Recent content by robmurray

We are having big problems with our Mastervolt Whisper 3.5. It cuts out after a few seconds with the error message "Frequency Failure". It is fully up to date on servicing but is from 2006 so I would not be surprised if something was failing. My usual engineer, who is not an expert on these, has...

Hi there Currently in Diélette avoiding closed Channel Islands. Does anyone know if Ile Chausey is open to visitors? Online research suggests yes but don’t want to get it wrong Thanks Rob

My SMEV cooker is 16 years old and looks great but is performing poorly with low pressure and regular cut outs of the oven burner. Is it worth servicing cookers or is it best to just replace with new? We are keeping the boat long term. Thanks Rob

Hi all Many thanks to all of you for your advice. In particular, pointing me in the direction of MGN280 was brilliant. So this actually went to court on Wednesday and great news - the magistrate supported me immediately. He argued that I was clearly a loving father and a very experienced sailor...

Thanks all for your comments. To answer one question from Triassic, the hypocritical thing is that the ex could not have brought the boat home safely. No matter how many times I encouraged her to do her Day Skipper, she never got round to it. It is only an issue now she is jilted and new crew on...

Unfortunately I have had to divorce my crew / wife. It has all turned rather sour and she is trying to insist that, whenever I have our daughters (5 and 7) on board, I have to have another RYA Day Skipper on board in case I become incapacitated. The Yacht is a Sweden Yacht 45 with full safety...

To reply to some of your points: Bluefin did indeed immediately say that they will keep the claim open for a year, explaining that other things will fail. I was very impressed by this. I have also tried to be very proactive asking for things to be checked as I don't want an unreliable boat next...

Re: Aztecmarine electronics Ours was a medium level strike and we have a grounding plate for the SSB so we assume that is where the charge went to earth. We were lifted to check the hull but all was found to be OK. My understanding is that with a large strike and where the charge goes to earth...

Re: Aztecmarine electronics So nearly 3 months later and our refit is nearly complete. As feared, everything was fried so the claim is c£30k. We even needed completely new heating! Insurer (Bluefin / Towergate) have been exceptional. What I did not realise was how much project management I...

Re: Aztecmarine electronics Thanks for all of your advice and experiences. To answer one question, mobiles and lap tops seem fine. I am awaiting surveyor guidance on checks to skin fittings and rig - hopefully they will recommend the most cautious route. Insured via Bluefin. They are amazing. I...

To answer your question about the experience, I have always felt uneasy at sea in thunderstorms but understood that the risk of a strike is low (although hard to believe when you think about it). It was quite an active storm - we were happily watching lightning forking in to the sea whilst...

We were unlucky enough to be struck by lightning half way across Lyme Bay on Saturday. Looks like everything electrical is fried. We are based in Hamble. My regular engineer is just a one man band and my insurers may want to deal with a larger outfit. Who is best in the Hamble for electronic...

I am about to order a new main for my boat. Money tight but need a nice sail so got to get this right. I have my usual sail maker Kemp and North on the same price for the same spec of sail but with different fabrics. Both are saying that their fabric is the only one to be trusted. The sail will...

Here is my cabin and my cabin crew of the week. I went on deck to do a bit of cleaning, while "looking after" my girls and came back down below to see them giving Ceilidh Mara some nice TLC on their own initiative! Good to see 2 and 4 year old with their priorities sorted - boat works! It did...

I agree they are amazing boats. I had one for 8 years. You can sail them like a hooligan and they just keep blasting through any conditions. Very fast and very sea kindly. Enjoy her!