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Ramona forum posts in last 60 days

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Ramona

Reply in Topic: Coral infestation

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

16 Feb 2026 6:03pm

Scotchbright with Metal Gleam. Don't waste time with vinegar. Life is too short.

Reply in Topic: VHF AIS combo

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

13 Feb 2026 6:29pm

Select to expand quote

EastCoastSail said..

Ramona said..
These are a bit of an overkill and have snuck up a bit in price. I think I paid around $100. Stick em in a locker or drawer.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/294415861666?_skw=mini+windows+

Ramona,
For the electrically challenged, how easy are these to convert to 12V input, not using an inverter?

I don't like my Raspberry Pi and would like change to windows based.

I just use one of these.
www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010420923419.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.7633Ik7vIk7vg2&algo_pvid=b860deff-6f14-4b85-9658-1d285706a9b5&algo_exp_id=b860deff-6f14-4b85-9658-1d285706a9b5-0&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2244%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AUD%2150.04%2122.11%21%21%21241.16%21106.55%21%402101c44f17709676352752555ee93e%2112000052354403321%21sea%21AU%21753417160%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3A2f72d192%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000200977272&curPageLogUid=WFOuurJJS5FI&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005010420923419%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

Reply in Topic: Interesting boats for sale

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

8 Feb 2026 8:57am

Select to expand quote

cammd said..
Does this seem cheap

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/pogo-40-gte/340128

No. Very limited market.

Reply in Topic: VHF AIS combo

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

7 Feb 2026 8:14am

These are a bit of an overkill and have snuck up a bit in price. I think I paid around $100. Stick em in a locker or drawer.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/294415861666?_skw=mini+windows+computers&itmmeta=01KGTCKENV61MMBDDBKSJK7RP5&hash=item448c8d87a2%3Ag%3AcgIAAOSwFYVfYB35&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xDuryxNm%2BRxQcXnyHnLI1GSFfK0pgr5h2ouM35vbA38KqjQDOqffQ%2FmIAkM7wmMg%2BkKXRKXM%2F54Uj%2BbEinC0yv67ru1XY%2BUdmZh4p7U9Zv%2Bs0M4b%2FwsjWpCP%2F3bzX%2B52xCzTC3bGrLoMPMOUKGlR70Vd6PuZ1D6l7qbSYsA%2Bz6N9ueaQ5SCb6lvlHVRyoWYjcb45wXcq1Ua%2FHcKL8EA5w4j%2BobXnm9VvmnglQgYARuOU%2BjRpcdKYmyGoKGRTCLZYAk0KMQayvGgE7zPcTgqpmQVeQNvBIA9sN3oO%2BncVty%2Fpg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5DrzcyGZw&LH_ItemCondition=4

Reply in Topic: VHF AIS combo

I have the VHF with AIS right in front of me and it's screen is fine. I also run a mini windows computer and a 20 inch monitor in portrait configuration. OpenCPN on a 20 inch monitor with the AIS is superb but I often go days were I don't bother with the computer and the small screen is fine.

Reply in Topic: Reefing Downwind

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

24 Jan 2026 8:10am

Select to expand quote

woko said..
Definitely horses for courses, I was surprised to find that my long keel ketch won't run on the main alone, perhaps being gaff with long shallow keel adds to the round up ? Toying with the idea of a square sail for off the wind work

Dedicated twin headsails would keep the weight lower. Stow the main and use the headsails to steer downwind.

Reply in Topic: Interesting boats for sale

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

21 Jan 2026 6:08pm

My mate is selling his alloy Cole 42. This is a big comfortable yacht set up for single handed sailing. And no, there is no corrosion! He is keeping his Farr 37.

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/cole-42/339187

Reply in Topic: Reefing Downwind

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

17 Jan 2026 8:31am

Select to expand quote

LarryR said..
I've always dropped the main and sailed under furled headsail downwind in strong conditions. Heavy displacement mono no expert. Are there advantages to furling the headsail and sailing under reefed main alone? Advantages worth having to deal with a preventer and gybing etc etc?

Just added excitement! Reefed main alone on a reach or upwind is fine. Sailing downwind not so much.

Reply in Topic: Reefing Downwind

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

16 Jan 2026 5:50pm

Select to expand quote

JonE said..

Ramona said..
Much more comfortable to keep the genoa and furl the mainsail sailing downwind in freshening conditions. As the wind continues to freshen, drop the main completely and then reduce the genoa.

Depends if your boat will surf. I tend to treat mine like a windsurfer - I want as much power as I can handle safely. If I can take off on a wave and beat 10 knots, I'm taking it.

True, but you need the sail area set well forward when sailing downwind. Furling that headsail on that NS 38 and keeping a full main sailing downwind in a freshening breeze is going to be hard work steering. It's obvious why they need a crew of 3. In my case I would reef the main, keep the No2 full size. Engage the Aries and read a book. Hull speed is fast enough.

Reply in Topic: Reefing Downwind

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

16 Jan 2026 8:24am

Much more comfortable to keep the genoa and furl the mainsail sailing downwind in freshening conditions. As the wind continues to freshen, drop the main completely and then reduce the genoa.

Reply in Topic: Retirement sailing -what worked for you?

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

6 Jan 2026 8:57am

I would suggest keeping the yacht you have. Any serious offshore sailing should be done locally. One of our local sailors lives in Canberra but has a 50 foot yacht here. Recently he spent a few months in the UK. Bought a 25 footer and sailed around Scotland. Sold the boat and came home. He plans to do the same at another destination soon. The other alternative is to keep your yacht, travel the world sailing in the Masters in the class of your choice. The Finns Masters for example always have over 300 starters and plenty of Australians participate.

Reply in Topic: Interesting boats for sale

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

4 Jan 2026 9:06am

Kalik 33. This boat was for sale many years ago and I was keen to buy it but was held up selling my business and it sailed off. I rate it a better boat than an SS34. I know it has a crook teak deck but it would still be an excellent boat.
www.gumtree.com.au/web/listing/sail-boats/1339445722

Reply in Topic: Reefing Downwind

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

4 Jan 2026 8:21am

Boom strut, stackpack, lazyjacks, 2 reefs always organised with lines to the rear of the cabin top. Always singlehanded. Never leave the cockpit. Aries drives the boat. Reefing is quick and easy.

Reply in Topic: MIN RIVER v. BNC.... WTAF???

Ramona

NSW

7737 posts

2 Jan 2026 8:51am

This video explains it very well without any media beat up.

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