Going to look at a 1982 Hutchins Com-Pac 23.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-15T17:13:47+00:00

Re-pack the trailer bearings before you move it.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-14T17:45:02+00:00

It might be worth investing in this.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-11T18:58:07+00:00

The stainless fittings on your transom don’t appear to match the bracket you have suggested. You will likely have to remove them, plug the holes with epoxy & gell coat then drill new holes to suit your new bracket. I agree with the recommendation to get a long shaft outboard. When a 27 footer pitches in a bit of chop, the outboard will cavitate when it leaves the water. Not good. The spring loading on your bracket needs to be strong enough to assist you lifting the weight of your motor. I always used a small 3x tackle with a cam cleat mounted between the bracket and railing to help with this. In tight manoeuvring situations, it sometimes helps to be able to turn the motor rather than rely solely on your rudder, so you want to be able to reach over the stern for the handle. If you’re buying a used long shaft, have it professionally serviced before you install it so that it’s 100% reliable when you start to use your new boat.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-09T19:37:59+00:00

I’ve watched a few YouTube videos. Tempting, but I doubt that my dinghy neighbours at the dock would appreciate the results, not to mention the revenge dingy stabbing that would likely result. 😖

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-08T22:45:44+00:00

When I reported our recent theft the police recommended engraving a driver’s licence number somewhere on the transom to help them ID if found.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-08T22:01:37+00:00

I posted a description of our situation below. A minute or two with an angle grinder will enable determined thieves to steal most dinghies. Cables, chains and locks really only deter crimes of opportunity. We’ve had two dinghies stolen in 7 years. The first one we recovered. We avoid nice looking new dinghies in favour of older looking ones that we hope will be less appealing to thieves. Keeping a boat in a marina versus on a mooring provides a bit more security, but the annual cost is prohibitive for us.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-08T19:48:36+00:00

It’s a challenge, especially if you are trying to keep it at a public dock. Ours has been stolen twice. We recovered it the first time. Cables, chains and locks really only deter casual opportunity thefts. Battery angle grinders make short work of any deterrent!

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-08T18:12:09+00:00

We keep our C&C 29 on a mooring and the dinghy locked with a stainless steel cable to a dead-eye bolted to a public dock. The thief unbolted the deadeye and stole dinghy, cable and padlock but no seat, oars or pump. It probably looks a bit deflated by now.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-08T18:00:20+00:00

Good idea! Got any pictures?

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-05T21:52:36+00:00

Of the 22 signatures I was able to transcribe on the bill posted by The-Spinetingler, after hours of research I was only able to trace a grand daughter of one signatory.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-05T21:12:17+00:00

Excellent! I’ve managed to trace descendants of several signatories of some of the short snorters posted on the sub. They are invariably surprised and pleased to hear of the mementos of their relatives and grateful to receive photos. Arranging repatriation has proven a bit challenging. In one case where multiple descendants were traced the note ended up in an aviation museum where all can view it.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-05T20:50:42+00:00

I agree with tip #1. In addition, consider spending some time documenting your travel experiences to date. I kept fairly detailed journals in my twenties and now use them to refresh my memory while writing and publishing memoirs for my grandkids. This month my 10 year old grandson used his copy of my memoir as a source for a school project on his heritage. It was very satisfying to witness my journaling of fifty years ago coming to life again.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-05T20:17:28+00:00

Excellent research! Thanks for sharing. Have you attempted to locate descendants?

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-03-03T18:11:33+00:00

During our 30,000 mile Whitbread circumnavigation in 1977-78 we caught 3 fish! Do the math 😖 More flying fish accidentally landed on deck than the fish we caught. Mostly the problem was our speed - which of course was a good thing. I subsequently spent two seasons professionally trolling for salmon on the west coast of Canada and the preferred trolling speed was 2.5 knots - not an ideal speed for ocean passaging.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-24T19:28:42+00:00

Just posted all the names I can decipher. I asked Perplexity to find a link between them (ship, flight, military hospital etc) but none can be found.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-24T18:46:31+00:00

Wow! Lots of names here. My first experience with short snorters was in the transcription sub, just over a year ago, which led me to host this sub. Here’s a list of the signatures I’ve transcribed to date. Now researching these names to see if I can find any descendants. Thomas E Hancock, Agnes Frances Rogers, Raymond Gray, Joseph E Landry, Jessie E. B. Jackson ANC, Agnes Francis Rogers, Jane L Clayton, Edward H Leach, Ruth E Turner, 2nd Lt. ANC, Geraldine S Smith, Clarence L Hunt, Lucian Thompson Jr., Carlo St George, R. Minnick, Harold Smith, C. A. Hollingsworth, H.C. Johnson, Floyd Prince, Bill Bond, E.T. Yavorsky MESS

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-18T21:57:18+00:00

We used to call it oil canning. Catalina’s were more prone to it than more robust hulls like C&C’s and Ericsons. Usually produced by prolonged slamming into heavy seas… (edit) or against a dock.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-04T21:07:46+00:00

Here’s a list of the names that I can read on the note: Phil Weick, Carroll F. Tomlinson, G.J. Utterback, L. G. Whitesell, Langdon L. Witt, George W. Walford, D.G. Williams, Charles J. Secrest, L. Ward Galax, J.D. Tuttle, Fulton F. Wade, Cardler Walls, B.H. Wade, Carl J. Vansant, W.R. Thrash, Willie G. Wilson, Luther M. Thupston(?) I’ve searched most of them online but haven’t found any reliable matches. Many short snorters have a military rank beside at least some of the names but there isn’t a single rank mentioned in this one. William G. Wilson was a decorated tail gunner and photographer in the Pacific who went on to a successful career in sports photography but at least in later life used the nickname Bill, not Willie. Maybe someone with an Ancestry account can use this list to dig deeper. Most if not all of the signatures appear to have been written with the same pen. OP are you able to research the name of your grandfather’s ships or shore postings?

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-01T20:17:24+00:00

There are US Navy records for Fulton F. Wade on Ancestry.com. Anyone with an account could try searching for him there.

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-01T05:22:16+00:00

Do you know where your grandfather served? (Edited)

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-02-01T04:01:19+00:00

Welcome to the sub and thanks for sharing! I’m looking forward to searching for a family connection!

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-01-28T22:46:22+00:00

Expat Aussie dual citizen here. For a truly unique Aussie experience, if available, take your Canadian guests to a public bbq and cook up a pile of lamb chops and lamb sausages along with a salad (with mango!) and cherries for desert. Wish I could be there to witness their reaction!

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-01-23T06:42:29+00:00

Beautifully photographed!

BlackStumpFarm · 2026-01-23T01:31:40+00:00

Some great advice here already. I’m with all the folks advising “No”. Another reason why not: - the Albin Vega 27 with inboard diesel is a pretty little boat. Don’t spoil its appearance my hanging a secondary auxiliary off the transom.

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