PDQ OWNERS FORUM

There can be two causes; if the boards themselves won't lay flat on a truly flat surface, you will end up replacing them. If they do pass the flat test, your problem is with the frames. If the boat spent a long time on blocks and stands, the frames may have warped or separated between plies, and the...

Terry is right; a laptop is not a good choice for a primary navigation system, for several reasons: LCD Screens that will work in a cockpit cost $3000 alone, and no laptop screen comes close. Look for 1000 nits and at least 400:1 contrast ratio. "Special" filters and coatings are 'way over...

This is my favorite topic. email me direct at sandydaugherty@att.net and I'll send you the article I'm working on. Its too long for a forum post. Yes,the pc can do everything a chartplotter can, and more, but ends up costing as much or more than a really good chartplotter, with a mare's nest of cabl...

There have been some big changes at Chesapeake Catamaran Center. John Farrow sold the company to Tommy Smith, who is young, agressive and interested in selling bigger boats. John is opening an office in Annapolis for another Canadian manufacturer, of high quality monohull sailboats. Jerry Oosterhous...

You really need to experience both boats over a few days, in a variety of conditions. That is the real test, but a few of us armchair theorists like to sagely evaluate the arcane trivia, so here's a few thoughts: Shoal draft keels vs centerboards: simplicity trumps complexity, but the Gemini is clos...

Thanks Lee. My starboard engine's oil looks like coffee with a little cream in it, so its going to get overhauled this winter. I'm going to get the engine I asked about after I see it run, thanks to your suggestion!

I've found a used 9.9 that hs a total of 5 or 10 hours on it, even though its 4 years old. What do you think its worth? It was set up as a kicker on a 25 foot fishing boat, and rarely used. It looks new from the outside, but I can only guess whats inside. It was probably used in saltwater.

We should add that performance claims by manufacturers are, to put it mildly, suspicious. Even sail polars are rarely based on a typical base boat. The inexperienced buyer thinks that the performance of a beach cat rocket ship extends to include all other catamarans, but performance is determined by...

A cheap vibrating "etching pen" can help penetrating oil wick into seized threads. The vibrations sort of pump WD40 into the microscopic voids. If you can get a drill bit into the head of the bolt, drill the biggest hole into it that won't hit the threaded part of the housing, then try a s...

Dilemma resolved. The engine mount clamps weren't tight enough. The engine was rotating up from the mounting board in the well. DOH. If I'd followed advice and really given it a tug after lowering the engine, I would have saved myself a swim.

I have cut the engine raising lanyard (and spun the hub) twice now by shifting to reverse. I'm guessing the mechanical reverse latch is letting the engine rise too much, creating the slack which gets sucked into the prop at the absolute least opportune time. HELP!

What an idiot. I only had to look once to find a way to just see the newest posts. Search for * in descending order of posting date.

(ze tiny little grey cells, zey are all on vacation, n'est ce pas?)

I was under the impression that Kevin is working out of the country for a while, and could not conveniently maintain the forum. He might also have been a little tired of the chore! I'm pretty glad someone was there to assume the burden. It would be nice to just look in and see whats new, but I certa...

When buying new small electronics (flashlights, cameras, radios, GPS, even shavers), stick with the same battery size, like AA. There are rapid chargers for these batteries that plug into a 12 Vdc receptacle. There are even small solar chargers that could be packed in your ditch bag. Keep a box of c...

I'm a deckhand? Surely I should be an Admiral or something, eh? I mean, I'm rich and good looking right?

Oh.


OK, I'll be a deckhand.