77 years old and still going strong.

https://redd.it/1rgmmy0
@SailingX

You Should Know: West Marine BOGO Deal on Lewmar Winches is back!
https://www.westmarine.com/buy-one-get-one-free/

https://redd.it/1rhdk5y
@SailingX

Best Way To Repair These Tears?

https://redd.it/1rhho8w
@SailingX

Almost sank my first keelboat in Texas because I skimped on the one thing that mattered

hello guys, 3 miles off the coast, 10 knots of wind, perfect day. My Catalina 22 was finally mine after months of saving. I bought it for $2,800? Yeah. That should've been the first red flag.

Previous owner said the safety gear was "all there." I was too excited to check. Too busy polishing the damn teak, watching YouTube videos about sail trim, ordering a fancy tiller extension. You know the vibe.

hit a submerged log (my fault, watching birds instead of water), tore a small hole in the hull near the keel joint. No big deal but except the bilge pump was corroded solid. The safety gear in the locker- one expired flare and a life jacket that smelled like someone's dead grandpa.

Water was coming in faster than I thought possible. I'm bailing with a bucket like an idiot while my girlfriend is already mentally spending my life insurance money.

Coast Guard got to us. Fine. Embarrassing. Boat got towed. Repairs cost more than the damn boat.

Nobody cares about your brightwork when you're taking on water.

I spent weeks researching rigging and never once looked into actual safety requirements. Now I'm that guy who shows up to the marina with a checklist and makes everyone roll their eyes. But you know what? I'd rather be annoying than dead.

For anyone new who's doing what I did-falling in love with the dream and ignoring the basics-please for the love of god take an hour and actually look into Boating Safety Certificate requirements in your area. It's not glamorous. It won't get likes on Instagram. But neither will a Coast Guard helicopter extraction. Stay safe!

https://redd.it/1rgnzp4
@SailingX

Just noticed a plug under the v-berth area in a 22 foot sailboat. What is it?

It doesnt seem fully in as you can see the threads. Last time i took it in the water a couple months ago, it did not take in any water. Can anyone tell me what this is for and whether i should unscrew it (its tight, i couldnt get it out) and rescrew it in? Thanks much!

https://preview.redd.it/oaa0xi7pp8mg1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f11d41481cb4c75b5e94897ba75f72a13ac660b



https://redd.it/1rh34od
@SailingX

Solar Arch Recommendations

Hi everyone! We’re looking to get a custom solar arch made for our sailing cat. Anyone have recommendations for a manufacture/fabricator around or near Fort Lauderdale, FL?

https://redd.it/1rh7amk
@SailingX

Corrosion and anode problems

https://redd.it/1rhspda
@SailingX

Why is Laser so different from other boats?

I have been sailing for 5 years (I'm 16) but recently started Laser. The club I go to (I have recently started going there as well) has a lot of other kids younger and better than me even though they have a fraction of my experience which surprised me because I was so used to be "the best" in my previous club. Last week I had my first ride in my new Laser and safe to say I was astonished how different it was. I struggled a lot with how long the extension if last week but I have gotten used to it now. The club saw how horrible I was trying to sail properly and was also surprised because they knew of my experience. Yesterday, I went there again but there was an insane amount of wind. I capsized THREE times. Until that day, I had only capsized twice so I was shocked and my motivation is now almost 0. I want to keep going to better myself and match or maybe even surpass the others but I'm too embarrassed to go with them. Anyways, I want to let you know what happened all 3 times so you guys could maybe let me know how to not let something like that happen again.

1) I was trapezing upwind when the wind just got way stronger and the boat wouldn't budge when I tried to turn windward.

2) I was about to manuever from downwind to upwind when my sheet decided to form something like the Gordian Knot. It just flipped over before I had the time to untie it (would have taken a minute or two).

3) I wasn't even on the boat this time. I was going back to the club and jumped off to pull the boat to the trailer like everyone else does. I forgot to untie the sheet and it got stuck. I quickly untied it but it fell over anyways (didn't capsize because it wasn't deep enough but still)

Thank you so much for your help, I am sure sailing is my passion but I just don't feel enough to compete with the others. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know so I can get better.

https://redd.it/1rhujaz
@SailingX

What are these marks in this ship painting

https://redd.it/1ri6kx9
@SailingX