Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

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• Seasons almost over, what are your best boat improvements for 2011?
  • Rewiring the 110V circuits.
  • New fuse panel, battery monitor and some rewiring.
    • I love the idea that you just built your own panel Paul.
      • The state of charge feature is that bar indicator on the right side of the display
  • Nice Tom ! And what type / manufacturer of belt ...
    • Hi John, I went to the same belt.
      • Thanks Tom ... I think we've crossed the Stream now 15 or 20 times ...
  • Tom love the clear engine panels
    • No, but I always wanted one of those model engines you could see through.
      • I'd be in line with the other little boys!
  • I improved the skipper with ham radio and SCUBA certifications.
  • Two of them, 1st one are four new Lifeline 150Ah batteries ...
    • ... and the 2nd one was the new Raritan Marine Elegance electric-flush Head ...
    • Nice! What is the lifespan of Lifeline batteries John?
      • Yes AGM, they tell me 10 years, we'll see about dat mon ! Cheers, John
        • Probably more likely 3-7 years, depending on use/care and charging system
          • There's ten years on the Optima 31's in our old boat...
            • We had a Optima as an engine start battery
              • To clarify: I replace the Optima with another brand new one. (And I added another one as a dedicated Gen start batt
              • As it got older, could you see any difference in it's actual condition?
                • WIth a conventional lead (wet cells) battery, you really should equalize them or they'll sulphate.
                  • 5 months(I'm sailing this weekend ) But the starting battery is different test.
                    • Using an electric windlass without the engine on is not good for the windlass (aside from the battery issues)
                      • I never use the Windlass unless the engine is running ...
                      • I only do it a little,....
            • My Optima lasted....
              • It was my engine battery - and when I say flat I mean...
                • Wow! Even Optima...
    • Just switched away from Lifelines
      • Lifelines (and any AGMs) need to be fully charged periodically...
        • Lifelines are different....
          • You should not be equalizing Lifelines batteries every month...
            • Lifelines engineer disagrees...
            • The Lifeline - Manual makes it clear, it's dependant on a number of factors
              • Our experience is pretty positive for Lifeline's
              • I agree, six months maybe or...
              • Manuals are a function of...
                • The Lifeline Manual was updated in July of this year.
                  • Equalizing doesn't take that many amps....
                    • Actually, I went with Gels...
                    • I replace a lot...
                      • Good advice ... I need to get solar this year to top off ...
                        • Don't forget to add...
                          • ... got it, thanks Dave. cheers, john
  • Two big
  • Pretty big list this year
  • The biggest ones were new holding tank and new broadband radar/c-p/fish-finder
    • You could eat off that engine - nice
      • Hell! You could eat off those holding tanks, even the old one (Though eating off them is probably not recommended)
        • The best part of that job was the tank had clearance past the engine
          • I took my CS holding tank out in 1997 and replaced it with a "bag" HT
  • My summer was spent putting an addition on my house... but there is a serious boat component
  • I cleaned and coated
  • out with the - in with the new
    • WOW!!! Very nice! Can you eat off your holding tank too?
      • holding tank
    • Nice looking engine room.
    • Love those boats. I hope you post more about your upgrades Ron.
      • under glass
        • Wow, all you need are probe points...
        • Great! Good use of the stuff.
        • very nice
    • Very nice, Ron. The B-40 is high on my list of dream boats
      • Peter M
        • Hi Ron....
          • Looks like you know him now, Ron.
    • Poor soul !
    • Very nice engine install Ron!
  • I dropped this new Volvo-Penta D2-40 in
    • After realignment I did a speed versus engine rpms run...
      • Here is a picture of the boat..
        • Nice work Todd, I bet you can't wait for spring.
      • Is that where the engine tops out, Todd, around 9 knots?
        • Top speed was 9.1 knots at 3,150 rpms...
          • How are you calculating burn rate?
            • I have a plastic tank that I can see the side of...
              • That would be really nice info to have
                • It is remarkedly simple to calculate fuel burn versus speed if...
                  • How would you do that? What info is needed?
                    • For a first approximation, waterline length and displacement
                      • The calculations are a bit too involved to write up here...
                        • I can give you everything now, but BWL
                          • corrected LWL to 36.75 feet in post above
                          • Larry - here is a crude estimate...
                            • By the way...
                              • When you have strong winds and seas against you, can you be overpowered on a boat?
                                • There is only so much power you can use...
                                  • Then why do many sailboat designers spec larger auxilary engines,...
                                    • Larger engines are put in to make ignorant buyers happy...
                                      • I think you can get Larrys boat with 150 hp Todd. It'll plane I imagine.
                                        • A planing hull is a very different beast than a displacement hull
                            • Thanks Todd. It doesn't match the real world though
                              • Also, we average about 1.25 GPH at 7.5-8 knots cruising speed
                              • It is clear that your hull is semi-planing or planing in design...
                                • Thanks Todd
                              • I have a friend with a 40' tri, he once couldn't turn it into the wind under power.
                                • My boat turns on a dime, but only with the centerboard down.
                              • What auxiliary do you have? 4,000 RPM?
                                • Volvo Penta MD22P engine, Volvo Penta 3-blade folding prop
  • Flat belt kit for high output alternator
    • Hey there John ... what's the name of the upstate NY outfit ...
      • ... is it ElecrtoMaxx in Niagara Falls ?
        • Yes, Electromax, excellent
          • thanks ... cheers, John
  • It had something to do with
    • very nice ...
      • Thanks John.
        • Hello there Rick ... I do really like the Marine Elegance Head ...
          • Yeah, I like flushing with fresh
            • There's an easier way, Rick
    • Nice job. It is often connected on a boat.
    • Sheesh, Rick. Delete that post before my wife sees it!
  • Fantastic projects everyone! . . .