Posts in Category: Uncategorized
Renaming Your Boat: Tips and Traditions for a Successful Ceremony
Hi and welcome to Carl and Jenny Sailing Adventures! In today’s Patron only D-Log video, we’re going to discuss the process of renaming a boat and share some tips for a successful renaming ceremony. 🌊⛵
We’ll cover the importance of choosing a meaningful and appropriate new name for your vessel, as well as how to plan a memorable and enjoyable renaming ceremony that incorporates traditional rituals and your own personal touches. 🎉
Additionally, we’ll talk about the significance of involving friends, family, and fellow sailors in the celebration, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bond between you, your boat, and your boating community. 🥂👨👩👧👦
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey and learn how to give your boat a fresh start with a new name that reflects your personality and passion for sailing.
If you’d like to watch this and over 200 other Patron only videos head over to our Patreon channel at Patreon.com/carlandjenny from less than the cost of a cup of coffee per month. We publish at least two Patron only videos per week as well as other posts.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing tips and adventures! Hit the notification bell 
to stay updated on our latest content. Let’s set sail and make this summer one to remember! 
Carl and Jenny
If you enjoyed this blog post please check out our Freebies page where you can download other guides, and if you’re feeling really good consider having a look at our Support us page.
Sailor’s Guide to Business Cards: Making Waves in the Boating Community
Set sail with us on Carl and Jenny Sailing Adventures as we dive into the world of business cards for sailors!
In this video, we’ll explore creative design ideas, materials, and tips to make your sailor’s business card stand out in the boating community.
From navigating the seas of networking to making waves with eye-catching designs, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting your nautical journey, these business card tips will help you make a lasting impression.
So where can you see this video? Well it’s over on our Patreon channel. On Patreon we post at least two videos a week giving hints and tips about the sailing life. These videos are exclusively for Patrons only. We have over 250 Patron only videos and you can watch them from less than a cup of coffee a month. If you want to subscribe to a higher tier you get more benefits, but all of our patrons get access to our D-Log and J-Log videos posted each week. Why not give it a try? Click here
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Carl and Jenny Sailing Adventures for more sailing tips, tricks, and adventures. Join our crew and let’s sail the world together!
🔔 Hit the bell icon to get notified of our latest videos, and share this video with your fellow sailors to help them create the perfect business card. Fair winds and following seas!
The best way to clean your boat this spring
The best way to clean your boat this spring
Spring is here and it’s time to start prepping your boat for the season. Keeping your boat clean is essential for maintaining its condition and extending its lifespan. Knowing the best way to clean your boat is key for a successful clean-up. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best way to clean your boat so you can enjoy your time on the water to the fullest.
Rinse with fresh water
The first step in keeping your boat clean is to rinse it with fresh water. This helps get rid of any dirt and debris that may be stuck on the surface of the boat. It’s best to use a garden hose or a pressure washer to get the job done. Start by spraying the boat from the bow and work your way back. Make sure to reach all of the nooks and crannies. If you are using a pressure washer, be careful as the power of the water jet can damage window seals, bearings and even the deck if you are not careful.
Scrub the hull
Once you have rinsed your boat, it’s time to get to work scrubbing the hull. Using the right soap is important when it comes to cleaning your boat. Boat soaps are specifically formulated to remove dirt, grime, and salt buildup that can damage the hull over time. When applying the soap, use a large sponge or soft brush to work it into a lather. After scrubbing the hull and all surfaces, be sure to rinse off the soap with fresh water. Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush specifically designed for use on boats. This will help ensure that you don’t damage the finish of your boat. Begin at the bow and work your way back towards the stern. Be sure to reach down into all the crevices and around all the curves of the hull. Pay special attention to any areas where dirt and grime are more prominent.
After you have completed your thorough scrubbing, rinse the boat off with fresh water again. This will help remove any soap residue as well as any debris that has been lifted by the scrubbing process. If needed, repeat this process until all debris and grime are removed from your hull.
Rinse again
After scrubbing the hull, it is important to rinse your boat again. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may have been left behind. Start by hosing down the entire boat with the hose pipe and use a brush to remove any remaining grime. If you don’t have access to a hose, you can also use a bucket of clean water and a cloth. Focus on rinsing the boat from the stern to the bow. Once you are done, give the boat one more rinse from the bow to the stern. This will ensure that all dirt and debris are completely washed away.
Wax and polish the hull
Once you have scrubbed the hull and rinsed it off, it’s time to polish the hull. The goal of polishing is to make the surface smooth and glossy. To do this, you’ll need a good quality polishing compound specifically designed for boats. Start by applying a generous amount of the compound onto a soft cloth and buffing it into the surface in circular motions. Keep working until you have reached your desired shine. When you’re done, use a clean cloth to wipe off any excess residue. Finally, rinse off the entire surface with fresh water. For buffing and final polish you can use an electric polisher. One tip if you are doing this while your boat is in the water is to tie an elastic bungay cord to your polisher and fix it on deck. That way it cannot accidentally fall in the water, and it makes it feel lighter. To give your boat a polished finish, you can use a polish specifically designed for boats. This will help protect the hull from oxidation and environmental wear and tear.
Waxing your boat’s hull will help protect it from the elements and keep it looking like new.
Before you wax the hull, you should make sure it is completely dry.
When applying the wax, start at the top of the hull and work your way down, making sure to cover all areas evenly. Using a wax applicator or soft cloth, apply a thin layer of wax in a circular motion. Work in small sections, making sure that each section overlaps slightly with the one before it.
Wait for the wax to dry before buffing it out with a soft, clean cloth. This will help to ensure that the wax is evenly spread out and will provide maximum protection.
For best results, wax your boat’s hull twice a year. This will help to maintain its appearance and protect it from the elements. With regular waxing, you can keep your boat looking like new for years to come.
So that wraps up this post. after all that hard work it’s time to sit down and have that well deserved sundowner.
Fair winds,
Carl and Jenny
If you enjoyed this blog post please check out our Freebies page where you can download other guides, and if you’re feeling really good consider having a look at our Support us page.
An update on this years sailing season
Well firstly we must apologise for the gap in updating our blog page. To be honest and frank, we didn’t think it appropriate to be posting about us while the world has been put on hold. We have paused our regular videos on YouTube (although our Patron only videos have still being going out), but now we think it’s about time we can start posting them again, now that the world is getting back to a bit of normality, albeit, still a different one to that which we had become accustomed to.
So what’s happening aboard Dream, I hear you say!
Well throughout the lockdown period we had been fostering a beautiful dog, Sam, who was waiting for the lockdown to lift so that he could be flown to his forever home in the UK. We became quite attached to him, and in all honesty, if we weren’t planning on sailing we would have kept him. The lockdown lifted for sailing in Greece came at the beginning of June, however Sam’s flight was booked for the 15th, assuming they were going to fly then. We decided that rather than him have to go into another foster home we would stay and look after him until then.
Two days before he was due to leave the couple who were going to have him pulled out. Now there is a waiting list for the dogs that are rescued here so rehoming him was never going to be a problem, however the 15th came and went. It wasn’t until the 27th June that we finally had to say goodbye to this lovely companion who turned out to be one of the most loyal, faithful and loving dogs we have had. After a lump in throat farewell we could get back to our sailing plans.
Sailing Plans
We needed a few days to get the boat transferred from its ‘winter living in the marina’ mode to “I’m a sailboat lets go” mode. Most of the jobs were done, just an engine oil change, a bit more fuel and some supplies and we could be off. Oh, not forgetting paying the dreaded TEPAI cruising tax and fetching our ship papers from the Port Police.
29th June and the TEPAI tax was paid online, the marina office printed off a hard copy of our receipt which we could present to the Police in order to get our papers back. 1st July, trip to the port Police, 10 minutes later we had our papers and were legally set to go.
I needed to complete the oil, filter and fuel filter service prior to leaving. Oil and oil filter done, engine started to run it through the engine and that is where the problem started. The revs started hunting up and down, there was a cloud of white smoke and then the engine stopped and refused to restart!
Now from my limited mechanic skills, I was adamant it was nothing I had done, or related to the oil change. I hadn’t started on the fuel system but I thought that it was a fuel starvation problem or contaminated fuel. The fact the smoke was white and not black indicated fuel issues. I removed the primary fuel filter, and there in the bottom of the collection chamber was what every sailor dreads, the signs of diesel bug. It’s actually a living organism that grows in the water content in the diesel, has a snot like consistency and doesn’t do your fuel system any favours. So all indications were that our fuel was contaminated.
Off to the chandlers where we purchased a 12v pump and a fuel polishing filter and some hose. Next we had to find enough jerry cans to empty our fuel tank. Two days later, the fuel had been emptied, cleaned and polished and was looking good. A check of the interior of the tank was pleasing, NO BUG! It looks like that the only bit of bug we had was in the bottom of the primary fuel filter casing. The fuel was returned to the tank. With new fuel filters fitted and the system bled we should be good to go. Ignition on, starter engaged……………Not starting. Try again…….nothing. Fuel was getting to the high pressure pump but no further!
The following day I spoke with a local mechanic who said it could be the high pressure fuel pump that was blocked. Specialist tools required, testing etc = big bill. And if it needed replacing €2776.00!!! What?
As luck would have it the following morning a boat near to us which had been vacant all winter had someone moving around. A neighbour mentioned they’d heard the owner was a mechanic. The sun was shining that day, yes he was a diesel mechanic with 30yrs experience under his belt. An hour later he was up to his armpits sucking diesel, blowing here, fiddling with that etc.
The diagnosis was hat the fuel lift pump was not delivering enough fuel and that a replacement would be required. I went online and found a place, not far from where we lived in the UK that had the part. A quick phonecall, a credit card and it was on its way. Only problem was it would take up to two weeks to arrive. No problem, we could get everything else ready to go.
That night we received a family phone call, without going into details here, we had to make a decision. Jen was booking a flight to return to the UK for almost 4 weeks, the longest time we would have to spend apart since we met when we were 16 and 18yrs old. Not something we were looking forward to but needs must.
The earliest flight was booked and we decided I would stay with the boat so when the new part arrives I can do the repair so when Jen returns in August we can more or less set off sailing straight away.
So, that’s where we are to date. I’m sat here on the boat doing a few little jobs and Jen is back in the UK with family. It feels really strange being apart but it’s only for a short time and sometimes you have to put other people’s needs before your own. I can’t wait for her to get back though.
If you enjoyed this blog post please check out our Freebies page where you can download other guides, and if you’re feeling really good consider having a look at our Support us page.
Episode 3 of our podcast out now!
We are really enjoying making these podcasts. As has been said to us, this is the real us. We come across in podcasts as we tend to be in real life. Discover our personalities and how we are with each other on a day to day basis.
In this episode we go to celebrate Burns night in the marina, roll into Carl’s birthday celebration and get down and dirty spillin’ the beans on each other.
Comment below if you’d like to see a video version of future podcasts. Or just topics you want us to talk about!
We’ve got a new Podcast channel
We are always looking to give our followers more content and enjoyment so we have put together something we have been talking about for some time… yes, we now have in addition to all of our other social media stuff, a Podcast!
Now this is something we have been thinking of doing for quite a while now to add a different aspect to our day to day lives, and to record something that might not always come across in videos.
So after much deliberation we have now posted our first podcast.
What’s different from our podcast in comparison to our video productions, is that our podcasts are going to be a bit more diversified in content, They are not going to be just about our sailing experiences, but more about our view and outlook on life in general.
We hope to keep it humorous and fun and hope you will get some joy and laughter from it, and may also pick up a tip or two on how to keep your marriage/relationship on the right lines. We have been married now for almost 28 years and have been together as a couple for almost 36 years, so we think we know a bit about living together as a couple!!
We hope you will enjoy this alternative content. We will still continue to post our videos but hope this is something you can listen to in different environments and still get enjoyment from (car, gym, walking etc).
Anyhow check out our Podcasting hosting channel. You can also find us on iTunes, Spotify and other Podcast outlets.
Let us know what you think, and feel free to send us questions or topics you would like us to cover.
The first episode is just a quick intro to the channel. We are aiming to publish one podcast a week so please subscribe on whatever podcasting platform you use.
Thanks again and we hope you enjoy the show.
How to service a Lewmar winch
How to service a Lewmar Ocean ST50 winch
All sailboats are fitted with winches, some are self tailing and others are just standard winches. Some boats, generally larger yachts, even have electric winches to make life a bit easier. These are useful if single handing or when handling big sails. Read below on how to service a Lewmar winch.
On our boat we have a total of 5 cockpit winches. We have two Lewmar 42’s for controlling the mainsheet, topping lift, halyards, kicker and main sail furler. We have 2 Lewmar 50’s for the Genoa sheets and lastly a Lewmar 40 electric winch for the headsail fuller.
About winches
Winches are probably one of the most used pieces of equipment on a boat. They are built to sustain quite heavy work and will keep going and going without hardly, if any, maintenance. However, they really should be serviced once a year.
Many sailors don’t bother thinking “If it aint broke, don’t fix it!”
You might get away with it for some time but if it does fail due to lack of care and maintenance then the cost of replacement is massive.
Recommendations
So for us, we service our winches once a year, normally at the end of the season. To do it thoroughly probably takes a couple of hours per winch, but the benefits are well worth it.
If ever you have taken the roller off of a winch “just to have a look” you may feel a bit intimidated seeing all the cogs and gearing, yes it does look complicated but in actual fact they are quite simple and servicing is a job anyone can do.
Below is a list of things to go through when servicing your winch. Take a look, then watch our video where Carl services one of our Lewmar ST50 manual winches and what he found when examining it. Although this refers to a Lewmar ST50 winch, most winches are similar so you should still find this helpful.
Lewmar Winch Service
1. Prepare to service the Lewmar winch. You’ll need a large tray, a plastic sheet to cover your table (we use a bin liner), an old toothbrush, gear or winch grease, and gear oil. Some kitchen roll, a bin liner, protective gloves, flathead screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a solvent, we use petrol but you can use white spirit.
2. First job is to dismantle the winch. It’s quite simple, firstly unscrew the plastic top cap (some winches may have a stainless steel one). Then remove the chrome feeder arm, this just pulls up. Once done you can pull up and remove the drum. Be careful as there are two big sealed bearings inside. Sometimes they will stay on the shaft and other times they will lift out inside the drum. Place the items in the tray. If this is the first time you are doing this it might be beneficial to get someone to film you so if you forget where things go you can watch the video as a reminder. Next remove the pins that hold the gears, insert a screwdriver in the top and carefully prise it upwards, then you can pull them out. Slide out the gearing cogs. There will be a small plastic washer underneath the cogs, be sure to retain it.
3. We soak all the parts in petrol to remove the old grease.. Using a toothbrush and rag get all the old grease and grime off every part – cogs, bearings, rods, washers, winch base, winch cover – everything.
4. Lightly grease everything except the Pawl and Pawl Spring. You’ll want to use gear oil on that instead. Make sure to lightly grease every part – inside, outside, in the corners and grooves. You don’t want blobs of grease anywhere as theses can harden over time. Lightly goes is the key.
5. Put everything back together in the opposite manner than when you took everything off. Double check there’s no bits left in the tray…. If there is re-assemble 😉
Once it’s all back together give the winch a few turns with the winch handle which will ensure all the moving parts will have got grease on.
Thats it, you’re good to go.
Now you’ve read how to do it, click on the video below and watch Carl service one of our winches. how to do it.
If you enjoyed this blog post please check out our Freebies page where you can download other guides, and if you’re feeling really good consider having a look at our Support us page.
Repair and Improve Your Boat’s Essential Systems
Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual:
THE guide to fixing everything on your boat!
Well as you know, one of the things with boats is that because they are constantly moving there is always something going wrong, wearing out or just breaking. As a result a quick and good repair/replacement part is required. This is the guide to fixing everything on your boat.
Now when you’ve been doing it for a long time I suppose it’s like anything else, you get to expect and know what’s what! That’s how we gain experience isn’t it?
Well we have a book onboard that takes away most of the mystery, makes it easy to understand and offers advice etc on what and how to do things, explaining it so that even the first timer can understand. Yes, you do need to be a bit practically minded, but, the way it describes things makes it quite easy to understand.
To quote Amazon’s review : “This manual takes both novice and experienced boatowner through minor to major repairs of electrical systems, engines, electronics, steering systems, generators, pumps, cookers, spars and rigging.
When it was first published in 1990, the Boatowner’s Mechanical & Electrical Manual broke new ground. It was hailed as the first truly DIY manual for boatowners and has sold in its thousands ever since. There have been significant changes in boat systems since then, particularly electrical systems. This fourth edition has been fully updated to reflect these developments and expand its predecessor’s worldwide popularity.
‘Probably the best technical reference and troubleshooting book in the world’ Yachting Monthly
‘It deserves to come standard with every boat’ Yachting World”
This isn’t one of the cheapest books to buy if you are a boat owner, but I think it will be one of the best books you buy. It is available as a hardback or for download to Kindle. In my opinion the hardback book is better as its more practical to use in book format when carrying out repairs, however if you want to read it for reference then the Kindle format would suffice. We have the hardback book.
Should you buy it? Well if you are a boat owner now, or are going to be in the future then YES, without a doubt. You will turn to this book regularly, more than you know.
If you do decide to get a copy, we’d really appreciate it if you could click on the link below, that way we get a small referral commission from Amazon on any sales, which helps to go towards the maintenance of our boat.
Good reading 🙂
Fair winds
Carl & Jenny
If you enjoyed this blog post please check out our Freebies page where you can download other guides. If you’re feeling really good consider having a look at our Support us page.
Psst!! It’s Valentines Day today
Valentines Day
Did you miss the calendar this morning?
How many of you are reading this whilst you’re at work and thinking, “Oh no, she’ll kill me!” Or for you ladies, “Oh no, he’ll be disappointed!”
Well just a reminder IT”S VALENTINES DAY! Lol!
We’ll be celebrating this evening with an intimate meal, a bottle of champagne and then maybe a movie.
The weather has been quite stormy here today so we’ll be tucked up on the boat.
So if you are one of the people listed above who has forgotten, or just need an excuse to treat yourself or your loved one a bit more then why not have a look at our Amazon page?
We have listed loads of items that we have on board or similar, and also items we think would make ideal gifts.
Click on this link to have a look: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/carlandjennysailingadventures
So what are your plans for tonight? Comment below and let us know how you are celebrating Valentines day.
We have recently uploaded our latest video to Youtube. Episode 45.
If you haven’t watched it yet you can view it on YouTube or via the page on this site
As always our Patrons got early access to view. It is now available to everyone else If you would like early access and a host of other rewards and Patron only videos then why not become a Patron. You can sign up for as little as $2.00 per month, and end it at any time. http://www.patreon.com/carlandjenny
Well thats it for now. Have a great Valentines Day
Love & Peace,
Carl & Jenny
Settling in
So we have now been in Agios Nikolaos for 2 weeks. So far we have been on the hard. Tomorrow we will be launching Dream back into the water. At last!
It’s not been as bad as we thought for settling into this new way of life,although I suppose you could say it’s not really started yet, not till we start cruising anyway.
We have made friends with quite a few people here from all nationalities and have been made really welcome. A few people we met earlier in the year when we first came down to get the boat surveyed. We now have our scooter for local trips around town, rather than keep using the van which I have now nicknamed my land yacht!
Jen has joined the marina walking club which goes out on a Thursday walking through the gorges, and then a couple of mornings a week she goes for a shorter walk with a few of the ladies from the other boats. The walk up to a local beach,a few exercises on the beach then a walk back, sets her up for the day.
There’s quite an active social calendar here, Sunday afternoons is BBQ time. You take a dish to share and whatever else you want to eat and drink. A few people bring down there guitars and everyone joins in with a bit of a song. It starts at 2pm and goeson until the last drunken sailor staggers back to their boat!
Friday evenings is what is called Happy Hour. The local taverna next to the marina puts on food for everyone who goes, all at no charge. While ever you are buying drinks the food keeps coming. At the end of the night you tell George how many drinks you have had and he tells you what the final cost is. Can you imagine a British pub operating like that, they’d be out of business in a night!!
The weather at the moment is beautiful. I am sat here in the cockpit in just shorts and t-shirt, not a cloud in the sky with just a very gentle breeze Jen has just gone for a short walk.
We have completed the jobs that we had to do before Dream gets splashed tomorrow. We’ve changed the two main seacocks along with the pipework, sorted through all the lockers and spent a couple of days putting a new anti-fouling coating on the hull. She looks as good as new.
Once we are on our berth and have direct connection to the water we will give the boat a good clean down using the pressure washer. At the moment we have mains electricity but no direct connectin to water so have been reliant on what was in the tanks. Our aft tank is now empty and we have about 40% left in the forward tank, so we can survive a few more days.
Well it’s time for another cuppa so time to sign off for now. We have another episode of our van conversion video ready for uploading to YouTube so keep an eye out for that. There will be one more episode of the conversion then the next episode will be our trip here. After that it will be boat life!
Have a great day everyone we are thinking of everyone back home but can say we are not missing the weather there!
Best wishes
Carl and Jenny
