Recent content by Martin&Rene

If you look here Single Line 3rd Reefing Setup you will see a piece I wrote about reducing the friction in a conventional single line reefing systems by adding pulleys at both the luff and leech reefing points. If you you the right pulleys on the leech reefing point, they are fairly...

I have found that a more positive impact on reducing condensation under the mattress than using slats or Dry-Mat, was to stick 25mm insulation UNDER the bed bases. Strip the foil of one side and use something likes "sticks like sh1t". You do not have to do a perfect fit job and remember to...

Just check where your rev-counter signal comes from. Is it from the alternator? in which case you need the same off a replacemnt.

Right from the beginning I said to my wife that she would be helming our yacht in marinas, as she is small and does not like stepping over gaps . She was really worried about hitting the main walkway with our bow, especially, as the wind would often be blowing us into our finger pontoon berth...

I think most of the work on the canal is at the Crinan end. Give the canal a ring and see if you could stay in the dock at Ardrishaig until the canal opens.

After having my Yamaha 2.5 outboard sorted because of one problem by Clyde Outboard, he said to me "just run it on Aspen". (Since he does not sell it, it was not just a selling comment) Ok, the cost is dearer than petrol per litre, but I use use less than 5 litres a year anyway for just short...

The "inflatable cushion" (Winbag) works great, as it holds the alternator in the right position whilst you tighten the bolts. Money well spent. Get it here Winbag Inflatable Air Wedge 160mm 160mm x 160mm - Screwfix I also put a nut on the extension of the bolt to further ensure the...

Work is actually progressing at Millport. They were lucky that when Storm Babet went through, the winds in that area were mainly slightly north of east and so no big waves came into the bay.

There is another way that I think would suit the OP perfectly. There are a couple of sailing schools on Lake Windermere who run the RYA level 1 Start Sailing and Level 2 Basic Skills in small yachts eg First 21. When teaching sailing in dinghies, (which I do) a lot of time of the pupils is...

I know the guy who runs CraftInsure and their policy is quite simple, no insurance for boats afloat on moorings on the West Coast of Scotland.

I think some of the cans are Al with a very thin layer of plastic coating inside them. I had a can of coca cola where there had been a pin hole in the coating and so the cola had eaten the Al and most of the ingredients had jetted out. So that is my reason why I am just about to find an old...

It is reported that the Scottish Government has unveiled plans for a Visitor Tax that would allow councils to impose a tax in any form of overnight accommodation. My newspaper includes the comment that; “it would be chargeable on the overnight parking of a campervan at a campsite or the mooring...

On your new main, consider having pulleys put in where appropriate. This thread describes parts of my single line reefing system. Single Line 3rd Reefing Setup It is good not having to go to the mast whenyou are reefing the main.

Chat up a local sailmaker, they just gave me the length I needed.

Download Welcome Anchorages for information on some of the harbours that would be relevant to you.