General maintenance

[Capn ken]

VHF antenna Recommendations for Cal 29 and windex ?

[rcvesselstyn]

Hey Ken. I just replaced both on my Cal 2-29. But I just went with the cheapest options. I never use the Windex, I rely on the wind on my cheek and my mate uses the telltales on the shrouds. The antenna just needed to work. So we got the cheapest Davis Windex and the least expensive Shakespeare antenna from West Marine. Hardly a recommendation for these items but that's what we went with.

[Capn ken]

Thanks for the advice. Any thoughts on a tricolor at the top of the mast And anchor light?

[rcvesselstyn]

We just replaced the anchor light but in retrospect I think we should have gone with the tricolor/anchor light combo. We would have had to add another wire which would have been a pain under the circumstances. When we bought the boat it had bad leak at the mast base/cabin top wiring hole. So we sealed the hole, deck. and plate with the wires in place. Another wire would require a new hole.

[SailingChris]

Laughing about the Windex. A few years ago at spring launch the windex got installed backwards. I couldn't sail without it. I had sailed for years without one as a kid, but once I had one, it was indispensable. I still have to wind-on-neck-and-ears awareness, of course, but when getting underway or in shifty wind situations, I love the Windex.

The problem was solved by pulling alongside a local schooner with traditional ratlines, climbing up their rigging, inclining the Cal 20 mast over, and making corrections.

Chris Campbell