Recent content by Ross D

I have just picked up a second hand Frieberger drum sextant with the allview lens, from what the seller was saying it has never been used, but it has been stored with the lid removed as an ornament for the last 30 years., so it's a bit grubby. Before I align the lenses etc I want to clean it up...

Yes the mooring is fine, I've been keeping my Vega there for the last 5 years without a problem. There's a hard bottom under soft mud and the yacht leans against a solid wall or jetty, there was a 41' wooden one off design there for about 4 years previously and there are quite a few other...

Hi Everyone, Thinking of maybe upgrading to a Nicholson 38, does anyone know if they will sit in an alongside drying mud berth, and sit happily on the keel on a permanent basis? They look like great boats, but there is a lot of yacht in front of the keel. I'm guessing that the weight aft...

Many thanks for the suggestions, I knew the spec was pretty tight and there wasn't much out there that fits the bill, hence asking for advice. The Nic 38 certainly fits the bill (we could probably squeeze it into the berth) but is a bit on the pricey side. We've thought about both the...

That sounds like the best option to me, Celotex building insulation is very effective and usually cheaper than the equivalent Kingspan. Buy it in sheets from a builders merchants. However, for a small area you may be able to find a piece by asking for an off cut/ scrap at a building site. It...

25% of the fridge top uninsulated will make quite a bit of difference, there will be warm air all around the galley and if the sun gets in and can shine on the top it will heat that part of the worktop. I would stay away from trying to insulate within the fridge itself as any insulation will...

Hi, not been on the forum for a while and am looking for some advice, we're planning to replace our Albin Vega (27' long keel) with something a little bigger, for cruising with our young family and for my parents to sail with friends. Due to our berth, we have to have a long keel (we have a...

Just had a reply from Xylem basically saying go back to the person you bought it from, it's not our problem. I have contacted the Ebay seller without reply yet. My understanding of the sale of goods act is that your statutory rights enable you to go back to the vendor within 12 months if it is...

Many thanks, just emailed them, will see how I get on. Ross

Has anyone managed to claim or know how to go about claiming for a replacement Rule pump under their 3 year warranty? I fitted a Rule RM500 in June 2012, and just fitted a replacement this week after it failed with a direct short internally. The new pumps packaging (same model to click...

I was heard about making an air heater from old beer cans, a bit of ducting and some acrylic sheet. It sounded great and ideal for sheds, garages etc. I looked it up on line, the instructions are here http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Soda-Can-Heater/ I thought about making one...

I need some advice, our Volvo MD7A keeps cutting out when the throttle is put back to neutral. It is fine once the engine is warm but manoeurving in marinas etc when the engine has just been started is a pain. The idle speed hasn't changed or been adjusted so I am reluctant to simply tweek up...

You need to use a cone cutter to cut through the tyre, with a normal drill it is virtually impossible. I have my boat fendered with tyres in it's mudberth. I would caution against the plan of threading them to a bar, the bottoms of the tyres will fill with mud making the whole thing impossibly...

How about thin (3-4mm) plastic sheet, stuc on with mastic and a few copper nails to hold it in place. Very cheap easy to get hold of and will not suffer or react with any of the fixings or structure. Ross

Congratulations, I am very glad that you have finally had success. Make sure you take loads of photos you could write a series of articles on the salvage and the repairs, you could make back at least some of the money you have spent. Ross