Latest posts (Page 12)
Charging away from the dock
Projects

Charging away from the dock

Charging while away from the dock on the sailboat is a critical piece to enjoying your time on the water. In part 3 of my power upgrade project, I replace the alternator and regulator to ensure my new Firefly batteries are topped up.
Steve Mitchell 5 min read
The arteries and veins of your electrical system
Projects

The arteries and veins of your electrical system

The arteries and veins of your electrical system are the wires, and you need to ensure they are taken care of just as much as the batteries and other parts. In part 2 of my power system upgrade, I replace the majority of my main system wiring to ensure a healthy system.
Steve Mitchell 5 min read
Power System Design
Projects

Power System Design

Grace came with a very basic power system which had some major problems. I chose to update it using MasterVolt as the primary charging, distribution and control system, Balmar for engine power management, and Firefly carbon foam batteries as the heart.
Steve Mitchell 9 min read
Solar simplification
Projects

Solar simplification

My ongoing solar project at our family cabin in Eastern Washington took a simplification turn this last weekend. Much of what I’ve learned rewiring boats and working on DC systems has helped me fine-tune this installation.
Steve Mitchell 7 min read
Best drink holder ever?
Reviews

Best drink holder ever?

Drink holders are critical to ensuring your crew (and you) are kept happy while on the water and at the dock or anchor. Finding holders that don't dump your drinks overboard or otherwise suck has been a challenge, until now.
Steve Mitchell 3 min read
Ambient LED cabin lights
Projects

Ambient LED cabin lights

Quality ambient light throughout the sailboat is a must. Getting this without high power use bulbs is easy with LEDs if you know where to start. Many manufacturers "white" LEDs look terrible, so choose carefully.
Steve Mitchell 6 min read
Jarrell Cove
Trips

Jarrell Cove

The fifth day of our South Puget Sound trip saw us leaving Olympia and heading to one of my favorite places - Jarrell Cove. It is a fantastic state park and cove with a ton of mooring options, and a nearby marina.
Steve Mitchell 7 min read
Tacoma and Eagle Island
Trips

Tacoma and Eagle Island

Our South Sound sailing trip was just getting started, with stops in Tacoma and at Eagle Island. Tacoma and the Gig Harbor area is where I grew up, so it felt very familiar. Eagle Island is a place I will always visit whenever in the South Sound.
Steve Mitchell 9 min read

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