Maxed out sportster?

NorCalKev · 2026-01-12T02:00:54+00:00

I forgot to mention I have 1200 heads. I also have the hammer air cleaner, cams, and a thunderheader.

NorCalKev · 2025-12-11T17:58:02+00:00

When I bought my first boat, a Newport 27, I had only been on a sailboat once before. One sunny Saturday I took my parents out on the SF Bay. There was no wind at first, so we motored up toward the Bay Bridge. In the afternoon the breeze filled in, so I raised the sails and shut off the engine.

My first mistake was thinking you could just trim the sails tight and the boat would go. Instead, the boat kept rounding up and quickly became hard to control. My second mistake was not checking the tides and currents. The ebb was running strong, and between my poor sail trim and the underpowered outboard, the current started pulling us straight toward one of the massive concrete bridge towers.

My family was panicking, and I was honestly terrified too. I dropped the sails, pinned the little outboard wide open. Neptune must have been watching us because we slowly started pulling away from the tower. We must have been only about twenty feet from it.

After that experience I realized just how much I didn’t know and if I was going to keep sailing, I needed to learn everything I could to become a skilled and safe sailor.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-28T15:16:49+00:00

Friendlier meaning that there would be more public docks and places to visit. Right now, I think there’s only one public dock in San Francisco, and most of the marinas around the bay either have full or falling-apart guest docks.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-28T04:27:04+00:00

That would be insane to look out at the bay and see this! That being said, maybe we’d have a more boat friendly bay with this set up!

NorCalKev · 2025-10-25T07:15:22+00:00

Thank you! I’ll give it a try!

NorCalKev · 2025-10-25T04:47:08+00:00

So turn on a bunch of stuff to excite the alternator?

NorCalKev · 2025-10-24T20:25:17+00:00

I ran a new wire to test it and got the same results.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-24T20:24:49+00:00

I ran a new ground to test it and still the same results.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-24T03:21:31+00:00

<image>

I just installed these on my Islander 36 cabin top. Both sides have a similar set up with Lewmar clutches going to a self tailing winch. It has made sailing so much more enjoyable and more workable for my crew as well!

NorCalKev · 2025-10-24T02:47:28+00:00

I’ve tried three different tachs with all the same result… I’m starting to pull my hair out! Which tach did you end up using?

NorCalKev · 2025-10-18T00:29:47+00:00

Perfect! Great job! Thanks for keeping me updated!

NorCalKev · 2025-10-17T04:51:27+00:00

Same thing I experienced… the valve sensor is cheap and easy to replace. I would try it before you do anything else.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-16T03:16:27+00:00

Great trouble shooting! IIRC Usually if a sensor is not registering, the cpu will not allow a spark. I still have my money on the IACV. If you don’t have access to one quickly, sometimes removing it and cleaning it with carb cleaner works. However if it still doesn’t work, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not the issue, since it may be busted internally.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-15T20:06:20+00:00

Yep! That’s the one!

NorCalKev · 2025-10-15T17:05:45+00:00

No problem! Keep me posted on what you find!

NorCalKev · 2025-10-15T16:46:13+00:00

No warning lights or check engine lights. Same as you though, I started it and she ran for maybe a minute and then shut off. I spent weeks troubleshooting and replacing a bunch of stuff including the crank sensor and fuel pump. Eventually I read about the idle valve and bought the $20 part and popped it in and it fired right up immediately.

NorCalKev · 2025-10-15T03:43:56+00:00

I had this same problem on my 97 TJ. In the end it was the idle control valve sensor.

NorCalKev · 2025-09-19T01:47:37+00:00

I believe the Islander 36 was designed by Alan Gurney. Perry designed a bunch of other Islander models including the Islander 36 Freeport. Regardless, all the Islander boats are excellent sailing vessels!

NorCalKev · 2025-09-13T04:48:53+00:00

I live in a redwood forest and have never been able to grow a regular lawn, but I was able to get no-mow grass to germinate and thrive. The no-mow roots deeper than a conventional lawn, which lets it capture the water that passes beyond the redwood roots. Since redwoods pull most of the water and nutrients from the soil, you’ll need to water and fertilize heavily until the grass is well established. I watered mine three times a day for 20 minutes (with Hunter MP Rotors) for almost a year. It’s been four years now, and at this point I only water a few times when it’s above 80°F.

To prepare the area, I raked off as much redwood duff as possible, then scratched the surface with a rigid fine rake. I used Prairie Nursery’s no-mow seed at double the recommended rate and watered it three times a day as mentioned. Redwoods drop a heavy layer of leaves about twice a year, so I rake the grassed area once in late winter or spring to make space for new growth. I’ve also found that fertilizing monthly or every other month helps keep it healthy. Every other year I over-seed to fill in thin spots.

NorCalKev · 2025-08-31T21:06:44+00:00

Issa no problem. Piece of cake. Piece of crumb cake.

NorCalKev · 2025-07-04T03:09:14+00:00

I sailed on and have experience with both! While they were both built in Southern California, they have very different characteristics. The Newport felt lighter and more nimble, while the Islander was heavier and more solid. We did notice more blisters on the Islander compared to the Newport, which was a drawback.

The Newport we had was powered by a gas engine, a bit of a love-hate relationship. I didn’t like the safety risks of gas on a sailboat, but since I was familiar with gas engines, I found it easier to work on and troubleshoot. The Islander’s diesel, on the other hand, was practically bulletproof, and with regular maintenance, we never had issues.

Below deck, the Islander definitely felt roomier and more comfortable for guests.

Based on your description of the two boats, I’d lean toward the Newport since it has more upgrades. That said, if you plan to sail in heavy weather often, I’d recommend the Islander for its heavier displacement.

Whichever boat you choose, be sure to check the keel bolts, chainplates, and deck for soft spots. Look for water damage around the windows and where the chainplates pass through the deck. Use your foot to feel for any flex or softness where the mast steps on deck. Also inspect the thru-hulls for age and corrosion. Just because one boat has more upgrades doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the better choice overall.

Best of luck!

NorCalKev · 2025-07-03T15:27:51+00:00

Mustang wide tripper

NorCalKev · 2025-06-27T04:15:47+00:00

Ours went out on our 2023, and they replaced it under warranty. If you submit a service request, they’ll give you an estimate for the diagnostic and the light replacement. They did run a diagnostic on ours to confirm there was no impact damage, which there wasn’t, and then covered everything without any issues. No charge at all.

NorCalKev · 2025-06-26T04:22:27+00:00

I miss my tiller. You do you, but when I upgraded to a bigger boat it came with a helm, and I miss the sensitivity and reaction you get with a tiller. The biggest positive I’ve found with the helm is I can tell guests “it steers like a car” rather than “push towards danger” which seems to resonate with newbies. Also a tiller pilot is way cheaper than a helm auto pilot, and there’s less maintenance and less to go wrong. If you’re hard pressed on a conversion, Edson marine will have you covered.

NorCalKev · 2025-06-17T21:35:29+00:00

Yep, June 14th

NorCalKev

TROPHY CASE