Recent content by LeonF

Here's a video clip from yesterday's Sail Past before our new Commodore's reception. Even Border Force joined in !

Hi Kim I had a Simrad Chart Plotter down below that was fitted in 2004 that finally gave up the ghost. I used to be able to view it at a glance from the cockpit, my boat is 26ft. It was linked to my Raymarine instruments but I found the autohelm wasn't particularly effective steering to wind...

Hi Dee Bee. We used to have a designated visitor mooring but with the high cost of moorings the club was no longer able to offer one. You're welcome to pick up a free mooring but if intending to leave your boat on the mooring and go into the town etc it's best to check with the club in case...

Bishop Skinner. Small increase, boat in commission 12 months of the year on a Thames swinging mooring. I did shop around but some companies wouldn't insure the location

Gravesend Sailing Club has a limited number of swinging moorings available on the Lower Thames. Great sailing area either upriver of downriver and for access to the East Coast and River Medway and Kentish Creeks and the Swale. Friendly club with social events. 24 hours access and tidal pontoon...

Gravesend Sailing Club has a limited number of swinging moorings available on the Lower Thames. Great sailing area either upriver of downriver and for access to the East Coast and River Medway and Kentish Creeks and the Swale. Friendly club with social events. 24 hours access and tidal...

Gibraltar insisted on confiscating a membrillo.. quince cheese if you don't know it some years ago. Said it was paste. I've since brought all manner of cheeses back from Spain.

Thanks all. Just rang Icom. Yes, needs the antenna but it doesn't need to be led outside the boat, can just be attached alongside the radio.

The Icom has an internal GPS...just not sure if it will work stand alone or relies on the antenna ?

I need to replace my ancient Simrad VHF, non DSC. Looking at the Icom, but will it work below decks without the external antenna ? My Raymarine Element Chartplotter does just fine. If not, is there a fixed VHF that doesn't need an external GPS aerial ?

I believe my jib might be a yankee.. it furls reasonably well, just prefer to get rid of it and use the staysail. I had new sails from Hyde and they made an excellent job, in cream. I've just had the UV strip replaced and some stitching sorted on the two foresails. Sent them back to Hyde who...

I agree, though I'm not familiar with the efficiency of foam luffed jibs ? The cutter rig and its immense flexibility works for me.

My jib sets reasonably when slightly reefed, but my staysail is a very powerful sail, and I prefer to lose the jib completely if I need to. My sails are in very good condition. Where I think a sloop rig really scores over cutter is downwind. The stay sail flaps about when goose winged, and...

Most roller reefed jibs adopt a very inefficient shape when reefed ? If I'm being lazy I may not rig the hanked on staysail, and the boat will sail well under just jib and main. Other than hankin on the staysail I can't say it's any more work. I've also changed to a stackpack main system as I...

Correct. The only time not using the jib can be an issue is with strong headwinds as the boat can get caught in irons as I'm unable to back the staysail. With a crew it's easy to get someone forward to hold it back. In time I learned to sail through the tacks with staysail alone, but you need...