Recent content by jollyjacktar

On solution is to have seperate on/off main switches for each battery with a common earth return. Thus enabling any combinations of the three to be used or be charging at any time. Another is to use the 1-2 switch with say 1 for the engine battery and 2 for the house battery. If two house...

If the fuse keeps blowing, then the circuit is overloaded, ergo, there is a short or something wrong in the circuit internally and this is manifest in the thing steering in circles. That is it is not working properly. But can it be fixed??!! If Raymarine says it is not at fault then take the...

I once owned a fibre glass yacht which was permanently moored year round. On one trip I temporarily stored some victuals in the bilge including potatoes and onions, as this was always dry and solved a storage problem at the time. However one onion escaped and the next summer when doing the...

Years ago I replaced all my interior globes with 6watt ones that fitted the same socket. A bit dull but adequate and helps reduce risk of loss of night vision. Now carry several cheap LED torches and self contained "book reading" attachments where brighter lights are desired. Helps to...

Flush the tanks thoroughly with plenty of treated water, then let sit [hour or two or more if possible] with water overdosed with Milton etc solution. Empty and refil with 10 drops Milton [or other such chlorine based bleach] per gallon. Use for washing up only or boil water before drinking or...

Some people are just a bit lazy.

I have used a thin length of dowel and poke it down the filler tube, a sort of dip stick, with marks indicating gallons etc. graduated when first filling the tank with known quantities. Another method, if the filler tube has too many bends is to insert a flexable plastic tube or length of rod...

According to my cataloue, white is fuel, green is drinking water, black is waste water [contrary to Rogershaw]. The tank is a water tank and the inspection port [according to the same catalogue] is only suitable for water tanks and not fuel tanks. The Vetus fuel connections appear to be of a...

Scopaderm is the best for me but you need to get it in motion 16 hours or so before voyaging. Next best relief is ginger capsuls [or powder], ginger nut biscuits, or ginger fizz drink. I always avoid the knockout pills like dramamine, although this is effective for children, as passengers they...

Take care, using a bowline for tying up is not a secure knot!!!!! Better to tie a number 8 knot loop if you want an eye at the end. I have known the bowline then to fail and shake itself undone under the right [wrong?] conditions, if tension is not constant and steady. Once had to chase my...

Oh no!!! Here we go again , the old Hardy a nnual of the non rotating prop being more/less drag.

Washboards can be secured and have stood the test of time.

From memory and from all appearances, the Compass Southerly 23 which was renamed Pacific 24 by Compass Yachts of Sydney, was based [if not a direct copy or built under licence] on a British design Hunter 23 of the same era. Don't know of any class association, but a number of the Southerly 23's...

Aye paddle wheel as stated in front of keels slightly off centre line either to port or stbd in a location of generally undisturbed water flow. But what is happening with all you guys!!! Surely weed does not grow on the paddle wheel as you are sailing. The reason you have a little plug...

You could try an expert panelbeater such as a musical instrument repair shop, the type who repair brass band instuments, trumpets, trombones etc. They are used to working in thin brass sheet. You may try a jewellery manufacturing shop for the same reasons. Some of them do work in silver and...