Category Archives: Boat Maintenance

Repairing the Forward Hatch & Catch Blocks

Posted on May 15, 2014 by captnmike

The Catch Blocks on the forward hatch needed repair after the Pop-Rivets came loose. I thought about using Pop-Rivets like the original catch blocks were mounted with.  However getting the Pop-Rivets to seat in the counter bore looked to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety | Tagged , | Comments Off on Repairing the Forward Hatch & Catch Blocks

Improved Fender Whip–Part 2

Posted on April 30, 2014 by captnmike

This improved Fender Whip is easier to handle and holds knots much better than a regular three strand or double braid fender whip. Standard fender whips made of three strand or double braid are stiffer and over time become even … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety, Sailing and Boating Skills | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Laundry Day & Washing The Life Jackets

Posted on April 24, 2014 by captnmike

Cleaning Life-Jackets seems to be overlooked on many boats, and is not a job that anyone looks forward to. Having clean Life-Jackets makes it easier to get the crew to wear them.  Cleaning the Life-Jackets from time to time helps … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety | Tagged | 1 Comment

The New Cabin Lights

Posted on March 22, 2014 by captnmike

Recently I needed to do something about the old cabin lights when the switches stopped working. I decided to upgrade the lights to Red / White LED fixtures.  I wanted the Red light  option to preserve the night vision of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety | Tagged | Comments Off on The New Cabin Lights

Your Fire Extinguisher

Posted on October 9, 2013 by captnmike

On a cold Sunday last winter some friends were on their way from Kirkland to a Frostbite Series race on Lake Union when the Coast Guard pulled along side their sailboat. The Coast Guard Boarding Officer ask if they had … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety, seattle | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Your Fire Extinguisher

Washing Your Sheets, Halyards and Lines

Posted on June 4, 2013 by captnmike

Washing the lines and halyard that have been exposed to the elements over the winter is one of my spring rites of getting the boat ready for another sailing season. Washing lines can make them easier to handle, extend their … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Washing Your Sheets, Halyards and Lines

Beating the Pumpout Station Blues

Posted on April 22, 2013 by captnmike

Going to the Pumpout station is one of those tasks that no boater seems to look forward to doing. The Washington Sea Grant Program has developed a new Free Pumpout Adapter Kit to help boaters avoid the dreaded “Brown Shower.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety | Tagged , | Comments Off on Beating the Pumpout Station Blues

Marking Your Halyards

Posted on June 8, 2012 by captnmike

Many people put adjusting marks on  their halyards or other control lines to help with sail trim by making it quick and easy to repeat settings they have found to work with  given conditions in the past.    A big black … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety | Tagged , | Comments Off on Marking Your Halyards