Recent content by peterb

Kicker taken down to a stanchion base to act as a kicker (demo by very well known instructor), then the mainsheet pulled in hard by someone who had been below during the demo. We snapped the gooseneck on a Contessa 32.

Does anyone know why the ensign was at half-mast?

The entrance to the side channel has a pair of beacons, port and starboard. I now have four videos or frame sequences showing the same beacons, while four different boats demonstrate the effects of swells breaking into a shelving harbour. Three broaches and one pitch-pole. I use them as...

The point you haven't mentioned is whether you were both racing. If either one of you were not racing, then IRPCS would hold, and Rule 13 says that the overtaking boat gives way until ahead and clear.

I have a Maplin DC-DC adaptor with a DC input between 10 and 30 V and with DC outputs of 9.5, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18.5, 19, 19.5 or 20V. It comes with a range of output connectors fitting most laptops. Interestingly, the voltage selection appears to depend on the output connector; change the...

It's not a good idea to keep flares in the cabin. If the problem is a fire so serious as to require a Mayday call, then the cabin is the last place you want to be. Keep the flares in a cockpit locker.

Britons always seem to think that they are the world's worst linguists. It isn't so. You just need a bit of lateral thinking. The only purpose of language is communication. When I meet someone from a different country, then in order to communicate we need to have at least one language in...

Leave it for as long as possible (several days) before releasing the pipe. There is usually sufficient seepage round the pipe to allow the pressure to drop.

Or sitting with your arms crossed! Incidentally, the first set of 'ColRegs' (though not then known by that name) were published in 1840 by Trinity House. They included the windward/leeward rule as taking priority over the opposite tacks rule. That differentiation held through a series of...

Generally speaking the best fit is given by a Fourier analysis, taking just the fixed error (misalignment), the fundamental (hard steel) and second harmonic (soft iron) effects. Theory suggests that the only real errors must fall within these effects; any other variations are measurement...

Ken The program I usually use is set up for 30 degree intervals. It's not that difficult to modify it for 22.5 degrees, but I can't do it until tomorrow. First glance at your readings suggests that there is a bias by about 0.25 degrees. Probably due to the compass not being perfectly aligned...

When we practice MOB drill we usually use a bucket and fender. We have white fenders and dark blue ones; students often remark that the blue ones are much easier to see than the white. Be careful with reflective materials. They have the property of reflecting light back in the direction from...

Went sailing yesterday at SIBS for a couple of hours. Came off the boat and felt the land moving. Thought 'Strange? Doesn't usually affect me that quickly?' Then I realised that I was standing on a pontoon and that yes, it was moving!

Some years ago we needed to get a new engine for our club boat. We replaced like for like; a new Volvo. Volvo even offered us a three-year guarantee, on the proviso that all the servicing was done by Volvo engineers. After three years we totted it all up; the cost of servicing over three...

Confession: I've never owned a boat in my life. But I still go cruising, usually as skipper. I sail with a club. The club owns the boats, I charter from the club. The boats are in use from April round to November; none of this staying unused in a marina. Prices are half to two thirds those...