Notes from Members
Shades for fixed ports (from Ken Packie Tue, Jan 19, 2010)
Susan and I just replaced the shades for our fixed ports and went with the same maker as the originals
(Shipshades in Marblehead Mass). We did 6 fixed ports about 150 inches of pleated shades for a little
over $200 and very good quality. The company is also known as Darnell Designs and is located at 280
Ocean Ave, Marblehead,MA 01945, MA, 01945, Telephone:(410)544-6193 Fax:(410)544-1329
Need AA batteries (This was originally mentioned by Bill Oat)
If you are ever in a bind for AA batteries and happen to have a big 6V dry cell that you use in a
lantern....cut it open. They are powered by multiple AA batteries (Ken Packie)
Mechanical Help at Sea (1) The starter failed on our boat on the way to Nantucket, and we found a
mechanic on Nantucket who could get us up ASAP. The mechanic, Tim Lewis (his company, Lewis
Marine Repair, 4 old north wharf, 598.364.6334), was quite friendly , very professional, and very good.
He had us back in shape in no time, and since this was the beginning of our cruise kept our spirits
high. I certainly would have no problem recommending him (Mark Kraus)
Mechanical Help at Sea (2) On our way back from Maine to Stonington we experienced diesel fuel line
trouble and a blown starter. Thanks to some professional fisherman we found two shops that are truly
wizards in trouble shooting and repairing boat engines. The first one is David Crane, a true diesel
engine specialist, 3 Russell Road in Bourne, MA 02532, (508) 759 7207. The second one is a two-man
shop that repairs starters and gives very helpful hints on electrical systems and battery set up for
power and sailboats, and all that in quite colorful and Maine-accented expressions. He goes under
name of Yankee Auto Electric of Hyannis, 32 Thornton Drive, Hyannis, MA 02601, (508) 771 3122.
(Pieter de Zwart)
Marriage Saver -- We bought two Mariner 500 headsets from Cruising Solutions to help with
anchoring. These are short-range intercom radios that do away with miscommunication between
helmsman and anchor person. They cost $60 and can be ordered online by clicking here. The web site
says: "Our Aviation Style Headsets operate on a 9V battery snapped into one ear-set. The volume
selector offers Lo or Hi. The headband adjusts to your comfort. The range is rated at 300 feet but most
of us don't have a boat that long." (Charlie Hodge)
Towing Service -- After having completed the endless delivery aboard Cetacea this Spring, I came away
with a strong recommendation for SCC members. Join Towboat US and get the unlimited tow package
for $139. This service was used at two critical times during the delivery of Cetacea in very ugly
conditions. First off the coast of NC when engine problems developed and again outside of Block
Island when we were very low on fuel and nothing was available in Salt Pond. It's available at all
BOAT US and West Marine stores. (Ken Packie)
VHF Batteries -- Recently I spent a lot of time and leg work looking for a replacement battery for my
hand-held VHF radio, without success. Somehow I found out about an outfit in Pennsylvania that
rebuilds them. I sent them my old battery and got it back in a couple of weeks, rebuilt and upgraded
for a very reasonable price. You can reach them by clicking here. (John Scarborough)
Anchor Chain -- I decided to pull all my anchor chain out to inspect and mark it. What a surprise!
After I fed out the amount I use to anchor with, about 120 feet, I discovered the next 100 feet was a
rusted mass of crud that I could not loosen without a pry bar. If I had needed to run out the chain due
to a fouled anchor, I would have been in deep rust, as we sailors say. My old chain apparently had
spent 10 years in that locker without having been touched. I bought replacement chain at West
Marine at $4.49 per foot, then discovered the same spec chain at Defender for $2.88. West Marine is
refunding the difference. (Ken Packie)
L.I. Sound Weather -- Check out www.mysound.uconn.edu. It's the website of the University of
Connecticut's Maritime Department. It's loaded with valuable, real time info such as wind, both
strength and direction, wave height, temperature, barometric pressure, etc. It even has a web cam so
you can actually see the state of the sea. (Chris Culver)
Cold Weather -- For the layers of clothes under my foul-weather gear, I have not yet found a material
that works better than high-quality woven wool. Cotton is freezing cold when it’s wet, so jeans or sweat
pants don’t do much good. I suggest old wool trousers. I cut the suspender buttons out and wear the
heavy charcoal pants I used to sport on the New York commuter trains 20 years ago. (Dick Truitt)
Anchor Chain II -- One of the items on my punch list was a new anchor chain - believe it or not, it does
eventually rust! As we all know, marking the chain is always a debate - you can use paint but it wears
off, blah, blah, blah. The guys at Alden suggested a different method of marking the chain - see photo.
They assured me that before he could recommend it, he had attached the markers to a length of chain
and beat it on the Alden parking lot every day for a week. Anyway for a cost of $100, I've now marked
275 ft of chain every 25 ft - worth a shot. It actually looks pretty good, and I'm told doesn't interfere
with windlass operation. This is of course the right time to do this (before the boat goes in the water.)
Details at www.imtra.com. (Paul Cambridge)