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Ask Sail: Deck Freshener

by Don Casey, Posted November 1, 2012

My yacht is 20 years old, and the antiskid is looking poor. Is there anything wrong with cleaning the deck, wiping it down with acetone and brushing flowcoat (waxed gelcoat) on to the antiskid?

Ask Sail: Dueling Sensors

by Gordon West, Posted October 30, 2012

I am an avid weather watcher, and I’ve found some extra uses for my wireless temperature sensors. I’ve got one in the reefer, one near the engine and one to monitor the air conditioning.

Ask Sail: Too Much Protection

by Nigel Calder, Posted October 25, 2012

How can I stop the galvanic action I suspect is causing the delignification of the surrounding wood? More zincs, or no zincs?

Ask Sail: No-Go Engine

by Nigel Calder, Posted October 1, 2012

My Catalina 40 has a Westerbeke 42B diesel engine with less than 800 hours. After a head-gasket repair, the engine was put back into the boat...

Ask Sail: Centerboard Corrosion

by Don Casey, Posted September 27, 2012

After I fix the pin and remove the rust, what product do you recommend to protect the steel before I reinstall the board? The boat is sailed in both fresh and salt water, and is stored on its trailer.

Ask Sail: Sailcloth Woes

by Win Fowler, Posted September 20, 2012

Do you know of a process that could reduce the stiffness of my sail? I have been told I should try lazyjacks, the Dutchman system or in-boom furling, but none of these appeal to me.

Antifouling for Props and Shafts

by Don Casey, Posted August 28, 2012

Ask Sail: Another boater we know treated his prop and shaft with a zinc spray paint (93 percent zinc) that he bought at Home Depot for $10. The zinc spray sounds like a good deal, but before using it I want to know if there is any downside?

A Staysail for Racing

by Win Fowler, Posted August 27, 2012

Ask Sail: I own a 1973 C&C 30. It came with a staysail, which I have never flown. We typically use a mainsail, jib and spinnaker. We race frequently, and I am wondering if the boat would be faster with the staysail on.

Isolated Prop Shaft

by Nigel Calder, Posted August 25, 2012

Ask Sail: I have installed a shaft-saver coupling on the prop shaft on my sailboat and have realized the shaft is now isolated from the ground. Is this a good thing, or should I put a grounding strap on the coupling?

Boom Modification

by Win Fowler, Posted June 14, 2012

I have a 1968 Bristol, and the mainsheet block is fastened to the boom with a swivel on a threaded bolt that fits into the boom end-fitting, which also serves as the attachment point for the outhaul. I cannot find a replacement for the fitting anywhere, and it is showing its age. Any ideas on where to look?