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| Some Tips From Larry's Workshop |
 Keeping
tools in good condition, yet handy makes boat maintenance far easier. You can
see several ideas in this photo - the drawer that slides out from under Larry's
work bench in the lazzarette, is simple to add to any boat. It is a steam table
tray - stainless steel, bought at a restaurant supply house. Larry mists the tools
in this tray and any in his toolboxes, with WD 40 when he quits using them. Keeps
them in perfect order.
Then there is the hand drill he is using. Though we do carry an electric drill,
Larry usually finds it quicker to use this two speed special for small jobs.
The small vise has been on board for 19 years now. It is a plain steel one
that we have upgraded by removing the original turn handle and replacing that
with a piece of bronze rode. Then we had the whole thing first copper plated,
then chromed. Larry has made two sets of protectors, one from copper, one from
plywood to keep the metal jaws from damaging his work.
(For more details on these and other workbench ideas, you can look in our book,
Cost Conscious Cruiser, chapters 26 and 27.)
| | | | Travel
Insurance for Cruisers | |
Our cruising plans this year could be taking us into US waters. The medical
costs there have us a bit concerned, since prices for health care are almost triple
those we would have to pay in the majority of countries we visit. Furthermore,
though we don't feel much older than we did 30 years ago, we have to admit there
is more chance of the need for emergency medical assistance as we mature. So we
have been looking into various options, ranging from complete medical coverage
for expats as mentioned in the previous cruising tips, to insurance in New Zealand
and money set aside for emergency evacuation. Another option that has come up
is Panteanius Travel Insurance designed not only for normal holidays but also
for crew on extended offshore voyages, yacht races and sailing expeditions. This
is not medical insurance - but does include cover for up to $7,500,000 for medical
costs and repatriation expenses should you become ill or have an accident in a
country other than your home country. (Home country is the place you have your
bills sent). Also included is all of the normal travel insurance coverage, lost
luggage, stolen cameras, stolen papers, and legal expenses after an accident.
For those who have asthma, hypertension (High blood pressure) or diabetes, this
could be worthwhile, as most medical plans do not cover these or charge a massive
premium. But in correspondence with Panteanius we were told, unless any of these
conditions required hospitalization in the past 12 months, medical incidents occurring
while traveling, will be covered. Unlike most travel plans, they are willing to
cover you for a year at a time, renewable each year, i.e. continuous coverage
while voyaging. Cost is not cheap, £459.27 per year per person (about $720
US). Take a look yourself, at www.pantaenius.com
| | | | Variable
Destination Navigation | | A small tip for those who
are headed off on their first voyage. When folks ask you what your plans are,
make life easier for yourself by saying, we use variable Destination Navigation.
That way you won't over stress yourself by having to stick to a self imposed schedule,
nor disappoint anyone when weather delays, interesting side trips, money problems
or family matters force you to choose a different route or schedule. Truth is,
we have practiced variable destination navigation for the past 32 years and are
sticking to it.
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