Tips Corner
1. A Tesco standard washing up bowl fits neatly into the sink, thereby keeping the drain filter in use.
2. In the forward head a glassed in ridge keeps shower water confined to the shower (Martyn Rolton).
3. Consider extra blocks right aft to keep the side decks free of lines.
4. Single handed berthing a) side to, consider a looped slip from a midships cleat led back to the primary winch and add a hook to your boathook, drop the loop over a cleat and motor slow forward with wheel turned away b) stern to, drop an outboard slip on a cleat and motor slowly forward with the wheel turned in. Berth and leave on slips, fore & aft lines and fenders rigged both sides.
5. Have a large roving fender always available.
6. Down wind sailing without the stress of spinnakers or jennakers, have main on permanently rigged preventers and pole out genoa, the pole can be contolled by the lazy preventer line led aft, add a temporary aft guy.
7. Keep the spare GPS in the microwave a) its protected by a faradic cage & b) you are more likely to check the batteries.
8. A “D” shackle on the end of the boom and a block & tackle helps lifting heavy weights, e.g. the outboard engine, from the lazerette. Alternative MOB lift.
9. Accurate mast height measurement. Pick a calm day. First take a length of the proper size clear plastic hose that will reach from source (knotmeter through hull aft cabin, the engine intake, head sink drain etc.) below the water line to midway up the mast inside the saloon. Close the sea cock if necessary, disconnect the source and attach the hose. The water level in the hose is the waterline. Mark the mast at that level. Disconnect the hose and put everything back the way it was. Second tape an appropriate length (longer than the mast is tall) measuring tape to the entire length of the boathook, Then tie the spare halyard to the middle of the boathook leaving the dumb end of the measuring tape pointing up. As a safety measure, tie an appropriate length of line to the bottom of the boat hook for retrieval. Hoist the boat hook up the mast until the tip with the dumb end is at the highest point, usually the VHF antenna. You will have to get off the boat or use another person to see when you reach that point, binoculars will help. Secure the halyard and drop the smart end of the measuring tape down through the hatch nearest the mast. The true height of your rig will be at the line previously drawn on the mast.
