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Sailor 99 · 23-03-2019, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Found at Sea

When using your Milwaukee side angle drill do you ever have problems with the chuck set screw breaking when under a load and in reverse? I would appreciate any suggestions on how to correct this problem.

I broke several screws. Then I fixed it good. I drilled a couple of really tough holes and this screwed down the chuck good and tight. Then I tightened up the locking screw and never had a problem since.

On the other side of the coin, we buggered the battery real good. When we used it even on the slow side of the winch the drill would stall. Battery was only good for about 6 tacks MAX.

So I ordered some new batteries and I went to the Milwaukee sale and bought a refurbished 120 volt angle drill. I took the right angle section and added it to my 28 volt drill so I know have 2 right angles. More importantly I have 2 step downs on drill speed. I bet we could pull the clue right out of the sail if we wanted. 1 Battery now lasts all day.

Hasbeen · 23-03-2019, 19:41

There is only one thing certain in this life, you are not going to survive it, so get on & enjoy it, with out worrying too much about the outcome. If you want to try to beat the odds, & live forever, stay home. & hope some plane doesn't crash into your house.

In 53,000 miles around the Pacific, many single handed, I never wore a life jacket & only once used a safety harness. That was to attach my sextant to in really rough weather. Lose your sextant in the Coral sea in the days before satnav, & you were in real trouble.

I did once have a clown from the Sydney harbour authority try to stop me from leaving port, because I did not have my danbouy & life ring on the stern rail. I explained that as a single hander, they were not much use as safety gear. In fact the ropes attached to each were likely to come loose in really rough conditions, making them a serious hazard. He only stopped chasing me, when it got a bit rough outside.

If you think about it, you should avoid beds at all cost. After all, more people die in them, than anywhere else.

Zzmeyer · 23-03-2019, 19:50

The case against liferafts. They cost a lot of money, they aren't needed very often, if needed it might not work, and if I don't have one and need it I'll regret it for a very short period. I have one just in case my kids are aboard.

Hasbeen · 23-03-2019, 20:08

Good one Zzmeyer, I didn't have one of them either. In a fully monitored race one may save your life, but solo out in the middle of the Pacific, they are more likely to simply extend the time you spend dying.

I had a hard bottomed planning inflatable, I rigged with a mast. No centreboard, so it only sailed down wind. I told my mother it was my life boat. I didn't believe it, but the fact she did, made life easier for her.

Sailor 99 · 23-03-2019, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hasbeen

If you think about it, you should avoid beds at all cost. After all, more people die in them, than anywhere else.

Or as they way on Sailing Uma. Don't buy a couch.

Sailor 99 · 23-03-2019, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hasbeen

No centreboard, so it only sailed down wind. I told my mother it was my life boat. I didn't believe it, but the fact she did, made life easier for her.

I just re-registered our epirbs and set the back up call to be my mom. I told her... I wished i had not.

Sailor 99 · 23-03-2019, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Flare

I would think $20K to $25K to do a main sail boom reefing. That would be installed.

I would expect them to throw in a couple of spinnakers as well for that money.

Sailor 99 · 23-03-2019, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Well, at 80 I guess that I qualify as an older cruiser!
All that said, we intend to carry on as long as we can, for the lifestyle is basically a very healthy one, and continued activity keeps us going.

Jim

Good on you Jim. When we bought our current boat, a Beneteau Idylle 51, the owner told us he bought it off a man and wife team. He was 82 and she was 80.

Keep going as long as you can and never surrender.

Cheers,

Colin