Recent content by chubby

The persistent easterlies turn around the usual plans: sailing from Portsmouth i would normally go as far west on the first day out assuming a westerly back. So heading out today, thinking of Newtown as being not as far back against the wind as say Lymington or Yarmouth?

I choose the vetus M4.17 because it fitted the engine supports with minimal modifications, that was some years ago and the model number has changed but i expect the foot print is similar. I changed to a Darglow fearherstream to improve performance sailing and astern and i have been happy with...

Sorry to be a bit late to the party! So Dabchick has been re engined with a vetus 42 hp in 2005. We have a dripless low maintenance shaft seal, so low maintenance that i have forgotten the make! We replaced the shaft with a 30mm one so when i replaced the cutlass bearing a few years zgo we had...

If someone is establishing a new fuel berth, a thought would be to consider HVO as a synthetic diesel substitute with many advantages but a bit more expensive and less available. The Itchen is well out of the way, based in Portsmouth, but it would be worth an occasional detour if HVO was...

When I have anchored and am happy with my position, I turn the plotter off usually so i wouldn't use thqt facility routinely!

Raymarine has just announced this upgrade to 4.9. My system is an Axiom 9 + linked to instruments, autopilot, and AIS in a very cruising type boat: Barbary ketches don't have polar diagrams, and i don't use cameras or other apps. Everything works, and i don't feel i am missing any...

what is your view on the best of the lightweight models? the epulsion elite seems good and would be just right for getting from jetty to nearby mooring!

Agree that they did a good job of keeping an eye on the small boat channel, nit an appropriate job for the MOD police who should concentrate on security, risk of a free for all.

My motives for exploring the option of HVO were rather selfish in the I was concerned about the benefits of less risk of diesel bug and a cleaner exhaust and less diesel smell from a cleaner product with a longer storage life. Do these offset the increased cost and effort involved given the...

Given that I haven't had any problem with fuel bug and it was more a concern about possible problems in the future, that is the easiest option! My old leaky galvanised tanks were replaced two years ago and all the pipework renewed at the same time. I use the boat enough to have quite a high...

Good point!

Do you in practice put a bit of diesel in a bucket before filling? I am not sure how popular you would be in a busy UK Marina with a queue for the fuel berth but I can understand in a small out of the way place.

Is anyone using HVO for a seagoing yacht and any problems and can you get it in sensible quantities? I have been recommended New Era fuels who advertise 200 litre barrels or 20 litre fuel boxes on their website. I am wanting to avoid diesel bug problems, Or in practice it is easier to just use a...

I have changed most of my running rigging so have the old lot but also a full set of docklines, including heavy duty with compensators on, plus some spare, so is it worth keeping old running rigging as "just in case" or clear out to keep the locker space?

I had the same dilemma a few years ago when I had layers of old antifoul blasted off and then the company suggested expensive treatment! the paint guy at my yards said to sand, fill and fair then prime for a fraction of the cost of " osmosis treatment " and has been fine ever since! Don't worry...