LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
must use caution. If the isolated
portion of the bank contains the
temperature sensors for charging
compensation, these must be moved
to the active bank. It’s important that
all batteries be of the same make,
model, and age, and they should
all be installed in the same general
location so that their temperature
is uniform.—Steve D’Antonio
SAFE PASSAGEMAKING
In regard to Robert M. Lane’s
excellent piece on Teddi Bear
(PMM Sept. ’08), I have a point of
disagreement. Rather than the
placement of the navigation
instruments being inefficient, on the
contrary, they are perfectly placed
and leave the pilothouse windows
unencumbered for safe navigation.
This arrangement is almost standard
in tugs and fishboats of all sizes and
works fine. Too many of the vessels
reviewed in your fine magazine are
perfect safety horrors due to the
proliferation of electronic displays
directly in front of the helm, some so
large it appears that the watch-keeper
must look over them to see out.
The effect of all this on safe
navigation at night (or in daylight)
is scary to contemplate, the essence
of which is a good lookout and
constant situational awareness. The
wheelhouse shown on page 118 is
one example of electronic excess. In
short: sailors, look out the window!
Here is an example of inefficiency.
The first radar I worked with was
on a 60-foot coastal tug in the early
’50s. To fit the radar into the small
wheelhouse, it was installed in the aft
bulkhead, a little over waist height,
with the “works” projecting into the
skipper’s wee cabin, just over his bunk.
You want to talk about turning around
and bending down to view?
Keep up the good work!
Capt. Mike H. McQuarrie
North Vancouver, British Columbia
STORY IDEA: FORECLOSURES
People are talking about boat
foreclosures. What about a bicoastal
look at foreclosures, what to look for
in a foreclosed boat, where to look,
whether to buy or try for a lease
when the bank is stuck with a boat,
and pitfalls to avoid? Foreclosed
homes are well publicized, but boat
deals seem to be mainly backroom
deals thus far.
Also, what about a roundup story
about what states are doing about fuel
availability? Oregon, for example, has
mandated non-ethanol fuel be made
available for boaters, but the publicity
has been awful.
Bill Stewart
Vancouver, Washington
