Captain's Blog

    Volvo TAMD41P-A One of the reasons I started this blog was to provide information about the Camano 31 that I learned through the repairs and renovations we did.     Here is a list of engine part numbers I that I have put together. These work for my boat and may not work for yours.   Below is a list of zincs.     Hope this helps.

AIS Displayed on SIMRAD GO9 & Radar Overlay After reading quite a bit of information, especially on the AGLCA forum, I became pretty convinced of the importance of AIS.  The Automatic Identification System (AIS) uses transceivers mounted on the boat to supply and/or read information about ships/boats in your vicinity (VHF range) such as ship name, size, identification, position, course and speed.  The information can be viewed by boats having the system installed and provides a way for the operator to communicate with other ships without having to "guess" who they are attempting to communicate with.  The system is very handy when operating in or near areas of large ship and barge activity.  Especially on rivers where you can't see around the bend. Imagine coming around the bend in a river only to be met by a tug pushing a bunch of loaded barges. With the AIS the captain of either boat can hail the other and provide information about what they may need to pass saf...

         Phones and tablets have become a huge part of our life and that doesn't stop with boating. When we go on a cruise we each carry a phone and we have 2 iPads on board. My 1st Mate generally brings her laptop to take care of business items as well. When we bought the boat it came with an iPad Pro that the owner used along with an additional iPad as all of his navigation equipment.  While this is fine, I feel that regular "land based" electronics have limitations. The main limitation is the ability to hold up to the tough marine environment. That equates to 2 things. First, the screens on phones and tablets.  The screens can't always handle the heat and direct sunlight. A piece of marine electronics can generally be mounted in an open boat and is designed to handle water, sun & humidity. The internal workings are similar but it's the screens & the "sealed" components. Marine electronics are "sunlight" readable. In other words, when...

  The Back Story     I have been boating for quite awhile. I started with my Grandfather when he lived in South Florida when I was a kid and on my own for for about 35 years. I have had everything from a jonboat to a 32' twin diesel sportfisherman. I earned my Captain's License in 2004 and worked part time for Tow Boat US here in Crystal River, alot of lessons learned there to be sure.      For years my wife and I have talked about doing the Great Loop. We started discussing it when our kids were smaller & even contemplated doing the trip and homeschooling them. We just couldn't make it happen at the time. Now our youngest is a senior in high school and our plan is to get her through her first semester of college and take off on the "trip of a lifetime". Our goal is February 2022 to start the 10 month trip. Much to do to make it happen.     So Tuesday June 16, 2020 we travel to Gasparilla Marina in Placida Florida, launch our new (to us) boat ...