Miscellaneous Cruising Info

How we made a better headset.

We had nothing but problems with the expensive Sena headsets. Enough. We made our own with inexpensive motorcycle headsets. Here’s a brief how-to.


Passage Weather Planning

Here is our normal routine when planning passages to and from New Zealand.


You Shop for shipping to NZ
You Shop for shipping to NZ

You Shop…

for getting your goodies to NZ from the US, England and China. We’ve tried it and it works!


The heat exchanger in our new hot water system.
The heat exchanger in our new hot water system.

Our new hot water system…

Wow, wow, wow!


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A Shower WarmerUpperer – no water wasted getting hot water to the shower.

(And redneck shower head!)


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120 Volt to 230 Volt Conversion

We converted our boat to international power for under $200 and it works great!


Handheld Electronic Depth Sounder
Handheld Electronic Depth Sounder

I really love our new handheld, electronic depth sounder.


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Chartplotter Mount

Swivelling, Pivoting Chartplotter Mount


Maddox Anodes
Maddox Anodes

Maddox Anodes Instead of Zinc


Lifted Index
Lifted Index

Lifted Index on GRIBs and other GRIB Goodies


Anchor Pro
Anchor Pro

Smartphone Cruising Apps, applications and a argument for taking a smartphone with you when cruising.


picket-fencel-guard-zone-smallPicket Fence Anchor Alarm Using waypoint alarms to make an advanced anchor alarm.


sat-phone-post-smallSat Phone Tips Exterminating Sat Phone Minute Leeches


lure-small Super Secret Incredible Free Fishing Lure A how-to guide to making this free lure. Guaranteed (or your money back!)


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Wikipedia Offline?

Here’s a way to get Wikipedia loaded on your computer for those times you have no or little internet access.


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Our Magic Curtain… Warm in cold weather, cool in warm weather and so easy.


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Bilge Pump Counter

For me, this is an essential piece of gear. A high water alarm is great, but it won’t tell you what’s really going on until it’s really goin’ on!


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High Water Alarm helps prevent that sinking feeling. A $10 solution.


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Refrigeration Hour Meter

Keeping track of fridge running hours can point to problems before they become problems, if you know what I mean.


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Broken Stuff

The gear that broke during our third cruising season and some of what we learned from the failures. (Spoiler alert – nothing major, don’t worry!)


poor-old-flag

Poor Old Flag…

Extra flags are a very good idea. Read on.


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Our new, handy, wine glass holder.


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Desktop Slide Show


misting-system

Cockpit Misters


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Filter Replacement Idea


PS-UW-photos

Using Photoshop for Underwater Photos


Keyboard Condom
Keyboard Condom

Practice Safe Computing


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Crack in our aft chain plate as shown by dye penetrate.

10 Reasons to do your own boat work!

(or Crack Found)


Time Spreadsheet
Time Spreadsheet

Planning: Using Time and Distance Spreadsheets


How many Legacys?
How many Legacys?

I seem to have a Distance Perception Problem


Improvised Fuse Holder
Improvised Fuse Holder

Here’s a great idea for a fuse holder, including a cautionary tale about this type of fuse.


wifi-bulletWifi Aboard – we sit aboard in comfort while others carry around their computing devices, desperately searching for WiFi.



speed-discomfort-and-energy-smallA Case for Using Minimal Sail Area


Caframo Fan Mod
Caframo Fan Mod

This is a review (very negative) of the Caframo fans, but I added the solution we came up with for these noisy, vibrating fans at the bottom of the post. If you have too much time on your hands and are good with a soldering iron, check it out.


Boat Bottom Inspection without getting wet!


West Marine Folding Chairs – We’d hate to go without them now.


Raw Water Strainer Modification – we were getting gunk in our engine, clogging the heat exchanger. I think this fiberglass window screen modification will do the trick.


Bar Keepers Friend – Amazing for cleaning stainless steel


Wire Corrosion – how did this old, bare copper wire fare so well?


Instant-Off water valve saves fresh water!


Stainless Steel Replacement Exhaust Elbow works great!