Author: $tingy Sailor

Skipper of The $tingy Sailor blog
Outboard motor, Videos28 Comments

Upgrade to a Gas Spring-Operated Outboard Motor Mount

$tingy Sailor

Do you have a heavy four-stroke outboard motor on your sailboat? Is it a chore to raise and lower with your current motor mount? Maybe you have a back injury that makes lifting a risky behavior. What about your first mate, can they raise and lower the motor if they need to? All these are good reasons to consider whether your current motor mount is adequate for your needs.

Continue reading “Upgrade to a Gas Spring-Operated Outboard Motor Mount”
Keel33 Comments

The Error in a Popular DIY DVD that Will Slow Down your C-22

$tingy Sailor

You want to refinish your C-22 swing keel the right way, so you’re planning to buy the Swing Keel Refinishing DVD from a certain Catalina parts dealership. It’s been around for over 15 years and is the de facto authority on how to do the job. I’m sorry to break it to you, but if you use the template that’s included with the DVD to fair your keel, it will prevent you from getting the best performance out of your keel.

Continue reading “The Error in a Popular DIY DVD that Will Slow Down your C-22”
Uncategorized2 Comments

Seattle Boat Show 2015 – Operation Foghorn

$tingy Sailor

For a stingy sailor, boat shows are like going undercover as a spy. You can walk the aisles of exhibits and tour fancy new yachts looking like any other potential buyer but in reality, you represent the antithesis of the new yacht shopper. You’re a mole from the other side, the kind of owner that keeps their aged sailboat, fixes it up, and maintains it in top condition. You’re just there out of curiosity and to get ideas for cool projects to do on your own boat back home. Yacht salespeople would hate us a little if they knew who we really are, top-secret spies.

Continue reading “Seattle Boat Show 2015 – Operation Foghorn”

Cockpit/sternLeave a comment

How to Add Coachwhipping to Your Tiller Handle

$tingy Sailor

Want to add a decorative grip to the handle of your tiller? It’s not hard to do in a couple of hours and almost free with a few scraps of canvas and/or cord you may have lying around.

Coachwhipping is one of those little touches you can add to your sailboat to give it a more old-school, handcrafted look. It harkens back to a time when sailboats were made almost entirely out of wood and lashing parts together with rope was the norm. It’s a nice contrast to all the sterile fiberglass and stainless steel used on modern yachts and boosts your seaworthy credibility (or at least gives that illusion). Learning the knots and braids is fun. It’s a great way to spend time on a cold winter evening near the wood stove while the snow is falling.

Continue reading “How to Add Coachwhipping to Your Tiller Handle”

Sails, SewingLeave a comment

Improve Sail Shape and Performance with a Leech Line

$tingy Sailor

Before I dive in to the main topic of this post, I want to wish all you stingy sailors out there a Happy Thanksgiving Day. Even if you don’t live in the US or don’t normally celebrate this holiday, I hope you can take some time today to express your gratitude for the blessings in your life with those around you that you love. Whether it’s good health, a loving family, a job that pays the bills, or just fond memories, we can all find something to be thankful for.

Let’s face it, if you’re reading this blog and you either already own a sailboat or are just thinking about getting one, you’re more prosperous than most of the people on our planet. I urge you to look for ways to share your prosperity with those who are less fortunate. On to the project!

Continue reading “Improve Sail Shape and Performance with a Leech Line”