Recent content by michael_w

Don't the XODs have a bit of history for 'adjustments' ? IRRC there was a discrepancy in measured waterline lengths a few years ago.

Head gasket failed across an exhaust valve, would give the symptoms you describe, happened to me on my LR Disco 1.

Goachers have made very good sails for my Dehler 35 and my Flying Fifteen. Talk to Chris or Nathan.

Enterprise. Nimble and very agile, plenty of room inside and usually local racing if you want it. Plus there loads of them about. Older plywood boats better than old GRP ones. Bow bulkhead a must have to stop nose diving after a capsize.

I'd go for the power winch. A non-tiring source of grunt can prove very useful. Sending people up the rig, hauling the boat alongside when you've mucked up the approach, etc. As well as hoisting the mainsail especially after shaking out a reef. My boat has powered primaries. Necessary...

3.3 hp Tohatsu, Mariner, Mercury 2 stroke. I used to have one of those Honda POS. Best bit was selling it to an unsuspecting Frenchman.:)

The last boat I sold I retained the name and sail number. When I sell the current ride I'll do it again.

What about things deliberately jettisoned? When I gave up smoking about 500 miles off Bermuda on the way to the Azores, my faithful Zippo lighter and an ashtray that had been on family boats for decades, went swimming, No chance of recovery from the abyssal plain.

I've been at the opposite end. I bought a boat from a guy who was swallowing the anchor. It came laden down with piles of rubbish. Several sets of his grand children's finger paintings, Loads of spares for an old engine that had been replaced, enough pyrotechnics for a municipal firework...

Drown like a gentleman?

Buy a cheap one design for winter sailing. I bought a Flying Fifteen a few years ago, December through March at Grafham Water SC for 2 people and boat park costs £155. 3 races back to back on a Sunday.

Shame on you, DB the neanderthal. :mad:

Don't you get awfully hot in the sun with those black oilskins? Not much help either, if you fell off at night.

My Yanmar takes a surprising amount of cranking before it deigns to start. It's an indirect injection engine with no glow plugs IRRC. It's probably the worst starting diesel I've owned.

Another vote for a rolling hitch. Quicker to adjust compared to the round turn and two half hitches and just as secure.