Battery Basics pg16 | DIY Innerspring V-berth Mattress pg43 | Review: Gulfstar 39 pg8 GOOD OLD BOAT Inspiring hands-on sailors 04 Issue 131: March/April 2020 | GoodOldBoat.com $8.00 US $8.00 CAN 04 0 62825 97035 7 Odyssey HD Trinidad HD Hull Defense Hull Defense Multi-Season Ablative Multi-Season Hard Antifouling Bottom Paint Bottom Paint Solvent-based, High 53.3% copper load, 45.7% high copper excellent in all conditions. content. Smooth, Hard, durable, long- H durable finish. Fast-Dry lasting finish. Fast-Dry HAMILTON Technology. VOC com- Technology. Compatible pliant, compatible over over hard finishes. 50 most finishes. State VOC compliance. MARINE NEW HD bottom paint features the exclusive Pettit HD Hull Defense LIMITED 18 Month Warranty! Macerator Pump Sealed motor housing. Run-Dry NEW! protection. 12 GPM. 12 volt. Semi-Flexible 1-1/2" hose or 1-1/2" NPT and discharge port for 1" hose. 11-3/8"L x 4-3/4"W x 3-5/8"H. Solar Panels Thin, lightweight, and $ 99 strong. Weather, water, 174 ea and corrosion resistant. Starting At JAB-18590-2092 $ 99 Order# 169197 58 ea Automatic/Manual Inflatable PFD USCG Approved Type V with Type II Performance Universal sizing, fits 30"-65" chest. Comfortable low profile fit, neoprene neckline. Super bright retro-reflective areas on front, a high-visibility BEACON logo on the back. Full 35 lbs buoyancy. $ 99 179 ea Back Color Order# Orange/Gray 773536 Blue/Light Gray 773535 Mooring Pendants Premium, state-of-the-art Many line of marine coatings, Premium super- Sizes! adhesives and putties. strength fiber with . Search# SYT- stainless steel thimble Search# YAL-MPS ™ Poly-nylon double braid with galvanized thimble. HAMILTON Search# HM-MP INCREDIBLE up to CAN HELP! Don’t Miss Our Annual % Many Hamilton Marine employees main- OPEN HOUSE ROPE DEALS! 50 tain their own boats. And there is no better OFF teacher than hands-on experience. We know and use the products we sell and can tell you SALE! what works best for a given application. If you Check out hamiltonmarine.com/ropedeals have questions about a simple repair or a Saturday April 4th SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE daunting project, give us a call. We can help. through Saturday April 11th! OUR ONLINE SPECIALS! NEW Photo by Wayne Hamilton (CLOSED EASTER) ROPE ADDED REGULARLY! 800-639-2715 • hamiltonmarine.com All discounts apply to current store prices. Typographical errors are unintentional and subject to correction. 8 GOOD OLD BOAT Issue 131: March/April 2020 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Taking Charge Review Boat 16 Knowing battery basics and 8 Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster Mk II: A technologies empowers battery Raised-Saloon Cruiser for Two choices. by Gregg Nestor by Drew Frye Design Comparison All Things Being Equal 14 Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster Mk II and 22 Equalizing batteries can improve Two More Bright, Solid Cruising performance and extend lifespan. Performers 26 by David Lynn by Rob Mazza Counter Intuitive Simple Solutions 36 With Corian countertop material 25 An old instrument’s housing as a core, a new centerboard provides a platform for its takes shape. replacement. 36 by Art Hall by Jim Shell 40 A Sense of Directions Short Voyages Writing a cruising guide provides a 26 A singular voyage leads to new perspective on home waters. the Gulf of Saint Lawrence’s by Brian Fagan stunning Mingan Archipelago. by Benoit Fleury 43 Sleeping Beauty Clever surgery on a standard bed Sailing Tales mattress improves a V-berth’s 31 An evolving passion for sailing sleepability. helps define a path forward. by Jim Shell by Elizabeth Masserang Sole Mate Simple Solutions 46 A recycled plastic vinyl overlay 34 A vertical windlass, reimagined, brings new life to a worn-out fulfills dual duty as an automatic cabin sole. furler. by Gary Gerber by Tamara Watson Hot Stuff Reflections 48 A simple, low-cost stovetop 61 A chilly morning at the edge heater takes the edge off a chilly of autumn foretells the longer cabin. journey. by Drew Frye by D.B. Davies 43 On the Cover 48 During the calm of an early morning in late June, preparing to head out for a sail from Pine Island Bay in Groton, Connecticut, Paul Rezendes looked out over the mooring field, saw this beauty of a sunrise, and grabbed his camera. March/April 2020 1 Evolution EV-200 Defender Power Vessel Autopilot • 12/24 Volt DC • Includes: p70s control head, EV-1 sensor core, ACU-200, Evolution cable kit The Brands • For use on mid-size powerboats You Want and with hydraulic ram capacity Trust in Stock 1938 Since Marine Outfitter of Choice 4.9 - 14 cubic inches *Requires Type 1 hydraulic pump (not included) $ 99 Item 261324 Only 1999 Knowledgeable In-House Sales Staff Travel Sleep Systems • Superior sleeping comfort •Add Targeted Froli flexible pressure springs relief under your mattress and •transform Individual how firmness you sleep adjustment aboard: Authorized • Under-mattress• ventilationGet cushioning comfort Dealer for the • Moisture mitigation• Targeted pressure relief Products We Sell • Available in 4 sizes• Customize the firmness • Under-mattress ventilation • Moisture mitigation Defender.com $ 99 • Quick and easy installation Starting at 217 • Fits any size beds and v-berths 800.628.8225 .com ® Engine/Bilge Heaters • Anodized Aluminum • Automatic thermostat • Voltage: 115 Volt AC • Fan Flow: 40 CFM • Available in 300, 450 or 600 watt Discounts for $ 99 Members Available at Item 901873 Starting at 299 Defender.com/def1stfaq or call 800.628.8225 24th Annual Warehouse Sale March 26-29, 2020 Save at defender.com, by phone or in our CT facility! Portable Navigation Lights Follow Us • Floats with light facing up • Submersible to 20 meters • Corrosion resistant • Four mounting options - Magnet, Suction, Navimount or RAILBLAZA Good Old Boat Mar_Apr 2020.indd 1 1/3/20 11:17 AM Websightings CEO / CFO / PUBLISHER Karla Sandness EDITOR Michael Robertson Tally Ho Reborn [email protected] SENIOR EDITOR Wendy Mitman Clarke BOAT REVIEW EDITOR Dan Spurr ELECTRONICS EDITOR David Lynn COPY EDITOR Amy Jo Woodruff CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kelley Gudahl ILLUSTRATORS Rick Beddoe | Tom Payne | Fritz Seegers CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Drew Frye | Rob Mazza | Connie McBride | Cliff Moore Fiona McGlynn | Gregg Nestor | Allen Penticoff Robin Urquhart | Tom Wells | Ed Zacko ADVERTISING SALES TEAM Behan Gifford | Nica Waters [email protected] DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION & BOAT CLASSIFIEDS Leo Sampson Goolden is a self-described but that’s really the extent of my wood-boat Brenda Ellingsen boatbuilder, sailor, and writer from Bristol, interest—until I discovered the Sampson [email protected] | 701-840-6137 England. But these days, he’s living in Boat Co. YouTube channel. I can’t stop FOUNDERS the Pacific Northwest on the Olympic watching. Goolden is a fantastic narrator Karen Larson and Jerry Powlas Peninsula, rebuilding Tally Ho, a 1910 gaff and personality, and the production value of cutter that won the Fastnet race in 1927. the videos is exceptional (and has improved 131 – VOLUME 24 NUMBER 2 He’s been working on the project for the with each episode). GOOD OLD BOAT (ISSN 1099-6354; USPS 019327) past two-and-a-half years and has captured The project is of epic proportion and PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY BY all the adventure on video—64 episodes watching Goolden work, I’m in awe of his Good Old Boat, Inc. and counting as we go to print. I (along stamina. Because he’s not just getting this with 146,000 subscribers) am hooked. little ship built; he’s entertaining and sharp BUSINESS / EDITORIAL OFFICE: 1300 Evergreen Dr. N.W. | Jamestown, ND 58401-2204 And that’s a weird thing because I’m not and philosophical while he gets this little Phone: 701-952-9433 an old-wood-boat guy, not even close. If ship built. It’s educational; among other [email protected] you asked me, I’d have told you my interest things, I recently learned from Goolden GoodOldBoat.com in this channel would be nil. I’ve thumbed what an adze is (check out episode #59). through Woodenboat magazine, and I’ve To watch, go to youtube.com and search SUBSCRIPTION RATES (1, 2, 3 YEARS): US and Canada – $39.95/$74.95/$110.00 US drooled over a restored J-Boat (Endeavour), “Tally Ho” or “Sampson Boat Co.” Overseas – $49.95/$94.95/$139.95 US DIGITAL-ONLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES US, Canada, and Overseas – $29.95/$54.95/$79.95 US © 2020 BY GOOD OLD BOAT, INC. All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or part forbidden except by permission of the publisher. Printed in the USA. Editorial submissions are handled with care, but no liability is accepted. Opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of Good Old Boat magazine. Periodicals postage paid at Jamestown, ND 58401 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Good Old Boat 1300 Evergreen Dr. N.W. Jamestown, ND 58401-2204 The sailing magazine for the rest of us. March/April 2020 3 HEADSAIL FURLERS . MAINSAIL FURLERS This boat has a furler, does yours? CDI has been involved in the sailing industry for over four decades. We stand firmly behind our products, and with unprecedented reliability our furling system will save you time and money. Backed by our comprehensive warranty, you will have peace of mind and more days on the water. Visit Sailcdi.com and sail away with ease. photo by @mikeydetemple Mail Buoy The View from Here The Next One BY MICHAEL ROBERTSON o you miss living on job from aboard a 39-foot boat our interests and passions, is something I’ll always be a sailboat?” sailing the Pacific, it’s impos- replaced the uniqueness and grateful for.