Author: $tingy Sailor

Skipper of The $tingy Sailor blog
Uncategorized11 Comments

On Kindness

$tingy Sailor

This is my annual Christmas post in which I share a bit about my Christian faith. I don’t apologize for it for two main reasons. One, because I truly believe it is the way to live the most abundant life. I tried others and they fall far short. And two, because to not share my faith would be the most hypocritical act of all. If reading this post would offend you, then stop here and find something else to read. But I challenge you to read it anyway. You might not be as offended as you think. I’ll return to posting the usual content in the next post.

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Boom13 Comments

Flatten Your Mainsail Foot With an Outhaul

$tingy Sailor

You’re familiar with basic mainsail running rigging, right? The halyard hoists it up the mast and the main sheet adjusts the angle of the sail to the hull. Both lines are important but they don’t adjust the aerodynamic shape of the mainsail, which can make a big difference if you want to get the best performance out of your mainsail.

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Tips4 Comments

How to Restore Rusted Parts

$tingy Sailor

I buy a lot of used sailboat hardware on eBay and craigslist.org. The reason is simple, I usually can’t afford new! If you’re reading this and you aren’t independently wealthy then you know how expensive parts and supplies for our boats are. I only buy new when I can get a great discount and buying used isn’t practical or safe. The only way that I can indulge a little in this hobby is by keeping costs at a minimum. That’s why this is called the $tingy Sailor blog, after all.

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Rigging11 Comments

Headsail Furlers For the Trailer Sailor

$tingy Sailor

I used to be a little envious of skippers with headsail furlers. They can just pull a line to roll up their headsail at the end of the day. Their headsail stays crisper longer because it doesn’t get folded up and stowed away. To set sail, they can just pull the sheets aft to unfurl the sail in seconds. No more snapping and unsnapping, hoisting and dousing, flaking and rolling. Just pull and go or pull and stop.

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Trailer11 Comments

Do it Yourself Trailer Surge Brakes

$tingy Sailor

If you’re new to trailer sailing, you might be unsure about your trailer’s brake system (or lack thereof). If you own an older trailer, the system could be badly corroded from many wet launches and need repair or replacement. If your trailer doesn’t have a brake system, you might be wondering why and if you should have one. This post gives you the facts you need to trailer safely and legally.

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Tips3 Comments

How to Fly a Flag Above a Masthead

$tingy Sailor

One of the hallmarks of sailing artwork is a flag or streamer flown above the masthead. You often see them in vintage photographs, paintings of tall ships, and modern digital art.

Typical clipart of a sailboat with a flag flying above the masthead

But you seldom see them in reality anymore. Why is that? Maybe it’s a dying tradition. Maybe its a practical result of all the gadgetry we mount on our mastheads today. Whatever the reason, I suspect that more skippers would fly them if they knew how easy it is to do.

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Cabin, Plumbing, Videos9 Comments

Upgrade Your Galley With An Electric Water Pump

$tingy Sailor

The first mate didn’t care much for the original water pump in the galley of Summer Dance. She uses a lot of water for making coffee in the mornings, sponge baths, or to wash her hair. Pumping that much water by hand with the tiny, manual pump was more trouble than she wants to take when we’re cruising. And she let me know about it. Every cruise.

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