The 6 Best Sources for Sailboat Parts and Supplies
This blog is big on saving money while doing restoration and improvement projects. I’ve literally saved a boat load of money by doing almost all projects myself, buying gently used parts, and shopping for bargains online. As of the time I wrote this post, I’ve saved over $10,000 compared to the suggested retail price of the parts and supplies that I actually used. If that sounds incredibly high, consider Chip Ford who has spent over $40,000 on his C-22 and is now trying to sell it. Boy, I hope he doesn’t have regrets. Good luck, Chip!
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Move Your Galley Drain Valve for Better Gray Water Control
You’re sailing along on a reach at 4 knots with a steady wind on your beam. The sails are trimmed perfectly, there’s no weather helm, and the boat is in perfect balance. The sky is clear and the sun is shining but it’s not uncomfortably hot. Your first mate is below deck reading lazily in one of the berths. You lean back over the coaming a bit as you watch the clinometer inch past 15 degrees and you build more speed. It’s one of those dream days when everything comes together perfectly on the water and it feels like you could sail to China effortlessly. Your eyes scan up the telltales, all perfectly streaming aft. It doesn’t get any better than this. This is why you came. This is why you sail. Continue reading “Move Your Galley Drain Valve for Better Gray Water Control”
Book Review: Thoughts, Tips, Techniques & Tactics for Singlehanded Sailing
I’ve mentioned here several times in passing that I sail primarily single-handed. That doesn’t mean that I always sail alone. Usually, the first mate is with me but she’s the hands-off type. Oh, she’ll take the tiller if I ask her to in light winds while I attend to something outside the cockpit but she’s no threat to my skippership and that’s okay with me.
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DIY Soft Shackles for Quick and Easy Headsail Changes
Do you still tie your headsail sheets on with bowline knots or cow hitches? Do you have separate single-length sheets for each headsail? Do you procrastinate when you should make a headsail change because it’s a hassle to tie or reeve the new sheets?
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Sew Your Own Cabin Curtains and Save
Are your salon and head privacy curtains old, faded, or tattered? Want to spruce up your cabin interior? Sewing your own curtains can add a designer touch without breaking the bank. If you’re replacing your cabin cushions entirely or just the covers, new curtains are a must-do companion project.
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How to Reproduce Classic Brand Emblems
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ve seen how I’ve taken on almost every possible restoration and improvement project. There’s more that I want to do to Summer Dance, but now that all her major systems have been overhauled, my attention has turned toward more aesthetic projects. One that was quite obvious when you saw Summer Dance up close was the Catalina 22 emblems on the cockpit coamings.
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Upgrade to a Gas Spring-Operated Outboard Motor Mount
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.
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The Error in a Popular DIY DVD that Will Slow Down your C-22
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.
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A New Kid on the Block is Coming!
It goes without saying that the Catalina 22 is the undisputed King of the 22′ Sailboats. Hands down, walking away. But there’s a new kid a-comin’. Continue reading “A New Kid on the Block is Coming!”
The $tingy Sailor 