Recent content by steve123

I was very happy with an insurance survey done for me in Rochefort by Jonathan Jackson. He also covers the French med coast: J B Jackson | Yacht Surveyors South France | Yacht survey UK & Ireland | Boat Insurance Survey

Brittany Ferries do allow you to take flares. From their website: "Only passengers travelling by vehicle can transport self-inflating lifejackets and flares and must declare the fact when making their reservation. A maximum of 6 self-inflating lifejackets; 6 handheld flares; 4 parachute flares...

When I started using a solar panel, which I move around the deck, I found that the depth readings were sometimes too low and erratic but returned to normal when the panel was disconnected. I think the wiring for the panel runs close to the depth sounder wiring - I had someone fit it for me.

I've just returned from 6 weeks in southern Brittany. With one exception everyone we met was very friendly, helpful and seemed pleased to see us. This included the people at the Ford garage, Europcar and hotel who helped when the clutch on our car broke on the way down and we had to leave it in...

I got the guy in the boatyard in France, where I keep the boat, to change it. I was looking over his shoulder so not exactly sure but think it was as you described - replace the seal with the pump in place and nothing to adjust afterwards. I'd replace the both seals - if one is leaking the...

I've a raw water cooled Bukh DV20 (38 years) that had this issue, which I recall as being explained as due to the differential expansion of the Y tube and block. I replaced the gasket a few years ago with one cut from a sheet of neoprene. Had no crystals since. David - I bought a set of long...

Interesting thanks. Thinking of one for my S32. Did you get the 2 or 4 Kw version?

I had the same issue 4 years ago and emailed the photo below to Al at Bukh. His reply was: "The leak is caused by the failure of the 'o' ring part number 610A2414 which is fitted around the delivery valve which is the part that screws into the top of the fuel pump. The parts are £2.38 each plus...

Muti-Nautique at Foleux have a dry sail scheme (5 lift in/lift outs) that has the Passport Escale option. I used them for winter storage a couple of years ago and was happy. I'm planning to lift out there again this autumn.

Last year I came into the Vilaine using a morning lock with just 4 boats in it. I was relaxing as the lock filled when the bow of the British boat on the other side of the lock, and forward of me, suddenly came away from the side and headed straight for me. I abandoned the line I was holding at...

The flow on the Vilaine is very low at the moment. Today's rate is 2.54 cubic metres per second. The website says that when it gets below 2.5 the locks are closed, although navigation is allowed above the locks. This is where the readings are updated...

I fitted a holding tank under the port side V berth on my S32 10 years ago. Also fitted a Lavac loo at the same time. It's a 40 litre Vetus black water tank that came with the appropriate apertures. I think the cost of the tank was not much over £100. Main issue was planning and fitting the...

Yes, the output was increased to 24 sometime in the mid-80s but I believe the main dimensions of the engine remained unchanged. It is raw water cooled.

If you currently have A Bukh you could consider an ex-ships lifeboat Bukh 24 from Marine Enterprises: http://marineenterprises.apolloduck.net/detail.phtml?id=344336 A lot cheaper and you could reuse the existing ancillaries, just a new prop required. This is my plan for when I replace the Bukh...

Jonathan Jackson did an insurance survey for me, which I was happy with. His details are on the Noble Marine website along with a few others: http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/surveyors.php3?region=d