Those Simple Ideas Liveaboards Have to Improve Life

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by GrahamHO

...
Why is it called a Spencer when it's designed by Brandlmayr? ...

Because it was built by Spencer Boats. Ltd. (later Spencer Yachts Ltd) of Vancouver, BC, Canada.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by haiqu

Motorcycle cigarette lighter sockets that are made to attach to handlebars are great on the pushpit rails for powering laptops and phone chargers while you're in the cockpit.

This idea appeals to me! I like the mount and the weather protection. I've also made use of the 12V quick disconnects for supplying devices using the Radio Shack part number 23-444. This connector was marketed for the battery packs on remote controlled cars, but they work well aboard. I keep a couple at my binnacle and one at my sleeping berth.

[Goosebumps]

UNDERWATER LIGHT/CAMERA: I successfully mounted a webcam in a halogen sealed ( resealed now) which I can use at end of a pole to see around the cat. In clear water possible to see anchor and observe bottom for rocks. Many other uses, even as forward viewing cam to watch out for obstructions. Same halogen spotlight can be hung from boom to see fish around cat at night. I hope to set up led light because the halogen spot works of my 220V!

[jongleur]

Originally Posted by Goosebumps

UNDERWATER LIGHT/CAMERA: I successfully mounted a webcam in a halogen sealed ( resealed now) which I can use at end of a pole to see around the cat. In clear water possible to see anchor and observe bottom for rocks. Many other uses, even as forward viewing cam to watch out for obstructions. Same halogen spotlight can be hung from boom to see fish around cat at night. I hope to set up led light because the halogen spot works of my 220V!

Sounds great. Do you have pictures of your set-up?

[jheldatksuedu]

You can get some extremely bright LED lights these days, I have a motorcycle headlight I bought on eBay, works great you can get them for $23 with free shipping, item # 321544922653

You can also get up to 100w white LED, and driver chips if you want to build something up for less. see # 141549714451, 121320571337 I've played with those too, I'm basically making every light on the boat LED. Bright green was tough to find cheap, till I went to hiway dept and got an old "GO" light for free, some of the LED's were burnt out so they throw them away. Plenty are still good.

I did an experiment with a computer camera that had night vision, I sealed it in a peanut butter jar, it was a big failure in the waters of the Caloosahatchee, too much tannin, can't see more than a couple feet with your eyes. I knew that, figured the LED and night vision would kick in and let you see things if you got real close to them, I wanted to inspect my hull. The IR led lights did nothing, water absorbs IR so nothing got lit up.

[Franziska]

Here is an old mechanic hand cleaner. BUTTER :-) When you've got dirty hands from working on an engine or so, do not use solvents or expensive handcleaners.
Put a piece of butter in the hand (or few drops of vegetable oil).

Rub hands for 20 sec, rinse of with soapy water.

Works very well.

www.ladyrover.jimdo.com

[Goosebumps]

GROUNDTACKLE: I have cut old 25liter plastic drums to contain groundtackle chain for winterizing, or even spare chain underway in bath of diesel inside my groundtackle bow lockers of my cat. The chain stays longer rust free.

[Hudson Force]

I've mentioned my "low tech" anchor drag alarm on this forum several times in the past. It's very reliable and simple.

After anchoring I drop my small dinghy anchor off my bow on a small rode with enough slack to allow for swing. I run this line loose and free down through the cowl vent within my forward head and tie the bitter end to a sauce pan that I set on the floor.

If the sauce pan hits the ceiling I'm dragging!

[Goosebumps]

ANCHOR DRAGGING: My dog Rio actually becomes extremely nervous when dragging anchor and I can't fail to notice him running around on deck! Saves me a frying pan Hudson Force.

[jongleur]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

If the sauce pan hits the ceiling I'm dragging!

Has it ever alerted you?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I use half a plastic yo-yo for some ends of line to make a fixed adjustment like this topping lift....

Ashley stopper knots work well for this. Very simple.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by jongleur

Has it ever alerted you?

Yes, probably half a dozen times, but only to allow me to check my holding after a tidal current change that with an approx. 100' rode forming the radius of my circle. I have actually only dragged once while I was sleeping and I had not set my "low tech" alarm.

Oh, the frying pan requires less maintenance than the dog! ..... 'though somehow less rewarding.

Back in the early seventies, when I was "young & in manure", I was anchored in Key West and slept in my cockpit with a dinghy anchor rode on my belt. This really stupid plan led to the better frying pan plan. I don't really share much about the dinghy anchor rode tied to my pants plan!

[mausgras]

People might find some of the comments in "must have tools and spares " thread interesting too
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=156514

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Here is an old mechanic hand cleaner. BUTTER :-) When you've got dirty hands from working on an engine or so, do not use solvents or expensive handcleaners.
Put a piece of butter in the hand (or few drops of vegetable oil).

Rub hands for 20 sec, rinse of with soapy water.

Works very well.

Welcome to the Woods Mira 35 - Catamaran Lady Rovers Website!

Better is coconut oil!
It will even get rid of epoxy, tar and other sticky stuff on your skin.

[haiqu]

Need a funnel? Cut the top off a plastic container (milk, distilled water, etc) with a knife. You can steady it with the inbuilt handle too.