Rick & Sue

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  • in reply to: Purchasing new AUTO-PILOT #2957
    Rick & Sue
    Participant

      Yes I did. Bought from WM. Installed myself. I love it. Still some issues with GPS and Auto disagreement about berings. I think I need to move the auto pilot compass a couple clicks to align it with the axis of the boat. All functions seem to be working. Auto followed a track from Wallace Island all the way into Montague Harbour on our last trip. The best feature though is to just hit the auto button and Gemini holds the course it is on while I do other stuff or just relax and keep an eye out for deadheads. A bonus feature is that I now have a wheel brake even when the auto pilot is not on. Before the slightest wave against the rudders would cause the wheel to turn. To keep a steady course I had to hold the wheel all the time. Now the rudders only move if I turn the wheel so if I am on a steady course I can let go of the wheel for a bit and only make small corrections as needed. Second best addition to boat, closely following full enclosure (which we haven’t had to use yet this year:-)

      in reply to: Where did you get the "cool stuff" for your boat? #2557
      Rick & Sue
      Participant

        My unknown furler. The closeup shows the only adjustment. About 2 cm by tightening the 2 nuts. This bolt is swaged to the end of the furler cable.

        White Falcon, be careful of quick release pins. If they work free your mast comes crashing down resulting in significant damage and maybe injuries. I hate those ring things to but they are supposed to be more reliable.

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        in reply to: Where did you get the "cool stuff" for your boat? #2511
        Rick & Sue
        Participant

          I’m pretty sure I don’t have the CDI furler. All I have is a bolt sticking out the bottom that uses a couple nuts to tighten the head stay by maybe an inch. I wish I had the built in turnbuckle.
          Rick

          in reply to: Where did you get the "cool stuff" for your boat? #2504
          Rick & Sue
          Participant

            Oops, try this photo of the mast hound and turnbuckle.
            Rick

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            in reply to: Where did you get the "cool stuff" for your boat? #2503
            Rick & Sue
            Participant

              Hi White Falcon,
              I have attached a couple of photos. My first attempt to move the hound was 12inches above the original. When I tried it I discovered that my furler does not have much length adjustment (1/2 inch with bolt and nut) that was not enough to adjust to correct tension so I went 6 inches higher (total 18 inches) and installed a turn buckle at top of furler to adjust things. It is a pain at the top and it took several attempts with mast raising to get it right. Adjustment was mast rake 5 inches to stern. The turnbuckle could not go at the bottom as it would raise the sail too high.

              in reply to: Engine oil light #2485
              Rick & Sue
              Participant

                Is the light flashing at a steady rate? If there is a regular pattern it may be self diagnostic codes. Example 4flashes pause then 3 flashes is a fuel injector code.
                Rick

                in reply to: Engine oil light #2478
                Rick & Sue
                Participant

                  It sounds like they forgot to reset the oil change warning light. My 2010 suzuki did that to me in the middle of Desolation Sound last summer. Once I finished panicking and checked the oil level, I remembered about the warning system. Flashing light every .3 sec and a double beep every 5 sec if the engine is not running but ignition switch is on. After making sure the oil level was okay, I reset the warning system and then changed the oil when I got home. Mine beeped and flashed? Does your manual say it should be beeping or is that just my model? If everything looks ok I would top up the oil carefully as you don’t want to over fill and reset the warning system. Good luck.
                  Rick

                  in reply to: Insurance recommendation #2448
                  Rick & Sue
                  Participant

                    Hi Willy,
                    I moved your post to this thread as it has some historical information on insurance. I Believe that the club has a discount with Hub insurance that Saynomore negotiated with their N Van office. I investigated a couple years ago and got a better deal with Beacon through my house insurance agent in Maple ridge. We pay $440 for about $40 000 worth of insurance. Read the cautions in the posts above about making sure your policy covers you in US and other places you may go. Some do not cover “rivers” so entering Fraser becomes questionable. Be sure to do your homework.
                    Rick

                    in reply to: Insurance recommendation #2447
                    Rick & Sue
                    Participant

                      Where does everyone insure their Macs?

                      Is there a discount for MYCBC members?

                      I have liability insurance and that makes the marina happy, but I’d like some insurance for me and my boat. I tried through my home insurance agent and it was daunting and impersonal, which is not confidence building(if they’re not knowledgeable and friendly then what will they be like if you file a claim?!)

                      Thanks in advance for your advice,

                      Willy

                      in reply to: Where did you get the "cool stuff" for your boat? #2429
                      Rick & Sue
                      Participant

                        C Head Composting Head. Great addition to Gemini. No smells and easy to empty.
                        http://www.c-head.com/

                        in reply to: Where did you get the "cool stuff" for your boat? #2428
                        Rick & Sue
                        Participant

                          The Johnson adjustable lever to connect Roller Furler to boat. Easier to pin the forestay.
                          http://www.downwindmarine.com/Johnson-Quick-Release-Levers-p-90890707.html

                          Antal Low friction Rings for adjustable attachment of head sail sheets.
                          http://www.downwindmarine.com/Antal-Low-Friction-Rings-Aluminum-p-90890714.html

                          note: the Johnson lever works great but raises the head sail so rings were necessary to adjust lines to get better sail shape on Gemini

                          in reply to: Purchasing new AUTO-PILOT #2240
                          Rick & Sue
                          Participant

                            The final update, I hope. I have made the decision to go with the Raymarine EV200 Sport Pilot. I have investigated a gazillion retailers and the end result is I am going with Westmarine Canada. The problem with wmjmarine.com is the Canadian dollar exchange brings the price up to essentially the same as WM. I would save the taxes if I was able to get it across the border but legally there would be duty and taxes that would add up. It is beyond the duty-free limit. So…. Here is the bottom line.
                            List $2229 + $290 tax is $2519. By joining the WM rewards gold I get a rebate of about $80 for a final price of $ 2447.77

                            Other Canadian prices were $100-300 above Wm price. Steveston did offer a 10% discount for 3 or more units. West Marine suggested I contact their manager if I had 3 or more purchasers. I am guessing they would also be willing to give us a discount. Anybody interested? I want to make this purchase in the next week or two so let me know.
                            Rick

                            in reply to: Where to buy a new main sail? #2233
                            Rick & Sue
                            Participant

                              When I got the BWY mainsail handling system ( lazy jacks and stack pack) it converted my main to loose footed. I don’t know enough about sailing to comment on performance but it is supposed to be better. I would say the shape of the foot of the sail looks a little smoother. Todd at BWY commented that the advantage of loose footed was probably cancelled by the addition of the stack pack. I do love the system. Unzip, easy up then lowers into stack pack and zip up. No loose sail all over deck and awkward flaking.

                              in reply to: Where to buy a new main sail? #2229
                              Rick & Sue
                              Participant

                                I would check Blue Water Yachts in Seattle. Bwyachts.com under parts and accessories they have a whole section on replacing sails. Lots of info and prices on different options. I have always had great service with them

                                in reply to: Purchasing new AUTO-PILOT #1859
                                Rick & Sue
                                Participant

                                  I’ve been to the boat shows and nobody comes close to the price at wmjmarine. I spoke to Todd at BWY and he recommended the EV-200 Sport Pilot because of ease of install and not having to mess with the size of the steering wheel and wheel drive making it hard to grip wheel. I know some people purchased new larger diameter steering wheel. With the Sport Pilot you just take the steering wheel off and slide the drive unit onto the shaft and then replace the steering wheel. Now for the bad news. The price is $ 1869. I’m still waffling but leaning toward the More expensive Sport Pilot.

                                Viewing 15 posts - 46 through 60 (of 62 total)