Recent content by fluffc

The mix for FC boats contains no agregate - it is a strong cement/sand mix.

Ferro-cement boats are made with cement, not concrete. The 'Ferro' in ferro cement is important - it overcomes the brittleness of the cement. Cement is good in compression; steel good in tension. The two work in tandem to produce a solid hull. Ferro is very tough - certainly not 'vulnerable'...

Many thanks - will give them a go

Hi, Have just bought a secondhand Laser 2000. The Gennaker needs a repair to the head. Can anyone recommend a reasonable-priced sailmaker somewhere near the Hamble? First thought is to go to Hyde, as they made the sails originally - but that sounds like an expensive option (IMHO)....

From kent to southampton. Dinghy is on a launching trolley; hence the need for a Combi Trailer base, rather than a dinghy trailer.

Hello all, not quite sure where to post this... Have purchased a 14' sailing dinghy, which comes with a launching trolley but no road base. Does anyone in the Southampton/Portsmouth area have a combi trailer road base I can borrow for the day on Friday (or Thur eve to Sat am)? Thanks all :-)

flaggons (5litre plastic containers) filled with water.

My ferro bawley, balasted, of 32' LWL , 13' Beam and 4'6" draft weighed 10½ tons - so I can quite believe a 28 foot boat weighing 16. I'd be worried about a 38ft weighing 11 tons..

Has the ballast been put in yet? It would be usual to transport without ballast, and put the ballast into the hollow keel afterwards. Don't skimp on the crane. Yes, it should be about 16tons - tallies with other ferro boats of a similar size. Very much advise that you overestimate the crane...

Yep, but none of them are on the coast. Edinburgh is a huge detour if you're travelling up the coast to the caley, or going 'round the top'.

USB-Serial adaptors are always hit and miss. They operate at a 'lower' level than USB, and can get screwed up if they are unplugged, or plugged into a different port to the one they were set up on. ie they don't really like 'hot swapping'. Very much recommend plugging the Serial adaptor into one...

Had a similar problem in our second hand van. One of those passive granular things did the job. It worked, because it was a relatively small, enclosed space - which they are great for.

Corribee.

Having done the East Coast - from Thames to Inverness, twice, I can honestly report that there is not a lot there. Quite an exposed coastline, so need to be careful when passage planning as not many ports of refuge if the wind is onshore. Recommend going through the Caledonian Canal to get to...

If you are joining two pieces together - eg for stitch and glue or similar, then when you make up a batch of epoxy, first use a brush to wipe unthickened epoxy onto the joint. Then thicken the epoxy in your pot with microfibres to peanut butter consistency, and apply over the 'naked' epoxy.