trawler

Monday Minute - My Chain Hook

Monday Minute - My Chain Hook

Here is my version of a traditional chain hook with locking gate, custom made of 3/8-inch stainless steel plate. It is super strong and will never separate from the anchor chain, so I can sleep soundly, knowing the snubber/bridle will do its job even if we are in shallow water.

Monday Minute - Refresh Your Passing Skills

Monday Minute - Refresh Your Passing Skills

If you are doing the Loop, ICW, northern canals, or other waterway cruises that involves narrow rivers or canals, reacquaint yourself with the proper signals for passing other boats and marine traffic.

Is it one toot or two?

Stormy Petrel

Stormy Petrel

When you dream of the perfect boat for all the cruising dreams you want to do now, stop thinking you need a battleship. Take a chill pill and read about a couple who went way beyond the cruising plans of most anyone wanting to liveaboard and see the world.

Create a Speed/Fuel Burn Curve for Your Boat

Create a Speed/Fuel Burn Curve for Your Boat

Rather than guess what speed you should run your boat, it is important to develop real-world numbers of the speed and burn consumption your boat reaches at various engine speeds in open water. Depending on how your boat is equipped and loaded, and the propeller(s) you have, it is a straightforward process to develop a speed/fuel burn performance curve that will identify the sweet spot for running your boat at cruising speed.

Along the way of determining this ideal speed envelope, you will also get an sixth sense of when the hull and engine is in harmony as she glides through the water with maximum efficiency and reasonable fuel burn. This is a satisfying project every boat owner should create for his or her boat.

What's a Trawler - Continuing the Discussion

What's a Trawler - Continuing the Discussion

Continuing the discussion of selecting the right cruising boat, we take a look at hull shapes. There are lots of choices! Consider the options, and the advantages.

Making a Good Boat Better - Part 3 - Both Power & Sail

Making a Good Boat Better - Part 3 - Both Power & Sail

Finding ways to make your trawler or sailboat better capable of traveling offshore. All of these efforts result in a better seaboat, even if you are not planning to cross oceans. And these upgrades will better familiarize you with the many systems on a cruising boat. And that brings confidence.

Things I Dislike on Boats

Things I Dislike on Boats

The first in a series of articles where I share my observations picked up from years of travel aboard every kind of cruising motorboat and trawler. Some of the things I don't like are easy to fix, others speak to issues in either design or construction...or both.

What's in a Name?

What's in a Name?

The EPA emissions regulations impose strict control of marine diesel engines. How have engine manufacturers coped with the enormity of researching new technology to meet these cleaner emissions  requirements? By global partnering with other engine manufacturers.

Did I Miss Anyone?

Did I Miss Anyone?

I started a list of trawler builders years ago. Just ran across it again and decided to publish it. Not every builder of powerboats is included, even if they were used by their owners as part of the trawler lifestyle, including a friend with a Post sport fishing boat. He chugs along with the rest of us.