HINTS
(1)
Allow at least 4 boat lengths of the towed boat for the tow line: then increase the tow line so that both boats are on wave crests at the same time. In large swells this line should be further increasd so that there are two waves between vessels. Especially in rough conditions don't attach the tow line to a single point. Run bridles or other lines to secure points further aft than the forward towing point - such as winches or other bollards. All towing lines should be secured in such a way that they can be let go quickly.
An extra towing line should also be rigged to / from different towing points on each vessel and it should be not much looser than the main line. If a dinghy has to be towed, a Control Device might give cause for less worry. When towing an inflatable which is quite likely to tip over in rough and / windy conditions, it would be wise to haul
it in close so that only the trailing end(s) of the hull(s) are in the water. For more details see the item called Towing
Fire Extinguishers
Ensure the fire extinguisher carried is serviceable - especially that there is sufficient pressure to make it work. For most brands this means that the indicator is in the GREEN sector. The best extinguisher with the widest safe applications is the dry chemical powder type
Flat Sandpaper
To keep sandpaper , emery paper or any other kind of abrasive paper from curling up in the moist marine environment try keeping it inside two pieces of ply. The ply can be hinged along one end and clamped with a spring paper clip at the other end. Circular sanding disks can be clamped between two circular pieces of ply with an appropriate size bolt through the centre.
Fuel Tanks
All fuel tanks are prone to collecting water from condensation. Tanks with
a built-in gauge in the cap are especially likely to collect water. If the
tank is removable it is a good idea to empty it occasionally and leave it
upside down in a warm place with the cap removed for a few hours. Alternatively
stand it on a corner for a while and siphon off any water and foreign liquid.
Try to avoid storing a metal fuel tank on any surface without an air gap underneath.
Mildew
Spray surfaces with a colourless germicide for protection.
For removal use a stiff brush to wash the surface thoroughly with a 3:1 solution
of fresh water and liquid bleach.
Stains
Clean copper & brass with a vinegar / salt mix.
Use baking soda solution to wipe sinks, fibreglass, chrome,
tiles or painted surfaces.
To clean moss & slime from the waterline mix water and bleaching
peroxide at 4:1. Spray on and wipe off.
For bimini tops use a solution of mild soap (not a detergent)
and Clorox (to kill mildew). Rinse with cold water. Waterproof the fabric
if necessary.
To clean stainless steel and tile grout use a paste of baking
soda and water. This paste also cleans up stains burned into pots and pans
and is also a good deodoriser for cutting boards.
Add hydrogen peroxide to a baking soda paste to clean porcelain.
Newspaper works best for polishing glass; paper towel is OK
but not quite as good.
Storing Tins
When storing tinned food on board remember that labels
will eventually come off - quickly too if the tins get wet! Then you may not
only lose the date but it doesn't help to open a can of baked beans when you
really wanted beetroot. It's a good idea to remove the labels anyway so they
don't find their way to drain lines or bilge pumps. Use a texta to record
the contents and date on the can itself. Then to slow the rusting process
smear some kind of light grease or oil - such as baby oil, over the can. A
covering of glad wrap will also retard the rusting and keep contents of non
sealed containers relatively moisture free.
Stubborn Screws
Having trouble undoing a screw ? Try giving the screw
driver a sharp / hard tap to set the screw driver firmly into the screw head
and to loosen the grip of the screw on the surrounding material. If this fails
try to break the screw grip by applying heat to the screw. Do this by placing
a very hot object like a soldering iron on the screw head to cause expansion
and subsequent contraction of the screw to break the grip.
Teak Oil
To make your own teak oil mix equal parts
in volume of 100% Tung Oil and Turpentine. Apply with a brush or soft
cotton cloth
Tarnished Brass
Wash down with a 3:1 solution fresh water and Muriatic
acid, then rub the surface with Worcestershire Sauce. Protect the shine by
coating with an exterior grade wax.
Whiteboard
Most boat owners will usually have paper and pencil
handy to the steering station to jot down important information. It is also
useful to have a whiteboard on the boat - either fixed or portable. Getting
one the right size can be a problem. Fortunately it is very easy to make one
to suit any requirement. First get a piece of plain white gloss laminex from
a kitchen maker. Then cut it to size and, with contact cement, stick it to
a suitable backing board. The only other requirement is the marker pen which
must be kept tightly capped for prolonged life.
Head Sense
To preserve and lubricate seals in the boat head
put a spoon of vegetable oil in the bowl and pump a few strokes. It is best
to do this and let stand overnight or longer. Do not try and clean or remove
odors by using bleach solutions or abrading agents. These things will only
make the problem worse and they can also corrode seals and pipes. For most
systems at least 10 strokes are required to completely clear the lines.
Useful Phone Numbers
Keep a list of useful phone numbers handy (fridg
?) for boating related activities. Keep a similar list on your boat or in
the mobile phone memory. The following list is a minimum one suggested for
BWMW members. If you use these numbers check them from time to time to ensure
they are still current
POLICE STATIONS - Gosford - 4323 5599 Woy Woy - 4341
9122 Kincumber - 4369 6822 Terrigal
- 4384 4822
POLICE ASSISTANCE LINE (PAL) - 131 444
RVCP - 4325 7929 NSW Maritime
- 4323 7171 WEATHER -
131 236
SECTOR COORDINATOR
By using a simple formula the distance to the sea horizon can be established fairly accurately.
Distance to Horizon (Nautical Miles) = 2.08 X Square Root of Eye Height above Sea Level in Metres
If the eye is 4 metres above sea level the horizon is 2.08 X 2 = 4.16 Nautical Miles
Therefore to find the distance a shore object - say a lighthouse, comes into view from the same boat do a similar horizon distance calculation for an observer at the top of the lighthouse which in this example is 16 metres above sea level. This distance is 2.08 X 4 = 8.32 NM. By adding the two distances together the distance from which it will be possible for the boat observer to see the lighthouse can be found - 12.5 NM (approx). Thus it may be useful to know from a known position on your own boat what the eye height above sea level is and to thereby know the horizon distance when observed from that position.
When working in feet substitute 1.17 for 2.08 in the basic formula - the answer still being in nautical miles as shown in the example below.
The range from a shore object with vertical development can be determined approximately by using a simple formula. Range = Ht of Object above SL (feet) X 0.565 / VSA (Where VSA is in minutes of arc)
or
Range = Ht of Object above SL (Metres) X 1.86 / VSA (Where VSA is in minutes of arc)
To measure VSA see the next item. (Measuring a Vertical Angle)
Aside from using a sextant to measure a vertical angle there is a simple method to give reasonable accuracy. A loop is made in a piece of string which is put around the neck and the other end passed through a hole in the end of a ruler graduated in mm. The string length is adjusted so the distance from eye to the vertically held ruler is 57.3 cm. Then 10 mm on the ruler subtends one degree. By proportion 1 mm is 0.1 degrees or 6 minutes.
To attract attention it may be useful to have sometiing louder than a whistle. Using a 12V car horn from a wrecker is a low cost improvement. Such a horn can be mounted in a piece of electrical conduit together with a fuse and switch. A suitable board can be used to first mount the electrical components and this then mounted inside the conduit.A wooden plug can then be made to seal the end. If more directional control is needed a short length of larger diameter plastic tube can be fitted around the horn.
