https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ General discussions on sailing not covered elsewhere on the board en Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:09:14 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/responsibility-to-say-do-something-302402.html Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:47:04 GMT Is there any responsibility to say or do something when you see someone about to do something on a boat that you feel may end badly? Years ago my... Is there any responsibility to say or do something when you see someone about to do something on a boat that you feel may end badly?

Years ago my wife and I saw a presentation by “captain” Donald Lawson at meeting of the multihull association we belonged to. He was basically fundraising to realize his goal of buying a huge trimaran to set the fastest time for the around the world solo trip.

We were absolutely stunned at his lack of experience and knowledge about multihulls in general. We left the meeting pretty sure something bad was going to happen. His subsequent video updates also confirmed he was in WAY over his head. He ended up flipping his massive tri, and was never found.

Now there is a guy on YouTube who is following a very similar path. His Wharram cat that he found basically abandoned on a mooring is full of rotting wood, has no lifelines, no house/dodger/bimini. No dagger boards in the slots. Weird hand-crank windlass. Sketchy barely running outboards he is always playing with. Jury-rigged (homebuilt) autopilot/steering system. His rig is also jury-rigged, not properly supported, it bends wildly during test sails (all of this on his videos). Etc. etc. etc.

He is getting ready to cross the Atlantic. I have the exact same feeling I had about Mr. Lawson. That something bad will happen.

I have attempted to “comment” on his videos on YouTube, but I think he has me blocked, as they all get deleted. Almost all of the other comments are encouraging him. These have to be people with zero to very, very little sailing experience.

I don’t want to mention his channel’s name as I don’t want to be accused of slandering him directly. Feel free to check it out if you can find it. 42’ rotting Wharram cat in Europe.

I guess I feel some small responsibility to do or say something, given my experience with Mr. Lawson. But don’t know what to do.

Ideas? ]]> General Sailing Forum Phish https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/responsibility-to-say-do-something-302402.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/better-mainsail-halyard-track-sliders-frogs-and-cars-302346.html Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:18:32 GMT Hola compaņeros, those things that connect the mainsail to the U track on the Mast. Whatever you call them, my new sail has plastic slugs that... Hola compaņeros, those things that connect the mainsail to the U track on the Mast.


Whatever you call them, my new sail has plastic slugs that go in the old alum. track
and they stick when dowsing. I'm not enjoying having to haul down the last 20 ft of Main
with a boathook, esp. when everything is throwing itself around.


I've seen the Selden Track with ball bearing Cars that is a dream, but the price is a nightmare.
The old dishrag sail with some type of fiber slugs slid well enough,
but the new RT sail (white plastic slugs with a U fitting for the web attach)
wants to stick, and most often in frisky conditions.


Who has wisdom about sensible upgrades that don't cost a good used car?
Mast in question is Aluminum with a C shaped box track riveted on, 80's style.
The cars fit inside that with enough space to hoist easily, but not drop.


Confusing terms:
I grew up with the old bronze ones with arms around a hatshaped track called Frogs
The metal or plastic lozenges that fit inside the track were called Slugs
Ones that had wheels or bearings were called Cars.
If there is a better modern consensus on names, pls lmk for clarity.


I just want the big main to drop when I need it to.
Cheers, Lo ]]> General Sailing Forum lobelia https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/better-mainsail-halyard-track-sliders-frogs-and-cars-302346.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/yacht-devices-302339.html Wed, 07 Oct 2026 23:31:42 GMT Hi Friends, I am looking for real world comments from users of the following bits of kit. Yacht Devices NMEA 2000 Bridge YDNB-07 This is... Hi Friends,

I am looking for real world comments from users
of the following bits of kit.

Yacht Devices NMEA 2000 Bridge YDNB-07
This is used to split a NMEA 2000 network
into two or more isolated networks that still pass data between them all
Usefull in that one malfunctioning bit won't take down everything.

Yacht Devices WI-FI Gateway YDWG-02
This devices broadcasts via WI-FI all the NMEA 2000 Data
so it can be seen on various devices, computers, Ipads, Phones and Tablets.

Honest comments would be very appreciated
Thanx
Neil ]]> General Sailing Forum Time2Go https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/yacht-devices-302339.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/engine-for-friendship-22-a-302331.html Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:12:01 GMT I have an old (1990) friendship 22. The engine is an BMW D6 (Hatz Diesel). I do not trust this engine too much, especially the generator does not... I have an old (1990) friendship 22. The engine is an BMW D6 (Hatz Diesel). I do not trust this engine too much, especially the generator does not work any longer. I would like to exchange this engine by an actual Yanmar engine.

Can anybody give some hint to a good boat builder who can exchange the old engine?

(I live in Penzberg, Bavaria, but the location is not so important)

Best

Joachim ]]> General Sailing Forum friendshipjo https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/engine-for-friendship-22-a-302331.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/the-human-bow-thruster-302296.html Mon, 05 Oct 2026 02:19:45 GMT Have been sailing for a long time now. Always trying to keep things simple and affordable.

About “3 boats ago” my wife and I coined the term “human bow thruster”.

Here’s how it works:

When coming in or leaving narrow marina passages….one of us stands near the bow with our extra long boat hook that we have added a small non-marring, but grippy, tip to. We have had different length hooks over the years (the longer the better, we had one once that telescoped out to 16’ I think), and different end tips, including a tennis ball glued onto one.

When the front of the boat starts to head towards an obstacle, the person on the bow simply uses the extra-long hook to push the boat away from the danger. Well before the boat is anywhere near the danger.

We have successfully used this method many times, in high winds, currents, etc. Never had an issue, and never had someone get mad at us for “touching” their boat. I am gusssing they realized a small protected touch is much better than smashing into the side of their boat.

Maybe this helps others looking for an affordable solution. $50 for the extra long hook/tip, or $11,480 for the new bow thruster and all the installation costs. That’s an easy decision for us. ]]> General Sailing Forum Phish https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/the-human-bow-thruster-302296.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/pennekamp-mooring-field-depth-302283.html Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:50:52 GMT Anyone have any first-hand experience using the mooring field in Key Largo sound? The John Pennekamp moorings?

I draft 5’. Sailboat. There is a 2’ tidal difference, so I could obviously use that to my advantage.

Questions:

Is the depth of the channel at least 5’, at high tide, all the way in?

Assuming it is, once in and moored, is the bottom there hard or soft? If I touch a bit at lower tides is it going to pound the keel?

Thanks! ]]> General Sailing Forum Phish https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/pennekamp-mooring-field-depth-302283.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/pearson-424-a-302259.html Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:14:17 GMT Hello all, I recently purchased a 1981 Pearson 424 ketch rig and I have to put a windlass on it. Now the anchor locker up front on the bow is very... Hello all,
I recently purchased a 1981 Pearson 424 ketch rig and I have to put a windlass on it. Now the anchor locker up front on the bow is very shallow. Approximately 12" at the deep end and about 7" at the shallow end. I noticed that down below in the v berth there is a locker directly below the anchor locker. I carry 200' of 3/8" chain and 200' of rode. Has anyone tried cutting thru the floor of the anchor locker so you would have plenty of room for your ground tackle? And also, the windlass im looking at says that you need at least 12" of drop for the chain to operate properly... thank ]]> General Sailing Forum Sailboatnut424 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/pearson-424-a-302259.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/sailboat-comparison-spreadsheet-302239.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:51:30 GMT Before I reinvent the wheel(spreadsheet).... Is there a SS or form for sailboat info when considering a boat to buy and use to compare another... Before I reinvent the wheel(spreadsheet)....

Is there a SS or form for sailboat info when considering a boat to buy and use to compare another boat

Def things like boat specs like draft, beam, transom, cockpit volume, etc.

But also usability stuff like:
Water holding tank(s) capacity, material, pump type, rain collection, etc
Chain size, type, finish
Engine details, power, consumption, tranny,
Lifeline type
Rigging type, last replacement
Dinghy stuff
Solar stuff, capacity, brand(s), etc
Fridge stuff, insulation thickness, etc.

.....basically everything one wants to know about a boat so one can 1) ensure they looked at all systems and 2) can create a list of differences between boats being considered

I know I can't be the only OCD that wants to make sure they look at all this stuff.

Thanks in advance. ]]> General Sailing Forum Andrew Vanis https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/sailboat-comparison-spreadsheet-302239.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/noisy-autohelm-302171.html Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:05:51 GMT I have a 1987 Ericson 28 with a Raymarine SmartPilot X-5 autohlem. This is the type with a motor-driven belt turning a wheel bolted onto the helm. ... I have a 1987 Ericson 28 with a Raymarine SmartPilot X-5 autohlem. This is the type with a motor-driven belt turning a wheel bolted onto the helm. The owner's manual is dated 2008.

The autohlem is very noisy in winds above say 10-12 knots, especailly so if there is a lot of chop. It makes a loud whirring/grinding noise as it struggles to hold course. It's so noisy that it takes the pleasure out of sailing and I just turn it off and hand steer. I single-hand and am looking to go longer distances, so would like a reliable autohelm.

I adjusted the belt tension to reduce slippage; that helped a little. I dial down the response level to 2 to minimize autohelm movement. It's still annoyingly loud, and it struggles to hold course in wind and chop, particularly on a windy broad reach when the boat starts to surf.

I wonder if a new unit of this type would perform better, or if anyone has a recommendation for an autohelm for a boat of this size. Appreciate any thoughts. ]]> General Sailing Forum Chesapeake Slr https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/noisy-autohelm-302171.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/do-plastic-diesel-tanks-pass-the-smell-test-302168.html Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:21:25 GMT IOW, can you detect the presence of diesel fuel inside one? W/o opening the cap, of course! In previous post I asked about sources of plastic fuel... IOW, can you detect the presence of diesel fuel inside one? W/o opening the cap, of course!

In previous post I asked about sources of plastic fuel tanks to replace a leaking stainless steel tank. A leak was welded years ago, but I think it may be leaking again.

I had been leaning toward plastic, but I've learned that after contact with fuel they expand in all directions 2-3% from fuel absorption, which complicates things a little, regarding attachment in the fuel locker. But more importantly, it makes me wonder if it absorbs fuel, could you smell it externally? Very little fuel leaks now, but the odor is the problem, so I wouldn't want to go through all the trouble of replacement to have the problem return. EPA has rigorous standards for emission, but not sure if they are as good as a nose!

The alternative is an aluminum tank, attractive as it would be made to better fit the space and not lose capacity, but obviously more expensive.

Thus the question. ]]> General Sailing Forum ggray https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/do-plastic-diesel-tanks-pass-the-smell-test-302168.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/noreaster-chesapeake-bay-302145.html Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:26:43 GMT So my marina was flooded today with water over the docks.

One big Grady White came loose, and one of it's big Yamaha Outboards was slamming into the dock.

That is an expensive boat so I wonder why the owner wasn't checking on it. I told the marina owner, and he went out to resecure it.

My boat is bouncing around in the 2' waves and 35 knot gusts but is doing fine so far. I loosened the lines to allow for higher tides as we have 2 more days of this at least and added one more line.

Schools are closed here on the Eastern Shore due to high water. ]]> General Sailing Forum thomm225 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/noreaster-chesapeake-bay-302145.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/converting-furling-sail-to-hanked-on-302122.html Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:10:34 GMT Hello,

My boat came with a furler that is now about 20 years old (well 18.4, but rounding up...). It has worked well but it's getting older, and the forestay is about the same age. (re-rigged in 2008). I have re-rigged the rest of the boat myself including chain plates. I already have the forestay fabricated with a swage at the top, and I'll be putting a sta-lock at the bottom, plus a big gnarly looking galvanized turnbuckle (as a style point).

That said, when I bought my boat I had a new 115% jib made for the furler, and a new main. They are both in great shape. The jib was $2300 and it is four years old.

I am going to buy some used hanked on sales. But I am also thinking about converting my furling jib to hanked.

It currently has a no. 6 luff tape. My understanding is that before I can put grommets on it, I should cut off the luff tape and sew on a bolt rope, correct? As it happens my sailing club has an industrial walking foot sewing machine that I could use to install the bolt rope, or anything else (maybe a reefing point).

My question is, do I have this process right? I watched the Sailright video on it and it seems fairly straightforward. That said, is there an easier method of strengthening the luff for a hanked on jib? Or am I over-simplifying this and it is really a job that I should really be having a sailmaker do for me?

thanks! ]]> General Sailing Forum zachduckworth https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/converting-furling-sail-to-hanked-on-302122.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/the-good-old-days-of-beach-cat-racing-302117.html Tue, 22 Sep 2026 23:57:11 GMT I enjoy my Good Old Cruising Boat, but racing beach cats was such a blast! ... I enjoy my Good Old Cruising Boat, but racing beach cats was such a blast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_kP...&start_radio=1 ]]> General Sailing Forum thomm225 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/the-good-old-days-of-beach-cat-racing-302117.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/predict-wind-302107.html Tue, 22 Sep 2026 01:02:25 GMT Hi, I am looking to start using Predict Wind to help with passage making, i hear this is one of the best to use? Does anyone have experience... Hi,

I am looking to start using Predict Wind to help with passage making, i hear this is one of the best to use?

Does anyone have experience with this, and might be able to refer me for a 30% discount for us both?

Thanks,
Rod ]]> General Sailing Forum Rodexi https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/predict-wind-302107.html https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/great-source-for-fuling-gear-302087.html Sun, 20 Sep 2026 19:45:47 GMT https://northman-russia.ru/service/ns-furling-gear/ Working well, good communication /high recomend https://northman-russia.ru/service/ns-furling-gear/

Working well, good communication

/high recomend ]]> General Sailing Forum Jimbo2010 https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/great-source-for-fuling-gear-302087.html