Recent posts

#1

Sun Cats and Sunday Cats / Re: Trailer Steps

Last post by bruce - Today at 11:17:46 AM

The installation videos mentioned ways you can adjust the parts to fit most situations. Looks great on your rig. Easy to transfer to another boat if desired in the future. Glad it worked out!

#2

Sun Cats and Sunday Cats / Re: Trailer Steps

Last post by MarshHen - Today at 10:15:10 AM

Well, I have to give these guys an A+. I ordered these on monday morning and had them by wednesday  afternoon.  They're extremely well built and have already made my life easier and safer.

#3

Horizon Cats and Horizon Day Cats / Re: Packed up and winterized

Last post by alsantini - Yesterday at 09:49:26 AM

Yes, it is a pain but I think it beats the alternative.  LOL  We frequently head for FL in late Oct, like today.  Then we fly home for the holidays.  The Admiral hates flying and since we flew to Boston and back this year, the vote was taken and I lost 2 to 1.  So, we will head South after Christmas.  Not knowing the weather for December, I figured better safe than sorry.  Did you ever sell the other big boat?  Sail On,  AL

#4

Horizon Cats and Horizon Day Cats / Re: Packed up and winterized

Last post by crazycarl - October 26, 2026, 05:19:50 PM

I always hated having to winterize motors when we lived in the midwest. Here I paid a mechanic to winterize the boat my first year with it. Afterwards he told me it wasn't needed since I keep a cabin heater going all winter. Well, January/February. I do pull the  Compac, winterize the o/b, clean the bottom, and revitalize the exterior teak. Too busy this fall updating the Orion, so the Compac may not see attention until the years end.

#5

Horizon Cats and Horizon Day Cats / Packed up and winterized

Last post by alsantini - October 26, 2026, 02:02:10 PM

I have been out of the water for a few weeks now due to a cruise up the East coast and generally things that get in the way of sailing.  We have decided on a leave date heading south to Florida after Christmas, so I needed to winterize the Yanmar.  I decided that this winterizing would also include a fuel filter change (two) and a new impeller for the raw water pump.  The first fuel filter with water separator was cemented on!  Not really but I could not get it off with my normal filter wrenches.  Apparently, the previous mechanic did not want that baby to fall off or suck air, so he TIGHTENED it!  Eventually I got it off with the help of filter pliers.  No water in the separator and clean fuel in the filter said things are OK.  Replaced the filter, filled it with clean diesel and re-installed it, after coating the gasket with diesel.  The on-engine filter was a breeze to replace.  I pumped the fuel pump manually until no bubbles came out of the bleed screw hole and called it done!  I needed to bypass the raw water inlet since I am not in the water and wanted to use a 5 gal bucket with a garden hose fill.  Once my replacement 3/4 hose was in place and the bucket filled, I started up the iron genoa.  It coughed a bit but after a few tries ran as usual.  Apparently just a bit of air to run out of the system before all was good.  Once I checked for leaks (none) and the 5 gal of water ran through I added 2 gal of antifreeze to the bucket.  Last thing was the impeller.  I replaced the old one with a new silicone grease coated one tightened all the bolts and put the stairs back.  What a great feeling.
Now I can pack the boat which will leave grease in the hubs and air in the tires, bolt check and light check and I am ready.  I hope all of your winterization goes well too.  Sail On  AL

#6

Sun Cats and Sunday Cats / Re: Trailer Steps

Last post by MarshHen - October 26, 2026, 10:47:49 AM

I ordered them today. I'll let you know how it goes.

#7

Sun Cats and Sunday Cats / Re: Trailer Steps

Last post by bruce - October 26, 2026, 10:10:11 AM

Hadn't seen these before but after watching a couple of videos they look great. No, not cheap, but there is some fabrication and materials, and liability insurance.

#8

Sun Cats and Sunday Cats / Trailer Steps

Last post by MarshHen - October 26, 2026, 04:26:14 AM

The ramps where I sail don't have docks along side of the ramp. This means to pull the boat, I have to climb off the bow on to the trailer frame which is not as easy as it used to be. I am seriously considering installing some galvanized trailer steps.  They are pricey but cheaper than a busted head.

#9

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / Re: How was Your Sail?

Last post by Christopher - October 24, 2026, 09:34:28 PM

Thank-you for sharing this adventure.  My adrenaline intensity increased since I could envision this since I sailed there last year.

#10

Com-Pac Sailors Lounge / How was Your Sail?

Last post by crazycarl - October 24, 2026, 04:26:14 PM

Im on several sailing forums.  The members post about their sails and maintenance's. I don't see many posting here about trips or day sails. I will admit I don't post a lot here either, because I'm out 2-3 times a week and usually they're unplanned last minute sails. Those would read alike and repetitive. Last evening's sail was a bit different. The pressure from my sinus infection waned just enough for me to go out. As I tried to make my way up Kershaw creek, it seemed no matter what direction I headed, it was into the wind. Our neighbor Bob joined me in his sailing dinghy for a bit. I wasn't getting to where I wanted to go so I headed back down the creek and once again was straight into the wind. Then I took notice of the flags flying from all the docks. They were heading all directions. The tall pines were swirling the winds in this thin part of the creek. Now heading towards the Oriental bridge I decided to take a break and sailed into a deep cove. After a not so refreshing thermos of warm water and some addictive dried mangos, bananas, & strawberries, I started out of the cove only to find the winds had shifted from east to north so now they were, yep, on the nose. A smart sailor would have known to start up the o/b and motor out, but I was captaining this ship. I stopped counting tacks at 14 and still had a good 100 yards to go. Trying to get the most out of each tack, we came dangerously close to docks, piers, and pilings. On one tack the starboard shrouds pulled pine cones and needles off a tree cascading them onto the deck. Finally out on the creek again we headed to the bridge with the "Bean", our local coffee shop across the street from the free docks, our destination. Before I head to the docks, I check the webcam to make sure there is space for me. The view showed the water was up and over the wall, flooding the street. I like my coffee, but not if I have to get my feet wet, so we entered a port tack that a sudden gust had us spinning around at an uncomfortable heel.
Then as quick as it came, the wind subsided and we ghosted our way up the creek to the entrance of our cove. With the genny furled I went forward to drop and gather the main. That is when the wind returned. Working fast with my head spinning around making sure we don't drift into a collision with a dock or the shore, I secured a single tie to the sail and started the o/b. Now all tied up to the dock, my wife called from the back porch "Are you heading out"? I explained I was coming in, in which she replied "You know there is a small craft warning until 8pm"? Yes, I knew. I even left the dock with a reef in the main, but shook it out once out there. We have a SCA several times a month, but that is for the river, and even then I have taken "Miss Adventure" out to practice reefing and sailing in nasty weather.

Okay, that's it. Now, who's been out sailing?