Voyaging Tip #23 : Start Key Fail Safe

Stow the start key on the raw water intake valve handle to insure fail safe water flow to the engine cooling system. Double clamp hose to the ball valve and have a tapered wooden DC plug lashed to the through hull.

Voyaging Tip #22 : Battery H2O Top Off

Top off lead acid batteries in those hard to reach places using a turkey baster to meter in the exact amount of distilled water into each cell. Be sure to wear eye protection when filling battery cells to guard against acid splash rebound. The turkey baster is also useful for transmission fluid fill.

Portable Weather Station

The Sky Master is a compact portable weather station that the mariner can keep handy to determine accurate apparent wind, temperature, dew point, and barometric pressure measurements. A great back-up to the vessels fixed anemometer, thermometer, and barometer.

Voyaging Tip #21 :Shaft Packing

Measure propeller shaft packing by looping around the shaft then finish off the ring by cutting the ends to meet at a 45° angle vertical to the shaft. At least two rings will be needed with the cuts of each ring placed on opposite sides of the shaft. Remember to remove all the old packing from the stuffing box using needle nose pliers before inserting the new packing. Caution-do not spiral wind a single piece of packing around the shaft which will bind in the stuffing box and ultimately score the shaft.

Voyaging Tip #20 : Secure The Becket

Secure the tail of a becket bend (sheet bend) with a clove hitch under the eye for extra insurance against slipping loose. This is a must when using new slippery double braided line.

Voyaging Tip #19 : Date the Filters

Give yourself a helpful visual cue on the oil and fuel filter exterior using a permanent black marker to mark the date and engine hours of the last change.

Franklin Celestial Navigation Tip

U.S. Navy Master Chief Byron E. Franklin has developed a very effective method for locating the vertical with a sextant. Try it and you will like it.