In 2017 I found Portobelo to be poor but safe. There is an interesting history there in that it was the staging port for the Spanish galleons carrying gold and silver back to Europe. It was heavily fo

You are correct about the adapter needed, 3/8” NPT to 3/8” compression fitting. I just put a new faucet in my forward head and got the adapters at Home Depot. The faucet had a seal that didn’t require

I will be doing something similar with rope, that looks great! I have a different question about my composite wheel (SM 243 ‘98-‘99). The spokes have cracks in the composite between the sides and forw

Hi Gary, thanks for setting the record straight that it was you, not Danny who first installed the membrane flush timer. My mistake. Congrats on your retirement! Kent S/V Kristy SM243

Others have posted a belief that treating the membranes can damage the metal parts. Is it Sodium Metabisulfite that is the culprit? Because of these postings, I have had someone check on Kristy once o

James, I am sure that we aren’t the only two to have experienced this debacle. I am going to pass my nickname “Rusty” on to you officially until the next person admits to dealing with the same problem

I tried power washing, vinegar, and peroxide...all to no avail. On Kristy, two liters of bleach didn’t touch it. I used 4 gallons and left it overnight for ~15 hours...it killed everything. Be sure yo

On SM243 the fill pumps for the heads draw water from separate thru-hulls in the “hallways” just inboard of the heads, near the center of the boat. There are no vent loops for either head. Kent & Iris

Only advice I can give about anchoring technique is in soft mud (lots on the Chesapeake). Let your anchor settle into the mud for a while, then back down on it slowly to give it time to find it’s way

I always use seizing wire so the shackle bolt can’t back out. Ugh, expensive lesson! After losing my ROCNA and 300 ft of chain in a serious blow against the tidal current (steep short seas and violent

Thanks Gary, I’ll do that too. Kent

Hi Gary, Are you sure you’re not describing one of my projects? Not that I wouldn’t expect problems anyway, but forewarned is forearmed. Guess I should order two sets of stuffing and two sets of nuts

Hi Duane, where are you now? There’s a good guy in Annapolis area who was recommended by Coastal Climate Control. He works on Climma, Frigoboat, and Espar and.... His name is Mike Coleman, (443) 351-7

Mine has never worked. I use Iridium and have an old iridium phone as backup. But...before we cross the Pacific I’m going to get the SSB and Weatherfax working and learn how to use it in case the Irid

Hi all, Last year we built a 11.5 ft sailing/rowing dinghy in hopes that it would work as a tender instead of carrying gasoline and gasoline motor(s). RIBs are nearly impossible to row, can’t sail the

6 gallon tank in dinghy (15HP 2-stroke Yamaha), tied to lifeline/stanchion by the s boarding ladder on passage. 3gal stored in starboard aft cockpit locker. No special vent. Hoping to find the right s

Hi Jose, Please add me to your list. I’d like 2 sets, too. I’ll be in Maryland USA until November. Thank you for doing this. If they can ship directly to me the address is 7025 Thorneton Rd Easton MD

Hi Eric, Where the companionway door slides down into the slot behind the companionway ladder, the bottom of that compartment rotted and fell out. The drain hole was clogged and water sat, never enoug

Ric! You’re selling Bali Hai? Will hate to see you go. What are you going to be doing with all that “free” time? Kent Robertson S/V Kristy karkauai@... USA cell: 828-234-6819

Thanks everyone. I ordered the one Gary has..,looks perfect. Kent Kristy. SM243 karkauai@... USA cell: 828-234-6819