What a gallon of water costs...

Some very scary reading, a quick bit on masking, and in the "Quest for a better battery" department...

So, I just realized that I've been currently using our watermaker twice a week for the last five years and still producing water with a PPM of somewhere between 80 and 100. A fact that I actually find quite impressive.

What's more impressive is that I've spent a big fat zero in pressure pump maintenance and that the Karcher pressure washer works so well.

Admittedly, I've had some issues with booster pumps but have now settled on a cheap 12 volt ($22 dollar) fountain pump that works just as well if not better than the expensive ($400 dollar) 120V pump I replaced the supplied Harbor Freight pump with.

Sometimes I really need to take my own advice.

Anyway, the main cost of running the water maker is just the gas it takes for the generator which works out to about $0.17 a gallon and the very occasional replacement of a 20 mill of 5 mill filter. I'm guessing that might boost the running cost of water to maybe $0.20 a gallon.

As far as the membrane goes, it's still working finest kind and when it does come time to replace it the extra $150 won't exactly break the bank and only add a penny or so the the cost per gallon over its lifetime.

Listening to a whole lot of Beach Boys coverage

So it goes...

not so much marine quality...

A bit of "H" season news, something on the subject of the Patagonia ting, and in the "Unsung heroes" department... 

The other day I had to buy some hose clamps and noticed a couple of things. First that the prices were nuts. Made worse as the quality of said "stainless steel" hose clamps was rather shoddy and included components that were not stainless steel.

So much for Marine Quality.

Listening to Medicine Singers

So it goes...

on buying used gear...

Some good news, something interesting about Dolphins, and in the "Another banned book" department...

I'm a firm believer in recycling where boat gear is concerned for a variety of reasons. Some of which might surprise you.

For most, the main reason to buy used gear is just simple economics. Recycling older gear is less expensive than new and that alone makes it a good thing. That said, looking at older gear on eBay often finds the cost of old gear is as expensive as new, and what's up with that?

A lot of second hand gear, especially electronics if still working, just might last forever while the exact same model new from WEST or their ilk might not work at all. Electronics are funny that way.

As someone who has worked in the marine consignment business, I quickly learned that for the most part, the main reasons folks brought stuff to us was that it did not work, they did not need it, or that they simply wanted something newer and shiny to keep up with the "cool" kids.

Then there's the element of mystery. Why is someone selling the object in question? There's almost always a story behind why someone is selling something that sometimes is surprisingly interesting. Or, to paraphrase Rod Stewart... 

Every boat bit has a story. 

Some of those stories can be quite compelling.

Romantic musings aside, I do have some rules in buying used gear. In general, they are:

• the item needs to be working or fixable, 
• the object is something that's needful rather than just something that was cheap,
• they should cost no more than 50% (but preferably less) of the product when new.

I've noticed a trend in folks pricing their gear at 90% of new. It might work for them since there is no shortage of idiots with boats these days, but if you want to actually get rid of unneeded gear, you'll find that 50% of new is the sweet spot, and I have a lot of consignment experience to back that up. Which is a roundabout way of saying it pays not to be greedy.

Listening to some Jethro Tull coverage

So it goes...

from the cockpit test lab...

Something about the real cost of gas, a big black hole, and in the "Way past time" department...

The whole problem with doing stuff on the cheap is not so much about money but finding good products to replace the overpriced crap we find ourselves having to use from the Marine trades.

For instance, I need a new booster pump for my watermaker as the one I've been using has been doing an intermittent impression of a brick. Which is not what I expect to find in a $400+ piece of gear. Doing my research I've found numerous pumps sporting the same specs that cost a whole lot less. The conundrum of various items sporting the same specs over a price spread from $20 to $800 cries out to be researched. 

So, my project for today is to test a $22 dollar pump. Which, if it works will make me a very happy camper.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Listening to Boulevards

So it goes...

Tick Tock...

Crowdfunding a war, some thinking about plastics, and in the "Just simple insanity" department...

My watch died yesterday. Or maybe I should say the watch I use to tell time died yesterday as my dive computer/watch and my analog dive watch are still trucking along.

The watch that died (a Soleus Sprint) was of the disposable variety and only cost $12 bucks on sale from an outlet store. What can I say but that I'm just not a Rolex kind of guy.

Anyway, since I needed a new watch I made a quick list of what I actually needed...

Needs to tell time.

Have an alarm.

Accurate enough for navigation (spelled C-e-l-e-s-t-i-a-l)

Waterproof enough to go for a swim with it on.

Now, generally, my go to watch is the Casio F-91W as it has a seven-year battery life, does all of the above, and costs not very much. Still, I did do a quick search on what passes for sailing watches these days and see a whole lot of what I'll term as silly expensive wrist bling. But, as I just want to know what time it is and don't have insecurities that I need to compensate for the F-91W seems like it makes the most sense

Listening to Ani DeFranco 

So it goes...

things are not getting better...

A required read, EBM reminds us who the usual suspects are, and something interesting/depressing about podcasting...

Today, instead of writing this blog as I wanted to do, I watched a bit of the House committee on UFOs. Sadly, it was a lot of talk with very little content. I wanted some serious information. Then again, I’d also like to see a lot of perp-walks as well.

Neither, it seems, is on the horizon.

What I was going to write about was that I came across an old North Face catalog and that in 1975, the North Face Cagoule was selling for the grand sum of $36.50. I’m pretty sure I spent less for mine, but even back in olden times I seldom ever bought anything that wasn’t on sale, being both poor and cheap.

I used the Cagoule on many backpacking, climbing, and mountaineering expeditions where it kept me dry better than any other rain gear I’ve ever used.

When I started getting serious about sailing, the Cagoule became my go to foul weather gear and worked so much better than any bespoke marine foulies available then or now.

Might have been the best money I’ve ever spent on gear.

I really should buy some material, get out the sewing machine and make a new cagoule to replace the three not quite good enough foul weather jackets that are mostly just taking up locker space.

I don’t even have to design one as there’s an excellent pattern available.

Come to think of it, maybe I should make a couple. One that would be a clone of the North Face, one and another where I’d use neoprene like my old Great Pacific Iron Works foamback cagoule that I used after I wore my North Face out. 

Still nothing interesting on the UFO front and I’ve concluded that, considering all that’s wrong, our only genuine hope of getting out of our current mess is an alien intervention.

Listening to a Tiny desk concert

So it goes...

a better PFD...

Co2 news, a manufactured crisis in aid of profits, and in the " A lawsuit waiting to happen for Georgia taxpayers to pay for" department...

While I still have issues with inflatable and self-inflating PFDs I have to admit that these really impressed me.

Listening to the Kinks

So it goes...

Just more stuff I don't need to buy...

Wendig with a good cause, some UFO stuff, and an evil that has no limits...

The other day I found a new Hamilton Marine catalog in my PO box. I'll also add that it's now the only marine catalog on the boat, partly because it's more grounded than the West or Defender ones as they don't just market to pleasure boat folks, and partly because they just have a better catalog in my opinion.

Still, I could not be bothered to look past the first couple of pages and filed it on one of the shelves near my various boat design and building books.

Way back when, receiving just about any boat oriented catalog would result in a great amount of study and comparison of how to integrate new must-have products into the boat. So many hours wasted in the pursuit of buying stuff I really did not need.

We all need to buy stuff from time to time and having the catalog on the shelf is a handy reference when I actually need something. Which is a pretty positive state of affairs when all is said and done.

Listening to something new from Pink Floyd

So it goes...

Something about dog bones...

Something from Dick Dorworth, some situational awareness reading, and in the "Current weapon of choice" department...

Sailing Anarchy has an interesting piece on dog bones (AKA toggles) that you really should check out. That said, be warned that while well worth reading it morphs into an infomercial but the content is worthwhile

I'll also point out that dog bones are just about the easiest and cheapest bits of sailing gear to DIY. All you need is a drill with a 3/8" or 1/2" chuck, a hack saw, and some 3/8" or 1/2" aluminum rod.

Listening to Mon Laferte

So it goes...

a slightly evolved soft shackle...

Yet another health care crisis, about those By-Catch figures, and in the "Wishcycling" department...

An improved soft shackle.

Listening to Elijah Wolf

So it goes...

It's that time of year again...

The threat of coastal landfills, a very bad report card, and where COVID is concerned best to stay paranoid...

One of the sailing magazines who sends me email mentioned a slew of Christmas gifts for sailors and, as expected, it pissed me off as their choices were all high-ticket items.

So, to balance out things for the non-consumerist who read my drivel, here's what I'd suggest instead...

The first item on the list was a watch and they suggested two. One cost $1,850 and the other would set you back a measly $100-$250 or so. Way too expensive for my tastes. As an alternative I recommend the Casio F-91W. It is an excellent timepiece often used for celestial navigation (Starpath includes it as part of their GPS Backup Kit) and the watch costs less than 20 bucks.

The second item on their list was a PFD and tether. Which, in my opinion, is a horrible gift. PFDs in general are a very personal item and, if it does not sync with your tastes, it won't get worn. I've given up on inflatables and have come to the conclusion that the best bet for sailing folk are the inexpensive sort designed for kayak folk. As far as tethers go, I'd give the sailor in question some line, a couple of carabiners, and a link on how to make a Brummel splice.

The third item was a satellite communication device which is a lot more money than most of the people I know give as gifts. Nothing wrong with the item in question but how about an extra winch handle?

Seriously, everyone needs an extra winch handle.

The next item on the list was new foul weather gear. I've gone on record before that most of the foul weather gear available is pretty awful and not up to the job. These days the only foulies I recommend is the cheap stuff used by commercial fisherfolk which might not be as hip and fashionable but does allow you to work while wearing it and keep you dry. Since I'm ranting on this particular subject, whose bright idea was it to start doing BLACK foul weather gear?

The last item was a yacht charter. Now, as someone who actually has a charter business, you’d think I’d be all over that in a big way. The current price of bareboat charters down here in the Caribbean could buy someone a pretty nice, classic plastic sailboat. Which would you prefer: a week in paradise or a boat you could use all year?

Just sayin'...

Listening to some Christmas covers

So it goes...

on the evolutionary conundrum of boat gear design...

On the subject of where money for children in need goes, some Beatles stuff I'm really looking forward to, and in the "a slab of misery on wheels" department...

The other day it came to me that what "So It Goes" needed  were a few more cleats or suchlike to take care of a couple of extra halyards and the most obvious answer was to add a couple of pinrails. As it happens pinrails actually make all kinds of sense.

The problem, for me at least, is that most folks think of pinrails as being some varnished teak bits on the shrouds. You know, sort, leaky tiki old school traditional sort of stuff.

But, I asked myself, why haven't pinrails evolved into the current century? For that matter why hasn't someone designed and built an evolved tradical gaff rig?

Anyone seen any cool evolved pinrails? I'd love to see some pictures.

Listening to fifty Paul Simon covers

So it goes...

So far on the purge front...

Somewhat rage inducing, inside a cat 4 hurricane, and in the "Hell yeah!" department...

Yeah, about the purge.

So far I've got a pair of Plastimo Contest compasses, a couple of Hobie Mirage drives (just the thing if you want to build a Wooden Widget Deckster dinghy), a set of new unused nesting dinghy plans, a cordless drill/driver/jigsaw kit that's pretty slick, and a Simpson Lawrence Anchorman windlass that needs a gypsy. All of which are in the purge pile so if you find anything interesting that you might be interested in buying let me know and I'll provide more info and pricing.

Two lockers down and a bunch to go!

Listening to Las Ligas Menores

So it goes...

A bit of gear that's now on my must get list...

A board game that's (sadly) all too timely, something you might find outrageous, and in the "Nope, not suspicious at all" department...

This is all kinds of interesting.

DMM Revolver from DMM Climbing on Vimeo.

About a half-dozen uses that would make sense aboard a boat spring to mind.

Listening to Glen Hansard

So it goes...

On gear nobody talks about anymore...

Time magazine nails it, some sense being made, and in the "Maybe try a Sousa march instead" department...

So, here's a question that's been bothering me.

Does anyone (other than me) still use a hand-bearing compass anymore?

Listening to RF Shannon

So it goes...

A pretty awesome resource...

Connecting the dots, a not so veiled threat, and in the "so much for unanimously" department...

The L (as in Lapworth) 36 website has a great (over 900) collection of  marine gear manuals you might find needful.

Listening to an excellent 70's playlist

So it goes...

and in the "They really think we're stupid" zone...

A quick fact check, a noteworthy court ruling, and in the "What the future looks like" department...

Today I glanced at Sail magazine and noted a review of sorts touting a friction ring/soft shackle block arrangement. The big innovation I gather is the addition of a bit of carbon fiber to the mix.

Being a Mr Cheapseats kind of guy whenever I look at a variation of what you can do with friction rings, I tend to price it out as I work through the "Does this bit of gear make sense?" process.

So...

Friction ring costs $16 at Defender.

Dyneema braid to make soft shackle $5-$6.

That carbon bit in the mix is hard to price out but since it is not bearing any load and is only there to retain the line which could be done any number of ways all of which would be in the less than $10 we'll just say $10.

Which leaves us with a grand total of $32 but I'm pretty sure anyone could do it for less.

The company who makes the thing quotes a list price of €155.

I'm sure you can do the math...

Listening to Mark Renner

So it goes...

Just a quick thought about used gear prices...

Scary times, well worth your time, and in the "Taking the joy out of the holiday" department...

Yesterday, as I perused our local marine gear and consignment shop, I noticed an old Autohelm 1000 for sale. What perked up my interest was the fact that it was brand new, still in the box, and never used... Perfect, I said to myself, for using with a windvane (albeit possibly 20-years old) as the Autohelm 1000 is really only suited for light tasks but well able to move a windvane.

Well, not so perfect it turns out as the asking price was $400!

Ouch.

Just checked and the current price for a new Raymarine 1000 at West Marine is $439.99 so not a bargain at all.

Truth be told, the only tillerpilot I'd even consider at any price is the Pelagic for $780 which, admittedly, just may be the best bargain going in the world of gear for sailboats you'll ever come across so you might want to check it out.

Anyway, this is all in favor, of a bit of advice if you have old gear you don't have a use for anymore and want to sell...

Do the math and price accordingly.

Listening to the All The People Who Died 2017 mix

So it goes...

Why is stuff like this so rare?

I'm sure they just have our best interests at heart, some needful situational awareness, and in the "paper ballot counted by hand" department...

It would seem we're living in a Best of times/worst of times continuum. For instance, we live in a world where it's become a lot easier to design and build an affordable needful bit of boat gear. Computer aided design, manufacture, and new sales models make serving a niche market both possible and potentially profitable.  Better yet, it allows folks to build products like this autopilot...

Which really rocks and is high on my want list.  Both better than what is sold by the marine establishment and a LOT less expensive. What's not to love?

So, here's the question...

Why are we not seeing more small startups with good ideas, better quality, and affordable (non-gouging) pricing?

Listening to some Ringo covers

So it goes...

Some thoughts on buying used stuff for boats...

Words, some bad (though much deserved) news for Utah, and a little depressing math...

OK, I'll admit it, at least once every week I check out eBay to see what's for sale in the boat gear category. Partly because you always need something for your boat and partly because it's good to know what stuff is worth.

That said, eBay is no longer the extended yard sale/swap meet it used to be and not really a good place to check prices because the greed has taken hold with a vengeance. Take self-steering gears for instance. You will often see used gears for silly prices. I suppose the fact that most new self-steering gears being stupidly expensive is a factor but still something used really should come with a price that reflects the fact that it used or, in far too many cases, used and abused.

Once upon a time I used to work in a consignment store selling boat gear. It was not a bad job as things go and it did teach me a lot about gear not to have on a boat and how the whole used gear thing actually works in practice. Being a consignment store it also taught a lot more on how not to sell things.

Which sorta/kinda brings us to the rule of half/half again... Let's say you have a self-steering gear on your new used boat you don't want and you want to sell it. Let's also say that you can buy the very same gear from its builder for $6K in spite of it having a retail price of $6.5K (face it everybody discounts). What would/should you price it at if you actually wanted to, you know, sell it?

Well, a guy on eBay today seems to think $5.5K which equals out to a $500 discount for a gear that predates his ownership of the boat, so it could be a decade or so old, possibly needs some work, and new bearings. At that price we'd never have been able to sell the beast in the store unless we lucked onto someone exceptionally stupid and drunk... Nope, at that price it would just sit in the corner and gather dust.

The fact is, used boat stuff really does not move until it hits the half off level rounded down to the nearest round with a kiss off that number... So, for the windvane in question, half of $6.5K is $3250 then rounded to $2999 is a price where it might actually sell for if it was in like-new condition, had all its bits, spares, and documentation. Truth be told, anything that was once bolted to a transom would fall into the half again rule where it might sell for $1500 at most.

Since one is predisposed to spend more in an actual brick & mortar store than from some dude on the internet selling off stuff he no longer wants, $1500 is actually way more than most people would fork out unless, of course, they were of the exceptionally stupid and/or drunk variety. A real world price is more likely to be under $1K.

As a consumer, you already know this to be true to one degree or another but there is a lot of pressure, both peer and otherwise, to forget the common sense you were born with and spend boat bucks like a drunken sailor (spelled exceptionally stupid and drunk) because... you know... you get what you pay for.

Working at the store taught me that the half/half again is just based on what good used stuff is really worth and nowhere near rocket science or voodoo. More importantly, it also taught me that there is always new old gear coming to the market all the time. If the guy selling that old funky winch for $500 or the $5.5K windvane won't come down to a real world price, someone else will have the same thing or a reasonable facsimile in the not too far distant future. All you have to do is keep looking and be patient...

Plus, the folks with the too-high gear will still be selling their gear next month or next year because it just ain't going to move anytime soon.

Listening to Barbagallo

So it goes...