Recent content by bigsky

Using just the main just gives me less things to distract me when sailing. It provides plenty of "go" and let me get comfortable with handling and tacking with just one sail. Once I got the hang of it, I un-furled the jib and off I went. Bigsky

Got the bug! Welcome to the club, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Boat looks like it's in great condition, just look for cracks in the hull. $3k sounds about right (including trailer). I paid $2k for boat, trailer and sails three years ago, but mines a 90'. This one looks like a...

Great Question I'm interested to hear what others say. I spoke with a co-worker who sailed across the Atlantic, by himself, twice! I think he knows a thing or two about caring for a boat. He recommended I use softscrub with bleach to clean the hull and turtlewax with carnauba (sp?) to...

Get shocked! Music Man, There should be a shock cord (bungee where I come from) that runs from the eyelet that’s sits on the top of the center board back towards an eyelet on the transom of the boat, just below the hicking strap attachment. When I purchased my '90 14.2 last year, mine was...

Hey COCatalina COCatalina, Thanks for your post, I had sent you an e-mail to this sight a week or two ago, not sure if you have looked at it but I'll ask it hear for all to see. It seems that you have the solution I'm looking for. I have a mod 2 and I'm not interested in cutting out the...

Alternative batterys Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. These seem like helpful hints for the 50+lb battery I already have. I'm looking for an alternative battery. Something that is not so big and heavy. Would a motorcycle battery do the trick? Or something that size, like a...

Currently, I have a MinKota 40 which seems to work well for me. The problem I have is the battery. I have seen some postings in other areas that mentioned what type of battery is used but I thought it would be helpful if we started a dedicated thread. I am presently using a deep cell...

You bring up a great point and it seems to come up from time to time. I know I had questions about this last year and this site and its members seem to have a good deal of information and exprerience with this topic. Once you have decided to go with an electric motor (vs. outboard), what...

For thoes who are interested, I read the article and what it basically recommends is that you start with a mild abrasive such as toothpast (I skiped this part, I did not want to ruin my toothbrush) and work your way up. What worked for me was 000 steel wool. I wet the area slightly and...

Dean, Yea, I'm interested. You can e-mail me at: [email protected] and we can figure out how to handle the trasaction. Thanks, Bigsky

Yea, I finally found somthing that could pass for a hiking strap at a local hardware store but did not have the padding and was only 1.5 inches wide. I ended up biting the bullet and purchased a brand-spanking-new set from Catalina for $75 including shipping. I have to install them but they...

Dave, This is great, thanks for the link! And don't worry, Neptune will be well taken care of. I've got that covered. I'll post my results when complete for future name changers. Bigsky

I am going to change the name of my newly purchased 1990 14.2. The old name, Sparkling Drive (yuk!), is painted on the transom. Not wanting to do any harm to the finish or fiberglass, does anyone have a proven product or method to remove? Conversely, what not to use? I'm thinking about...

Does anyone know of a magazine or regular publication that is published for people like us, small boat sailers? I can't seem to find any. Thanks, Bigsky

Looking to replace my hiking straps, can anyone recomend a web site to order them from? So the story goes, I took my brother-in-law out this weekend and he wanted to lean out as I was so we can get more wind. As he did, he looked at me and with that twinkle in his I said "This is great!"...