Recent content by oldmanofthehills

I will amend my post, though liveaboard and other boater opinions are very strong on the issue.

Always always have two penants to a mooring buoy. In plymouth sound about two boats a year are washed ashore and wrecked by single warp failure. Tie them together with their pickup buoy on departure if any current as reduces warp round chain risk on return A small inflatable for cruising use...

They mostly steal bicycles not boats. Safest from theft is a busy spot, safest from litter or yobs crawling on boat is a quieter spot. I dont know if you are allowed to moor along the north wharf by the ex coast guard patrol boat and Noble masts. Access hard without a ladder which gives some...

We pay lots of money for that good modern iron topsail for a reason. Sailing close hauled into chop is tiring and slow, and sometimes one just needs to get the trip over. Glad it went OK

As I said it is reccomended to treat the bowl and pipes with hydrochloric as regular preventative maintenance - like many of us you got mishap by delaying maintenance . The going rate is about £4 a bottle and needed at home in Bristol with its calciferous water. I doubt your electric pump and...

Liveaboards or those wanting to do transatlantic might well want to do that - that however is not a very large proportion of boat owners. And water makers are a significant expense as are the solar to drive it. A calorifier is cheap in comparison and as engine on less in such situation not...

You need hydrochloric acid/muratic acid on the continent/ brick cleaner cantyaining hydrochloric acid. It wont hurt the loo but flush through thoroughly after application. The amonia in urine (which is alkali) causes calcium carbonate to precipitate out of the seawater. And the scale then...

Unless you have a fairly large water tank, any significant use of water - hot or cold - will reduce your cruising range between fill ups which will mostly be in marinas. And if you insist on using marinas, well they often have very nice showers. Perhaps for liveaboards in 35ft + boats its...

It was hard to be certain if the upper fin and the fairing in of the rudder was truly necessary, but once I had epoxy, builders foam and filler in my hands it seemed advisable to do the lot. Sadly didnt have a chance to test the tiller pilot while crossing Wembury Bay last Saturday, but the...

Well Work is comple on my hull and rudder modifications, as per Laminars suggestions. Annoying weather helm abolished and tiller less than 5 degrees of central position on broad reach. Much like our old non-motor sailer. Probably less than £150 materials and 4 long days resining and waiting for...

Heavens above -Swansea is not tidal by local water standards (14m range at Bristol, 12m at Barry or Uphill), though locking and other arrangements are expensive at Swansea for the council due to such tides as there are. Swansea and Milford/Neyland are the only all weather havens on the Bristol...

Hit beacon alarm without thinking. Try VHF CH16 for CG calling mayday - then fret if no response. However sometimes death is near inevitable - its just how it is - struggle to survive and try and remain calm And if he is a flare manufacturer why the F did he not haver some on board and set...

I understand Calor are not suppying any new 4.5kg butane or 3.9kg propane cylinders. However they will refill and reuse those returned after their change of mind - but have probably scrapped those returned prior to change of mind. Flogas still do a 3.9kg propane - and propane better in cold...

I like Newlyn. Easy access, harbour master friendly, good pub just above harbour, fresh fish sellers close to hand, and few grockles

Heading straight towards the transit marker Tusker rock on Jacks Sound by Skomer was alarming, particularly when engine then wouldnt go in gear, but as ever the current cant go through a rock and we passed clear, as I dived headfirst into engine bay to whack the linkage