What's on your wish list? It's still early enough that you can shop online, if you are like me and avoid stores like the plague this time of year.
I was repacking my sail bag and thought I'd put some suggestions out there so you can give links to anyone who asks for suggestions for your gift.
Three things every sailor needs. (feel free to add to the list)
I keep these three attached to my PFD.
1. Handheld VHF Radio, I have had the ICOM M34 for 4 or 5 years and it's worked like a champ, great battery life. The current model appears to be the ICOM M36 http://www.amazon.com/Ico…eld-Marine/dp/B001PUA91Y
2. Handheld GPS, the Garmin Etrex series are basic models with good battery life and waterproof (at least good enough for our purposes, not for diving) http://www.amazon.com/s/r…-keywords=garmin%20etrex
Two GATH FULL RETRACTABLE VISORED HELMETS http://www.murrays.com/mm…52-11&Category_Code=G-KY
Racing in the ocean and not trapped out, you get slapped in the face about every eleven seconds with salty cold water. This helmet helps mitigate that.
-- Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA --
I would advise against using this ronstan furler and go for the high load Harken one, or low load and upgrade to torlon bearings.
I have seen those ronstans fail several times. they are only for very small systems and don't have a good track record on beachcats around here
Edit: just saw the price difference - WOW! but you get what you pay for. I would also suggest that you purchase the upper and lower (harken) unit together as it cost only a few dollars more than just the lower unit by its self. If murry's doesn't sell the bundle, then find another place. (Call Ellies in Clearwater, fl)
Yes, Harken definitely. BUT, you need to get the fairlead to get them to really work. I think Harken doesn't advertise them, but sells them seperately. You can also make one out of a chainplate. The idea is that it lines up the firling string so that it doesn't get fouled up in the bail.
i have never used one, but have seen them on a few cats.
i find using the correct size xls line, and length prevents the line from getting under the spool, and stops it from fouling in the top "spokes" (under / and on the top of the hood part).
A Garmin Fortrex 301 is under the tree. A new forestay is in the cards before it gets warm again. Apart from that, we are restoring a Chalet Arrowhead folding RV to extend the weekends at the beach. Santa is good to us this year.
-- Mike Brady
Sugar Land, TX
Sailing off Magnolia Beach in Lavaca Bay TX
http://358degrees.blogspot.com/
P16 "Pooh Cat" --
Ronstan says they are fine for cats, but I'm taking your experience over their sales pitch.
Thanks for the head's up!
Sheet In!
-- Sheet In!
Bob
_/)_____/)_/)____/)____/)_____/)/)__________/)__
Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA --
I have seen the ronstan upper furler fail and not swivel, then the pigtail cable twists and fails. Then the mast falls - scary if on the beach with people around
Found a new Garmin Foretrex 201,in an unopened box, It's discontinued now, but it displays speed fullscreen in large digits.
Way cheaper then a speedpuck, although I realise it doesn't have all of its features.
A new O'Neill "Heat" 5mm wetsuit is under the tree.
And maybe..... A wood-epoxy Tornado classic, did a bid on this cat last week, on the dutch graiglist, the offer was accepted and now there's an appointment for a inspection next Saturday the 29th.Fingers crossed!!
A brand-new Cuben-Fiber main for the Tornado, it sat unused in a sailloft nearby, its a fathead, did a down payment on it.
Under the tree is a box of Gopro stuff, 2 new batteries and several mounts for my cams.
Amsterdam is my favorite place to visit in the world. You folks celebrate the water like no where else. Where do you sail cats there? If you get out into the ocean, the wet suit will be a very good thing!
-- Mike Brady
Sugar Land, TX
Sailing off Magnolia Beach in Lavaca Bay TX
http://358degrees.blogspot.com/
P16 "Pooh Cat" --
Amsterdam is my favorite place to visit in the world. You folks celebrate the water like no where else. Where do you sail cats there? If you get out into the ocean, the wet suit will be a very good thing!
Mike,
we sail at the Ijselmeer, a inland sea that was dammed in the early 1900's, so there;s no tide.
In the winter we are at the largest catbeach in the world, marina muiderzand. I believe there was a topic on beachcats regarding this beach a while ago.
Here it is http://www.thebeachcats.c…ms/viewtopic/topic/13202
In the summer we are our club wsv Warder, much smalller only 50 cats, but they have no mast up storage in the winter. And we sail all year long.