Recent content by Graham376

These are the ones I used and UV killed them within a couple of years - https://www.chandleryoutlet.com/cover-hooks-sew-on-white-9387069w-each

Algarve, southern Portugal.

We get around 300 days of sun per annum, with 320w of solar and 450AH of Trojans +engine battery, Victron graph shows max battery voltage between 14.74 and 14.81 so not far from expected.

We learned a long time ago that marineros always grabbed a bow line if it was within reach so now leave them coiled on deck. When coming alongside, my crew (wife) has centre line in hand, while standing outside the guard wires holding onto a shroud, ready to step down and cleat it. Easy...

There's polypropylene and polysteel (looks the same) which is about 30% stronger with good UV resistance. Our polysteel mooring strops far outlast nylon, in high UV area.

That's my setup, the VSR is connected to the engine side of the engine battery isolator. My Trojans charge at 14.82 via solar and I don't want the sealed engine battery charging for extended periods at that voltage. Engine battery still starts the engine after 2-3 months off charge but can...

Well aware of that post but we're based on the Algarve and pass nets inside and out, every time we go sailing. This chart shows most locations - Nautical Charts Online - View details of Chart SHOM7754, De Cabo de São Vicente au Détroit de Gibraltar

Not so in all areas, the tuna nets off Spain and Portugal are in fairly shallow waters generally < 20 metres and in some cases such as Barbate, very close to shore.

Is it definitely fuel not water when bleeding?

+1 That's why we have a mooring, which cost us €1500 17 years ago and roughly €500 in maintenance since. No harbour dues to pay. The downside is the difficulty in finding insurance for 12 months in commission on EU based mooring.

A friend was attacked last year in 20m depth within the 5-10 mile limit, just outside the tuna net off Tavira. I would think inside the nets, where depth allows, should be safer. 50-100 miles may well be safer as tuna run is closer to shore but not very practical unless bypassing Portugal.

We had a retail furniture business for quite a few years and it was very obvious most customers judged, teak, mahogany, oak. etc. by it's colour, not by the grain. So many different stains and finishes available, there's really no need to use hardwood in dry situations.

We usually board by step fender through gate close to shrouds, sugar scoop not fun if pitching in a chop.

I varnished our sole boards with several coats of International Goldspar Satin about 15 years ago, still OK but we rarely need to wear shoes.

In our limited experience of marinas, arrival and departing far quicker and less trouble than on a mooring, particularly in bad weather. We've had moorings for 30 years and the main worry is security of dinghy when away. In N Wales we had a tatty hard grp tender which was left (without...