Fiddler runs navigation software on a desktop PC with a helm-mounted monitor. The original monitor was installed in 2010 and at that time was a high-end, high-brightness marine monitor. It served us well for over a decade. However, the screen began to delaminate a couple of years ago and I began searching for a replacement.... Continue Reading →
After ten years of minimal maintenance, the caprail is showing its age and wear. It is made of a composite material and painted, not teak like many boats have. The caprail actually needs little annual maintenance to keep it looking good. Several years ago I put on a clear coat and that is wearing off.... Continue Reading →
The generator is enclosed with a sound shield that reduces the cabin noise while it is running. The five panels attach to a frame and each panel is lined with foam insulation to absorb the noise. After eleven years the foam insulation deteriorated on the top and front panels and needed to be replaced. I... Continue Reading →
We enjoy watching the decorated boat parades over the holidays. This year we decided to join them and decorate Fiddler. Cathleen made a star out of PVC pipe and strung lights on it with them trailing off the stern like a shooting star. The port elf has a red hat while the starboard elf has... Continue Reading →
Marine refrigerators are built to operate efficiently. They cool slowly and don't have an energy hogging frost-free feature. Typically the cooling coils are in the top freezer and the cool air from the freezer keeps the refrigerator compartment cool. Like at home, refrigerators operate 24/7 for at least the boating season and sometimes year round... Continue Reading →
Fiddler’s house/inverter battery bank got so weak that I couldn't brew a pot of coffee without triggering an inverter shutdown because of sustained low voltage. For the last several trips where anchoring was involved, I would start the generator in the morning to brew the coffee and recharge the batteries. The inverter also powers the... Continue Reading →
Fiddler came equipped with a hot/cold handheld shower installed in the transom. I didn't think I would ever need a warm shower outside and I have never seen others showering outside either. It was a wasted item for me, plus it leaked. The way it was installed prevented easy access to fix the leak so... Continue Reading →
Good reliable data is important when boating. Coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, oil pressure, fresh water level, fuel level, boat speed, wind speed, wind direction, GPS location, battery charge, holding tank level, and others all work together to make the pleasure boating experience, well, a pleasure. The level of the black water (sewage) holding tank tells... Continue Reading →
Fiddler needs a lot of batteries, especially since spending time away from marinas in beautiful anchorages without running the generator is something we like to do. Here is a list of the batteries on board and what they are used for: 2 size 8D for starting the main engines and operating DC loads at anchor... Continue Reading →
Included in "all the comforts of home" boating is hot water. So it is unfortunate that our water heater sprung a leak. But it is fortunate that it occurred toward the end of the fair weather boating season. The water was slowly leaking from the bottom of the heater which, according to internet researching, is... Continue Reading →
Fiddler 