Recent content by MaxCG

You're right that the purpose of the collar is to support the exposed threaded part, but as it provides quite a wide flange which will be bonded to the hull I just wonder if it kills two birds with one stone. Not sure how much a 10mm hull will flex, possibly a fair amount?

I'm replacing my seacocks with composite TruDesigns. Are backing pads really necessary when using the load bearing collar pictured? The collar is quite wide and will be bonded to the hull. Seems to me that by restricting movement it serves the same purpose as a backing pad and I'm reluctant to...

Haha brilliant! Shall have to pick some up.

Very tidy! I think it might be very tight for 3mm bolts but I'll remeasure on the weekend just to make sure.

Downloaded the book last night. Makes good reading. I'm very keen on that idea for the extra strength and as MisterBaxter suggests it would ease some anxiety over water ingress through the screw holes leading to rot. My only concern is if it would make it difficult to adjust the screws to...

12mm marine ply stuck on with CT1

Yes stainless, and I figure if it has lasted 40 years it should be fine. I'm really just after confirmation that there isn't some rule that you need fully bolted windows to handle weather offshore.

After much deliberation, I'm resealing my frameless acrylic windows this weekend with Scapa 3507 tape. The windows are screwed through the hull into plywood backing pads with self-tappers. My question is - Are self-tapping screws enough to securely fasten the windows in given that I plan to take...

I would like to sack off the backing pads and screw directly into the hull alone for simplicity, but surely the whole ply + GRP covering must have been used for a reason? Although the need to glass in the backing pads seems odd to me. Surely bonding the ply to the hull with epoxy would be...

I'm resealing my acrylic windows which are screwed into ply backing pads. The pads are rotten and need replacing. They are glassed in (see photo). Once I've ground the old ones out should I glass over the new ones like was done previously or just leave bare?

Haha all right then! She's a Varne 27. (No, I hadn't heard of them either). New rigging and newish sails. Got a survey booked in for Monday. Varne 27 For Sale, 8.45m, 1978

Afraid I won't be of much use there anymore! I've had an offer accepted on a boat with a mooring near me in Wales. Seemed like the more sensible option after all. Although I agree that someone really does need to give it a go. The current regs surrounding CE/UKCA compliance, as regards older...

I'm about to commit to buying a 1978 Varne 27 and I wondered if there are any past/present owners here who could point out if there are any common issues that I should look out for? Cheers!

I do actually (half French). I have fixated perhaps a bit on the Caribbean, but I can see that staying in Europe might be a more practical choice for my first season. As some above have said I'll likely have a much clearer idea once across Biscay. I don't think I mentioned singlehanding...

Don't worry I'm rather doggedly stubborn and won't be put off easily! 😁 Thanks all for the advice. I've reconsidered my choice of looking for a boat abroad. I see the value of an extra few months to work on a boat if I buy locally sooner. That would also allow me to keep my job right up until...