Just introducing myself...

[merlin]

Hi everyone,

This my first post here and my first season of getting into sailing. I am planning on learning on a bunch of small boats and working my way up! I am in New England.

I am not new to the water (mostly experience as a kayaker) but I am ready to move up to something bigger

If anyone has some ideas on learning resources that would be awesome! Thanks!

[knottybuoyz]

Welcome aboard Merlin. There's a tremendous amount of info here in the forums on how to get started and what resources are available to learn from. Your fellow New Englanders will be more than willing to guide you.

[merlin]

Thanks very much, I have been lurking here for a while reading....but it was time to register

[swagman]

Hi Merlin,
Magic to see you on the site. Enjoy.
JOHN

[merlin]

Thanks John, what a warm welcome!

It's nice to see an active forum I am also on a couple of car (another hobby, let me know if you have car problem I'd be happy to help you troubleshoot) forums, looks like I may have found another home on the web!

[knottybuoyz]

Originally Posted by merlin

It's nice to see an active forum I am also on a couple of car (another hobby, let me know if you have car problem I'd be happy to help you troubleshoot) forums, looks like I may have found another home on the web!

Here's one for ya. 1999 GMC Jimmy SLT. Just rebuilt engine and transmission. When cold & damp it misses a lot. Code from computer is "misc. misfire". Mechanic can't locate the origin of the fault. I'm thinking humidity/moisture is getting into the wiring harnass somewhere. We've removed, cleaned and replaced all the connections to the ECM. Fuel and injectors as cause of the problem have been eliminated. Any ideas?

[merlin]

Originally Posted by knottybuoyz

Here's one for ya. 1999 GMC Jimmy SLT. Just rebuilt engine and transmission. When cold & damp it misses a lot. Code from computer is "misc. misfire". Mechanic can't locate the origin of the fault. I'm thinking humidity/moisture is getting into the wiring harnass somewhere. We've removed, cleaned and replaced all the connections to the ECM. Fuel and injectors as cause of the problem have been eliminated. Any ideas?

This may help out:

1st question: is it running all right or are you experiencing bogging or stalling? If the car is running fine, I would consider clearing the code (this can be done by a mechanic or at autozone). It could just have been a ghost code. If it doesn't come back, I would think you're good (or the ECM is having issues)

If the car isn't running well:

When was the last full tune up? Most importantly when was the last time the spark plugs/wires were replaced?

If it was a while ago, I would start there. When you remove the spark plugs, you should definitely check to see what the plug looks like. If the plug is fouled, that may begin to explain what's going on, check out this link (it has a pic of a fouled spark plug)
Spark Plugs

Mostly otherwise it could be the distributor cap or rotor (would also be replaced as part of a full tune)

Finally, the timing could be slightly off. I don't know if your car has a timing chain or belt but that could be a source of problems (a mech should also reset the timing as part of a full tune up)

It could be moisture, not sure, hard to say!

Hope this is a start!

[knottybuoyz]

Originally Posted by merlin

This may help out:

1st question: is it running all right or are you experiencing bogging or stalling? If the car is running fine, I would consider clearing the code (this can be done by a mechanic or at autozone). It could just have been a ghost code. If it doesn't come back, I would think you're good (or the ECM is having issues)

Truck runs ok when it's cold & dry or warm & dry. We've cleared the code each time the mechanic services the truck. The ECM itself could be the problem, I'll ask him if there's a diagonstic we can plug in and try that.

Originally Posted by merlin

If the car isn't running well:

When was the last full tune up? Most importantly when was the last time the spark plugs/wires were replaced?

The engine was rebuilt last summer. Spun main bearing thanks to GM's poor engineering, same problem as all GM 4.3 lt. V6's and there's a class action suit going over intake manifold gaskets right now. Unfortunately my truck isn't one of the models covered. When the engine was rebuilt all new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Rotor & cap was suspect and they were changed about 2 months ago under warranty. No affect.

Originally Posted by merlin

Finally, the timing could be slightly off. I don't know if your car has a timing chain or belt but that could be a source of problems (a mech should also reset the timing as part of a full tune up)

\

As far as I can recall there was a new timing chain and cover installed. I'll suggest checking timing again at next service. It's a head scratcher, when you have the best mechanic (and lifelong buddy) who can't figure it out. He's a GM factory trained mechanic as well.

Anybody wanna buy a slightly used 1999 GMC Jimmy SLT?

How is this all boating related? Well it's what I use to put my boat in the ditch every year!

[merlin]

hmm, this IS a head scratcher! Also very frusterating, especially on a rebuild...let me keep thinking!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Merlin,
Welcome aboard!! I've got a '66 Triumph TR4A outside my window that hasn't been on the road in ten years. No battery, no fuel. I'm thinking tow truck!
Anyway, if you can find a good inexpensive sailing course at a local yacht club or an experienced smallboat sailor that doesn't mind sharing his/her knowledge that's a good way to start. If you'd rather just buy an old Sunfish sailboat for about $500 and start splashing around in it that's fun too. I recommend the small book "Start Sailing Right" as a first read. It gets you sailing correctly so that you don't have to relearn to do it right.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[merlin]

Thanks for the welcome, I would have to agree on the tow truck unless you have a lot of time on your hands.

Appreciate the sailing advice, I have that book on order and am currently searching for someone who may be interested in have a newb on his crew!

[swagman]

Hi Skipper John,
Did not realise you were a Triumph fan.
When I was younger (much younger) can recall blasting around in my then aged TR2, then TR3, then TR3A.......could never afford those more modern TR4's! Nice cars.
Cheers
JOHN

[Paul Ouellette]

Merlin :

Two words...Lattitudes & Attitudes.

Read the magazine.

Nuff said.

[merlin]

Well, I'm coming along slowly but surely. I figured I'd keep this thread going to chronicle my learning!

* I ordered a few books and read the first one twice, and am half way through the second book
* I went to the local boat house for orientation and should be getting out a boat shortly (weather has been AWFUL here)...dinghy sailing up to 19' boats!
* I connected with an acquaintance who has a 29' boat and has graciously offered to take me out this summer to get me going on a large boat
* I am SUPER safety conscious, always have been. I already owned a handheld GPS (Garmin etrex vista) but I bought a handheld VHF radio (Standard Horizon HX370s). I did a lot of research and this seemed to be a great value. I have tested ALL the features on it (including the NOAA weather alert that they test every Wednesday). It works great. I have put some pics below. I hope to write up a full review of it for anyone who's interested. It DOES NOT float

Coming up:
* Buying sailing gloves....my hands could use the protection
* GETTING OUT ON THE WATER! Looking forward to much better weather
* More reading!

As always, feedback, questions, and comments welcome!

[aquilamia]

We are new to this mode of communicating...chatboard, blog and forum virgins. However, since we are mad about cruising cats we thought we'd have a go and make a few friends along the way.

We are a British born and educated professional couple, one well travelled Anglo-Irish male in mid 50's and one Asian-Caribbean female in early 40's. Our goal is to own an electric hybrid cruising cat over 40ft, hopefully an Africat Fastcat 435 Vector K or a Lagoon 420/440 depending on final budget. We intend to participate in ARC 2008 and continue on with ARC Worldwide into 2009, ending up back in the Leeward Islands in 2010 to settle in Grenada and build a semi-retirement home there.

As international nutrition and wellness consultants, we specialise in advising blue water sailors, mountaineers and other endurance athletes and personnel, including the military, on practical, portable, durably packaged balanced nutrition. Following exhaustive studies over the past ten years concerning the longterm performance requirements of the human body under duress in extreme conditions, we are expert in advising on the fuelling, refuelling, repair and recovery aspects of physical and mental demands and stress factors commonly associated with intensive short handed and competitive team crewing activities.

We can recommend solutions that are extremely light weight, compact and waterproof from a stores perspective, using proven products that are NASA approved and tested for the space program. These are being used currently by an increasing number of Triathletes, and cyclists, including recent winners of the French national cycling race. All safe and natural ingredients permitted by sports associations and the IOC for athletes.

In addition, since 1995, we are associated with the official nutrition sponsors for LA Galaxy American Soccer team and more recently have been associated with the nutrition sponsor of the London and Blenheim Triathlons in the UK. We have advised research teams and explorers in both polar regions, whilst several solo yachtsmen/women have relied successfully on the products we recommend. (We can't name individuals under contract to third parties.)

We can advise you on palatable and complete vegetarian protein meals and supplements that can be stored dry for extended periods, made up on watch in an individual spill-free plastic beaker and consumed comfortably, even if seasick, without access to a galley.

Fatigue associated with seasickness and lack of adequate nutrition in unpredictable weather can be debilitating and put the vessel and crew in danger. We can suggest the most practical solutions and can arrange for you to obtain supplies at wholesale worldwide. Typical wholesale cost for a nutritious meal-in-one, equivalent in nutrition to a two course meal such as beef stew and fruit, would be under £1 Sterling or US$2.

If you would like further info or wish to purchase a trial sample, contact us with subject Aquilamia to globalife@fsmail.net