Recent content by robrill

Thanks. I was hoping the hardware would run a lot less (like half, as Seth suggested), but perhaps if I'm willing to do some "sweat equity", I can bring the cost below $500, which is my goal.

I don't claim to be terribly handy, but I just got a quote from the local rigging shop of $670 to replace my aging lifelines (original equipment) on my 1986 Ericson 30+ and I'm wondering whether I should be attempting to do this work myself. My thought is that if I can measure this job...

I pulled on my engine stop plunger for my 1986 M-18 Universal diesel engine the other day and the cable pulled loose from the fitting that attaches to the stop lever. That fitting (a bolt, screw, or something else) had corroded and disintegrated. I couldn't locate the remains and I don't recall...

Recently, I replaced the bulb on one of the interior lights on my '86 E-30+. I replaced the (incandescent) bulb with another low-wattage one, though it appeared to be somewhat brighter and therefore made the interior light cover a bit hotter than the origninal bulb, which was designated only as...

Thanks, Bob. I was at an AutoZone and saw PB Blaster ("as seen on TV!") so I figured that was it and bought it. I gave the zipper a couple of shots last night and this morning. No loosening yet, but if there's any possibility that it can eliminate the need for me to tackle all those staples...

Well, I just got back from a great night on my boat, made even more glorious by the fact that it was bird and bird poop free! I had put fishing line over the boom and zip ties on the spreaders, as well as a couple of long rubber snakes on the deck. I get no pleasure in other people's...

Bob: I'd like to try PC Blaster before going to Liquid Wrench, but I'm not familiar with the product. A Google search just came up with those compressed air sprays for cleaning PC keyboards which didn't sound like what you were talking about. Any link, store name or other info. you can offer...

I just received the replacement end caps for my Schaeffer traveler on my '86 E30+. The old ones were crumbling. The new ones have a squarish shape, versus the rounded old ones, but look fine. (I got them from Rig-Rite in RI - www.rigrite.com at the suggestion of a poster here. Thanks for the...

I've decided to go with the following: 1. Various rubber snakes left on the deck. 2. Zip ties (white or clear) to remain on the spreaders, with the ends cut to a point. 3. The repel-a-bird stainless steel wire arrangements that mount with a bungee cord on the boom. 4. Netting for over the...

I spoke with people the marina (which seemed to be at least a little bit pleased that my Ericson appeared to be keeping all the birds away from their other customers' boats) and one guy swore by rubber snakes. His theory was that birds expected owls to move, but a snake on the deck was worth...

Another bird story, but one that's gone to the extreme: I went to my '86 30+ last night to find birds sitting on each side of both spreaders - and my deck, hardware, new sail cover and dodger liberally splattered with guano. As a matter of fact, my brand new blue sail cover was mostly...

I contacted Rig-Rite. The only question I have now is which of the two sizes to get. The person I spoke to couldn't offer any guidance. One size is an inch or so bigger than the other, and almost twice as expensive, but they both fit the end of the 1 1/4" track. Any ideas? (I haven't been down...

Thanks. All I need to do is measure the track and I should be all set. Of course, I could replace the whole thing with a Harken version, but I don't have too many complaints other than the unsightly end caps and I've got a half dozen other projects to get done....

The rubber end caps on my original equipment Schaeffer traveler for my '86 E-30+ are rapidly cracking and crumbling from age, salt water and U/V exposure, etc. Does anyone know if replacement caps are available? Thanks, Rob

The plastic version seems like a good alternative, though it is twice as expensive - the extrusion is more per foot than aluminum (aluminum is $3.75 per foot and plastic is $4.95) and the rubber insert is $4.95 per foot as well. I'm also curious whether the plastic is predrilled for the screws...