Questions on operating a new to us bigger boat

Silly question Capt: Mr. Silver Lining described his experience quite well.

1) Don’t know about headsets, but we have used small walkie talkie type radios for similar situations, it beats yelling for sure.

2) This is my favorite wax, use it on boats and cars, excellent product.

1) We use SENA SPH-10 headsets, and they work well. The other typical brand, Eartec, is also said to work well...but we have no experience with those. Differences tend to be radio technology (Bluetooth vs. standard RF (UHF, maybe)), how the band crosses over (behind the neck or over the head, latter said to be potentially slightly less secure), and whether you can hear other ambient noise when the headsets are in place (we can easily hear dock hands and so forth). The SENA battery change when eventually necessary is a PITA, but not impossible using a set of small drivers as for eyeglasses.

Before, we tried cell phones with and without ear buds, family radios with and without VOX, neither great. We also use hand signals anyway, but visibility from the bridge on our current boat limits that somewhat... so we decided to augment with tech.

3) We've tended to use "dehumidify mode" or AC mode during hottest summer months even when not aboard. In Florida, and here in the Chesapeake during at least July and August, usually more AC than dehumidify. We often use the highest available temps (80°F on our current systems) but there's some zen involved balancing interior climate versus mold abeyence and how hard the freezer and fridge have to work.

4) I can't say yet whether inflatable fenders are better or not, but... during our last winter in Charleston a winter storm bounced most of us around quite a lot... and the inflatable fenders most larger boats (larger than ours) used seemed to survive fine. Because of that experience, we've added some inflatable fenders to our inventory.

5) We leave thru-hulls open, except with the boat is winterized in the water (every other year or so).

-Chris

59 to 68 isn’t a big jump if anything you ll find the bigger boat easier to handle.

I don’t use coms on my 53 but we do on the 110 I run using Icom handhelds. We ve tried a number of headsets but none were comfortable and practical. Sometimes when it’s just the two of us, we use our phones with good headphones. Works even in the Bahamas now with WiFi calling on Starlink

my Detailer / washer swears by Meguiar Gold.

I would run the AC in the salon as it would get very hot otherwise and maybe in one or two of the staterooms. It really depends on the layout.

I recommend some kind of monitoring system for the AC. As I ve mentioned before I m a big fan on MOCREO temperature sensors and I use them on every air con coil to monitor their temperature. This way I can see when one unit or coil (if your condensers have multiple coils) starts getting hot before the whole thing trips on high pressure. They re available on Amazon and cheap. They also have water sensors. It’s al wireless so no wires to run. I use the temp sensors in fridges and freezers as well

I like the inflatable fenders for traveling . Easy to store and can be inflated quickly with a cordless pump. At a home slip, I try not to use fenders by having the lines set right especially in a standard slip with pilings on both sides. If I have to use fenders like when on a tee head then I like big balls set fixed against the concrete of the pier and extending beyond the pilings.

I never close thru hulls No need to if the boat is well maintained with double clamps ( solid bands not perforated)

a fan in the crew quarters isn’t going to do much. Either run the AC or nothing. When we don’t use a crew sr we leave the AC on but set higher like 75-76

Been using starling from day one. Yes the basic roam plan works fine close to shore and when crossing to the Bahamas you toggle Priority data for the crossing at $2 a gig. When you get there you turn it off. I set an alarm or timer on my phone to remember ….

transferring an existing SL needs to be done by the owner. Unless they request the transfer your system is useless. Which dish doesn’t the boat have ?

there are always a bunch rumors floating around about upcoming plan changes and hikes usually started by resellers but so far roam has been working perfectly fine for our trips to the Bahamas as well as here statesides. It has been a game changer.

hope this helps… congrats on the new boat!

If you loose flow because of a leak, the condensers will shut down on high pressure and the pump will shut down. But again, the odds of a leak are very low as long as you have quality hoses and clamps. And these pumps put out volume not pressure.

one thing I would check asap are the connections at the strainer and pumps as well as any manifold to make sure nobody used brass fittings. I ve seen that many times and always missed by surveyors. Brass will corrode and crumble in a little as a few months.

We have had Eartec for4-5 years. IF I was shopping again I would be looking at newer EarTec or SENA.

My requirement, total hands free full duplex.

Left the KVH world for Starlink probably a year ago. LOVE IT.

We are on a plan that works for near coastal - NOT the expensive "Marine" plan. I think coverage now is 5-10 miles off shore. If we are going further, I turn the breaker for Starlink off. Then when back in coverage turn it back on. 3 minutes later Starlink is active. If I forget, I have to call starlink support to have them reset, they are the ones who suggested killing the power when we are off shore. We don't need access when we are off shore, just 2 of us. Nice feature, if we are not on the boat during the month, Starlink does not charge us.

For cameras, I have a few Amazon Blink cameras covering the tee head on which both my 53 and the 110 I run are docked

I m using the battery operated cameras which I ve installed on pilings but they also have versions powered with an adapter. Dirt cheap and work really well.

I m going to set up a few inside my boat when I move it to TN next month.

We have the Eartec and they work well. JUust make sure to kleave them charging since the batteries don't hold a charge very long. Also, the ones we bought 4 years ago came with thin plastic ear cushions that started flaking after about 18 months. You can buy a cloth set for not that much more money and they are much better quality.