Recent content by rajjes

So I had the mechanic come round to listen to the knocking engine and he said that it definitely needed to come out and dismantled in the workshop.....after recovering from the quote gave him the go ahead. Engine has now been fully dismantled and the main damage is a scored cylinder from a...

Thanks for all feedback and support! I change the engine oil and filter every year. This time round I delayed and it was some 18months since last service. The problem with the filter rusting through was actually caused by an occassional drip ftom the raw water pump located just above it...

Thanks to all for the feedback so far. Actually the knocking noises (like a very rapid tick tick tick... not loud but they were not there!) seem to be coming from the upper part of the engine. Anyway, I understand that not much can be done until the mechanic takes a look at it and starts...

It finally happened! Due to complacency and carelessness from my side I fear I may have ruined my Beta 43HP (BV1903) which so far was running as sweetly as ever over these last 8 years of ownership! Eager to go sailing on a glorious day, I went out without doing any checks on the...

Thanks to all, I just ordered the Victron 75/15.

So last year I upgraded to 2 X 100W solar panels feeding a domestic bank of 400AH through an MPPT controller (of the cheap variety). All went well and I could enjoy cold bears while keeping the batteries charged! Yesterday I went out for a good day sail and after switching off everything on...

Many thanks for your help. Will try out recommendations and see how it goes...and apologies for not replying earlier but just back from a long weekend on the boat.

Hi, I have recently upgraded from an 80W solar panel to 2X100W with a 20A MPPT controller (china made). I'm happy with the installation and I can now finally use the fridge etc at anchor while still seeing the batteries being charged! However, i have noticed that since the upgrade the fixed...

Many thanks for the feedback, very useful! I'm based in Malta and cross over to Sicily frequently but have always used marinas so far mostly due to uneasiness in anchoring regulations. When anchoring in the suggested sites do you need to keep 300m away from shore or does that apply only for...

Hi, Apologies for piggy backing on this thread but seems better than opening a new one. I'm planning to go up the east coast of Sicily this summer to hopefully visit the Aeolian islands. I would like to anchor when possible instead of marina hopping all the way but I'm confused on the...

I have been given 2 X 100Ah sealed lead acid batteries from decommissioned UPS’s which are still in great shape and I’m considering adding them to the boat. Currently I have 2 X 110 Ah for the domestic bank and 1 X 90 Ah for the starter battery. All batteries are sealed lead acid. Charging is...

Thanks, for reply. I was hoping that springs could be fitted as browsing the Selden brochure seems to show that similar (albeit more recent) jammers are spring loaded. First page on: http://www.seldenmast.com/products/pdfdownload/__file_excerpts/595-808-E-78-78.pdf.html

The goosneck end of the boom has 3 jammer handles for the outhaul and reefing lines which pass through the boom and exit via small sheeves and pass above the jammers. When the jammer is tightened it grips (or should) the line. Unfortunately these do not seem to be gripping the lines well and I...

That's why I'm confused and the different opinions are not making it better :) Most of the articles I found including the Selden guide are adamant in securing the spreader tips at an angle. However the boat has been for decades with perpendicular spreaders which are not seized to the shroud...

Good point! What about a small piece of split hose round the shroud for the clamp to tighten on. Would it still risk crevice corrosion? What is the recommended practice for seizing shrouds to spreader ends?