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Letters may be edited for clarity, grammar and style. Please limit letters to 500 words or fewer. Materials published here are the authors’ opinions and do not reflect the opinions of USPS or THE ENSIGN's editorial staff.
Corrections and clarifications
We received several letters concerning “Too Hot for Comfort” (Mar/Apr, The Ensign) on installing a solenoid valve to control the temperature of the domestic hot water when heated by circulating engine cooling water.
One writer pointed out a significant oversight on my part. I neglected to mention that the solenoid valve I used is not rated for use in the engine compartment of a boat with a gasoline engine. Installing this valve in a gasoline engine compartment could lead to a fire or explosion. If you install this valve in such a boat, the valve must be located outside the engine compartment, which is no problem as the valve can be located anywhere in the circulating waterline from the engine to the water heater. Many thanks to Raul M. Biascoechea for pointing out this oversight.
Another reader mentioned that I had eliminated the AC heating element and therefore could not make hot water while in a marina. I failed to mention that I had previously replaced the original heating element with one sized to accommodate the output from our wind generator to provide a heat sink when the batteries are fully charged and the voltage regulator shunts the current from the generator to the heating element to avoid overcharging the batteries. We do not miss the AC heating capability as we almost never stay in a marina while cruising.
Finally, one sharp-eyed reader noted that I had used a red insulated wire on the thermocouple for measuring the circulating water temperature. The ABYC code specifies that this wire should be tan colored.
—Randy Williamson
Anchoring rights and harbors of safe refuge
Coastal municipalities have tried to regulate and limit anchoring rights of cruisers for years. Florida recently enacted a law that prohibits municipalities from such regulation, calling it interference with the navigational rights of vessels.
Is this a victory for cruising boaters or not? The law specifically exempts liveaboard vessels, which can still be regulated. It clearly states that local ordinances cannot regulate the anchoring of non-liveaboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of mooring fields. This makes cruisers happy, and attention has now turned away from this issue.
However, Charmaine Smith Ladd just wrote an excellent summary on what is now happening with this legislation at bootkeyharbor.com/Temporary/AnchoringRightsFeb2009.doc.
After attention died down, an addition to the legislation called for a commission to establish pilot programs in five geographically distinct areas of Florida to rescind the legislation and allow local regulation of cruising boaters. Individuals would have to apply to this commission for such approval, and only after it becomes law. Sarasota has already jumped the gun and tried to implement such an exemption with neither pre-approval nor legislation. Cruising boaters might want to check this out.
—Greg Absten
No boater plans to get stranded when going out on the water. But taking on water and eventually sinking is common. Most of the time it happens quickly and can almost always be avoided.
If you find yourself on a sinking boat, your first concern should be the safety of everyone on board.
Thinking ahead goes a long way in saving lives. Before you get under way, make sure all passengers know where personal flotation devices are stored and how to ensure a proper fit.
Attending boating safety and on-the-water training courses will help you stay afloat and ensure that if you should find yourself in a sinking boat, your family and friends will be safe.
—Ron and Rose Werner