My Boat Works

I am in the process of reinstalling the galley sink after it was removed for maintenance to a thru-hull fitting underneath. The problem is I forgot the order of the hardware for the drain flange. There is the drain flange, a neoprene washer, a cardboard washer/gasket and the flange nut. My question is does the neoprene washer go between the flange and the sink on the inside of the sink and the cardboard washer/gasket on the bottom between the bottom of the sink and the flange nut? Or should you install it like a conventional sink with plumbers putty on the inside and the gaskets and washers on the bottom in front of the flange nut? I know there wasn’t putty on the flange when I took it out.

Rigging and Sails: What They Are and How They Work Together

Buy “Boat Balance” in Blu-ray or DVD in the video section of this site, here!

Unlike other instructional programs that are little more than lectures in front of a camera with forgettable graphs and charts, Boat Balance clearly and simply shows you in stunning High Definition video how sails, standing and running rigging work together, with close-up shots and plain explanations backed by beautiful on-the-water action shots, clearly showing the effect on the boat of each skill learned. Boat Balance not only teaches a coherent lesson plan with many tips but a simple, comprehensive framework of how it all goes together.

If your boat is seaworthy and your rigging and sails are balanced as in Boat Balance, your boat will comfortably, easily and safely sail better than ever in all kinds of weather!

Boat Balance is packed with great tips for seasoned sailors. It also provides an easily understood framework for how and why sailboats and their controls work. If your crew is like most any I’ve known, they can certainly use this and it will make your sailing so much easier!

Hi everyone,
We have been very busy this last year, setting up a new part of My Boat Works, producing and distributing instructional boating movies. These are movies we are making entirely ourselves, in the highest cinema standards, with multiple camera angles, filmed in High Definition and available on Blu-ray as well as regular DVD. We are in full production and as of now (August 2010), have copies of the first movie, Boat Balance for sale!
These movies are fine examples of state-of-the-art visual learning, showing up close and in action, coherent lesson plans and feature boats many can afford that are kept up beautifully. Learning is active, so you see what I’m teaching in action, from the best angle. The shots are beautiful and with the careful scripting and my decades’ experience on the water, repairing and teaching, they are packed with information.
We have chosen subjects that are most needed and least understood. As an example, “Boat Balance” teaches how standing and running rigging controls sail shape. There are very few seasoned sailors who will not learn from this movie and it will transform sailing skills and confidence of the great majority of sailors.
We are selling these movies directly, in the video section of my website and will soon have them available at most boating websites and retail outlets.
The Blu-ray movies have to be seen to be believed! With our superior cinematography and superior post-production, we have made such beautiful movies that they look like first-run movies in a theater! Our DVDs themselves are almost the quality of most Blu-ray movies, with delicate reflections, beautiful water and superb soundtracks, including all original scores.
It’s a pleasure passing my knowledge on, as has been passed on to me, in this delightful format. Stop by my video page and buy one to see for yourself – I bet you’ll be back soon for more!
– Jerr

A mooring is a semi-permanent or permanent anchor of many types, from a five pound mushroom anchor to multi-ton Bruce anchors, securing oil rigs. Focusing on ocean small craft use, this is a description of what they are and how to use, set and maintain them and most importantly, when not to use them.

Jerr, Any suggestions on how to keep our Hunter 31 from drifting when we are at anchor? Thanks, John

Safe dinghy anchoring is a little known subject and lost dinghies are the norm. Here is a solid basis for understanding the forces and necessary equipment and some of my favorite creative dinghy anchoring methods.

Here is how to use your anchor to haul your boat off a shoal and careen it. I also bring up a few other ideas, good and bad, for discussion.

Here are proven techniques for anchoring in rough weather I have used successfully, the special challenges rough weather anchoring brings and the pros and cons of the larger decisions.

Few sailors use jacklines, tethers and lifeline nettings well but you can if you think about their purpose – Keeping you onboard or at least chest-high at the toerail if you do fall over the lifelines.

If you are blown overboard while teathered, here is how to get back on board with the minimum of effort.