The Catalina 309 A self-tailing winch on the coachroof can be used for the outhaul or the mainsheet, but in practice is only needed for fine adjustments in strong winds. The furler loop turns a winch that is mounted into the mast. The winch … [Read more...]
Archives for 2009
Adventures With A Cruising Spinnaker on an Island Packet
When you go to test a new sail, use your binoculars to take a close look at the parts up top. We would have had a much better trip back from the Bahamas if we had taken a little time to test the spinnaker and observe how it was rigged. In the late … [Read more...]
Repacking or Replacing Trailer Wheel Bearings
One of the wheels on my small trailer lost its bearings. They were badly deteriorated, and on a slow-speed run down our driveway, the wheel just started spitting bearing parts out onto the grass. It was pretty ugly, and the wheel was just clunking … [Read more...]
Dramatic Dawn Dinghy Rescue
Or, How I Almost Lost My 11' Boston Whaler While Crossing the Little Bahama Bank Driving my little Whaler in smoother waters The monstrous bow cleat I had installed on my little 11-foot Boston Whaler. This giant cleat was very convenient, … [Read more...]
Anchoring with Two Anchors, Bahamian Style Mooring
To keep each boat swinging around in the smallest possible area, two anchors are deployed in the "Bahamian style mooring" arrangement shown in the picture at left. When anchoring out in the Bahamas you will frequently find that the protected … [Read more...]
How to Dock an Outboard or Sterndrive Powerboat in 3 Easy Pictures
In the images below, the red arrow on the boat is a speed vector, indicating the speed and direction of movement of the boat 1. Approach the dock at an angle, then shift into neutral 2. Turn the engine hard over toward the dock, then … [Read more...]
Kinetic Energy: Almost More Boating Fun Than The Law Allows
After appropriating a small boat from my friend's little sister, we made a few modifications.... When I was a teenager, my friend Gene's little sister got a boat from some friends, who figured she could play with it in their swimming pool. When I … [Read more...]
Outboard vs Diesel for Horizon Cats
While many people prefer the inboard diesel engine for the Com-Pac Horizon Cat, I prefer the outboard. Nine out of ten Com-Pac Horizon Cats sold are the inboard diesel Horizon Cat version, and one out of ten is a Horizon Cat with an outboard … [Read more...]
