Recent content by bikesherpa

I do not think threaded holes can be drilled down in a lead keel. It could probably be done in an iron cast keel (some Comets have it). One issue with the design is the lack of pre-tensioning of the 30mm stainless steel welded threaded rods. Maybe tensioning could be achieved by drilling down a...

MAIB has just released the final report on the Tyger of London capsize. https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/keel-failure-and-capsize-of-charter-yacht-tyger-of-london Very interesting analysis of the keel design and construction.

On my boat I installed two years ago a Smartbank split-charge system (including its Smargauge display) that connects the service and engine battery banks (100Ah and 300Ah respectively). I initially used the original manufacturer-supplied contactor (on which no brand is shown). When energized for...

I agree. There is no excuse for the behaviour of the mooring guy. It could have resulted in severe damages to the boat and physical injuries to people. It also appear that the boat was outside the mooring field.

Call any of the fuel station below to check them out. CAGLIARI Carburanti (Fuel ) BARBINI molo di ponente (western pier) tel. 070.662290 ENI-SIF PORRU & C. molo (pier) Su Siccu tel. 335.5366307 MOTOMAR SARDA v. dei Calafati tel. 070.666383

Richard, Maybe you are getting a lot of long-distance AIS targets via the Italian Coast Guard AIS base stations. The Italian CG has 63 base stations that not only receive ship positions, but also transmit aids to navigation positions and, in certain areas, act as repeaters...

Sorry to hear all that Vic. That Sunday night I was safely moored at Marina Trogir, just few miles north of where you were in Kastela. I had spent the entire prior week at anchor, but that night a passing cold front was forecasted and therefore I decided to take secure shelter. Under that...

I fully confirm what Bernie and Polux posted. The build quality of Comet boats is really superior to Ben/Bav/Jen Here's a picture of my Genesi 43 If you are interested and speak Italian (or know how to use Google Translator :) ), I suggest to look at the facebook group of the Genesi 43 owners...

It is a boat designed by G. Frers in the late 80s and built by Cantieri del Pardo. There are multiple versions of this boat: 2.05m or 2.5m draft, iron or lead keel, 2 or 3 cabins. The 2 cabins version has a very spacious aft cabin. More that 130 boats built. The engine is usually a Volvo 43HP...

I'd recommend to berth either at Marina Sant'Elena or Compagnia della Vela (http://www.compagniadellavela.org/). From there you can either walk or take a vaporetto to visit the city. You can also anchor next to Poveglia on mud - good holding, but far away . All local navigation rules can be...

Hi, In Italy, a pleasure boat can be classified as: - "natante" if length < 10m or - "imbarcazione" A "natante" does not have a registration number and there is no public registry of such boats. People usually keep on-board a copy of the purchase invoice or deed, to proof ownership of the boat...

Hi, I have a 30mm volvo seal on my sailboat and frequently check its temperature with an IR meter. The temperature of the seal is typically 33-35C in summer when motor cruising at about 1200 shaft rpm (2500 engine rpm) for many hours with a near perfect shaft alignment. Sometimes back I cruised...

Hi, my boat has a Lombardini LDW 2204. Previously I had a LDW 2004. Lombardini specifies AGIP DIESEL SIGMA oil (SAE 30-40) for its inboard engines. It is a mineral oil and quite viscous at low temperatures. I'd check carefully the back of the engine instruments. Connectors may become loose. Also...

Hi, It really depends on where you are and whether you can contact somebody on land. I had an engine failure last summer 6 miles from my home port, off the Adriatic coast of Italy while crossing from Croatia, at around midnight, in almost no wind conditions. I simply slowly sailed toward the...

Hi, I must replace a very old sonar thru-hull bronze transducer on my GRP sailboat. The old transducer has a 26.5mm diameter hole (1+1/16"), the new transducer (also bronze) will require an approx 22mm hole. What is the best way to do it? I was thinking of 3 options: 1) Ask a machining shop (a...