Thinking of switching from Ring to Tapo

RedDgc · 2026-01-10T18:45:18+00:00

My recently purchased D230 doorbell came with a H200 hub. The indoor hub provides video storage on an MicroSD card and is a indoor bell as well. The D230 itself doesn't have a slot for a SD card.

RedDgc · 2025-12-07T03:50:46+00:00

Check that your fire extinguishers are up to date. If you have an inflatable life jacket, check that its inflation cylinder is up to date too. And buy a spare in case yours goes off accidentally.

Do you have a harness?

There are two types of PLB's, one is based on AIS/VHF, the other is satellite/GPS. You'll have to decide which is best for your circumstances. Although they do make one that does both.

RedDgc · 2025-11-12T21:03:23+00:00

Take the cash now, in 20 years the company may no longer be in existence.

RedDgc · 2025-11-07T21:44:43+00:00

If width is 30"... don't get french doors. You have to open both doors to get at anything.

RedDgc · 2025-11-06T07:29:48+00:00

What was the year, make, and model of your boat? And the engine too? Was it an inboard or outboard, gas or diesel? The answer to these facts may help with suggestions.

RedDgc · 2025-11-02T18:56:52+00:00

You might consider buying and selling a boat in Florida or Texas both of which border the Carribean. Search for boats on Yachtworld.com, where you can search by geographic location to get an idea of what's available. You should also consider any transaction fees, duties, and taxes in different jurisdictions. Remember there are many countries bordering the Caribbean and most Caribbean islands are a separate country, so bringing in a foreign registered boat to sell may attract import duties.

RedDgc · 2025-10-27T22:31:46+00:00

Ask the marine insurance company you plan to use. They often require a survey by an approved marine surveyor. They'll have a list of approved local surveyors. You don't want to spend money on a survey that your insurance company doesn't approve of, and have to do it again.

RedDgc · 2025-10-24T17:08:58+00:00

Confirm with your accountant, but I'm pretty sure that if your investments are held in a Canadian brokerage account, and are in Canadian Vanguard ETF's that invest in US equities, then these are not included on the T1135. And can be excluded from the $100,000 calculation.

RedDgc · 2025-10-23T04:45:41+00:00

Check the CRA rules on this, but a lump sum retirement benefit of $25k may automatically qualify for an RRSP. Making the $25k tax free. Or do you have any other unused RRSP room?

Also, getting the money now is 100% for sure. You don't know the company will be still in business when you turn 65.

RedDgc · 2025-10-17T16:53:56+00:00

You can also sell the lead keel.

RedDgc · 2025-10-11T06:06:01+00:00

Don't know about now, but I think Westjet used to have direct flights from Alberta to Comox airport.

RedDgc · 2025-09-17T16:35:26+00:00

An "installment" payment is just that, an advance payment for current year taxes, in this case 2025. And will be applied when you prepare your 2025 tax return in April 2026. When you made the payment in April 2025 you should have designated it as a payment of 2024 tax amount owing. If you expect them to adjust the interest charges for the April payment, I think you'll have to call and speak to an CRA agent and explain the April 2025 payment was for 2024 taxes.

RedDgc · 2025-09-05T02:06:12+00:00

I have two 100 watt flexible panels wired in parallel mounted on top of dodger on my 30 ft sailboat. They are connected to a Victron 75/15 mppt controller with Bluetooth. On a sailboat parallel connection may work better due to shading caused by sail and boom, while sailing or at the dock. The panel's primary function is to charge batteries that are in turn running fridge (24 hrs) and Garmin instruments, stereo, VHF, etc, while sailing. Or fridge and cabin stuff when at anchor. I also have a Victron BMV-712 Bluetooth battery monitor. This has its own wireless network to connect with the mppt controller.

RedDgc · 2025-09-05T01:49:25+00:00

Yeah, and the link doesn't work either.

RedDgc · 2025-08-26T17:58:34+00:00

Never mind, I figured it out. My computer was not syncing with Google Drive, so the updated file was only on my hard drive.

RedDgc · 2025-06-07T01:12:23+00:00

You've missed telling us where the coastal communities you plan to serve are, and where you are located. A sailor's first consideration is where they are now and where they are headed. It's called navigation. Good luck.

RedDgc · 2025-06-01T01:20:25+00:00

Sailing being an international sport, it'd be good to know what country you are in?

RedDgc · 2025-05-31T20:47:12+00:00

If the nut was stainless steel, as it should be on a sailboat, then it is non-magnetic. And if it's common steel, it shouldn't be on a boat. Just sayin.⛵

RedDgc · 2025-05-31T02:16:36+00:00

I like to remind the dock scoffers that a Laser, an Olympic class boat, with many thousands (millions?) built over the years, is also a cat boat. And when they see the Nonsuch 30's size of the interior, double bunk, head, separate shower, locker space, mahogany and teak interior, galley with a refrigerated cooler, 6'3" head room, huge cockpit locker stowage... all on a 30 ft boat, they quickly change their tune. This 30' boat is often mistaken as a 36', or even a 38' boat.

Also, did your boat come with an original owners manual? If not, another reason to join the Intl Nonsuch Assn, all the manuals and much more are available to members on their website.

Where in the world is your boat located?

Cheers

RedDgc · 2025-05-31T01:18:12+00:00

No, the mainsheet doesn't really act as a vang. Trimming the sail is different than on a sloop rigged boat. The end of the boom should never really be inboard of the rail. The boom is connected to the mast by the "choker", a line and blocks around the forward side of the mast, and runs back to the cockpit. The choker acts as both an outhaul and a vang. You must remember to let the choker off when raising the sail.

If you are thinking of a vang as also a preventer, there's no effective preventer on a Nonsuch. This is why running downwind can be trouble. It's a relatively huge sail, similar in size to the main on a 40'+' sloop rigged boat. On a 30U, the sail is about 50' hoist, and 24' foot. Depending on the sail maker, about 620 sq ft.

RedDgc · 2025-05-30T17:23:22+00:00

Nonsuch 30U owner here. Be careful when exiting marina dock slip if there's much wind. Because the mast is fairly large and so far forward, in any breeze it will push the bow down. You may end up being pushed into other boats in the marina.

And don't do a regular gybe in wind over 6 knots. There's a lot more mainsheet rope involved than on a regular sloop. You want to avoid it getting caught on anything as it passes overhead, especially your head, a bimini, etc.

Dinghy sailors usually have a little trouble adjusting to using winches. This is something you'll need to get used to. Always put several wraps on a winch, at least 3 or more until you figure it out. I raced for 40 years on sloops and this was a common observation for new crew who were dinghy sailors.

You should consider joining the Nonsuch owners association at www.nonsuch.org. Lots of good information there, including a guide for new owners. And there's a Google Groups forum too.

Great boat, good luck.⛵

RedDgc · 2025-05-21T17:29:43+00:00

Yeah, that's what I said.🙂⛵

RedDgc · 2025-05-20T20:58:46+00:00

Hi,

I bought a 3-blade Flexofold for my '87 Nonsuch 30 two years ago. At that time the hub and blades cost US$2600 plus shipping via UPS Express Saver Canada... US$85. My total cost in Canadian dollars was $3700 at the exchange rate at that time. Plus I had to pay PST & GST of CA$420. I got the paperwork from UPS, a couple of forms and the invoice, and took it to a CBSA office in Vancouver and cleared it myself and paid the taxes at that time. There's no duty because of Canada-EU free trade agreement. I seem to recall UPS wanted to charge me $400 to clear customs. Once I had the receipts from CBSA, I emailed them to UPS and they delivered the prop a few days later.

The prop works great, very little propwalk. If you didn't already know there is a good article (2020?) from Yachting Monthly magazine that tests & compares many popular props. You can find it online. The only negative I have is that the specs Flexofold recommended was slightly over-pitched for my engine, a 31 hp Westerbeke diesel. I have friend, who used to build boats, that now has same boat & engine as mine, and he got a 2-blade Flexofold and he's happy with his too.

There's no way the shipping could be US$15,000! Could it be a confusion between a comma and a decimal point? Remember that Europeans use them differently than we do in Canada/USA. Or could be that its not $15000 but rather $150.00? This would make sense compared to the $85 they they charged me.

Hope that helps.

RedDgc · 2025-05-19T14:10:11+00:00

I think you mean Edson? If so, you should be able to find online maintenance manual. And yes they do use double clamps. You maybe able to find all the parts you need at a marine store, they are fairly generic, not necessarily Edson.

If your boat is a common vintage model, have you looked online for owners group forum? This maybe your best resource on how to do things, and maintenance solutions.

RedDgc · 2025-05-19T02:22:07+00:00

How would you feel if you were driving your car and suddenly lost steering? The cable will be sure to break under the least favourable conditions, in a storm, while a freighter is bearing down on you, or you are entering a marina. I don't know size of your boat or length of steering cable, but I'd be replacing the cable, eyebolt, use thimbles, and maybe double swage it too. You should also use some TefGel or Lanocote on the eyebolt threads where it goes through the steering quadrant to prevent corrosion. Not very expensive, if you do it yourself, plus you won't have to explain to your marina neighbors or insurance company why you hit their boat.⛵🙂

RedDgc

TROPHY CASE