Hi Kent. Will you be on board over the July 4 weekend? If so I might stop in to see you. Mike Ondra SV Aletes SM#240 Rock Hall, MD 610-442-7551

I have found that Plastilina Modeling Clay works great for sealing around the chain. Can be molded right into the hole and around the chain links. Seems to be completely waterproof and stays nicely in

Time to replace the washboard rubber seal on Aletes. The rubber has gotten hard and cracked. This conversation was around 2 years ago, but I couldn't find a resolution for a source, or alternate solut

If Fri or Sat Aug 4/5 Aletes may be able to be there. Mike Ondra Aletes SM#240 Rock Hall, MD Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Droid

Binnacle light Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Droid

We found a pretty good replacement for the weather seal on the sliding companionway hatch on the SM2000. Belt Weatherstrip/Window Scraper Seal from Rockauto.com part no. 1371-4X2. 2 48" pcs cost $29.

So it appears that the picture attachments worked. Couple of other notes. The ¼” gap between the chrome trim and the wood threshold of the companionway could easily be filled with a black caulk struck

So after replacing the outhaul gearbox destroyed during our effort last year to remove the "drive shaft" I was most careful top apply anti-sieze grease. Even so I could not remove the shaft with "mode

Vladimir, We found a pretty good replacement for the weather seal on the sliding companionway hatch on the SM2000. Belt Weatherstrip/Window Scraper Seal from Rockauto.com part no. 1371-4X2. 2 48" pcs

Duane. On Aletes, as the companionway door is raised there is a piece of plywood at the bottom on the hidden (back) side of the door that forms a stop to prevent the door from pulling out altogether.

Peter, It is not clear what model/hull # you are nor your location. I can say that we replaced our Antal jib cars last year. Their configuration is custom for Amel, but the US distributor for Antal kn

Vladimir. We too plan to be traveling to Antigua in November departing from the Chesapeake around November 5. What will be your point of departure? Mike Ondra Aletes SM#240 Rock Hall, MD

Hi Pat. We replaced our turbo in 2013. Purchased from Marine Parts Express in Maine (google it) and received great service. They seemed to know Volvo/Penta quite well. Price was $1750 plus $500 for th

Pat, I was afraid you’d ask that. I didn’t say because I couldn’t remember. As I recall I did drop it off to their shop on the way home from Rock Hall, but I don’t recall why they felt it was not rebu

Hello Willem, This is a Vetus Hydraulic Dampened Engine Mount. We purchased these in 2016 from Jamestown Distributors in Bristol, RI, USA for $169 each. Mike Ondra ALETES SM2000 #240 Rock Hall, MD Ant

Willem. I too had heard this. But after deeper research felt comfortable with these particular mounts. unfortunately I do not recall exactly the research process I went through. The mounts are identic

Willem, I will not be on Aletes for a week or two to verify the Vetus name on the mounts. I do know that these replacement mounts have worked well for two years since replacement. Mike Ondra ALETES SM

Who’d of thought there was so much to know about transmissions and their lubrication! Foley website full of interesting information. On a related topic. Dr. Diesel Tip #101 at Foley says DO NOT put Hu

Eric, Negative. Thanks, Mike

We are considering redoing the standing rigging that hasn’t been touched in 18 years. Would it make sense to step the mast, do detailed inspection, replace parts/wires/messengers, etc. while the riggi