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Two adults and two kids is basically loaded, IMHO. The Yamaha 50 (which I have) is about the max weight you would want on the transom. I had a Suzuki 2.5 on the back sometimes when travelling remote and solo, but I usually think that the extra weight on the transom is a penalty I'm not willing...

I recently had a similar problem with the windlass on my big boat. The rode jammed at the line to chain splice, the chain backed up (doubled up), bending the pin that holds the finger that puts pressure on the chain or line to keep it in the gypsy. We ordered the part expedited mail from the...

I've towed short distances constantly checking the rear view mirror. Generally not worth it. Best to modify any snaps onboard with twist lock fasteners. The single screw fasteners are fairly simple to replace a male single screw snap (which I have learned to hate on boats). Since you have...

Solar.

The first one I bought was Unisolar. Very flexible, maybe too flexible. But I remember the name because I was so impressed with output that I bought a second. The one on my CD16 is less flexible, which actually makes it easier to attatch. It is shown in my photo album, but I don't remember...

I've had good luck with flexible panels, which is why I like them. I have one on my CD that is attached with SNADS and a little spacer to provide ventilation under the panels. If you don't haul toys on top, there is plenty of room for flexible panels and they can be much less intrusive than...

Assuming that you have the proper paper chart, dividers, parallel ruler, and counter space to determine position and plot a course. Back when I worked at Captain's Nautical Supplies, we used a rule of thumb of one inch of compass card for every 10 foot of boat. This was for larger vessels...

I've been in some conditions in my 16 that I can't talk about because then everyone will know that I'm a reckless idiot. Okay, I will. I got the 16 after years of whitewater kayaking where rough conditions are the goal and the boat is 7 feet shorter. And I was fortunate to WW kayak with my...

I went with a manual retrieval from the helm because my anchor is only 10 pounds. On my 16 (a cruiser model) it is a little more compex, but it is basically running the anchor line through a deck pulley into the cabin. I used commercial lead line instead of chain and it works well. I store...

Be very careful when mounting your fastening hardware to the boat that you don't cause any problems. If you drill into any cored areas, you must go through the "epoxy fill" process noted elsewhere on this site. I made a very elaborate cockpit cover using vinyl coated polyester fabric (like...

For a multi-day trip on the lower Columbia River, I called the local county Sheriff Dept. The launch I was planning to use was a "not recommended." Mark

I don't remember now whether I paid $11K or $13K. It was over $10K because I didn't take cash into Canada in order to make my border crossing simple. I do remember that it is a 2004 CD 16 with a 2005 Yamaha 50hp. Thanks to the fog of time, I remember the various projects (including rot...

Check the water levels, especially at Lake Roosevelt. It is lowered in the spring so that it can handle sudden snow melt. Sometimes lowered to the point where the launches are unusable and the "beach" is +100 yards to the vegetation. Not ideal cruising other than you'll be the only one there.

Check in my photo album under "Modifications - Cabin Lights." I used little LED strips on top of the aluminum window frame and used stick-on conduit to make the wires disappear. The original wimpy Perko lights were removed. A couple things to be aware of. LED lights can use really thin...

I have some old charts that I kept for "historical interest" and was amazed at how much the deviation had changed. They are no longer usable for me as the CD 16 is too small for using a chart and my larger boat doesn't have parallel ruler, dividers, etc. on board. I did keep my nice bronze...

I went bigger in order to do longer, more extensive cruising in decadent comfort. But while I looked at the newer offerings like the "tug" looking boats, I decided on a 1980's vintage Taiwanese trawler (at 1/10th the initial cost and operating expense). Yes, I have expenses in getting it ready...

I have the same dinghy. I originally used my 2.5 hp Suzuki, but only for a few times. It planes with one person (+7 knots?), not so much with two. I then tried my 35# thrust Newport electric. Slower, maybe 4kt max. But, quieter, easier to start, lighter, same range, no dangerous gas tanks...

I did end up planning a complete "reverse River Horse" cruise on the upper Missouri. I planned on leaving Coal Banks Landing and cruising down to the reservoir marina at Fort Peck, about 7 to 10 days. I even had a couple of friends agree to run the shuttle (the most difficult aspect of the...

I had a couple of flexible solar panels on a yurt for years. They got blown around, pitch on them, and mistreated. Still worked fine when I gave them away. I was impressed. I put a flexible solar panel on the Limpet using SNADs. It is a small panel and is attached with only 4 SNADs. No...

I've done a lot of the sightseeing at hull speed up a narrow or remote channel and then returning on plane retracing the incoming track on the MFD. I mark "iffy" spots with a MOB waypoint to remind me to be slow and careful on that section on the return. That opens up more off-the-track...