Shilshole Blog

Thanks to Arnold Amenda for sponsoring the Shilshole Liveaboard Association’s New Boaters Forum to be hosted at CYC club house.  Flyers will be posted prior to each event.

December 5th, 2018

February 12th, 2019

April 9th, 2019

June 17th, 2019

All the programs will start at 7 and end at 9 pm.

Panel Members: Ned Kohlhauff, Dave White, Kristen Sierra and Richard Meeks .  Other panel members maybe added.

Why an RV post on a boat site?  Well…many systems on both RVs and Boats are very similar…galley, head, electrical, solar, etc. Most RV systems also tend to be less expensive than marine systems.

Here is an opportunity to check out the booths, layouts/systems, and get ideas of what may work on your boat.  http://seattlervshow.com/seminars

This is from our Shilshole Prepares. There is a basic HAM radio class coming up. If you are thinking about long distance cruising, or using your SSB for long range communication (using HAM channels), consider this starter class..

The Mike & Key Amateur Radio Club sponsors regular classes to help people obtain a Technician level ham license. This is the entry level license, and gives you access to the ham frequencies we primarily use in Hub (emergency preparedness) communications.

They have announced two classes coming up. One in Federal Way on January 14^th and 21^st, the other in Ballard on February 11^th and 18^th. Both classes are free, but it costs $15 to take the test at the end of the class.  You do not have to participate in the class in order to take the test, you can just show up and test if you want (but do some online studying first, and it will still cost $15).  The classes have a very high pass rate, it is rare to see someone fail the test after taking the class. The training occurs over two consecutive Saturdays, with the test in the afternoon of the second Saturday.

If you are interested, you can register for the classes, or get more information, by contacting Daniel Stevens, KL7WN, by email at kl7wm at aol dotcom

Ham vs ssb website conversations…

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/Marine-SSB-Ham-Radio-or-both-11487-1.html

http://www.latitude38.com/features/SSB.html#.WG8Lc1LTmvF

With the tightening of restrictions on marine sanitation devices, both here in Puget Sound and in Canada, many boaters are considering composting toilets.  Some of the key benefits for conversion are 1) no pumpout needed, 2) potentially less smell, 3) less weight on board (no holding tank, valves, hoses), 4) less maintenance/repair/expense and more…

Check out this website for their decision to make the conversion…the boat galley-choosing a composting toilet

With the Seattle Boat Show coming up at the end of the month, you can check out the different models.

For those of you who have read my blog on varnishing this season.  I want to add a couple of notes on how to get a hold of the varnish I use Le Tonkinois. You may try getting it from the Northwest Maritime Center 360-385-3628  in Port Townsend. They use it and sell it.  I have found that it is easier and faster to get it from American Rope and Tar out of San Diego, CA.  I have added a link to American Rope and Tar under Other in the link section of this Blog.

There are a few other things to remember about this varnish.  You do not thin it down.  No sanding between coats. Re-coat in 24 hours.  Six coats recommended rather than three.  It can be applied over any other varnish, provided you sand before the first coat of Le Tonkinois.  One fun thing is it comes in a square or rectangle can so it is easy to store.  Happy Varnishing 2016.