Recent content by Bilge Rat

3 (Arriving by boat in Brest, France) 4 (Departing Lisbon airport)

Thanks very much. We're going to head on down and see what we can arrange in person with the cradle companies as only one of them seems to respond to email!

That's really interesting. We are currently in Galicia contemplating where to leave the boat ashore over winter and half of next year. We contacted Povoa but were confused by the pricing. Do you have to pay the marina for a berth as well as Nautica Vaga for the time spent ashore? It seems...

We've been here since 26 th July but so far have seen only two other red ensigns between Brest (where we cleared in) and Pornichet. Both those other boats were heading North and the one we spoke to was returning to the UK due to the RGR VAT issue. We've had no problems with any locals at all...

Yes I am in Wales where we seem to be doing very well with first doses but I was also told 11 weeks for the second. Also, we don't have the NHS app. Thoughts at the moment are turning to an extended UK based cruise and reluctantly delaying the trip South another year :confused:

Apologies if I've missed this elsewhere but wondered if anyone knew whether it will be possible to sail to France having only had the first dose of Covid jab. Had this on 30th April so won't get 2nd dose until mid July. I understand you then have to wait 2 weeks to get a certificate (through...

Hi all, I just wondered if anyone had a users' manual for a Francis 400 windlass? I downloaded a manual for the Francis 800 from the Simpson Lawrence spares website and although they look very similar, there are definitely some differences between the 400 and 800. For instance the 800 looks...

That's pretty much exactly our situation too. Our boat is 1978 and we also have a T2L along with a very poor photocopy of an invoice showing 12.5% VAT. We can probably string together three weeks in July or August and we're trying to work out what is feasible in that time...

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of applying for 5 year temporary residency in Povoa de Varzim (or Leixoes)? We're trying to avoid the 90/180 problem for future years (when we'll have more time). This is about as far South as we think we can realistically get this year with work...

Thanks Graham that does sound like good news. I hope that MHPA take a similar view.

Hi do you have a link for that? All I heard was that we're allowed to meet up in friends' / relative's gardens and everything else stays the same.

Hi, I have just found out that the compass on our ancient but hitherto reliable Neco NM692 Autopilot has failed. I don't suppose anyone has a Neco Marine Transmitting Compass Model NM3 lying around??? Thanks.

We've kept our boat in Milford marina since 2010. She had Coppercoat applied about 10 years ago by the previous owner at the same time as an osmosis treatment. We had her lifted yesterday and I took this photo before pressure washing the hull. She was last out of the water for a lift and hold...

Have taken the cover off the motor now but can't see anything that looks very replaceable..

Hi all. We have an old XM Yachting beanded dehumdifier which has worked well for quite a few years. However the fan has now stopped running. I can hear the compressor running and have established that there is power going to the fan motor and tried changing the capacitor to no avail and...