I have been watching and learning and I just created a new post for the first time. I have to say, the site is really working well. The transition had me a little worried, but the final product is great. Adding pics is really easy now. Thanks and congrats on good work!!

Both fore and aft thrusters have worked fine for 6 years, albeit changed out one water damaged thruster 14-months ago. Now the foreword thruster works but the aft thruster only works to starboard but not port. But strangely when i activate foreward thruster to starboard, it triggers aft thruster to go port. I have both the dash switch as well as a remote control (which i understand is somehow wired to the dash switch as well). Now at the same time i have had both house batteries go down. I know like the forward thruster the aft thruster had it's own dedicated battery - but is it somehow connected to the house batteries as well? I am changing out the house batteries tomorrow but would love to know if someone has experienced what I am experiencing and had a fix or knowledge bank.

http://www.yachtingmagazine.com/how-...eyond-the-hype

Thought this was an interesting take on the pod discussion. Time will tell how good the pods are for recreational cruising, but I have to say I sure liked it docking last week.

I think the discussion of long distance remote cruising is an interesting view but since my own cruising is coastal US or Bahamas I feel fairly confident that service for the pods will not be hard to come by.

Bruce

I wanted to share our latest project. We have been looking for a solution to get guests on board more easily. We bought this ladder at the Miami boat show. After trying to figure out how to install it, we chose the port side swing door. We removed the medicine chest in the master, and installed a metal plate to reinforce the brackets under the deck. The ladder comes off when we are not using it. It also telescopes as our tide swing is 3 feet. Also, it can work when the deck is at the same level as the dock. It is very sturdy and we are pleased with the outcome.

IMG_2961.jpgAttachment 132Attachment 133Attachment 134

The Xantrex Truecharge 40+ fitted to my 2005 408 has just given up the ghost, we had a lightning stike on the domestic electircs with the boat connected up on the pontoon. It appears that the spike probably took the charger out. Have removed the charger and tested all the fuses and surprisingly they all seem good, but it just won't power up.

So, it looks like I need to get a new battery charger. Can anybody recommend where I may be able to order a new (or maybe even refurbished) Xantrax Truecharge 40+ from in the USA, and get it shipped to Australia? The boat is 110v power by the way, hence the need to get a USA voltage charger.

As a secondary thought, I have been wondering about fitting an AGM battery as a house battery. Given that I am up for a new charger anyway, does anybody know of a charger that might be able to cope with charging both flooded and AGM batteries?

Thanks.

John B
Brisbane, Australia

We recently purchased a 2004 411 Sedan Bridge. We have noticed that the water pressure at the faucets seems weak - even when we are hooked up to city water. The boat was maintained by a captain, but not really used. He made sure the engines etc. were good, but didn't bother with the water system. Has anyone else had this problem and what should we be looking for?