Messages

1

Cruising / Re: Solo Sailing the 323.

« on: May 26, 2015, 10:01:28 PM »

I have done very little solo sailing;  just when I am on watch and my partner is below asleep.  However, reefing the main is not a big deal.  I have one reef line attached to the luff.  This line is led back to the cockpit, as is the main halyard.  I can lower the main and engage the reefing line.  Then, since the aft end of the boom is easily accessed from the cockpit, it is a simple matter to pull the leech of the sail down tight with  a reefing line.

2

Cruising / Re: More Than Coastal Cruising

« on: May 22, 2015, 09:09:34 AM »

I would not hesitate to sail Now or Never! anywhere.  We bought the boat from a gentleman who planned to single hand her from the east coast to Germany.  I have spent every winter on her since 2007, mostly in the Bahamas but plan to sail down island next year.

3

General Discussion / Re: Insurance scam-

« on: March 15, 2015, 07:36:23 AM »

A new survey was required

4

General Discussion / Re: Insurance scam-

« on: March 10, 2015, 08:32:44 AM »

I, too, have had Boat US for years.  Never a problem and I would still have Boat US except they would not insure Now or Never! for travel to the Caribbean.  Their first objection was that the boat is too small.  Then they said that even if they did insure it, it would be contingent on having 4 people on board.  Upshot, I took the advice of several cruisers who are insured through IMIS.  Lovely side effect of switching--a lot cheaper!!!  Only restrictions--no travel to Haiti or Cuba.  Well duh, no one will insure for those destinations.  Also, boat must be laid up from May until mid Oct--which is what normally do anyway.

5

Electrical Systems & Electronics / Re: Solar Panel

« on: January 02, 2015, 07:57:01 AM »

I installed my first panel on a PVC pipe framework that I assembled with hose clamps and bolted to my bimini.  Worked well.  Then I had an arch fabricated at a machine shop in KY--powder coated aluminum.  I know you will appreciate the panel however you mount it.

6

Exterior Finish and Fiberglass / Re: Refinishing the bright work

« on: December 03, 2014, 06:21:28 PM »

I've been the varnish route==several times.  First, I tried Epiphanes.  Then I tried Cetol Clear (ugh!  not really clear). Next, I went with Awlgrip varnish.  None of them gave good, lasting results.  All of them required attention every  months or so.  Cetol was no easier to apply than any of the rest and resulted in a muddy, pinkish cast.  I am now sold on Awlgrip AwlBrite.  Itis a 3 part Urethane finish that is absolutely clear and provides a brilliant finish.  Easy to apply, no sanding between coats except to correct minor flaws.  I sand between coats every two or three coats.  It applies to a varnished surface.  I put down 3 coats of Awlgrip varnish, no sanding btween coats.  Then about 6 coats of Awlbrite.  It lasts for at least two years (I know from experience) but benefits from a couple of additional coats once a year.  No more varnish for me.

7

Interior Structures / Re: Table Post

« on: October 18, 2014, 05:43:52 PM »

Thanks, Alma.  I will copy that idea.

Peter
Now or Never

8

Interior Structures / Re: Table Post

« on: October 08, 2014, 07:48:16 AM »

Leaf?  I would like to know more about this.  A photo or sketch would be appreciated.

Peter
Now or Never!

9

Plumbing and Galley Systems / Re: Pressure Water System

« on: August 31, 2014, 03:49:16 AM »

1. How do YOU use the pressure water system in your Pearson 323? When do you turn on the breaker? Does the pressure pump run for awhile then the system is pressurized for a bit?
2. What controls which fresh water tank gets drawn for the pressure water system?
3. How does the hot water tank get water in it? Does it fill when the hot water tank switch is on?
4. I think the sump pump on my boat is a big box under the center access panel in the salon. There appear to be at least 3 hoses going in and out of it, multiple of which are going up to the bow... any idea why?

1.  When the breaker is turned on, yes, the pump runs until pressure is attained.  My system includes an accumulator tank (or pressure tank).
2.  Now or Never! has 3 tanks.  There is a valve for each tank.
3.  The water heater fills when the water pressure breaker is turned on.  Never turn on the water heater switch when the pressure water breaker is off!.  If there is no shut-off valve for the water heater, I strongly recommend installing one.
4.  The bilge pump is located under the access panel in the salon floor.  There should be one hose from the bilge pump that goes overboard, probably on the starboard side of the cockpit.  The shower sump might dump into the bilge and that could be the hose that you see going forward, or the shower might dump into a box with its own pump.  The bilge pump is located halfway between the center access panel and the access panel at the foot of the companionway ladder.  It should have only one hose attached to it, going to overboard on the starboard side of the cockpit.  On Now or Never! there is a separate pump for draining the shower sump.  It is located in a box under the main access panel in the salon floor.  It has a hose from the shower sump and another hose that goes forward.  The shower/lavatory does not drain into the bilge.

As for the foot pump spigot running when the system is pressurized--I would guess that the foot pump is plumbed into the freshwater system and that there is no shutoff valve or a faulty shutoff valve for it.  My foot pump is plumbed to pump seawater or meltwater from the icebox.

I hope this helps a bit.  I hate plumbing!

10

Plumbing and Galley Systems / Re: Refrigeration

« on: August 26, 2014, 08:31:26 AM »

I got an icebox conversion kit from Engel.  It was an easy install.  I built an insulated box around the evaporator plate to serve as a freezer and the spillover cools the rest of the box.  Runs on 12 VDC and 120 VAC.  Switches automatically to AC when present.  Very satisfied with the system. about $800.

11

Engine and Drive Train / Re: 3GM30 loses power

« on: June 30, 2014, 12:23:23 PM »

Some interesting thoughts, especially the fouled prop idea.

A little more info, the first time the problem occurred I was approaching a mooring ball at Vero Beach, FL just before Thanksgiving last year.  The second time it occurred I was motor-sailing across the Great Bahama Bank.  I sailed back to Ft Lauderdale and had a friend who is a marine diesel mechanic look at the problem.  Of course, the engine started right up and ran fine.  Kind of hard to diagnose a problem when it doesn't happen!  He suggested polishing the fuel and cleaning the tank and recommended someone.  He also suggested changing the lift pump which I did.  The fuel was clean and there was very little dirt at all in the tank.

12

Engine and Drive Train / 3GM30 loses power

« on: June 24, 2014, 05:26:05 PM »

I was motorsailing, turning about 2000 RPM on a Yanmar3GM30.  Suddenly, the engine lost power.  It wasn't exactly missing but it wasn't delivering power.  I shut down and restarted but with the same symptoms and then wouldn't run at all.  A few days later, it started right up and ran with no problem.  The same thing had happened a earlier, maybe 50-75 motor hours earlier.  Any thoughts?

13

Deck Mounted Hardware / Re: Fender Problem

« on: May 26, 2014, 08:04:06 AM »

"Now or Never!" has SS rubstrakes.  Never a problem with damage to finish and very useful when docking at fixed piers.

14

Plumbing and Galley Systems / Re: Propane locker under the helm seat .

« on: December 09, 2013, 08:09:09 AM »

You buy an ABYC approved locker--not cheap, mind you--such as Seaward LPG Locker  http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/product.do?part=110645&engine=adwords!6456&keyword=product_ad&type=pla

15

Engine and Drive Train / Re: Yanmar operating temp

« on: December 05, 2013, 08:02:00 AM »

Mine runs at 150-160 at 2200-2500.