Power

Prepare For The Coming Storms

Prepare For The Coming Storms

Get ready for some nasty storms on the U.S. East Coast. Pam Wall shares some good information about how best to prepare. And take these storms seriously.

Getting Rid of an Old Boat

Getting Rid of an Old Boat

So what is one to do when a boat reaches its end of life? There are some options, but frankly the industry hasn’t really solved this issue in a way that is sustainable.

Monday Minute - Where Do Old Boats Go?

Monday Minute - Where Do Old Boats Go?

I attended the annual boat auction in St Michaels, and wonder about the fate of old boats that no longer have a meaningful purpose.

A New Adventure - Round 2

A New Adventure - Round 2

Turning a fast chase boat into a cruiser is the next goal of world cruisers, Scott and Mary Flanders. They have found the right boat, trucked her to North Carolina, and in a few months begin the modifications necessary to create a highly competent pocket cruiser.

What is Life Beyond Boating?

What is Life Beyond Boating?

At some point, we must think of the future. We are the luckiest generation as we enjoy a longer life span than our parents, generally have better health, and hopefully many active years ahead of us.

How do we get there, by plan or by chance?

Monday Minute - Get That Seating Right

Monday Minute - Get That Seating Right

Inspired from comments made from last week’s post, let’s discuss helm seat options. There is no one solution for comfortable and safe seating at the helm on all boats. It is something designers and builders used to ignore. Today it gets the attention it deserves.

Notice the helm seating when you go to the upcoming boat shows. And can you get around it once it is in position?

The Right Helm for You

The Right Helm for You

Setting up your helm requires some thought as to how best to utilize what is often limited space. Whether you are refitting an older boat or buying a new one, make sure the instrumentation works for you, and critical instruments are where you can see and operate them with a casual glance.

Monday Minute - The Discipline of A Wiring Diagram

Monday Minute - The Discipline of A Wiring Diagram

It takes discipline to keep everything shipshape. That is true on cruising boats, and it is true in life. Always looking just to get it done asap is not usually the best plan. Good enough rarely is.

Doing it right, then updating the documentation, including wiring diagrams, takes discipline but pays off in the end.

A disciplined life is a successful life.

Updating My Digital Chart Table

Updating My Digital Chart Table

As part of my midseason checkup, I reviewed the electronic devices and apps I use. Seems a bunch has happened that I had not really taken into account. Some navigation apps work better than others, and some no longer work at all. Companies consolidate and merge products and technologies in this shifting landscape, much like it did when paper charts were replaced with various formats and digital standards.

Monday Minute - Midsummer Maintenance

Monday Minute - Midsummer Maintenance

It’s been a crazy summer around Annapolis, with constant rain and heavy humid air on Chesapeake Bay. Not much fun for boating, but as we move into the second half of the season, it’s a good time to do some midsummer maintenance.

What is the Future of Information?

What is the Future of Information?

Time to step back from social media and regroup. How we get our information has changed in recent years, and not for the better. We need to rethink where we look for answers and updates. A new world is emerging that embraces a more human connection.

Monday Minute - Integrate, Innovate, or Evaporate

Monday Minute - Integrate, Innovate, or Evaporate

Times have changed since we first talked about integrating all electrical systems on a boat, even a complex trawler or sailboat. The marine industry wasn’t ready for it, but that is all behind us now.

For lots of reasons, 2018 may be considered The Year of Integration in recreational boating.

A Survey, a Comparison, and a Cool Trick to Learn

A Survey, a Comparison, and a Cool Trick to Learn

I watch a survey of a trawler with friends and we go on a sea trial. Soon we’ll compare our notes of this 2007 boat with a new one and see what’s changed.

And I share a nice way to get comfortable running a single engine boat.

Monday Minute - Restating the Obvious

Monday Minute - Restating the Obvious

Not sure why this comes up again and again. Perhaps it is because people are coming into boating for the first time and just learning. But the many rules and regulations do not alter the need for common sense. In any potential encounters with commercial and military ships, STAY OUT OF THEIR WAY.

Are You Well Equipped or A Hoarder?

Are You Well Equipped or A Hoarder?

Everyone has a tolerance for a certain amount of clutter. On the sometimes limited space of cruising boats, having spares for every contingency must be balanced with knowing where everything is while not sinking the boat with tons of spares, consumables, and items that somehow find their way aboard. I’m as guilty as the next person, but I’m working on finding the balance.

Monday Minute - Getting Back into the Dinghy

Monday Minute - Getting Back into the Dinghy

Being on the water sometimes means being in the water. It happened to me recently, and reminded me of a clever technique to get back aboard one’s dinghy, especially suited to older boaters. Practice it a couple of times and you’ll have another trick in your back pocket next time you need to get aboard without a swim platform or ladder.

Complete Integration and It is Way Cool!

Complete Integration and It is Way Cool!

I got aboard a new MJM 35z in Annapolis to celebrate the new owners’ new boat. It sure is nice to have all the control this boat offers at one’s fingertips. Fast, economical, comfortable, and very well made, the MJM offers a look at what can be done.

Monday Minute - Distracted Driving

Monday Minute - Distracted Driving

A recent report on driver distraction brings this subject into focus. While the numbers relate to drivers on the road, there is some parallel to boat operators, and drinking is much more prevalent in boating. Scary stuff but a trend that isn’t likely to change with everyone’s addicition to smartphones.