Recent content by spark

Stainless steel liferaft cradle that was supplied with a Ribcraft 6.5 in 2005. Designed to accommodate an 8-person liferaft on edge. External dimensions - 900 x 485(inc. mounting struts) x 355h Internal dimensions - 840 x 335 x 330h High quality s/s construction in excellent condition.

S1-Extra manufactured by Kemilux and used for cleaning bilges, galleys, etc. on fishing boats. Brought my tubes back from grungy to bright yellow with very little effort. I used it slightly diluted with a green scratchie (nylon pan scourer) and worked over a small area at a time, washing off...

The best option for on-the-move internet access that I could find is as follows: Vodafone GPRS Data Connect card from www.laptopshop.co.uk - £47 - SIM free. Vodafone data contract (they gave me the SIM card free of charge) - 50MB for £20/month was the deal that I got - their website...

It was pointed out to me by a clever man that half of the effort involved in hauling up anchor/chain is the holding job that has to be done between heaves. On Spark I have fitted a pawl with a slot in it on the back of the bow roller. The chain locks in the slot. The pawl is sprung by a bit of...

I have a Honda 2kW suitcase type on board Spark and am very pleased with it. I opted for it because it was the only 1600W continuous that would fit in the cockpit locker but I'm glad that I spent the money on it. Starts first time and it runs my 48V/25A Mastervolt battery charger without any...

Spark is fitted with a prototype electric auxiliary drive system which we are currently testing on a voyage around the coasts of UK/Ireland. She only has a 4-stroke suitcase genny as a back-up to overnight shore power charging, wind genny, and regen when sailing, but we reckon that...

As others have said the double coaming hatch is the way to go. A 'snug fitting' single coaming hatch will let water in in some circumstances - capillary action will let the water climb up between the lid and the coaming. The double coaming design breaks the capillary and lets any water drain...

My memories of a boat my father had in the 60s/70s with a Stuart Turner are: Magneto regularly removed and dried out in the bottom oven of the Rayburn stove. A supply of fresh, dry spark plugs in tobacco tins - replacements for those that stopped sparking after a period of tick-over (e.g...

I recently bought an inflatable kayak which came with a stirrup pump - an upright cylinder with footplates and a 'T' handle. It pumps on both the up and down strokes and is fantastically quick at inflating the kayak. You can change the hose from one side of the pump to the other for deflating. I...

Your boat's probably just big enough to make them high (minimum: hip) and strong enough, in which case, if you can afford it, do it. If not, I'd get rid of the guard wires altoghether and fit jackstays as close to the centreline as possible and clip on whenever you feel unsafe. <hr width=100%...

I have fitted Marelon seacocks to my new boat and am delighted with them. Easy to fit. Come complete with hose tail. No worries about electrolysis. US Coastguard approved. The only downside is that they are slightly more bulky than gunmetal ones but if you have space to fit them I'd recommend...

I agree wholeheartedly with John (jleaworthy) and Tome. Having worked on old gaff cutters with single offset propellers I'd avoid them at all costs. <hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html</A>

You could have a look on the RORC website - they administer the IRC ratings - http://www.rorcrating.com/ <hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html</A>

I've used Allropes several times recently and been very pleased with the service and the ropes. He's very helpful and delivers promptly. <hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html</A>

This is the stuff that you want - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html