Recent content by oldharry

a quick check can be done with a multimeter: Set to read a few ohms: check they all have the same reading. If one is low resistance, no resistance, or no reading, its faulty. The 'glow 'test described above will confirm. Also look at the condition of the tip when it comes out. Any that...

Doesnt sound to be turning fast enough to me. The engine must turn at a good speed or the fuel in a cold engine will not ignite. Low battery? Terminals at: battery, starter motor, negative return strap at the engine (the most common cause of non slow starter). A quick but not...

I'm puzzled about Powerdrive in Portsmouth. I've used them for over 30 years for a range of specialist diesel repairs with both road and marine applications and never found them anything other than 100% in diagnosis and repairs/refurbishment. I strongly suggest you go back to them, and ask...

Yes, watch this space. I have talked to one or two of NE's 'experts' - the same ones who went against established science on eelgrass in order to establish the anchor damage myth. They are now hell bent on 'proving' that propeller noise is a major issue for marine life. They are building on...

...and there never will be, unless the suggestion disturbance stimulates growth is correct!

URGENT! get your cooker sorted. Those yellow flames will be pumping out carbon monoxide - the silent killer. It means the air/gas mix needs resetting. It should be burning with clean blue flames with at most a tinge oif yellow at the tips. As to the wreck, thats what it is. It will cost...

MMO have published their report for 2023 on the MCZ Available https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6602c04565ca2fa78e7da893/2023_Studland_Review_Report.pdf They comment that adherence to the VNAZ is not yet sufficient to ensure recovery for the eelgrass, but the take up of the...

Snapdragon 24 is one of the better 24 footers for accomodation, but 'liveaboard' and 'free' are non starters pretty well anywhere in the Solent. Chichester harbour Conservancy for example do not allow liveaboards at all, though I know of one or two in the harbour. But not free or cheap!

Yes definitely need backing plate such as those described to spread the load. Its not just taking the weight of the steerer, but just consider the loads if a line catches it, or it gets up against a neighbouring boat! Without any backing, it could just rip it off. As suggested a 15mm ply...

Quite so, and in this leaflet they have fallen into that same misuse of 'evidence' that so bedevils this whole question: The third picture is, according to the context, meant to demonstrate the 'damage' a mooring chain can do in eelgrass? Well there is of course a mooring chain lying across...

Certainly not rgarside! The idea of the 'Anchoring with Care' leaflet was first proposed by me at a meeting in 2013 and was enthusiastically taken up and sponsored by the RYA in cooperation with the MMO , Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts and Studland Residents. (NGM and Seahorse Trust...

Spring Update from Studland Bay Marine Partnership whose long term stated aim is to "Create a draft management strategy and vision for the next 10 years that all users of Studland Bay can believe in and work towards" Seems to me they will need to get their science right first if the want to...

Which branch is that?

Seabed by default below the hw mark is owned by Crown Estates, except where it belongs to a landowner. Cornish seabed is mostly owned by the Duchy. Beaulieu in the Solent is owned by the Beaulieu estate for example. Nevertheless all these areas are subject to MMO regulation as well though...

...tell me about it! This what happens with politicised conservation. NE are experts at this: they modify the environment to 'preserve' an at risk species, throw natural balances out of kilter and end up with a string of disasters. They thought the Lobster population off Lundy was at...