Sailor's Life For Me

5 new batteries!

I installed 5 new AGM batteries and thought I’d make a new page explaining Siren’s charging system. Here it is:

Maintenance -> Electrical -> Batteries/Charging

Ship Management -> Spreadsheets -> Master Log.xls

Tabs include: Captain’s Log, Maintenance Log, Recurring Maintenance Schedule, and printable templates.

2019 Yearly Expenses, $7,832

Ship Management -> Expenses/Cost -> 2019 Costs

Leaking out the weep holes and corroded.

The raw water pump started leaking out the weep holes. Clear sign that the first bearing went bad. Better refurbish before the second fails or sea water will fill the oil pan and cause major damage to the engine!

Maintenance -> Engine -> Raw Water Pump

After removing the shroud and light.

The steering was getting stiffer by the day. Time to add some lube!

Maintenance -> Deck Hardware -> Lube Steering Wheel

Replaced the broken Plexiglass in the forehatch.

Maintenance –> Deck Hardware –> Replace Hatch Glass

Security is becoming more important as my site grows so I decided to migrate to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). This method encrypts all data between the server and your web browser to ensure privacy of protected data. Check the icon beside the address in the browser you use to determine if a site you visit is secure or not. For instance, in Chrome you will see a green “lock” icon and “Secure” written beside it.

1) Activate SSL (for free if you use BlueHost web host.)
2) Wait a few hours for activation and follow instructional email from BlueHost.
3) Force redirects to the https version of the site by editing the .htaccess file on the server.
4) Search and replace all links and references in the site database from http:// to https://
5) Tell Google of the move through their webmaster tools.

How to get your USCG OUPV, Near Coastal (6 pack) License, every step of the way.

Ship Management –> Commercial Ops –> Get Your Captain’s License

Quicken Report: 2016 Yearly Expenses, $11360

$11,360 spent on slip fees, haul-out for bottom paint and keel repair, registration/insurance, and various other tidbits.

Ship Management -> Expenses/Cost -> 2016 Costs

I already disassembled and lubed the Main Winch (Barient 23) last year, but this year my port side jib winch started getting funky. High friction and a high pitched squeal when spinning fast. While disassembling, it turned out to be a rusty bearing. Here’s how I made the repair:

Maintenance -> Deck Hardware -> Winch Maintenance

I’ve been getting lots of interest in the Awl Grip application pics and vids on my how-to page. If you are wondering if you can just roll on Awlgrip (with no tipping) for top paint with a mirror shine… yes you can! Just gotta get that reducer juuuust right for the humidity and temperature.

Check the Top Paint page for details, cost, methods, pics and videos:
Maintenance -> Paint Gelcoat Oil Varnish -> Top Paint

I smacked a sunken barge, patched it temporarily and waited for the next haul-out.
But then I ran aground and snapped a piece of the keel off requiring an emergency haul-out.
Here’s how I fixed both repairs.

Maintenance -> Paint Gelcoat Oil Varnish -> Hull Repair – Severe

Trips -> 2016-07: Maui

A yellow donation button has been added to the upper right of the page. If you’d like to contribute $10, $20, or $100 to help pay for repairs, now there’s an easy way using Paypal’s secure method.

Credit Card or Paypal accepted.

See Maintenance -> Donate for Repairs for a list of most recent repairs and costs. Thanks for the help!

Ship Management -> Spreadsheets

Here are the details: Cost, ordering parts, materials, techniques and dimensions for a Cal 39 Main Sail Cover:
Maintenance -> Canvas Work -> Sail Cover

No more scrolling back to the menu to click the next page. If you are checking out The Big Island Trip, just click the “Next” button to go from Day 1 to Day 2, etc.

(Desktop only. Still gotta work through the menu on your phone. Or just switch to the Desktop verson at the bottom of the page…)

Expenses and Cost is now located under the Ship Management menu.

Ship Management -> Expenses / Cost

a href=”https://sailorslifeforme.com/ship-management/registration/” target=”_blank”>Registration>

Ship Management -> Registration

I found a newer, easier way to pay the yearly USCG Registration fee:
US Coast Guard Registration Renewal at www.pay.gov (My personal preference):
Go to www.pay.gov and search for “USCG Renewal”. As of 2016, the correct form was DHSCGATP. It’s very simple and intuitive, no pdfs or printing required. Just fill out the boxes, clicking the Continue button through the payment section (Bank account, Debit or Credit card payments only) to the Submit and Confirmation sections. Done. I received my new Registration Certificate 27 days after clicking Submit.

Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-08-19: Keehi Lagoon
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-08-21: Ala Wai
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-08-28: Ala Wai
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-09-02: Keehi
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-09-04: Ala Wai
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-10-07: Keehi
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-10-21: Keehi
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-10-28: Keehi
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-11-05: Keehi
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-12-11: Ala Wai
Racing -> Race Results -> 2015-12-18: Ala Wai

Expenses / Cost –> 2015 Costs

Moved “Onboard Cooking” to it’s own Menu.

Moved “Climb the Mast” to the Maintenance->Sails and Rigging->Climb the Mast.

Maintenance –> Engine –> Perkins Manual

Here is the official Hawaii Yacht Racing Accociation Calendar of sailing races. Siren will be attending as many as possible!

HYRA-2016-Calendar

Maintenance -> Plumbing -> Fresh Water Gauge

Added photos to Guests / Crew.

Racing –> Race Results –> 2015-07-29: Keehi Lagoon
Racing –> Race Results –> 2015-07-31: Ala Wai
Racing –> Race Results –> 2015-08-05: Keehi Lagoon
Racing –> Race Results –> 2015-08-07: Ala Wai

Maintenance –> Engine –> Fuel Level Sender Unit

Trips –> 08/2015: Maui

Trips

Captain’s Log from Jan 17. 2013 to Sep 7, 2015.

Siren’s voyages from 2013 to 2015

Trips

Trips –> 05/2015: Pokai Bay

Added this Simplified Charging Diagram to Maintenance -> Electrical -> Electrical Diagrams

If you have any questions about living aboard, electrical systems, engine work, living without refrigeration or anything at all, just comment on the Questions and Answers page.

If you’re shy, keep it private and email: 1978cal39@gmail.com

Racing: Compiled all of Siren’s race results in one location, plus added a graph of Siren’s Performance. Sure are a lot of DFLs, DSQs and DNFs, haha!

Maintenance -> Deck Hardware -> Winch Maintenance

Maintenance -> Plumbing -> Bilge

Here’s a description and diagram of my dual, automatic bilge pump system.