Recent content by alpha

Well, last year, booked a (very reasonably-priced) suite on the Sunborn yacht, drove to Excel on day one, parked right next to the Sunborn, had a great time, bought loads of stuff, had a very enjoyable couple of days... This year, drove to same car park (by East end of Excel), denied access as...

I believe that the makers of tek-Dek recommend 'brake and clutch cleaner' for cleaning their product - or, you could just re-sand it (with very coarse paper, very slowly, though you should find this works well).

Thanks Peter, Wondering mostly what sort of boat suits the area... It seems that 10ft air draft is the big restriction, putting most flybridge craft out of the running... What sort of cruisers are routinely seen in the area? <hr width=100% size=1>

Hi all, A chum (ex-Navy, good egg, done some yotting and some driving of warships, sizes various, from Nelson training thingies to the Ark) is wondering about buying a motor boat and keeping it near Stratford... So, anyone able to help with maximum dimensions, local knowledge, experiences...

The Dutch Cruise - a big \'Thanks!\' I know I'm very late in doing this, but I really do want to say 'thanks' to Kim, Tom, Claire, and Dick, and all others who helped make the Dutch cruise possible. Thanks in particular for the help with recalcitrant rudder number one, and for putting up with...

Hi all, Just pondering a Friday evening watching fireworks aboard the boat... So does anyone know where there might be a good display, viewable from the river, within reach of Bray (assuming a 5pm start from the marina post-office!!)? Is there a display on the Eton bank - where the big meadow...

OK, One last try to get to the bottom of it... Maybe someone who's out this weekend could keep their eyes peeled for me, please? <hr width=100% size=1>

Yep, that's the lady, but no means of contact through the website there... So, if anyone sees the boat and could PM, I'd still love to hear! I did try Penton Hook (she was with two PHYC boats last weekend) but they don't know her. Thanks so far... <hr width=100% size=1>

Now all we need is for Navigators to do a boaty one! You know, tricky pontoon, plenty of tide, Oyster or Benetti in adjacent berth, stinkpots versus raggies, choice of boats etc (option to try towing big rib behind titchy Bombard with little outboard - remember Markemeer?). Pip pip! <hr...

Re: JCL Boats. Thanks for that - still standing by for a phone number, if anyone sees her and can take note... <hr width=100% size=1>

Hi all, Saw the above boat on the Thames at the weekend, but going too fast to read the sign in the window - could someone pm me with the phone number, please? Thanks. <hr width=100% size=1>

Some practical stuff... I had a go at kedging off a few times recently, as much to hone the technique and evaluate as anything else... Tackle: 7Kg Danforth type, 5m of chain, loads of rope. Technique: Approach the chosen berth, bows to, to evaluate where you want the bows to end up and what...

I would advise against the NASA, as I have had and continue to have several problems: 1. Mine refuses to interface with my MLR GPS, though I know that the MLR is outputting OK as it drives my Yeoman, and I have checked and re-checked the settings. NASA themselves were very unhelpful in tackling...

Well Ric, I don't think I mentioned 'endangering' anything... ...as to being a wimpy drippy bleating tosser, you really should hear what I think of GA pilots! Anyhow, you're obviously going to make lot of friends here, so we'll all look forward to meeting you in the Med and hearing all about...

Hi Tony, Might I be so bold as to say that I think you should probably use more chain, and have a longer warp... <big grin>. Seriously, though, having anchored on the Thames quite often, I'd add that other users just have no idea about anchoring, and my reason for suggesting more chain would...