Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: rocna anchor

« on: May 26, 2017, 10:51:28 AM »

We just changed to a 35# Mantis which is quite similar (big hoop) and it fits the bow roller quite well with no modifications. We love the Mantis... Sticks like glue over the last 800 miles from Tampa to Charleston (so far).

2

Engine and Drive Train / UhOh, No oil in MD-11 sump

« on: January 25, 2015, 08:28:13 AM »

Julie and I recently bought our 323 on EBay sight unseen,
Now that I've looked at the dipstick I see no oil at all. I contacted the previous owner and he told me there was a SLOW leak (suggested 30 wt. oil to slow it down) but didn't know from where. The boat's been sitting on the hard for months, the engine turns over (by hand) with compression and is reported as running when the previous owner stored it. There's certainly oil in the bilge. Has anyone had similar experience? Does anyone have used parts (like an oil pan)? I plan to clean her real well next week and refill to see if I can locate the source of the leak.
thanks,
Joe (and Julie)
Seductress (soon to be re-named and you're invited to the ceremony if you're near Ft. Pierce FL next month - providing I don't have to pull the engine first in which case it could be March).

3

Electrical Systems & Electronics / AIS (Again)

« on: January 25, 2015, 08:18:53 AM »

Thanks for all the info on the Standard Horizon GX2150 in the last post. I'm starting new since the thread is so old and I got a past 120 day warning.Now with the introduction of the GX2200 with built-in GPS there is no need to connect the radio to a GPS. But, I bought a factory refurbished GX2150 (they call me Cheap Joe) and plan to connect it to a Lowrance Elite 4 Gold Chartplotter that I'll mount on the helm. I'm wondering if anyone has connected either of those radios to a chartplotter and if the GPS then automatically displays the target vessels on its screen? Reading the literature and talking to my local West Marine genius it sounds like it does and thereby eliminating the distraction/difficulty issue previously raised about the small radio display.

THEN: There's a breakout cable available from Milltech Marine that could also be connected to a set of radio leads and terminates with a USB connector. That raises the possibility of installing a wi-fi or bluetooth transmitter and possibly picking up the AIS data on a iPad to display running iNavX chart plotting software.
OR: is come kind of multiplexer or software required to do this? For the price of the breakout cable ($35) I think I'll give it a try.

I like the idea of redundancy. The radio with remote microphone that also has a display gives me two tiny AIS screens, one in the cabin and one at the helm. The helm also has the GPS (with AIS target display, I expect and will report). I want to have all the same data on the iPad chartplotter with the advantage of portability (if possible). I know if the radio goes out the AIS is lost. But the iPad and GPS carry on. If the GPS at the helm goes out you have the iPad (with or without AIS depending on question above) functioning as a chart plotter (and our iPhones too). I also have a hand held VHF so I think I'm fully covered with fail-safe redundancy on the radio and GPS if not on the AIS.

Please poke holes in my reasoning. Your thoughts, comments, criticism, suggestions are welcomed.
thanks,
Joe (and Julie)
Very recent proud owners of Seductress, a 1982 323

4

Sails and Canvas / Raising Boom

« on: January 25, 2015, 07:46:09 AM »

Hi,

Julie and I just took delivery of Seductress, a 1982 323 we bought sight unseen in an EBay auction. You can imagine our apprehension but we're delighted and excited with what we found. Sure she needs restoration and re-fitting but when we're done, we'll have exactly what we need.
We love the boat but find the bimini / dodger situation to be a problem. The bimini is too high and doesn't cover the front of the cockpit (only up to the boom). I contacted a sailmaker about raising the boom (and shortening the main) to accommodate a full length, full height (I'm over 6') reconfiguration underneath. He tells me the 323 depends most on the Genoa and shortening the main will not have a measurable effect of speed or performance. We don't plan to race (at the moment) but plan to cruise the Great Loop this summer. Any experience you may share with biminis, dodgers or boom raising is appreciated.
thanks,
Joe (and Julie too)
941-7O5-2OOO