How-to

New equipment or fixing what you have is all part of the spring upgrade program on any boat. …Read More

In San Francisco today, Mayor Gavin Newsom’s office released a resolution passed by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission supporting an America’s Cup match on San Francisco Bay. Wow. This is huge. The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is on the list of government agencies where I imagined that AC-N-SF could founder. We owe a [...] …Read More

A panel mountable ELCI: Some time ago I discussed a device that is now going to become a requirement for new boats based on ABYC Standard E-11 this coming July 31st. The ELCI is going to provide whole boat ground fault protection and is in my mind o... …Read More

In my work for the ABYC I conduct a lot of training seminars around the globe and many people ask me what kind of boat I have. So, since I'm just about ready to launch this year, I thought I'd give you some details about my current "yacht", this way when people ask, I can just send them here for the details. Keep in mind that as an industry insider, I travel extensively and really don't have the time many have to hang out on my boat. Also, even though I spend a lot of time teaching people how to take care of their boats, I actually don't have a whole lot of free time to spend working on my own boat. Right now, a small boat suits me just fine and I love my 16' Amesbury Dory as much as any boat I've ever owned, large or small. The boat was built by the Sturdee Boat Company in Tiverton, RI and I bought it new in 2002. The interior is shown here: Fly Zone I like to refer to Fly Zone as my northern flats boat becasue it really is perfect for shallow water operation, it only draws about 18' and can bring me in places other boats can't get to. The boat is easily driven by a Tohatsu 4 stroke outboard that I've tweaked slightly to get 20 HP, more than enough to give me a cruising speed of over 20 knots with excellent fuel economy. I don't spend more than about $200 a season on fuel! Fly Zone is all fiberglass construction with a classic lapstrake hull, oak and mahogany trim, just enough to give me pleasure in keeping up the bright work, not enough to be a maintenance nightmare. Very classic look. As for electrical and electronic equipment, many folks are taken aback when they hear about the gear I have installed on this mini yacht. All neatly tucked into or onto the side mounted console are a Ritchie compass, Raymarine fish finder, VHF radio, Navman color GPS chartplotter and a dual Tacktick wireless setup with full wind speed and direction, depth, battery monitor and boat speed at my fingertips. I've also got a power plug to recharge my cell phone if needed. I power this gear as well as the bilge pump and navigation lights through a Blue Sea "Weather Deck" 4306 waterproof DC distribution panel supplied by a group 24 starting battery and group 27 deep cycle battery controlled by a Blue Sea e-series master switch. Since the boat spends the summer on a mooring in front of my house, I've also got a solar powered Pulse Tech battery charger / conditioner integrated into one of the battery box lids. This system provides more than enough reserve battery capacity to keep my bilge pump running even when I'm traveling extensively and can't check on Fly Zone. So there you have it, Ed's Boat. I'll get some shots of her in the water after I launch at the end of the week so you can get a look at the hull and beautiful sheer line. …Read More

I’m grateful to have America’s Cup out of the courts and moving toward, I hope, a dynamic, historic 34th match, but a new email exchange confirms that for one man, it’s not over. That would be Jaume Soler, the Spanish Olympic sailor and journalist who broke the truth about the faked-up Club Náutico Español de [...] …Read More

Once in a while you will be called on to tow someone home, and karma dictates that you oblige. …Read More

I’d planned to let the blog sit idle today, but after this morning’s fishing trip I just had to jump on and mention how to NOT sink your boat, because the one I just stepped off of had a stealth danger that most folks never think about. In fact, we were boarded by the Coast Guard [...] …Read More

I’m in the middle of reading my galley review copy of Deadliest Sea, a new book due out on June 1st. It’s about the sinking of the Alaska Ranger in the Bering Sea in 2008, and the rescue efforts by the Coast Guard. I plan to do a full review soon. But, getting into it, I [...] …Read More

Sea Sense has added single-engine trawler training on Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis, MD.  These new courses are both the traditional scheduled classes for women as well as customized instructional charters for couples, families, and groups.  Training is conducted aboard a new, 47-foot Selene trawler, fully equipped from galley to flybridge with every modern amenity. You [...] …Read More

Sea Sense has added single-engine trawler training on Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis, MD.  These new courses are both the traditional scheduled classes for women as well as customized instructional charters for couples, families, and groups.  Training is conducted aboard a new, 47-foot Selene trawler, fully equipped from galley to flybridge with every modern amenity. You [...] …Read More