Recent content by nickbailhache

CT1 made in Belfast will set under water and is food safe. Excellent all rounder

I have had a Moody 31 fin since 1984. A 150% genoa is essential and definitely reef at 20° heel. Cruising, I reef at 15°. She carries a spinnaker quite happily in 18 knots of true wind under autopilot unless there is a big sea. The only thing I might miss now is an electric halyard winch...

Easy way is to drop boom on deck so it won't move. Make sure clew outhaul is slack to prevent strain on sail. Nick

The Solent is not the only area to be affected by incorrect drying heights. All around the Channel Islands are suffering. I suspect that there are many other areas that have similar type errors. It seems to have occurred when additional contour lines were added to charts. Navionics are aware...

I have had very good service from Navionics in Italy. Should get a reply within 24 hours via the website. Nick

Brought up with spinnakers. Had a cruising chute on Moody 31 for 24 years and then bought a spinnaker. Best investment I have made! Controlled at both tacks and luff not as long as a cruising chute and it does not get wet when lowering with 2 people. Spi fine up to 18 knots with autopilot...

Grit blasting My keel looks fine after 5 years with treatment of 5 coats of epoxy after grit blasting. She is a Moody 31. Have had a little job done on keel this winter and would suggest that price is not over the top. However could wait till next year!

1984 Volvo 2003. Changed oil and filters, anodes every year. Only problem was two broken injector pump springs and a leaky copper injector 'holder'. Still going strong, 26 years later Nick

Hear, hear!

I deliberately did not buy a fully battened mainsail 6 years ago. Whilst there are advantages such as stowing in a stack pack, one needs to be head to wind when hoisting and lowering. I like to be able to get it down any time, even on a run! I have a Moody 31.

I fitted a RM69 a couple of years ago as a replacement in my Moody 31 and the base should be bolted with 4 bolts. I think I may have drilled new holes as the new ones may not all have lined up with the old ones. I think piping etc is very similar an all manual heads. I have a 4" inspection...

Just bought a spinnaker this year, having had a cruising chute for the last 25 years. Wish I had never had a chute as a spinnaker is easier to handle shorthanded, the tack does not get wet when being lowered. Also much easier to gybe. The cruising chute has a very narrow window where it may...

I have had a Moody 31 since 1984. The quickest and most cost effective way is to frill a hole in the starboard forward corner of the shower tray. The water will drain down to the bilge which can be pumped out using an automatic pump or the hand pump (you then know it works!). A little water will...

The reason they are fitted on the outside is to help prevent wind and spray reaching the cockpit. If they were fitted inside, the weather would tend to tear them away as opposed to the guardrails supporting the extra pressure. Nick

No flak. Clipping on does hinder one when working on deck. Have done this for over 30 years. However basic rule is to clip on in cockpit at night and when reefing in daylight if conditions very bad. The days of changing headsails on the foredeck are long gone thank goodness. One should clip...