Products We’ve Tried and Loved This Cruising Season

   One thing I've got to say about Fidalgo Yacht Club: We're always trying out new products in order to make our extended cruises easier, safer, and more fun (i.e., less problems).  
   Here's a small array of products we tried this past cruising season in the Pacific Northwest, and we recommend them to you. If you try them, let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you.
   First off, there's the:

Trac Ecological Flushing Cap

   I bought this do-da with the idea that I would flush my heat exchangers more often. It is called a Trac Ecological Flushing Cap and can be bought on Amazon and at iBoats.com for $50-60.
It has turned out to be really useful and makes flushing the raw water system a simple one-person job.
   They come in various sizes for Groco strainers.I bought one for my engine and another for the generator. The second photo shows it screwed into the Groco and connected to a short section of hose that has a Salt-Away bottle attached.

Bill Epler
Mora

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Lanocate

    An old product re-tried: Lanocote. Made from lanolin, which gives a sheep’s coat its waterproofing. It comes in both spray  and a thick grease-like consistency.
    Coat any threaded nut, bolt, or piece of gear, and it will remain rust-free and removable years later. 
   It is like spreading a very thick Vaseline. Or, for an easier, thinner application, use the spray version. It was developed in New Zealand and is now sold by Forespar in the U.S.
 
Bill Healy and Gary Walls
Amadon Light

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ISO G-2 3.8KVA Isolation Transformer

   Recommending Charles Industries ISO G-2 3.8KVA ISOLATION TRANSFORMER
The last time I pulled the boat for bottom paint, I noticed two deep pits in my shaft zincs. The research I did informed me that I most likely had galvanic corrosion due to ground loops between shore and the boat I used a clamp meter in DC mode to check current flow through the shore cable at multiple locations. At the home slip I got .3 amps, at Deer Harbor it was .8 amps and at Rosario, read 1.5 amps. I also read that marinas were modernizing with arc fault breakers that will trip on boats with ground issues. I already had a ground isolator installed, but I decided to fully isolate the boat from shore power to break the all physical connection from shore to the boat. I had the isolation transformer shown below installed. I am very happy with the transformer.  My zincs would last about 4-6 months prior to installation of the transformer. it’s been over 10 months and zincs still look viable and we’ve never tripped any of the new breakers.
   Also recommending:

Fireboy-Xintex Automatic Discharge Fire Extinguisher with Engine Shutdown/Override System

   Recommending Fireboy-Xintex Automatic Discharge Fire Extinguisher with Engine Shutdown/Override System
   Part of the survey I had done on the boat prior to purchase mentioned a lack of fire suppression in the engine room. One of the ways I could achieve this was to drill a port from the bridge and the engine room for a Hand held extinguisher, but their range is limited and it would not cover the entire engine room. I didn’t want a dry chemical system due to the mess it creates, and I knew Halon systems were very effective in filling for spaces with fire suppressant.   
   The Fireboy system I installed took up minimal space in the engine room, uses a non-toxic form of Halon and is fully automatic giving us a good sense of security against fire on the boat. The system also has a manual trigger near the wheel on the bridge as backup.

George Hamlin
Sea Trekker

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Bounce Dryer Sheets

I'm using Bounce dryer sheets for more than just laundry while boating.  We use them also for the following:
  - rub a sheet on your legs, feet, arms and neck before sleeping to keep mosquitoes from biting, much nicer than using bug repellent before bedtime

• keep a sheet in a pocket while hiking to keep yellow-jackets away (I wonder if this would also work for the big black biting flies?)
• put a sheet in the bottom of a waste basket or garbage container to minimize odors
• put a sheet or two in boarding areas to repel mice, especially important since our boat is winterized on land for five months every year

 
   I know that there are many more uses for these Bounce sheets, but this is how they were used on our boat during 2019 season.  I'm going to try them on our Venetian boat blinds next season because I understand that they prevent dust settling due to static electricity.  We shall see!
 
Mary Robbins
Prime Time

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Loctite Products

   Over the years I have become a consistent user of Loctite in the area of adhesives, glue and lubricant. Recently I received a sailing publication that tests products and much to my surprise, Loctite outperformed some of the regular marine supply store core products in this category. The reason I'm sharing is you may be able find them is a hardware store of which there are many more of than marine supply stores.
   The products I have been using for years areLoctite PL Marine. An above the waterline adhesive that outperformed 3M 4200. Loctite Marine Grade Anti-Seize for applying to bolts and screws you don't want to seize up outperformed all the competition. .
And just as an incidental tip; I use Loctite construction adhesive around the house as it will even hold anything to drywall!
 
Lee Patza
Rosy Red

Dehydrated Products

As a member of the Just-Add-Water Society of Boat Chefs, I’m constantly in search of compact products that can endure a months-long cruise. Three of my recent favorites are dehydrated wine, crystallized citrus and dehydrated coconut milk.  

Dehydrated Wine

   Obviously, I don’t buy these to drink. But I do buy them for cooking so I don’t have to raid my cherished wine locker to create a yummy reduction sauce or French onion soup. I just pour a glass, or rather a tablespoon, of dehydrated wine in whatever dish I’m trying to perk up. Is it as good as adding the real thing? Maybe not. Is it better than not having any at all? You bet!

True Citrus

    On a months-long cruise, I don’t want to squeeze the juice from precious oranges, lemons, and limes only to toss the pulp. For me, a much better solution is to have crystallized citrus juice in my larder. No sugar has been added, so it works great for savory dishes. Instead of slicing up a couple of lemons for baked cod, I just sprinkle True Citrus Lemon crystals on the fish. What does it taste like? Cod baked with lemons!   

Powdered Coconut Milk

   Making curry requires coconut milk. But lugging cans of coconut milk is not my idea of using boat space well. My solution: Natural Foods Coconut Milk Powder. It works and tastes great, and it saves space.
   Caveat: I’m not a connoisseur of fine curries, so take my opinion with a grain of rice.   

Joanne Wilshin
L'Esprit