Posts by James Jenkins
I want to install a deck plate in the top of the fresh water tank of my camp trailer (RV) to allow for cleaning the inside at the start of the season. The product I am looking at recommends "Lubri...
You may be allergic to dust mites. Dust Mite Allergy If you have allergies or asthma, a tiny creature living in your home could be making big problems for you. Although you can’t see them...
I have heard references to gelcoat being a water proof application for a fiberglass boat hull. I have always considered fiberglass as inherently water proof. There are several industries surroundi...
There is a crack about 12 inches (30cm) long on the edge of my Sunfish sailboat. I am not sure if the crack is all the way through the fiberglass, or just the gel coat. It is on the corner betwee...
This is based on experiments following the great answer by Chris I purchased two "water proof" barrels. Related How can I keep a water-proof barrel dry for use in a canoe? One is 8 gallons the o...
I purchased a couple of used water-proof barrels for keeping things dry in the canoe. They are easy to open and close, so in theory they keep your stuff dry and they float. The lids clamp on (ima...
As pointed out in a comment by cobaltduck in the question What type of rope to use for the mainsheet of sunfish? the proper name for rope when used on a boat is line. If I go to the store and buy ...
I need a new mainsheet (the rope that controls the boom on the main sail) for my sunfish. Many of the online sailboat stores, are selling 8mm FSE Orion for the job. My local Hardware store does ...
I have an early 1970's Sunfish with the old style DePersia Bailer Ad from 1957 The plug is missing I have searched and it appears the old style old style DePersia Bailer is no longer made, t...
topshot has a good answer on how to separate the slug from the brass. Brass is designed to be reused, which is why reloading exists. Bullets/slugs are designed to be used once. Reusing the brass a...
We have a couple of questions about the legality of and how to tap trees to get sap. Tree sap is the source of sugary syrups like Maple or Sycamore. The sap can then be evaporated over a fire to ...
Generators, fuel cells, solar panels and other power supplies tend to be sold with Watts as the energy value. Some of my electrical devices list amps, how do I convert amps to watts?
Gasoline generators are notoriously noisy (some are more quiet) and smelly. Many areas like US national parks have restrictions on the use of generators. Fuel cells are used in many space applica...
Most of the people I see standing in water fishing are wearing hip waders or chest waders essentially really tall rubber boots. They are not getting wet, they are getting farther from shore, and ...
Getting back in a canoe is not as easy as I thought it was going to be. I also learned that Extra Flotation might be needed So if I am alone in the middle of a body of water, how do I get back in...
must not damage the boat Damage to the boat is somewhat subjective, you are best able to tell what the owner will consider damage. Anything that rubs against a surface will cause wear. I belon...
I believe the 3 main options for portable GPS currently are: Dedicated GPS unit Smart Phone GPS Watch They all have somethings in common, and each have other considerations also. For this que...
Why don't you get an inexpensive smart phone instead? For less then $100 (currently some are less than $30) you can get a smart phone at tracfone.com that will do all of that and more. Pair it wit...
This time of year, you see a lot of canoes and kayaks going down the road tied to the top of cars. Some of them not as smartly anchored as others. One of the configurations that I see a lot is t...
Canoes are known for tipping over, most come with enough flotation so they won't sink. Stock flotation is often just for neutral buoyancy, adding flotation is an option but if I have not done that...
Yesterday for the first time I turned my canoe over, then I tried to get back in it. I have been thinking about adding a sail to my canoe and now that I know a bit about sailing, I know I need to ...
Walk backwards. The fins will have the least trouble with the water if you walk backwards.
I am planning a homebuilt sailing craft that uses a sail similar to the Sunfish (image below) I have seen a few homebuilt sails that use metal electrical conduit for the mast and spars, and am work...
I know from personal experience that greenwood (freshly cut) does not provide as much heat energy as seasoned wood (has been down for 6-12 months). When burning it spends a lot of it's energy boil...
Back in the day when I fit the criteria in the question. Assuming the wood is down and has been seasoned. One Cord {128 cubic feet (3.62 m3)} a day is easy. I used to cut, split and load into the...
