Recent content by tonybannister

My prop is fouled after the winter right now and I wanted to go down and clear it like I always do. Wife says definately no due to my age (74). Could get it hauled and cleaned by the marina but they are busy (140 euros for 30 footer). So will use the marina diver which will be cheaper. Now...

I have just had a week without any alcohol at all. This idea has been mooted for many a year. In fact it may have started in the 70's when I worked in Aberdeen in the Oil Construction business. (An Aberdonian told me before oil arrived 75% of Aberdonians were alcoholic - Oil brought the 25%...

If you put "Cosa Nostra" on your dinghy would they blow it up for you ?

"When anchoring put ALL your chain out - its doing no good in the chain locker" Right so I have a foot under the keel and I put out 60 metres of chain !!!

We used UK sails in Cesme from Izmir in December. Very pleased with the service. Good quote very detailed after I asked about the materials being used. Arrived within couple of days on time. Travel lift here cannot drop masts so had crane for both lowering and putting mast up a week later...

Not only landlubbers quote "it is impossible for 2 people to live on a 30 foot boat" "We have been doing it for 14 years" "No you hav'nt its impossible to live on a 30 foot boat" New owner of 40+ Jeaneau at briefing for first race " Did you say I have to turn my engine off 5 minutes before the...

At first sight it looked like a Nantucket Clipper 31. Would this give you a reference point

I have done it single mhanded from Sete to Calais in October/November in a 9 metre achilles with a 13 HP motor. It is possible as I have done it but I would echo do not do it. I made it up the Rhone but it was unbelievably slow. My biggest problem was in the locks. Steering the boat and then...

When I fitted my swim platform and ladder to the stern one of the considerations was if I fell overboard singlehanded how would I get back on board. If I could not then a lifejacket or lifeline would not help much. Had a friend that was found dead being towed in circles by his yacht so maybe I...

Jim can I clarify one point. You say Turkish territorial waters but as I understand it this scheme only applies to Mugla as yet. So if a boat sailed north to Didim or Kusadasi they could check out of Turkey with no blue card requirement. Am I correct ?

Wait a minute I have just read the question again "When you started sailing how did you navigate offshore" I started sailing in dinghies on reservoirs and then coastal before I navigated for the first time. That was 20 years later. Then of course we knew we had very little in the way of...

So I was not the only one. And if we tried to do it now we would be called irresponsible. Actually I agree that now we have better gear it would be stupid not to use it. First trip was London/Aberdeen, Achilles 24. Nav lights were only electrics and battery to be charged at garages on way...

Keep clear. Never heard of Cromer crabs.

This is a good example. She mentions Tony twice in her book, he was single handing round Britain. I know Tony - he completed his round Britain now has a 30 footer and has crossed the Atlantic and back cruised extensively in the Med, Black and Red Seas mostly single handed. Yet in the book...

Took Dylans advice and watched the videos. Really enjoyed them. Nathan did not seem to make any claims to seamanship and acknowledged others had done much more. What he seemed to do is set out on an adventure and provided the means to share his experiences. He succeeded in doing so. I found...