Recent content by Finbar

Is the original poster of the view that Northern Ireland is part of Ireland?

Bad news. She was spotted 75 miles off Ballycotton and located and boarded by the Irish Coastguard helicopter. No one on board.

If heading for Ireland from the Scilllies bear in mind that the prevailing wind off the Cork coast is South Westerly. It can make sense to make a landfall in the West, say Crookhaven, and enjoy a downwind cruise to all the nice places like Baltimore, Schull, Castle Townshend, Glandore, and Kinsale.

Very nice sailing in West Cork in July. Traditional first landfall was Crookhaven or Baltimore, then a leisurely cruise back to the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven taking in the various watering holes. An Atlantic swell can persist from distant weather, but not a huge problem if it is...

Interested in the Imray Atlantic Spain and Portugal pilot. It's now well out of date, but the major features have probably not moved. What about a tenner, plus postage to a Dublin address? Can pay by Paypal or Revolut, if I can work the technology. Let me know, Barry

Had the same issue with a Sadler 32 years ago. I made a new centre washboard out of mahogany, bit of an old wardrobe, and put a mount on it. The plotter could sit on a mount at the chart table, or the spare washboard could be fitted and the plotter mounted there. Just needed cables long enough...

I have been sailing the Canaries on charter boats in February for some time. You tend to get what you pay for in boat terms, but we have gone cheap and cheerful with mostly manageable problems. Remember you are in the North East trades, so plan your sailing accordingly. Graciosa is a...

Just replaced the cutless bearing on a Malo 36, good advice from a fellow forumite pointed me at a bearing size of 30mm by 1 3/4 inch, which fitted perfectly. Mixed metric and imperial sizes are available. Perhaps a 1 inch by 30mm bearing could be found?

Has never been a problem. With engine running, voltage at the windlass is probably close to 12v after drop. Windlass runs fine, although I would always use the engine rather than try to move the boat ahead using the windlass alone

This all seems very complicated. I fitted a Lofrans Tigers winch to a 36 ft boat, using 35mm welding cable from the house batteries and it has worked fine for years. Batteries were about midships and the cable is inexpensive

Many thanks for all the very useful information. Another job for winter when she is on the hard. Sailed today and no seepage from the stern tube, which is good news. All replies helpful and to the point, which must be a record. Batteries and anchors seem to draw the trolls!

Many thanks for that. Apparently HR reckon you can hook the bearing out along the shaft with a stainless wire, but does not work in practice. Sounds like your method should work best. Did the prop shaft come out without fouling against the rudder? In any case the job will have to wait for next...

Had the boat out overnight for cleaning and antifouling, and cutless bearing replacement. The bearing housing screws into the stern tube and is bolted to the shaft log. Removed the two bolts and put a stilson on the housing, tried a quarter turn, no problem. Took a look inside to find the...

Known as a rams horn fitting

You can add an AIS receiver to your C120 plotter without problems, and also pick up an analog radar, one for sale currently on this forum for £350. That's my system, and I would not dream of replacing.