Mailport & PS Advisor

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.

Like an increasing number of senior sailors, I require hearing aids to effectively communicate. However, in the cockpit of a sailboat-with the wind blowing or the engine running-hearing aids are not helpful when trying to carry on a VHF radio conversation. What I need is a VHF marine radio that will accept headphones (preferably noise cancelling). Of the many VHF radios that you have evaluated, have any been wired for headphones?

In regard to your December 2013 Chandlery article on the Vesper SP160 VHF splitter. After too many near misses with merchant ships, we installed an AIS in 2012, using the Vesper splitter to the masthead antenna. Your article mentioned target reception at 1.5 miles without and 11 miles with the SP160. In our experience, we sometimes see merchant vessels at 80 miles or more, and other cruisers at 30 to 40 miles with the Vesper. When approaching Colon, Panama, the display was maxed out at 50 miles (it only shows the closest 100 contacts).

The bolt in the handle on my Shurhold buffing machine vibrated out and fell overboard in 16 feet of water-most likely because I had not tightened it sufficiently. I called Shurhold (www.shurhold.com) to purchase a replacement bolt. When I asked what I owed them, I was told not to worry about it, and I received two replacement bolts and the tool for their replacement, even though I admitted responsibility for the problem. In short, I am impressed with Shurholds customer service!

For winterizing a small outboard engine, is it best to run the gas out of the engine or store it full with an additive mixed in? Is it the same for two-stroke and four-stroke engines? What about ethanol and non-ethanol gasoline?