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Boating Articles by Tom

Starting with the little two-person inflatable raft I had as my very first boat, I have always loved the freedom and the feeling of being out on the water. With my father's help, I added a hard plywood floor to that little inflatable, and that was the beginning of a long chain of boats I have owned, loved, maintained, modified, fixed, enjoyed, and scared myself to death on over the past few decades.
A lot of boating time is spent fixing boats, maintaining boats, and upgrading boats with new boating equipment to suit our specific tastes and needs. Lots of salespeople at stores that sell marine boating supplies and boating accessories have learned to recognize me over the years. I have spent my share of time and money working on just about anything you could name on a boat, and made plenty of mistakes. I'm here to share the lessons learned.

Making Your Own Fender Boards in 2 Easy Steps

December 29, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

The best way to protect a boat that is rubbing on pilings at the dock is with a fender board. A fender board is simply a piece of wood hung outside of two fenders which are hung off the side of a boat. The board rubs up and down on the pilings, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Boating Equipment Tagged With: fenderboards, docking

Punta Gorda Sailing Club Holiday Regatta 2010

December 20, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

Sailboats start to appear out of the fog near marker 2 just after 10 am SaturdayDay One Saturday started out very foggy. As Pete and I departed the boat ramp at Ponce Park, I could see the channel markers right by the fishing pier, but not the next … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Races & Regattas Tagged With: Charlotte Harbor, regatta, racing

Sunfish Regional Championship Regatta 2010: Charlotte Harbor Sailing Races

November 10, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

Sunfishers ain't right! Sunfish Regionals fleet starting upwind in the distance Driving over to the Laishley Park boat ramp on Saturday morning, I was hoping the ramp would not be crowded due to a fishing tournament, and maybe I could … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Races & Regattas Tagged With: small boats, Charlotte Harbor, regatta, racing, Sunfish

Charlotte Harbor Sailing Regatta 2010: Triumphs & Crashes

September 27, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

Sailing Triumphs and Crashes Albin 322 similar to the Albin 32 we were aboard that day Charlotte Harbor is a great place for sailors! With more than 80 square miles of water, it is large enough to sail in new areas all day, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Races & Regattas Tagged With: Charlotte Harbor, regatta, racing, Sunfish

Kids Sailing Camp

September 27, 2010 By Tom 1 Comment

Future Sailors Gather for Instruction (click to enlarge) Teaching Kids To Sail — A Learning Experience I volunteered to help out at the Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center July 2010 Kids Summer Sailing Camp. I am not an experienced Sunfish … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sailing Tagged With: small boats, Charlotte Harbor, sailing camp, kids, instruction, Sunfish, Community Sailing Center

The Com-Pac Sun Cat: A Review

July 28, 2010 By Tom 1 Comment

Sun Cat Frisky

The Sun Cat is a delight to launch and rig — plus easy to sail, and comfortable, too! The cockpit in the Sun Cat is surprisingly roomy for a small sailboat. The hinged mast makes it easy and fast to rig — The Sun Cat's main boom, gaff … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sailboat Reviews Tagged With: review, Sun Cat

Wax or PoliGlow on Blue Boat Topsides

July 26, 2010 By Tom 2 Comments

Click any picture to enlarge Compound/Wax vs PoliGlow to Shine & Protect Dark Colored Hull Topsides Making our Com-Pac Sun Cat shiny and easy to clean The original owner had waxed the hull of our Com-Pac Sun Cat, the Wily Conch, twice a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Boat Repairs & Upgrades Tagged With: wax, PoliGlow, Sun Cat, hull

Hunter 376 Sailboat Delivery

July 16, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

The delivery sail crew Brief cruise from Charlotte Harbor through the Florida Keys and up to Miami Working at a SW Florida yacht brokerage, the opportunity occasionally arises to deliver a recently purchased boat to a new location, and in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sailboat Cruising Tagged With: delivery, Hunter, electronics, keys

Boston Whaler Rub Rail Reinforcement

July 16, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

Old rub rail protector (click to enlarge) Years ago I spotted a 13 foot Boston Whaler that looked a bit odd, as if the rubrail were larger than normal. I wondered how that guy managed to get a heavier duty rub rail for his boat and went to check it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Boat Repairs & Upgrades Tagged With: Boston Whaler, rubrail

More Boston Whaler Modifications

July 5, 2010 By Tom 1 Comment

Modifying and Upgrading My Boston Whaler I added little wood rails around the top of the mahogany console. It works to keep drinks, handheld GPS, and other small items from sliding off the console. I wrap this 2" plastic food grade … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Boat Repairs & Upgrades Tagged With: console, keelguard, keel, Boston Whaler, rubrail, fuel filter

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Popular

  • The Perfect Solo Mast-Raising System for Small Sailboats
  • How to Dock an Outboard or Sterndrive Powerboat in 3 Easy Pictures
  • Small Outboard Engine Tilt and Trim: Theory and Practice
  • Tying Boats to Docks Using Springlines
  • Deep V, Shallow V, or Variable Deadrise Hull Performance
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About Tom

Starting with the little two-person inflatable raft I had as my very first boat, I have always loved the freedom and the feeling of being out on the water. With my father's help, I added a hard plywood floor to that little inflatable, and that was the beginning of a long chain of boats I have owned, loved, maintained, modified, fixed, enjoyed, and scared myself to death on over the past few decades. [Read More …]

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  • General (37)
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      • Baitcast Rod & Reel Combos
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    • Autopilots
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    • Fishfinders
    • Fixed-Mount VHF Radios
    • Handheld GPS Units
    • Handheld VHF Radios
  • Pelican Waterproof Marine Boxes
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    • Survival PFDs
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    • Throwable (Type IV) PFDs
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