Make This Easy And Elegant Wine Glass Rack

December 2, 2023December 1, 2023 $tingy Sailor

This project is sure to be a hit with the ladies. It’s easy to make, increases your storage capacity, and it adds a touch of class to any cabin. The glasses don’t slide around or clink together like other racks, even in rough sailing conditions or going down the road. The glasses are easy to remove for serving your favorite vino by sliding the glass out from between the flexible shock cord “clamps.” You can mount the rack on the underside of a cabinet, a shelf, or even the cabin ceiling.

Cabin, Electrical7 Comments

Convert Your Lights To LED Bulbs For More Light With Less Power

October 7, 2023October 6, 2023 $tingy Sailor

When Mrs. $tingy and I first started spending long weekends aboard Summer Dance, the deep cycle battery wouldn’t have enough charge left in it by the end of the weekend to power much of anything. At that time, Summer Dance had all incandescent navigation lights and only two cabin dome lights converted to LEDs. Besides the lights, we also have a music system onboard that runs most of the time as well as an autopilot. As I added more electrical devices (see LED strip lighting, chartplotter, and complete rewiring), it was obvious that I would have to balance the electricity budget somehow so that we weren’t broke by the end of our cruises.

Cabin1 Comment

Make a Door to Storage Space Under the V Berth

February 25, 2023February 24, 2023 $tingy Sailor

Storage for gear, clothing, provisions, and sails is a universal problem with trailerable sailboats. I began solving my onboard storage dilemma with an under galley storage solution. This project is a repeat of that one but claims the unused space under the V berth in my Catalina 22, specifically on the starboard side next to the portable toilet.

It’s also different from that project in that I used different wood for this project. The first door that I made was out of stained Philippine mahogany. I made this one from Honduran mahogany with an oil and polyurethane finish instead of stain. The result is almost indistinguishable from teak, as you can see below.

Cabin58 Comments

Restore Your Exterior Teak to Better Than New

November 19, 2022November 18, 2022 $tingy Sailor

Is your topside brightwork weathered, worn, and sorely in need of refinishing? If so, this is one project that you’ve probably been putting off but you know it needs to be done. The job isn’t particularly difficult or expensive, it just takes plenty of time to do it right and to get good results. But after it’s done, it can be relatively maintenance free for years to come while looking stunning.

Cabin11 Comments

Fix That Screeching Main Hatch!

September 10, 2022October 25, 2023 $tingy Sailor

A very common problem with older C-22s is a companionway hatch that screeches when opened or closed. Over the years, the flanges on the sides of the hatch and the teak rails that they slide in wear thin from use.

This eventually lowers the hatch until it scrapes against the cabin roof. The sound it makes is like fingernails on a blackboard, only louder. It’s not something that you want to put up with for long.

Cabin1 Comment

Make This Fold-Up Paper Towel Holder

July 2, 2022October 25, 2023 $tingy Sailor

Meal preparation and cleanup, spills, and children are just a few of the reasons to have a roll of paper towels on board. But a roll can take up a lot of precious shelf space and the roll won’t stay dry for long in a locker exposed to the bilge. What’s the solution? Hang it up, skipper!

Cabin, Plumbing, Videos9 Comments

Upgrade Your Galley With An Electric Water Pump

March 26, 2022October 25, 2023 $tingy Sailor

The first mate didn’t care much for the original equipment 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.

Cabin4 Comments

Make a Door for More Storage Under the Galley

January 15, 2022January 15, 2022 $tingy Sailor

Is there ever enough storage space on our little boats? Maybe if you only day sail. But if you anchor out much, particularly over long holiday weekends or longer, no. Your first mate will probably let you know about it like mine. Often. Yet there is a lot of useful, if difficult to get to space, for example, under the galley. The challenge is to make it easier to use. No doubt, Catalina Yachts left out access doors to this and other spaces in the cabin to keep costs down.

Cabin3 Comments

Fix Those Leaky Windows!

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021 $tingy Sailor

The most common cause of water leaks into the cabin of a first generation C-22 sailboats besides the chain plates, are the aluminum frame windows. The silicone that seals the glass to the frame eventually loses its adhesion and elasticity and separates from the glass. Water accumulates in the vinyl glazing channel, which isn’t watertight, and works its way into the cabin, causing mildew and odors.

The $tingy Sailor

DIY trailerable sailboat restoration and improvement without throwing your budget overboard

Category: Cabin