Mailport & PS Advisor

In the October issue of Practical Sailor, circumnavigator and PS contributor Patrick Childress described a system to simplify going aloft alone. The system, inspired by similar ones that professional riggers routinely use, included some specialized climbing equipment. After reading the article, a few of our readers pointed out that this arrangement made some potentially dangerous assumptions, and they offered suggestions on how to improve it.

Regarding your blog post on restoring gelcoat (posted online March 18, 2014): Ive seen many similar articles over the years directed toward refinishing topsides. However, Ive seen no discussion about restoring decks. I have an 18-year-old boat, and Im beginning to see pinholes in the deck gelcoat, particularly on edges and curves where I suspect the gelcoat is thinner. Im curious what the experts would recommend.

As a boatbuilder/multihull cruiser for 45 years and the author of the recently released Anchoring and Mooring the Cruising Multihull ebook, I take issue with your response to Tom Welch (PS Advisor, July 2014), that he should not use a swivel connection in the anchor rode of his 41-foot catamaran. With multihulls of this size or under, particularly trimarans or catamarans like Welchs Maine Cat, ground tackle requirements and anchoring techniques vary from monohulls a lot.

These high-tech times present a whole new challenge for us cruising folks. How does one cope with the multitude of cords, chargers, headphones, and adaptors that accompany every new device that comes on board? Add two gadget-hungry teenagers, a few Kindles, several cameras, and you have cable mayhem. Reader Jessica Rice Johnson wrote us with her solution to the cord chaos aboard her familys 62-foot catamaran.

While docked at a municipal marina last year, I detected a strong propane odor. I immediately informed the harbormaster, and we agreed that calling the local fire department would be prudent. The fire department arrived in short order, went below, and confirmed the propane odor. Their only suggestion was to open all the hatches and ports to air out the boat and wait.

In response to your request for information on Stuart Knockabout boats: Ive sailed many different kinds of boats over the last 45 years. To my mind, the Stuart Knockabout is the finest boat Ive sailed. She is so easy to sail, that my wife called her an old mans boat, yet we raced them last summer in 30 to 40 knots with reefed mains and mostly crews of two!

The front cover of my Ocean Equipment GP-1051 pre-cut housing mount for my Raymarine multi-function display developed a crack in the lower right corner. Ocean Equipment (www.oceanequipment.com) told me that the cover would be replaced as a warranty item. I fully expected to pay for the replacement, as the installation was done at least five years ago. Its wonderful to see a company go the extra mile with customers in support of its products and reputation.

I am looking to place some folding padeyes on my boat for jacklines and tethers. The price range for stainless-steel padeyes is extreme, and the distinction between safe working load (SWL) and working load limit (WLL) is not easily understood-even though Im an engineer. It would be useful to know the consensus SWL/WLL recommendation for a jackline / tether application.

For many boatowners, its time to start thinking about the off-season layup. If youre planning some pre-haulout maintenance projects so you can avoid the hassle next season, check out these helpful gems from our online archives.

In response to your May 2014 editorial on the passing of Hobie Alter, Id like to share a Hobie memory: At the ripe age of 14, my son, Jared, negotiated the purchase of a used Hobie 16, Airhead. On gusty days, I would be invited to take the helm, so he could dance on the wire as the hull flew. Eventually, our small lake became too confining, so we ventured into larger bodies, ultimately taking the Hobie to our favorite cruising ground and home to our 41-foot Sceptre, Penobscot Bay, Maine.