views: 14615

Re: Butyl tape source

Rachael, You took the words right out of my mouth. I saw Maine Sail's post right after I placed my order with MakariosRV . So, it was a D'oh moment when I saw Maine Sail's post. I had to scramble to tell them not to ship the order before I can resolve to understand the difference. BTW, MakariosRV d...
by Maine Sail
Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:59 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Butyl tape source
Replies: 36
Views: 14615

Re: Butyl tape source

BTW, what's the difference between glazing tape and butyl tape? Thanks! There are vast differences in butyl tape. Some you buy on the net is not even butyl at all but rather a water soluble putty tape. I have had three or four customer send me a rolls they bought advertised as "butyl" tha...
by Maine Sail
Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:26 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Block brand advice
Replies: 6
Views: 1530

Re: Block brand advice

You can't beat Garhauer for value and quality. Never had anything Garhauer fail and if it does they'd simply replace it..
by Maine Sail
Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:24 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Dodger Costs?
Replies: 12
Views: 5032

Re: Dodger Costs?

Hood does EXCELLENT work and with canvas you do get what you pay for. Plus he's part of the Hood family and boating is in his blood. Really good guy to boot. $3000.00 is very fair for one of his dodgers.
by Maine Sail
Fri Jul 08, 2011 5:32 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?
Replies: 8
Views: 1688

Re: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?

With in-boards most of us don't have that luxury... Don't those rubber donuts you can put in your driveline (flex coupling) isolate them electrically as well as reducing jarring when you shift from forward to reverse or vice-versa? If you're in salt water your engine is still "connected" ...
by Maine Sail
Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:48 pm
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Sizing Solar Panel and Battery
Replies: 3
Views: 2339

Re: Sizing Solar Panel and Battery

What you take out requires slightly more to go back in. It is on order of about 110% - 125% of what you used that needs to be put back in in terms of energy. Also, the last 10% of charge takes the longest due to acceptance tapering.. A 50W panel should be decent but you'll also want a good charge co...
by Maine Sail
Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:19 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?
Replies: 8
Views: 1688

Re: Rewiring Question; Negative to the Water?

An isolated ground system is fine and in many ways simpler and more reliable from a corrosion standpoint because you can lift your motor. With in-boards most of us don't have that luxury...
by Maine Sail
Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:51 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: electrical upgrade
Replies: 36
Views: 8593

Re: electrical upgrade

House battery. Will be 4 in parallel. So I need a deep cycle in a group 24 box. Any ideas? This is kind of why I went off to the 6 volts that fit in the GR24 box. Those were disappointing. Ric, If you thought four 6V batteries were disappointing then you'll likely be very disappointed with four gro...
by Maine Sail
Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:50 am
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: bolt lube
Replies: 4
Views: 2177

Re: bolt lube

I have used everything over the years and always have Duralac, Lancote, Blue Loctite and Tef-Gel on hand. By a rather wide margin I choose Tef-Gel now days for isolating dissimilar metals. I have found noting that works as well or lasts as long. A little bit goes a long way. If the bolts are subject...
by Maine Sail
Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:19 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fuses right out of the Battery?
Replies: 12
Views: 1775

Re: Fuses right out of the Battery?

The reason ABYC does not recommend a fuse in this line is because it would not work. The amps needed to crank an outboard would blow the fuse. Don't ask me how I know this. ;) This is simply not the case. If the wire is sized properly and the fuse sized to protect the wire within its ampacity limit...
by Maine Sail
Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:45 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: stained stainless
Replies: 11
Views: 2575

Re: stained stainless

There are only two acids that will actually passivated SS, Nitric, which you can't easily get, or citric acid. Please be careful with strong acids like muriatic, oxalic etc. as they can leave a dull finish on the SS that will tarnish/rust significantly faster than if you use a passivating acid like ...
by Maine Sail
Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:09 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: What adhesive for this?
Replies: 12
Views: 2284

Re: What adhesive for this?

The reason I would glass them is to prevent moisture ingress to the wood and the eventual rot. Bilges tend to rot wood, and make it soft & punky. I replaced two backing blocks this week just ten years old and made with "marine" plywood. They were rotted, soft and punky in just ten year...
by Maine Sail
Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:14 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: What adhesive for this?
Replies: 12
Views: 2284

Re: What adhesive for this?

Personally I would glass them in like any stringer with either epoxy, polyester or vinylester. Coat the limber holes so they don't absorb bilge water and you should be good to go. I'm sure Tim would have the best advice when it comes to glass work..
by Maine Sail
Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:46 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery
Replies: 4
Views: 1453

Re: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery

I was expecting an answer today on the max starter draw from Beta but as yet I haven't heard back from them. The only information in the owners manual lists the starters output as 1.2 kw. I don't tend to think of starters in terms of output but then the Brits speak a bit differently than me. If thi...
by Maine Sail
Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:21 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery
Replies: 4
Views: 1453

Re: Sizing Battery Cable for Engine Battery

I generally size my battery cables at 100% of the maximum peak draw of the starter motor and for a 2% voltage drop. While this in only a short duration in-rush it seems to make big differences in the way motors start. The ABYC is quite absent on starter motor sizing but in conversations with John Ad...
by Maine Sail
Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:09 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: LED INTERIOR LIGHTING
Replies: 8
Views: 1618

Re: LED INTERIOR LIGHTING

I did some exhaustive research into this about two years ago and wound up at Sensibulbs. While expensive you tend to get what you pay for. I needed lights that hit the WAF (wife acceptance factor). Since then some strides have been made and they are getting better and better every month it seems. La...
by Maine Sail
Tue Mar 01, 2011 12:09 am
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Anybody have experience with Reedville Propeller Company?
Replies: 2
Views: 1187

Re: Anybody have experience with Reedville Propeller Company?

I recall Main Sail recommended Walter's Machine and Buck Algonquin... Buck Algonquin and Walter Machine Co. are just two manufacturers of flanges. Rust needs a good shafting shop to do a fit & face. Don't know much about the one he mentioned. http://waltergear.com/ http://www.buckalgonquin.com/...
by Maine Sail
Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:43 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
Replies: 8
Views: 2612

Re: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.

Whoever made that video obviously sells that stuff. Well, I made that video and I have nothing at all to do with selling that stuff at all. I just repair it and have seen shafting failures quite often when DIY's and even some "pro's" try to re-use a coupling. The key and set screws are no...
by Maine Sail
Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:13 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
Replies: 8
Views: 2612

Re: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.

One of the guys at the Wooden Boat Forum also recommended a split coupling. What's the advantage? The split coupling is: 1- More secure and offers less chance for damage to the shaft & key. A loose coupling can shear a shaft just like a loose prop can. 2- Is usually easier to remove as there is...
by Maine Sail
Sun Feb 27, 2011 9:25 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.
Replies: 8
Views: 2612

Re: Any reason why not to do this? Prop shaft coupler.

Straight couplings are and should always be a light press fit. If they just slide on this a bad situation waiting to happen.. A previously rusted coupling will almost never have the proper fit when re-installed. I think I have seen all of about two that were able to be re-used safely over the last 2...
by Maine Sail
Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:14 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Double tapered shaft?
Replies: 2
Views: 755

Re: Double tapered shaft?

Double tapers are very nice and certianly an upgrade from a standard straight coupling. Sabre/Back Cove among other high end builders often use double tapers. You do however need ROOM between the gear box and the stuffing box in order to properly install the coupling if your space is tight go with a...
by Maine Sail
Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:05 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: A new toy
Replies: 6
Views: 1666

Re: A new toy

Quetzalsailor wrote:A 1919 Knabe 6'-4" grand with an original Ampico player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvB-UeKkqDU

I've wanted one of these since I was about 14.
Knabe's are very nice, my sister has an upright that sounds amazing, was my grandmothers.... They don't make them like that anymore...
by Maine Sail
Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:53 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Pulling and replacing a cutlass bearing in a stern tube
Replies: 14
Views: 2959

Re: Pulling and replacing a cutlass bearing in a stern tube

I really hate to even mention this method but if you're VERY good with a Sawzall and a fine tooth metal cutting blade you can chisel away the rubber along the bottom of the bearing, so you can see metal, then use the Sawzall carefully & slowly with the rudder turned out of the way to cut 98% of ...
by Maine Sail
Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:38 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Batteries-Flooded vs AGM and Gel
Replies: 4
Views: 861

Re: Batteries-Flooded vs AGM and Gel

My observations and experiences over the last few years have led me to some thoughts on AGM's and how the purchasing decisions are made. I see a lot of folks buy them based on either misguided advice or just for the wrong reasons based on how they use the boat or how they charge the bank. AGM's have...
by Maine Sail
Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:55 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: constructing a mooring
Replies: 6
Views: 1081

Re: constructing a mooring

Here's the image Tim was linking to: Image Courtesy Hamilton Marine http://www.hamiltonmarine.com/750w/0125.jpg At roughly 90 pounds per cubic foot, out of the water, cement loses a lot of weight in the water.. When you submerge cement the calculation for weight changes, and the multiplier is .55. S...
by Maine Sail
Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:23 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Auto Alternator ?
Replies: 9
Views: 1408

Re: Auto Alternator ?

Maine Sail, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity with your time and knowledge. This information is invaluable and is exactly what I have been wondering all these years! No, more than what I was hoping to learn. One quick question, if I were to buy a used alternator as a back-up what typica...