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Read more: Networked Smoke Detectors Improve Liferaft StorageWhile we don’t plan to go far offshore in our J/109, we did buy a liferaft as our emergency exit if we are suddenly faced with a fire or a leak that we are not able to stop. We are often not carrying a dinghy, and even when we are it’s stowed deflated below, so […]
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Converting a Racing Sailboat to a Fast Cruiser—Performance and Rig
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Read more: Converting a Racing Sailboat to a Fast Cruiser—Performance and RigA racing boat, as long as she is not too extreme, can make a great cruising boat, but there are many things to learn before buying, and to change after.
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Read more: The Importance Of Boat Speed To Autopilot OperationModern smart autopilots rely on an accurate true wind calculation to steer well with the wind aft of the beam, particularly when a spinnaker, A-Sail or code is set. And assuming we have the apparent wind direction wand accurately adjusted for angle on each tack, another important input to true wind direction is boat speed, […]
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Read more: WakeSpeed Pro Alternator Regulator AnnouncedWakespeed have announced a new alternator regulator, the WS 500 Pro. Here’s the scoop based on an in depth email conversation I have had with Al Thomason, chief designer at Wakespeed.
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Read more: Hurricane Mooring Weight RecommendationThis hurricane season is forecast to be one of the most active in history, and that means we should think about upgrading our moorings.
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Read more: Q&A—Which Courses To Take?Question You mention the International Certificate of Competence and the Yacht Master Offshore course. I’m at the beginning of my journey and started with an ASA course. Are the Yacht Master courses going to be the best overall to begin working towards? Member, Michael Answer Login to continue reading (scroll down) Learn About Membership Get […]
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Read more: Fun We Can Have Sailing Under Bare PolesI was out sailing singlehanded a couple of days ago. When I got back into our cove I, as usual when I’m planning to return to our wharf, dropped and furled the mainsail after starting the engine. But then it struck me that it might be fun to see if I could get alongside without […]
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Read more: Lithium Buyer’s Guide—Budget: Economy OptionsIn the last chapter we examined an ideal fully integrated lithium system at a big price, now let’s see if we can save some money without sacrificing too much.
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Read more: Q&A—How To Increase The Insured Value of Our BoatQuestion …The alternative was a policy only for boats with a value above $75K US. I have massively upgraded my 45 year old Morgan 382 for offshore voyaging (most recently a new Beta 35), as well as its cosmetics. But I know the market and no surveyor could honestly value it at $75K (my paint […]
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Read more: Q&A—Sizing a Staysail Roller FurlerQuestion Having a good look at some of the pictures where I can see the furling gear you used on MC it appears to me that it is about 1 size smaller then your head furler. Is this correct? And if so, were you ever concerned about its size in heavy weather? Member, Pepijn Answer […]
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Read more: Interesting Refrigeration OptionI have long been a fan of holding-plate refrigeration systems over evaporator systems: More efficient. When done right, better temperature consistency. Can be force-run when there is ample power, say when motoring or a generator is running—can be automated. Can be shut down overnight for quiet without the box thawing out or getting too warm—if […]
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Read more: Applying Power and TorqueWhen choosing mechanical gear, especially engines, it’s important to understand power and torque. Many people misuse these terms to sell products, so being informed helps us make better decisions.
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Q&A—Do I Need a Fail-Safe ABYC-Compliant Galvanic Isolator?
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Read more: Q&A—Do I Need a Fail-Safe ABYC-Compliant Galvanic Isolator?The fail-safe galvanic isolator was invented by Dairyland Electrical Industries Question Do you know why so-called “fail-safe” ABYC Galvanic Isolators are much more expensive than the Galvanic Isolators that are still allowed here in Europe? Member, Henrick Login to continue reading (scroll down) Learn About Membership Get to know us for FREE
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Read more: Hurricane Mooring Pennant Photo ArticleIt’s forecast to be an active hurricane season so here is the first of two articles on preparing a mooring for storms. This one on the building a chafe resistant pennant.
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Read more: Don’t Buy Generation One ElectronicsI’m not sure how many times over the years I have beaten some variation of this drum here at AAC. Here and here come to mind, but I’m sure I have written it, or something like it, many more times. And yet, when a new cool piece of gear comes out, what do we all […]
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Read more: Understanding Power and TorqueThere are probably no two words that are more often misused when we talk about boats than power and torque. Eric demystifies both and in the process inoculates us against some potentially expensive misconceptions.
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Read more: Reduce Spinnaker Snag RiskOne of the nastiest spinnaker SNAFUs is when the sail jams in the V between the intermediate shrouds (D2s) and the uppers (V2s) at the lower spreaders (S1), usually on take down.
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Read more: ARCO Zeus Ground Loop ProblemI recently received a link to this forum thread on lithium batteries that includes a concerning quote: Another note, during installation, there is a yellow and black wire on the Zeus alternator harness, “ALT GND” which is for a ground of the Zeus to the Alternator. In some installations, this has caused a ground loop, […]
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Read more: Lithium Buyer’s Guide—Budget: High End SystemSo far in this buyer’s guide, we have covered the technical aspects of upgrading our offshore cruising boat to lithium. Now let’s compare three relatively high-cost options and the cost and benefits of each.
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Read more: Learning From A COB TragedyI have just finished reading the above report from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada about the death of a crew member on the St John’s, Newfoundland pilot boat who fell overboard just two miles outside the harbour during a pilot transfer. At first glance we yachties might think that the lessons learned from this […]
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Read more: Solar: Lead-Acid Battery Saver, Potential Lithium WreckerThe above is a graph of battery voltage on our J/109, currently still out of the water but uncovered. As you can see, each day shortly after dawn our solar panel starts charging and since, other than the first day when I was aboard and using power, there are no significant loads and the batteries […]
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Read more: Close to Home, Yet Far AwayMatt reminds us all that it’s not about cool electrical systems, or even cool boats, it’s about having attainable adventures with those we love.
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Read more: Boatyard Fall PreventionUs offshore sailors think and talk a lot about crew overboard prevention, but there’s another risk we subject ourselves to frequently that does not get much air time (ouch, bad pun): Falling off the boat when she is out of the water. And, believe me, even a 6-foot fall onto a hard surface can do […]
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Read more: Wakespeed WS500 Compared To ARCO Zeus—What MattersA comparison of the two regulators cutting through all the details to what really matters, and including a look at how to evaluate all tech products.
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Read more: Summary Table of ContentsAAC, like most every WordPress-based web site, lists articles under Topics (or Chapters under Books) with title, image, author, number of comments, date and descriptive excerpt. And that’s great if you are exploring an Online Book to decide which chapters you want to read. But if you just want to get a sense for what’s […]
