<![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums]]> https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ Cruisers Forum is an online forum community of cruisers from around the world! en Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:02:22 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Cruisers & Sailing Forums]]> https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ Airlock Air Purifiers https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/airlock-air-purifiers-300678.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:02:11 GMT OK, I’ve seen these electronic devices advertised all over the place. How effective have ppl found them. I’m guessing that you might need more than... OK, I’ve seen these electronic devices advertised all over the place. How effective have ppl found them. I’m guessing that you might need more than one based on the size of your boat. Has anyone mounted in engine compartment? Head?
Cheers
Eric ]]> General Sailing Forum enjaku https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/airlock-air-purifiers-300678.html Holding Tanks https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f129/holding-tanks-300675.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:04:32 GMT Does anyone know of such a thing as an agitator for a Holding Tank for using side by side pumping out? Seems to me it would create a more dense... Does anyone know of such a thing as an agitator for a Holding Tank for using side by side pumping out? Seems to me it would create a more dense material for pumping out instead of mostly just liquid/water. ]]> Our Community Ipapadi https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f129/holding-tanks-300675.html Power Supply for Battery Contactors https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f166/power-supply-for-battery-contactors-300674.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:54:10 GMT I have 2x separate lithium batteries, each with its own Blue Seas Remote Battery Switch contactor. These are bi-stable, with a manual override,... I have 2x separate lithium batteries, each with its own Blue Seas Remote Battery Switch contactor.


These are bi-stable, with a manual override, which is great. So if there's no power to actuate them, you can do it by hand.


But still -- how to arrange the power supply? When the batteries are isolated, there will be no power on the main bus.


Blue Seas suggests using the engine start battery.


I do have a separate lead battery bank, used for windlass, winches, thruster. My bilge pumps run off of this bank, which will be live when the boat is otherwise shut down with the lithium system isolated.


Maybe from there?


What do you guys do for this? ]]> Lithium Power Systems Dockhead https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f166/power-supply-for-battery-contactors-300674.html Future planning accountabilibuddys https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f9/future-planning-accountabilibuddys-300673.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:36:03 GMT I am in my 40s with young(ish) kids. Like many people, my wife and I have the dream of setting sails once the kids are out of the house.... I am in my 40s with young(ish) kids. Like many people, my wife and I have the dream of setting sails once the kids are out of the house. Unfortunately, we aren’t independently wealthy and things would have to play out perfectly financially for the vision to work. Would anyone be interested in forming a small accountability/planning group for people in similar life stages with similar future plans who are aiming toward financial independence, college planning, and eventual family cruising/liveaboard life. Could be fun to compare notes and keep each other moving. Feel free to reach out via private message and we can go from there. Maybe we can get a couple of people on a text/email chain. Thank you! ]]> TheLongTack https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f9/future-planning-accountabilibuddys-300673.html Fabricating Custom Hatch lids and Hatch Gaskets https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f55/fabricating-custom-hatch-lids-and-hatch-gaskets-300672.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:56:55 GMT A few years ago, when I replaced my portlights, I bought material for also fabricating new custom Plexiglass hatch lids as well….3 years later and I... A few years ago, when I replaced my portlights, I bought material for also fabricating new custom Plexiglass hatch lids as well….3 years later and I finally got to it. The original hatch lids pictured below are crazed and cloudy and really detract from the look of the boat on both the exterior and interior. The problem was that after searching online, I could not find ¾” tinted Plexiglass, so when I bought the ¼” tinted Plexiglass to do the portlights, I also bought a piece of ½” clear to laminate to the ¼” Plexiglass, so I would wind up with ¾” thick hatch lids.

I also considered getting the hatch lids professionally fabricated, but after going back and forth almost a dozen times over the course of a week with a young sales rep, explaining my written specification I had previously emailed to him, which was perfectly understandable and held the answer to every follow-up question he had, I finally got a price of nearly $3000 for the two hatch lids, and that was without teak treads, which wasn’t part of my spec since I figured I’d do it myself. And thinking back, I think he told me they could only to clear in ¾”, so, I bagged the idea of paying for fabrication since I could do clear myself at a fraction of that price.

So, what I did was pull the hinge pins and remove some of the hardware on the underside of each hatch lid, and templated the original hatch lids onto craft paper. Then I reinstalled them since I wouldn’t be back to the boat for several days. At home I transferred the template onto the protective paper of both the ¼” tinted and ½” clear Plexiglass sheet stock. I then got some dimensional scrap lumber and clamped the sheet I was going to cut to our patio table. I also clamped an aluminum fence that I bought years ago from the lumber yard to cut paneling and used it as a guide for my straight cuts. I measured the offset of my circular saw baseplate from the blade and simply clamped the fence that far off the template line; it worked out great as long as my counting 1/16th of an inch off my steel machinist’s ruler held up. I installed my paneling blade backwards on the saw’s arbor, and as before, it produced a smooth cut with no gouging or chipping of the Plexi; this technique more or less files away the Plexi, but it is to efficient, it feels like a normal cut. After my cuts, I vacuumed up all the Plexi-dust and peeled one side of the clear and one side of the tined Plexi protective paper, polished any smudges with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol from the drug store, and set the ¼” sheet down on my granite countertop with a couple of layers of craft paper underneath as protection. I my pick tool to punch a few pour and vent holes in the “evaporation cover” of the Weld-On® 4™ Acrylic Cement can I bought and poured it onto the ¼” Plexiglass on the countertop. I then coated the ½” Plexi with the Acrylic Cement while I was outside. I placed the ½” on top of the ¼” Plexi and started adding heavy weights to the Plexi. For a few minutes I kept the two sheets aligned with each other since they wanted to slide around on each other. After about 3 minutes the bond had started to happen. I didn’t touch anything until the next day when I removed the weight and took the other protective papers off. I discovered that some air had still gotten trapped and while the lamination was perfectly clear, small “pockets” of air were visible in various areas across the lamination. Later someone suggested using a heat gun to drive out the air, and that would have been a good idea, along with drilling a couple of holes for where the hinge hardware would get bolted on, and running some pins in those holes to maintain alignment of the two sheets until bonded. Anyway, I didn’t let it bother me, at least they were clear and tinted, and I would be adding teak treads which would make the air pockets much less noticeable. Since the sheets were cut with a tiny excess margin, and they weren’t perfectly the same, I used 80 grit sandpaper on my belt sander to get the edges smooth and even, and to round the corners and bevel the edges. I followed up with 120 grit and finally 220 grit, but figured I’d skip the wet sanding and polishing for another time. I took them to the boat and aligned all the hardware and drilled holes for all the hinges, struts and thumbscrew latches, and used a combination of stainless-steel Hillman Round Base Tee Nuts and Rivet Nuts for the backing nuts on the hinge screws since these nuts could be counter-sunk into the Plexi and allow the gasket to compress nicely onto them. The other hardware I used stainless acorn nuts and washers which are on the top side of the hatch lid.

After getting the new hatch lids installed, I ripped out the old gasket material that was glued to the molded channel around the hatch lid. I used acetone to wipe the old adhesive off, then I lightly sanded the gasket glue-down channel with #120 sandpaper. Finally, I wiped the area clean with alcohol. I used painter’s tape to secure the new 12mm round silicone rubber gasket strip I bought (a round gasket material is the only shape that will allow significant curves without deforming) as I worked it around the gasket channel, and I cut it at the overlap point. I removed the painter’s tape and set those pieces aside for a moment, then I laid down a bead of clear GE Supreme Silicone caulk in the gasket channel and started putting the gasket back on the bead, taping it in place while I went along. I put a bit of silicone caulk where the two ends of the gasket met, and taped off the Plexiglass where they would hit when I dropped the lid; then I carefully lowered the lid, making sure the gasket didn’t shift position, and then tightened the hatch thumb screws until there was even pressure on the gasket. Two days later I opened the hatches and found the bond between the silicone rubber and the fiberglass was very strong. I’m sure there might be an optimal product to use since much of what I read indicated that many adhesives will not bond well to silicone rubber, but the GE caulk was $14/tube, and from what I read, it was perfectly capable of working in this application.

Just before finishing the Plexi, I found ¼” x ½” teak strips at Buck Woodcraft in Marathon, Florida, and while their online shipping calculator gives wildly over-priced shipping quotes, the owner said he makes an adjustment and shipping would be reasonable; and it was fairly reasonable at $50. I cut and sanded each strip (except the bottom where I’d use ½” 3M VHB tape), then wipe the bottom of the teak strip with alcohol, place the VHB tape on the cleaned wood strip, press hard, and trim the tape to size. I would also wipe the Plexiglas with alcohol, and place two pieces of painter’s tape on each side of the hatch and make measured marks for where each strip should align. I peeled the release of the VHB tape, and stuck it to the Plexiglass, and after a day in the Sun, those strips were very secure, and it looked a lot better than the screws that attached the teak strips on the original hatches.

Overall, the job came out pretty well and when I have a chance I’ll post a couple of pictures of the hatches.


]]> Lou-In-NJ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f55/fabricating-custom-hatch-lids-and-hatch-gaskets-300672.html For Sale: 2x Flexofold 18x13L 3 blade folding prop 3 month used for 4200Euro https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f64/2x-flexofold-18x13l-3-blade-folding-prop-3-month-used-for-4200euro-300671.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:29:59 GMT Selling my two Flex-o-Fold 18x13L 3 blade folding props, only 3 month used and freshly propspped antifouling and extra anodes. I am selling them... Selling my two Flex-o-Fold 18x13L 3 blade folding props, only 3 month used and freshly propspped antifouling and extra anodes. I am selling them because they are not fitting my one off overpowered catamaran (wrongly speced by Flexofold) and I fitted feathering kiwi props where I can adjust the pitch and load up the engine accordingly.

Selling two complete 18x13L FFOF 3 blade propeller 2778Euro each new =5556Euro or 6500$
2 FFoF propeller hubs left hand turning (standard on 95% of cats)
6 blades 18x13 L freshly 3 month old professionally propspeed antifouling (470Euro propspeed+150Euro application additionally)
All mounting hardware
2 anodes FFOF plus 2 spare andodes

Total value 6270Euro and ready to mount out of the box, Selling for 4200Euro Pickups or plus shipping

Propeller fit on all cats with around 45-60hp engines from factory as standard or optional engine eg FP Helia 44, FP Salina 48, FP Astrea 42, Leopard 42/45, Lagoon 40/42/45
They also fit on all cats or twin engines boats equipped with Volvo D2-50/55 with 130S Saildrives and 2.19 gearbox ratio (Standard Ratio) from factory.
I am shipping worldwide or pickup.
We are near Malaga now and heading for Mallorca till end of june and then Sardinia and Greece
Only selling both props, not splitting them. ]]> General Classifieds (no boats) CaptainRivet https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f64/2x-flexofold-18x13l-3-blade-folding-prop-3-month-used-for-4200euro-300671.html Charlie Dalin https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f106/charlie-dalin-300670.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:28:02 GMT Charlie Dalin, winner of the 2025 Vendée Globe and a hugely inspirational figure in the sailing community, has died of cancer at the age of 42. ... Charlie Dalin, winner of the 2025 Vendée Globe and a hugely inspirational figure in the sailing community, has died of cancer at the age of 42.

https://apnews.com/article/charlie-d...4591175e3a0b8c

https://youtu.be/UOER0uDLulk?is=GJYdylQrY4PG1xGl

Sail on, champion… sail on. The sea is calling you on one final journey. �� ]]> Knotical https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f106/charlie-dalin-300670.html Wind Turbine Output? https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/wind-turbine-output-300669.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:03:42 GMT Specifically interested in real world wind turbine output in summertime Florida. Can anybody tell me avg daily or weekly yield (and the unit)? My... Specifically interested in real world wind turbine output in summertime Florida. Can anybody tell me avg daily or weekly yield (and the unit)?

My solar space is maxed out, and thats enough, except i could use a little more in summer (I run a small 12v AC). Summer is of course the least windy time of year, so looking for real numbers, so i can evaluate if it's worth the trouble. ]]> SKMT https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/wind-turbine-output-300669.html Lithium Power Control Logic https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f166/lithium-power-control-logic-300667.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:59:18 GMT I'm making progress with my lithium power system and might have it running next week.

I'm having a final think-through of the control logic and would like to hear what you more experienced/knowledgeable folks think.

My system:

2x 280AH x 24v batteries, controlled by JK "inverter" BMS's.
2x BVM shunts and monitors, one for each battery
1x SmartShunt tracking bank as a whole
Cerbo GX MkII

Charge sources:
24v x 100A school bus alternator, regulated by Balmar MC-624
New model Multiplus 24/5000/120

Although the BMS's are CAN-capable and Victron has DVCC, I want everything to be fundamentally autonomous. So I am thinking about control of the system in several layers:

1. Normal control -- charge sources
a. Multiplus follows its own programmed voltage program with no external input.
b. Balmar does the same with the alternator.

2. Safety intervention -- Cerbo
Cerbo monitors voltages, temperature, SOC (BVM's are connected to Cerbo).
Cerbo alarms if abnormal condition
Cerbo relay cuts ignition wire to alternator in case of abnormal condition
Cerbo shuts down Multiplus via an Assistant in case of over- or under-voltage, temperature, other abnormal situation.

3. Last ditch -- BMS's
BMS's alarm if abnormal condition
BMS's open MOSFETs in case none of the above works.

4. Separate temperature alarm system, completely freestanding.

Some things I'm not sure about:

1. Do I use the BMS relays to provoke a Cerbo safety intervention? Or connect the CANbus connection between them? Only reason for this would be to allow a Stage 2 intervention in case of cell imbalance or one cell out of parameters, something the Cerbo can't know without comms to the BMS's. Overkill? I'm leaning to relying on the BMS alarms for this narrow case.

2. Is the best way to let the Cerbo shut down the Multiplus, an Assistant? I could use NodeRED, but with the MultiControl connected, the Cerbo loses its ability to turn the Multiplus on or off or select inverter only etc.


Is this altogether overkill? It's not like the cells are that expensive. We never took even 1/10 of these precautions with lead batteries costing 4x as much. But I'm not thinking so much about the expense of replacing ruined cells, as I am about reliability, and safety.

Grateful for tips. ]]> Lithium Power Systems Dockhead https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f166/lithium-power-control-logic-300667.html Opencpn app android https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f10/opencpn-app-android-300666.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:52:56 GMT I have 2 problems with the opencpn app on a android tablet. The first is that somtimes the app does not start up and i have to delete it and... I have 2 problems with the opencpn app on a android tablet.

The first is that somtimes the app does not start up and i have to delete it and install it again.

The second is that i use cm93 charts and it does not show after migrating the map above the chart maps.

The tablet is brand new. Before i had a windows tablet and it worked perfect.

What can i do to fix this issues?

Thnx in advanced ]]> Stephan Tromp https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f10/opencpn-app-android-300666.html US National Weather Service seeks comments on discontinuance of HF weatherfax https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/us-national-weather-service-seeks-comments-on-discontinuance-of-hf-weatherfax-300661.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:40:29 GMT *Soliciting Comments through July 13, 2026 on the proposed discontinuation of the High Frequency (HF) Radiofax Broadcasts from Hawaii, Alaska,... Soliciting Comments through July 13, 2026 on the proposed
discontinuation of the High Frequency (HF) Radiofax Broadcasts from
Hawaii, Alaska, Massachusetts, California, and Louisiana.

Public Information Statement 26-48

The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Marine Services is accepting public
comments through Friday, July 13, 2026 on the proposed discontinuation of
the HF radiofax broadcasts from Honolulu, HI, Boston, MA, Kodiak, AK,
Point Reyes, CA and New Orleans, LA.

NWS will continue to produce HF radiofax charts and NOAA Weather Radio
(NWR) broadcasts will not be affected.

HF radiofax broadcasts transmit NWS high seas forecast graphics, but
users can receive the charts (and other forecasts) through other numerous
avenues. The availability of the Internet also enables faster and better
quality receiving of weather charts.

...

National Weather Service Change Notices and Public Statements, including this statement, is available here.

They told us they would extend the comment date if necessary. Before starlink this service was well used. Not sure who if anyone still uses HF weather fax. ]]> Marine Electronics joehersey https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/us-national-weather-service-seeks-comments-on-discontinuance-of-hf-weatherfax-300661.html Victron Cerbo GX and Digital Multi Control https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/victron-cerbo-gx-and-digital-multi-control-300660.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:00:12 GMT This feature is not documented, as far as I can tell, so I'm putting up here to possibly save others a bit of perplexity.


The Cerbo GX MkII has two, not one VE.Bus connectors, and you CAN daisy chain the Digital Multi Control through the Cerbo. In fact, it even works with the Cerbo powered down.


One may ask why use both? Answer in my case is I have been using the Digital Multi Control for 15 years and it is handy and familiar for me with all the fundamental controls for the Multiplus. Much prefer to have the hardware knob and hardware switch right there, with current limitation value constantly display, than wading through pages with a touch screen display.


So for me -- DMC for every day basic control. Cerbo for deeper dive into what is going on in the system, and more sophisticated controls. ]]> Dockhead https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/victron-cerbo-gx-and-digital-multi-control-300660.html For Sale: FLIR VUE 640x512 NTSC Thermal Camera $650 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f64/flir-vue-640x512-ntsc-thermal-camera-650-a-300659.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:51:01 GMT Flir Vue LWIR thermal camera , 640x512 resolution, 30/60Hz, analog output NTSC . 9mm lens , 62x50 field of view. The mini usb cable is included.... Flir Vue LWIR thermal camera , 640x512 resolution, 30/60Hz, analog output NTSC .
9mm lens , 62x50 field of view.
The mini usb cable is included.
Never used except for testing for a couple of hours in a lab.
Can be interfaced with MFD's that have an analog video input directly.
Can be interfaced to a computer for controlling settings and to display video.
Not for export. ]]> General Classifieds (no boats) CatLove https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f64/flir-vue-640x512-ntsc-thermal-camera-650-a-300659.html For Sale: Ocean Touring Kevlar Kayak 17ft Wilderness Systems https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f152/ocean-touring-kevlar-kayak-17ft-wilderness-systems-300658.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:33:43 GMT Used , in good condition. 17ft long, 22.5 inch wide . Kevlar construction. No cracks , structural damage or repairs of any kind. A couple of... Used , in good condition.
17ft long, 22.5 inch wide .
Kevlar construction.
No cracks , structural damage or repairs of any kind.
A couple of minor chips on the cockpit coaming but otherwise hull and deck have no issues.
Minor cosmetic superficial scratches on the bottom .
Includes a Valley foam padded backrest as pictured.
A black neoprene sprayskirt matching the cockpit size, in new condition is available for $75.
Asking $700, can meet in or around the Orlando area or in a few weeks on the way to North Carolina.
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]]> Boats For Sale and Wanted CatLove https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f152/ocean-touring-kevlar-kayak-17ft-wilderness-systems-300658.html RNC vs ENC Charts https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/rnc-vs-enc-charts-300657.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:00:47 GMT I couldn't get the ENC Charts to do what I wanted on my new laptop for the boat so I moved my old RNC files over and used them.

Are the ENC Charts as good as RNC? ]]> OpenCPN thomm225 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/rnc-vs-enc-charts-300657.html