BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING BOATING MAGAZINE

NO. 716 MAY 2025

Essential
PROPELLER
CARE
P R O J E C T S · D I Y · S E A M A N S H I P

for smooth
running

SPOTLIGHT ON Ultimate
BENETEAU cruising guide

393 BRITAIN
& IRELAND

MOORING
CHECKS
for peace
of mind
A LOOK AT
THE HEAD-TURNING
WESTONS PRACTICAL
POINT 27 32 PAGES
Seasonal checks
INSIDE
DIY engine replacement
WE FIND OUT WHY

BOATBUILDING Inflatable tender repairs

SKILLS Fitting nav instruments
are the best PLAN B
Pipework for tank vents
 Welcome to the May 2025 issue

30
PRACTICAL
Second-hand boats:
great 40-footers

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Graham Snook/Future

6 News 38 Invicta 26 50 Mooring

It’s the classic long keel yacht for
checks
10 Regional news Can you trust
the price of a good dinghy
your mooring
14 New boat launches to be secure?
40 Plan B’s route to success
Exciting sub-40ft boats making How boatbuilding and sailing are
their debut at boot Düsseldorf giving teenagers a second chance 58 Seasonal checks
Maintenance points to get your
boat ready for the new season
21 Around UK & Ireland 84 MOB in the Mersey
Why a circumnavigation of Britain A tricky situation develops quickly
and Ireland is the perfect challenge on this busy tidal river 60 Tune your rig
Point higher and sail better
30 Beneteau Oceanis 393 90 London in a Mirror dinghy
Spotlight on this great second- Sailing a 10ft boat on the tidal 70 Fitting nav instruments
hand buy and its 40ft rivals Thames from Putney to Waterloo
74 Propeller care
77 DIY engine replacement
44 The head-turning
Westons Point 27
82 Inflatable tender repairs
98 Pipework for tank vents
Richard Langdon/Ocean Images
David Harding

Plan B

40 Boatbuilding
skills at Plan B

21 Ultimate cruising
guide: Britain & Ireland
B&G

Nic Compton

54 High-end MFDs
PLUS more new gear

56 SUBSCRIBE NOW!
5 Waiting for the tide 12 Readers’ letters 15 Dave Selby 16 Sam Llewellyn
19 Marsali Taylor 82 Practical Projects 88 Ask the Experts 98 Sketchbook

Main image: Jeanneau Sun Light 30 by David Harding/Sailing Scenes

 WELCOME

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Waiting for the tide

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Students at Plan B learn
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Michael Buratti, Stu Davies, Paul Diamond, Dick Everitt,
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Timothy Waitt

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Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 5

 SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND DIARY DATES
Email Laura Hodgetts at pbo@futurenet.com

News and current affairs from the world of boating

Buyers beware: new AIS MOB device rule

Big changes to marine radio MOB Devices on channels AIS 1
device rules are planned to and AIS 2: licensees can
be brought into the UK, continue to use these devices
impacting man overboard after the ECC deadline of 31
(MOB) locator devices. December 2024 under the
New European safety rules terms of their SRL or SPRL.
to address congestion of However, Ofcom will bring
ÊŚĬĤÃŚĉßȊĉåêĥŚĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊŒŽŒŚêĤȊ forward proposals in 2025 to
(AIS) frequencies used by phase out the authorisation of
Autonomous Maritime Radio the use of this equipment on
Devices (AMRDs) have already these channels. It strongly
taken effect in many countries encourages individuals
including Ireland. In essence, considering buying or making
these devices to begin the

Mark Taylor
åêŶĉßêŒȊŚąÃŚȊĤÃŋěȊƌŒąȊÿÃŋĤȊ
boundaries and pot buoys or transition to equipment which
track hire boats and various complies with the standards
other marine objects will have set out in the ECC decision.
to use Ch2006 and not AIS 1 This proposed approach to
and AIS 2 frequencies. Ch2006 ABOVE Make sure any new devices phasing in the changes takes
will effectively become a new can handle Ch70 (DSC) to account of typical equipment
futureproof your systems
low-power AIS frequency for lifespan and availability.”
such objects. The only MOB RIGHTȊBÃŶĉĥĀȊŊŠĉŚêȊŋêßêĥŚĞŽȊƌŚŚêåȊ
AIS devices allowed will be his lifejackets with two non-DSC Natural phase-out
those that incorporate digital AIS devices, at around £220 each, Mike Lisby, managing director
Mark Taylor is keen to alert other
selective calling (DSC) on Ch70. PBO readers to the new rulings
for Crewsafe Marine, said: “I
The UK’s communications think there’s a lot of concern
ŋêĀŠĞÃŚĬŋǢȊŚąêȊfÿƌßêȊĬÿȊ being raised over something
Communications (Ofcom) is they apply to existing devices that is probably going to have a
working with the Maritime and that are still widely available to very minor impact and will
Coastguard Agency (MCA) “to buy, even in Ireland where actually just be a natural
evolve the UK’s rules in step these changes have already phase-out over time (like the

Mark Taylor
with these changes.” been enacted. AIS devices that use of ORC liferafts on coded
PBO reader Mark Taylor is incorporate DSC are currently boats) with non-compliant
concerned that not enough is available but of course, at a beacons being replaced at the
being done to alert UK boat higher cost. If you are about to end of the service/battery life
owners who, like him, are still buy a MOB device, make sure it our December 2024 web notice. with a Class M compliant
buying non-DSC automatic can handle (DSC) Ch70 in order 'We’re working closely with version. There will be no
ĉåêĥŚĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊŒŽŒŚêĤȊ
FŒȊ to futureproof your systems.” the MCA, which has publicised immediate change. Ofcom
åêŶĉßêŒǢȊĬĥĞŽȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊŚąêȊ this notice via its various social intends to consult this year on
technology is to be phased out. Transition plans media feeds. The key points for updating the rules for AMRDs
He said: “I am annoyed about An Ofcom spokesman said: UK licensees are: used in UK territorial waters
this. I recently bought two “Ofcom has no plans to make Q Group A Class M Compliant and on UK-registered ships and
non-DSC AIS devices for the current, non-class AMRD Equipment is already I have seen no suggestion that
around £440 after M, MOB devices authorised under the existing current beacons will become
discussing options obsolete in the near terms of the Ship Radio licence obsolete in the near future.”
with my local RNLI future”, and there will (SRL) and Ship Portable Radio However, Mr Lisby is concerned
crew members.” be an “appropriate Licence (SPRL). Separately, that Class M compliance will
He added: “The phasing-out period.” Ofcom will update AIS Licences mean the DSC receiver allows
changes are sensible He added: “New to enable the use of marine aids vessel operators who detect an
but unfortunately international rules to navigation (MAToNs) on AIS1 alarm to ‘acknowledge’ it and
have been developed and AIS2 channels. unintentionally remotely
concerning the use of Q Ofcom is currently consulting deactivate further DSC
Ocean Signal’s new AMRDs. Our on proposed changes to how it transmissions, and cancel the
Class-M approved man approach is to evolve authorises Group B Equipment, DSC alarm for all receivers,
overboard locator the UK’s rules in step in the interim they remain leaving only the AIS broadcast.
device, the SafeSEA
M200, meets the latest with these changes authorised under the terms of PBO is awaiting MCA
EU maritime safety and we set out details the SRL and SPRL. ßĞÃŋĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊĬĥȊŚąĉŒȊěêŽȊňĬĉĥŚǡȊ
regulations of how we’ll do so in Q In respect of Non-Class M Q pbo.co.uk/ofcom

6 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 NEWS

Oily rag self-combusts in anchor locker Free tickets

Boat owners and crew are If you clean PBO readers are being
being reminded of the dangers lockers make offered free tickets to
of leaving oily rags on board sure you the inaugural Trailer
dispose of the
following the spontaneous oily rags
Boat & Watercraft Show.
combustion of rags in a yacht’s carefully The event, held 26-27
anchor locker in Jersey. April at War Memorial
Jersey Harbour Authority’s Park, Basingstoke, aims
Safety Bulletin 01 of 2025 to showcase smaller
Mar/Alamy

warns of the incident involving boats and watercraft, and

a pleasure yacht in St Helier. water sports companies.
The crew had cleaned the So far, more than 40
anchor locker using oil or companies representing
white-spirit cleaning products. anchor locker, and there is no enough to ignite the oil and the 100-plus brands – have
A small quantity of used rags requirement to have a detector rag or cloth. This is a common signed up to exhibit
coated in the cleaning product in this area for this particular occurrence, and the Jersey Fire their boats, equipment
was stored in a plastic airtight vessel. This incident serves as a & Rescue Service has attended and services, at this ‘low
box on a high shelf close to the ŋêĤĉĥåêŋȊĬÿȊŚąêȊňĬŚêĥŚĉÃĞȊƌŋêȊ ȂĥŠĤêŋĬŠŒȊƌŋêŒȊßÊŒêåȊÞŽȊŚąĉŒȊ cost, fun show’.
underside of the foredeck. The risks associated with improper phenomenon’ – most caused For free tickets, visit
rags smouldered and melted storage of oily rags and the when towels or chefs’ clothing/ pbo.co.uk/free-tickets,
Stephen Barnes/Industry and Engineering/Alamy

the lid of the box, likely due to importance of taking tea towels have been click ‘Get Tickets’, enter
the exothermic evaporation of precautions in areas where laundered and then placed in the Promo Code:
ŚąêȊĬĉĞǸÞÃŒêåȊňŋĬåŠßŚǡȊ”ąêȊƌŋêȊ heat build-up can occur.’ the tumble dryer. PBO25, ‘apply’ and
self-extinguished and was only Spontaneous combustion of ‘check out’.
discovered after the event. It oily rags occurs when rags or Safe disposal practices
caused smoke cloths are slowly 1. Dispose of rags as soon as

Harry Tiger/Tiger Co
damage to the heated to their possible in a well-ventilated
inside of the anchor ignition point area, away from other
locker, which through oxidation. ƍÃĤĤÃÞĞêȊĤÃŚêŋĉÃĞŒǡ
required minor As a substance 2. Place oily rags in a closed,
repairs. oxidises, it releases ƌŋêǸŋêŒĉŒŚÃĥŚȊßĬĥŚÃĉĥêŋȊ
The safety heat. If this heat pending disposal, stored in a
bulletin states: cannot escape, such well-ventilated area, away from
‘While the yacht was as when rags are ĬŚąêŋȊƍÃĤĤÃÞĞêȊĤÃŚêŋĉÃĞŒǡ
See Sunseeker’s Predator
êŊŠĉňňêåȊŷĉŚąȊƌŋêȊ piled together, the 3. Educate crew on the hazards 55 UK debut
detectors, there was temperature can of oily rags and procedures for
Bin rags safely
no detector in the rise to a level high safe handling and disposal.
New exhibitors
The British Motor Yacht
Show organisers are

Global 19ft plywood boat race begins hoping for their biggest
event yet, when it
returns from 15-18 May
Twelve men and two women Competitors bought plans, built to Swanwick Marina,
Globe 5.80 yachts and achieved the
from eight countries have Hampshire.
sea miles necessary to compete
embarked on a solo around the New exhibitors
world yacht race in Mini include Cockwells,
19ft/5.8m ALMA Globe 5.80 specialists in custom-
yachts, their only home for the built tenders and motor
next 13 months. launches; Sebino
Departing from Antigua and Yachts; M.i.Cats, the
Rob Havill/MGR2025

Barbuda in the Caribbean, the UK’s longest-

inaugural McIntyre Mini Globe established multihull
Race (MGR) marathon will specialist; and Fleming
begin with leg one to Panama, Yachts, which builds
1,200 miles to the west. In total, 55ft to 85ft yachts.
the 26,000-mile unassisted A show spokesperson
ŋÃßêȊŷĉĞĞȊĉĥßĞŠåêȊƌŶêȊĞêĀŒǢȊ said: “With Sunseeker
before the sailors return to unveiling the Predator
Antigua in March 2026. comparison, but alone at sea, celebrates the 75th 55 in the UK and a host
Organiser Don McIntrye, who when you are the only person anniversary and follows in the of other debuts, this
is also behind the Golden Globe to face the challenges 24 hours wake of John Guzzwell, who in year’s event is set to be
Race, said: “Our MGR entrants’ a day, the fear can be just as 1955 set off in his home-built a highlight of the
may be sailing little yachts, but real and the physical and 20ft timber yacht Trekka to European yachting
the adventure is huge and just emotional strain just as intense. ÞêßĬĤêȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊêŶêŋȊȂĤĉĥĉȊ calendar.”
as emotional and demanding in The big deal here is anyone, no yacht’ to sail around the world. Entry to the show is
many ways as the big boat solo matter age, gender, income or UK entrants include Jasmine free, but registration is
events. Yes, it is all cute and fun skill, can make this happen if Harrison, Keri Harris, Ertan required.
in the ports, and budgets and they want it badly enough.” Beskardes and Adam Waugh. Q pbo.co.uk/british_show
workloads are mini by The course around the world Q pbo.co.uk/mini-globe-race

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 7

 NEWS

Kaia Bint Savage

Advice and tips
from CA gurus
Experts behind the
Cruising Association’s
(CA) Regulatory &
Technical Services
(RATS) group will be
sharing their knowledge
ÃĥåȊƌĥåĉĥĀŒȊĬĥȊÃȊŋÃĥĀêȊ
of topics.
”ąêȊƌÿŚąȊÃĥĥŠÃĞȊ

Kaia Bint Savage

‘Evening with RATS’, will
be held at 7pm on
Ian Roman

Wednesday 19 March
and attendees can
watch via a free Zoom
webinar or in-person to

YJA awards celebrate ‘outstanding the event at CA House,

Limehouse, London,

British sailing talent’ with entry £4 members,

£7 for non-members.

Ian Williams, who made history bit of a light on my corner of the ABOVE FROM LEFT Yachtsman of
after securing an sport,” he said. the Year 2024 Ian Williams; YJA
Young Sailor of the Year Jessye
unprecedented eighth World Jessye Opoku-Ware scooped Opoku-Ware; Dylan Fletcher with
Match Racing Tour title, has the Young Sailor of the Year Katy Stickland
been named the Yachting title for his work with the
Journalists’ Association’s (YJA) Scaramouche Sailing Trust and The awards were held at the
2024 Yachtsman of the Year. Greig City Academy Sailing RYA Dinghy & Watersports
Williams is one of Britain’s Programme, where he coaches Show in February. YJA chair,
most successful yacht racers young sailors, is the facilitator PBO’s Katy Stickland,
Topics include cruising in

Roger Allen Photography/Alamy

having left the legal profession of the girls’ team, and devotes presented a special award for EU waters with pets
for full-time professional his time to spreading the Team of the Year to Sir Ben
sailing in April 2005. positive message of sailing to Ainslie’s British Challenger
BêȊƌŋŒŚȊŷĬĥȊŚąêȊ°ĬŋĞåȊ^ÃŚßąȊ clubs and schools. He said: “I Team for the 37th America’s Key topics
Racing Tour title in 2007 before feel ecstatic; it’s something I’ve Cup. Dylan Fletcher, helm of Q The CA Orca Project:
retaining the title a further always wanted to win. I want to Britannia, received the John Burbeck will talk
seven times. thank everyone who has been accolade on behalf of the team about the latest activity
“It’s an incredible honour to part of the journey; there are a ÿĬŋȊÞêßĬĤĉĥĀȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŋĉŚĉŒąȊ and yacht interactions of
add my name to such an lot of people who have helped team since 1964 to race in the the groups of orcas off
illustrious list and also shine a all of us make this happen.” ƌĥÃĞȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊ
ĤêŋĉßÃȃŒȊŠňǡ the coasts of France,
Portugal and Spain,
avoidance tactics and

Disappearance of British solo skipper safety advice.

Q Sailing with pets:
Tania Nieveen will
A 73-year-old British sailor was was detected 43 The Cazaux-based discuss regulations,
lost at sea after his yacht miles west of helicopter spent guidance and advice to
capsized in rough weather Lacanau. The hours searching for consider when cruising
the missing sailor
while sailing off the south-west CROSS Etel to Europe and beyond.
coast of France. coordinated the Q Low voltage electrics
The Préfecture maritime de response and on small craft: Rick
l’Atlantique reported that the broadcast a Ballard will share
ETEL Regional Operational Mayday. technical basics, a
Centre for Surveillance and The Caracal spreadsheet model for
êŒßŠêȊDz fŒŒdzȊŷÃŒȊƌŋŒŚȊ helicopter of the estimating onboard
alerted on 24 January at 1930, Air and Space battery energy
by its British counterparts, that Force responded, consumption, and
Hemis/Alamy

ŚąêȊ
ĤêŋĉßÃĥǸƍÃĀĀêåȊTiger PA and at 1730, located the ‘gutted de l’Atlantique suspended the considerations when
yacht was not responding to sailboat’. Two divers winched search on 26 January at 0133. replacing lead-acid
radio messages. The boat was down ‘discovered the empty The sailor has been named batteries with lithium
located approximately 100 raft’. The yachtsman could not ÃŒȊÿÃŚąêŋǸĬÿǸƌŶêȊąÃŋĞêŒȊ”ĬååǢȊ chemistry alternatives.
miles from Pointe de Graves. be found despite an extensive from London. In a BBC tribute, Q Wave and tidal power:
Nearby cargo ship Autosun search by cargo ship Autostar his family praised the French Roger Bickerstaff’s view
established radio contact after and Spanish hospital ship rescue teams and the British of recent developments
several attempts. The solo Esperanza del Mar, which Consulate in Bordeaux. Mr and their implications
British skipper on board said he diverted to assist the French Todd was a member of for navigation and yacht
was safe and continued on his Navy Falcon 50 and the Greenwich Yacht Club, where a cruising.
way. The next day, around 1500, Caracal helicopter in Force 6 spokesman paid tribute, saying: Q pbo.co.uk/RATS
the Tiger PA distress beacon winds. The Préfecture maritime “Rest in peace, dear friend.”

8 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 NEWS

Pip Hare celebrated with award for skill DIARY DATES

British yachtswoman Pip Hare
has been chosen to recieve the QCruising the European
Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) Inland Waterways webinar,
Seamanship Award, which 13 March, 7:30pm, Haven
recognises exceptional skill Knox-Johnston experts,
Mark Lloyd/Alea

or bravery at sea. watch live at http://pbo.

Victor Wejer
It follows her resilience and Pip said she co.uk/HKJ_webinar or the
ingenuity to keep sailing when felt ‘very video afterwards at www.
humbled’ to
her foiling IMOCA 60, Medallia, receive the youtube.com/@HavenKJ
dismasted during the 2024 OCC award Victor Wejer QAn Evening with RATS,
Vendée Globe Race, while she 19 March, insight from the
was 800 miles south of ŚĬȊƍŽȊŚąêȊŚŋŽŒÃĉĞǢȊÃĥåȊÃÿŚêŋȊƒƔȊ received the OCC’s Lifetime Cruising Association’s
Australia. Armed with a hacksaw days in conditions up to gale Award for 20 years of service Regulatory & Technical
and gloves, Hare removed most force winds, she made landfall to cruising sailors venturing Services group, free via
of the rig, and managed to erect in Melbourne on 28 December. through the Northwest Passage. Zoom, or with payment at
a jury-rigged mast, enabling her Canadian Victor Wejer Q pbo.co.uk/CA_awards CA House, London, theca.
org.uk/calendar
QCA Mediterranean
Seminar, 22-23 March, CA

Show gets sailors ‘hyped’ for the season House, London, the event is
open to non-members,
theca.org.uk/calendar
The RYA Dinghy & Watersports Interactive and women’s America’s Cup QPirates exhibition,
Show saw thousands of water stands were a star Hannah Diamond. Sadly, 29 March-4 January
lovers join professional sailors, show highlight small boat cruising doyen 2026,National Maritime
expert coaches, tacticians and Roger Barnes, who is president Museum, Greenwich,
a host of marine brands to of the Dinghy Cruising www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on
celebrate small boat sailing Association (DCA) was unable QFaversham Boat Jumble,
and boardsports. to attend the event due to an 13 April, Hollowshore
The event, showcasing 175 Achilles tendon injury. Cruising Club, Faversham,
RYA

exhibitor stands, attracted However, DCA members Kent, 1000 start, free entry,
almost 9,000 visitors to ƍĬßěêåȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŒŚÃĥåȊÿĬŋȊÃȊƘƑŚąȊ hollowshorecc.org
Farnborough International from “It’s been great to see fans and anniversary celebration. DCA QJersey Boat Show,
22-23 February, from across marine businesses alike so spokesman Graham Neil said: 3-5 May, St Helier Marina
the UK as well as Germany, the excited and enthused about the “The show was very busy and and Weighbridge Place,
Netherlands, Spain, Australia, season ahead.” the DCA stand had lots of www.jerseyboatshow.com
Hong Kong, Qatar, Canada and Big names included Paris interest. A stunning new John QSouth Coast and Green
the Falkland Islands. 2024 kite foiling gold medallist Welsford Walkabout, self-built Tech Boat Show, 9-11 May,
RYA director of sport Ellie Aldridge, America’s Cup by Ginny Harvey, was a real MDL’s Ocean Village
development Rob Clark said: and SailGP helm Dylan Fletcher showstopper.” Marina, Southampton,
mdlmarinas.co.uk/events
QBritish Motor Yacht
Show, 15-18 May, Swanwick

Triple amputee to sail the Pacific solo Marina, Hampshire, www.

britishmotoryachtshow.
com
Sailing for 80 days solo, non- The self-confessed ‘sailing Q85th Anniversary of
stop and unsupported across geek’ is determined to “change Operation Dynamo, 21 to
ŚąêȊ‚ÃßĉƌßȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞêȊÃȊåÊĥŚĉĥĀȊ perceptions of what disabled 26 May, The Association of
voyage for many people. Craig people can do and show that Dunkirk Little Ships
Wood, a 33-year-old former sailing is a sport for everyone.” crossing from Ramsgate to

ŋĤŽȊŋĉƍêĤÃĥȊÿŋĬĤȊ#ĬĥßÃŒŚêŋǢȊ He told PBO: “My level of Dunkirk, www.adls.org.uk
has the additional challenge of knowledge is the same as any QCrick Boat Show, 24-26
being a triple amputee. able-bodied sailor, they may be May, Britain’s biggest
able to implement it faster but I Craig will sail his family cruising inland waterways festival,
ƌĥåȊÃȊŷÃŽǡȊŒĬȊĉŚȊßŋêÃŚêŒȊÃȊĞêŶêĞȊ ßÃŚÃĤÃŋÃĥȊŒĬĞĬȊÃßŋĬŒŒȊŚąêȊ‚Ãßĉƌß www.crickboatshow.com
ňĞÃŽĉĥĀȊƌêĞåǡȊFȊßÃĥȊåĬȊĬĥêǸ QRound the Island Race,
handed bowlines because I’ve Craig will depart from La Paz 7 June, race for all around
got no other choice.” in Mexico at the end of March, the Isle of Wight, www.
Completion of this 6,000- bound for Yokohama in Japan roundtheisland.org.uk
mile voyage, which is raising aboard his 41ft French-built QJester Baltimore
funds for limbless veterans Galileo aluminium catamaran. Challenge, 15 June, from
charity Blesma and sail training ¶
Ȋ¶ÃßąŚĤÃŒŚêŋǸŊŠÃĞĉƌêåȊ Plymouth and Pwllheli,
GD Media

charity Turn to Starboard, Craig is hoping for trade-wind jesterchallenge.org

would see Craig achieve a conditions of 15 knots to Hawaii
ŷĬŋĞåȊŋêßĬŋåȊÃŒȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŚŋĉňĞêȊ and 1.5m-2m waves. The father- Got an event you would like
Experienced sailor Craig’s previous
amputee to sail solo across the of-two’s biggest fear is “any to share with PBO readers?
longest solo voyage was 1,200 ‚ÃßĉƌßȊǺȊêŶêĥȊĉÿȊąêȊĥêêåŒȊŚĬȊ submersible object.” email pbo@futurenet.com
miles and 10 days stop at Hawaii as a bolthole. Q pbo.co.uk/craig_wood

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 9

 News from your cruising area
Got a news story that would interest a fellow PBO reader? We want to hear
from you! Email PBO news editor Laura Hodgetts at pbo@futurenet.com

SOUTH COAST & The Dunkirk crossing is expected

CHANNEL ISLANDS to take 10 hours, weather and sea
PortWind plans conditions permitting

_ĬŋŷêĀĉÃĥȊƌŋĤȊŒĬŠŋßêȊ=ÃĞĉĞêĬȊ
ąÃŒȊßĬĤĤĉŚŚêåȊŚĬȊŷĬŋěĉĥĀȊŷĉŚąȊ
‚ĬŋŚĞÃĥåȊ‚ĬŋŚȊĬĥȊÃȊňŋĬňĬŒêåȊ
ŷĉĥåȊÿÃŋĤȊåêŶêĞĬňĤêĥŚȊĬÿÿȊŚąêȊ
#êŶĬĥȊÃĥåȊ#ĬŋŒêŚȊßĬÃŒŚǡ
”ąêȊ‚ĬŋŚ°ĉĥåȊňŋĬĘêߌȊßĬŠĞåȊ
ŒêêȊƒƔƓȊŚŠŋÞĉĥêŒȊêŋêߌêåȊÃÞĬŠŚȊ
ƓƓȊěĤȊDzƒƕȊĤĉĞêŒdzȊĬÿÿȊŚąêȊßĬÃŒŚȊ
ßĬĥĥêߌêåȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĀŋĉåȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊ
ÃȊŒŠÞŒŚÃŚĉĬĥȊÃŚȊąĉßěêŋêĞĞȊĥêÃŋȊ

Royal Navy
”ąêȊ
#XŒȊƍêêŚȊĞÃŒŚȊŶĬŽÃĀêåȊ
°êŽĤĬŠŚąǢȊ#ĬŋŒêŚǡȊŒŠÞĘêߌȊ across the English Channel to
ŚĬȊňĞÃĥĥĉĥĀȊňêŋĤĉŒŒĉĬĥǢȊŚĬȊÞêȊ Dunkirk, France, in May 2015
åêßĉåêåȊĉĥȊƓƑƓƚǢȊĉŚȊßĬŠĞåȊ
ňŋĬåŠßêȊêĥĬŠĀąȊêĞêߌŋĉßĉŚŽȊ
ŚĬȊňĬŷêŋȊĤĬŋêȊŚąÃĥȊƔȊĤĉĞĞĉĬĥȊ
ąĬŠŒêąĬĞåŒȊÃĥĥŠÃĞĞŽǡȊšĥåêŋȊ
ŚąêȊňŋĬňĬŒÃĞŒǢȊŚąêȊŷĉĥåȊÿÃŋĤȃŒȊ
ßĬĥŒŚŋŠßŚĉĬĥǢȊĬňêŋÃŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ EAST & SOUTH EAST

Channel crossing for

Royal Navy
ąêÃåŊŠÃŋŚêŋŒȊÃĥåȊŒŠňňĬŋŚȊ
ÃßßĬĤĤĬåÃŚĉĬĥȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞêȊ
ÞÃŒêåȊÃŚȊ‚ĬŋŚĞÃĥåȊ‚ĬŋŚǡ
‚ĬŋŚȊŒňĬěêŒĤÃĥȊFÃĥȊ
^߄ŠÃåêȊŒÃĉåǣȊȀFŚȊĉŒȊŒŚĉĞĞȊêÃŋĞŽȊ
Dunkirk anniversary
åÃŽŒȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊ‚ĬŋŚ°ĉĥåȊňŋĬĘêߌȊ
ȊƍêêŚȊĬÿȊƘƕȊ#ŠĥěĉŋěȊXĉŚŚĞêȊ ÃåŶÃĥßĉĥĀȊ=êŋĤÃĥȊÃŋĤŽǡ ŷÃŒȊßÃĥßêĞĞêåȊåŠêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ
ÞŠŚȊŚąĉŒȊ^êĤĬŋÃĥåŠĤȊĬÿȊ ŒąĉňŒȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊ ”ąêȊŒĉżǸåÃŽȊÃĥĥĉŶêŋŒÃŋŽȊ ĬŶĉåǸƒƚȊňÃĥåêĤĉßȊŒĬȊŚąêȊ
šĥåêŋŒŚÃĥåĉĥĀȊŒąĬŷŒȊŚąêȊ ÃĤŒĀÃŚêȊŚĬȊĥĬŋŚąêŋĥȊ<ŋÃĥßêȊ êŶêĥŚŒȊŷĉĞĞȊŒêêȊŚąêȊ ƓƑƓƖȊßŋĬŒŒĉĥĀȊĤÃŋěŒȊŚąêȊ
åĉŋêߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚŋÃŶêĞȊÃĥåȊŒŠňňĬŋŚŒȊ ŚĬȊĤÃŋěȊŚąêȊƙƖŚąȊÃĥĥĉŶêŋŒÃŋŽȊ
ŒŒĬßĉÃŚĉĬĥȊĬÿȊ#ŠĥěĉŋěȊXĉŚŚĞêȊ ƌŋŒŚȊĉĥȊÃȊåêßÃåêǡȊ”ąêȊXĉŚŚĞêȊ
ĬŠŋȊ=ŋêêĥȊ(ĥêŋĀŽȊFŒĞÃĥåȊ ĬÿȊfňêŋÃŚĉĬĥȊ#ŽĥÃĤĬǡ ŒąĉňŒȊDz
#XŒdzȊåêňÃŋŚĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊ ŒąĉňŒȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊêŒßĬŋŚêåȊÞŽȊŚąêȊ
ÃŒňĉŋÃŚĉĬĥȊÿĬŋȊ‚ĬŋŚĞÃĥåȊŚĬȊ FĥȊƒƚƕƑǢȊĤĬŋêȊŚąÃĥȊ ÃĤŒĀÃŚêȊ ĬŽÃĞȊBÃŋÞĬŠŋȊĬĥȊ ĬŽÃĞȊ_ÃŶŽȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊ _XFǢȊ
ÞêßĬĤêȊÃȊĞêÃåĉĥĀȊŋêĥêŷÃÞĞêȊ ƔƔƙǢƑƑƑȊŋĉŚĉŒąȊÃĥåȊ
ĞĞĉêåȊ ƓƒȊ^ÃŽȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêĉŋȊĞÃŋĀêŒŚȊêŶêŋȊ ŷĉŚąȊÃȊŒňêßŚÃŚĬŋȊƍêêŚȊĬÿȊ
êĥêŋĀŽȊąŠÞȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŒĬŠŚąȊßĬÃŒŚǡȁ ŚŋĬĬňŒȊŷêŋêȊŋêŒßŠêåȊÿŋĬĤȊ ƍêêŚȊĬÿȊŋêßêĥŚȊŽêÃŋŒǡȊ ĤĬåêŋĥȊßŋÃÿŚȊňŋêŒêĥŚȊĉĥȊ
ŚąêȊÞêÃßąêŒȊĬÿȊ#ŠĥěĉŋěȊ ŒĉĥßêȊƒƚƗƖǢȊŚąêȊ
#XŒȊąÃŒȊ ÃĤŒĀÃŚêȊÃĥåȊ#ŠĥěĉŋěǡȊ
Island dredging ÞêŚŷêêĥȊĞÃŚêȊ^ÃŽȊÃĥåȊêÃŋĞŽȊ ÃŋŋÃĥĀêåȊÃȊŶĬŽÃĀêȊêŶêŋŽȊƌŶêȊ ĬĤĤêĤĬŋÃŚĉŶêȊêŶêĥŚŒȊŷĉĞĞȊ
ŒĤÃĞĞǸŒßÃĞêȊåŋêåĀĉĥĀȊŷĬŋěŒȊ TŠĥêǢȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊŋÃňĉåĞŽȊ ŽêÃŋŒȊÞŠŚȊĉĥȊƓƑƓƑȊŚąêȊêŶêĥŚȊ ÞêȊąêĞåȊĉĥȊ#Šĥěĉŋěǡ
ÃŋêȊŠĥåêŋȊŷÃŽȊÃŚȊŚŷĬȊŒĉŚêŒȊĉĥȊ
ŚąêȊŶĉßĉĥĉŚŽȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ<ĬĞĞŽȊFĥĥǢȊFŒĞêȊ
ĬÿȊ°ĉĀąŚǢȊŷĉŚąȊåĉŒňĬŒÃĞȊÃŚȊ ”ąêȊŒĬĞĬȊŒÃĉĞĬŋȊŋêňĬŋŚêåȊ ŚĬȊêĞêߌŋĉßÃĞȊĉŒŒŠêŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊ ŚêÃĤȊŋêŒňĬĥŒêȊÿŋĬĤȊßŋêŷǢȊŚąêȊ
°êŋŋÃŋȊŋêêěȊĉĥȊ_êŷňĬŋŚȊ ŚÃěĉĥĀȊĬĥȊŷÃŚêŋȊÿĬŠŋȊĤĉĞêŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ ÃĥåȊŒŽŒŚêĤŒȊĥĬŚȊŷĬŋěĉĥĀȁȊÞŠŚȊ ĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåǢȊ”ĬĤŒȊÃĥåȊ<ĬŷêŽȊ
BÃŋÞĬŠŋȊÿĬŋȊÃȊŚŋĉÃĞȊŒÃĞŚĤÃŋŒąȊ ŒŚȊ
ŠŒŚêĞĞȊÃŚȊƑƒƓƖǢȊƒƗȊ<êÞŋŠÃŋŽǡȊ ŚąêȊĞĬßÃŚĉĬĥȊŷÃŒȊêŒŚÃÞĞĉŒąêåȊ BÃŋÞĬŠŋȊĬĤĤĉŒŒĉĬĥêŋŒǡȁ
ŋêŒŚĬŋÃŚĉĬĥȊňŋĬĘêߌǡ <ÃĞĤĬŠŚąȊĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊŚÃŒěêåȊ ÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȃŒȊßêĞĞȊňąĬĥêǢȊƒǡƖȊ
°ĬŋěȊĉŒȊêżňêߌêåȊŚĬȊĞÃŒŚȊÿĬŋȊ <ĬŷêŽȊ _XFȊŚĬȊĞÊĥßąǡȊ ĤĉĞêŒȊŷêŒŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ=ŋĉÞÞĉĥǢȊßĞĬŒêȊ WEST COAST, WALES
ŒêŶêŋÃĞȊŷêêěŒǡ FĥÿĬŋĤÃŚĉĬĥȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ ŚĬȊÃȊŒąĉňȊÃŚȊÃĥßąĬŋǡȊ & IRELAND
ĬŷêŒȊBÃŋÞĬŠŋȊĬĤĤĉŒŒĉĬĥȊ
XĬßÃĞȊ_ĬŚĉßêȊŚĬȊ^ÃŋĉĥêŋŒȊ_ĬǡȊ
ĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊŷÃŒȊȀĤĉĥĉĤÃĞȊåŠêȊ
ŚȊƑƓƑƑȊ<ĬŷêŽȃŒȊŶĬĞŠĥŚêêŋȊ
ßŋêŷȊĞĬßÃŚêåȊŚąêȊŒŚŋĉßěêĥȊ
Reluctant sale
ƔƑDz”dzȊĬÿȊƓƑƓƖȊÃåŶĉŒêŒȊŚąÃŚȊ Lifeboat crew ŶꌌêĞȊÃĥåȊŚŷĬȊßŋêŷȊÞĬÃŋåêåȊ ”ąêȊ
ŚĞÃĥŚĉßȊ¶ĬŠŚąȊ”ŋŠŒŚȊąÃŒȊ
tackled the water
ŷĬŋěŒȊŷĉĞĞȊĬĥĞŽȊŚÃěêȊňĞÃßêȊ ŚąêȊŽÃßąŚȊÃĥåȊŒŚÃÞĉĞĉŒêåȊŚąêȊ ŋêĞŠßŚÃĥŚĞŽȊŒĬĞåȊĉŚŒȊƒƗƕÿŚȊŚÃĞĞȊ
ingress as the yacht
åŠŋĉĥĀȊåÃŽĞĉĀąŚȊąĬŠŋŒǡȊ”ąêȊ was towed to safety ŒĉŚŠÃŚĉĬĥȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊŒÃĞŶÃĀêȊňŠĤňǡȊ ŒąĉňȊGrace O’Malleyǡ
åŋêåĀĉĥĀȊßŋÃÿŚȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊ ”ąêŽȊßĬĥŚĉĥŠêåȊŚĬȊňŠĤňȊÃŒȊŚąêȊ ”ąêȊŽĬŠŚąȊåêŶêĞĬňĤêĥŚȊ
åĉŒňĞÃŽĉĥĀȊŚąêȊßĬŋŋêߌȊĞĉĀąŚŒȊ ŽÃßąŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĬŷêåȊĉĥŚĬȊ<ĬŷêŽǡȊ ßąÃŋĉŚŽǢȊêŒŚÃÞĞĉŒąêåȊĉĥȊƓƑƒƕǢȊ
ÃĥåȊŒąÃňêŒȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊĬňêŋÃŚĉĬĥȊ
ŒąĬŋêǢȊŚąêȊßĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊŚêÃĤȊ ŷÃŒȊŠĥÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊŒêߊŋêȊŒŚÃŚêȊ
ÃĥåȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊĞĉŒŚêĥĉĥĀȊĬĥȊ¯B<ȊƗƚȊ ŚĬĬěȊŚąêȊßÃŒŠÃĞŚŽȊĬÿÿȊŚĬȊÞêȊ ÿŠĥåĉĥĀȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊňŋĬĘêߌǡ
ÿĬŋȊÃĥŽȊßĬĥßêŋĥêåȊŚŋÃÿƌßǡ ĤêåĉßÃĞĞŽȊÃŒŒêŒŒêåǢȊŷąĉĞêȊŚąêȊ ąÃĉŋĤÃĥȊTĬąĥȊ^ŠŋňąŽȊŒÃĉåǣȊ
_XFȊßŋêŷȊŒŚÃŽêåȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊ Ȁ°êȊąÃŶêȊÞêêĥȊÿĬŋßêåȊŚĬȊŒêĞĞȊ
Water ingress ŶꌌêĞǡȊ”ąêȊĞÊĥßąȊÊŚąĬŋĉŚŽȊ ĬŠŋȊÞêÊŚĉÿŠĞȊŚąŋêêǸĤÃŒŚêåȊŚÃĞĞȊ
¯ĬĞŠĥŚêêŋŒȊŷĉŚąȊ<ĬŷêŽȊ _XFȊ ÃŋŋÃĥĀêåȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŚĬȊÞêȊ ŒąĉňǢȊŚąêȊĤÃĘêŒŚĉßȊƒƗƕÿŚȊGrace
Fowey RNLI

XĉÿêÞĬÃŚȊąÃåȊŚĬȊåêÃĞȊŷĉŚąȊŷÃŚêŋȊ ĞĉÿŚêåȊĬŠŚȊÞŽȊŒŚÃÿÿȊÃŚȊǡȊ”ĬĤŒȊɇȊ O’MalleyǡȊ”ąêȊ”ÃĞĞȊŒąĉňȊƍêêŚȊ

ĉĥĀŋꌌȊÃÞĬÃŋåȊÃȊƓƘÿŚȊÞĬÃŚǢȊ ŒĬĥȊÞĬÃŚŽÃŋåǡȊ
ĥȊ _XFȊ ĀĞĬÞÃĞĞŽȊŒêêĤŒȊŚĬȊÞêȊ
ŷąĉĞêȊŚĬŷĉĥĀȊĉŚȊŚĬȊŒÃÿêŚŽȊÃÿŚêŋȊÃȊ ŒňĬěêŒĤÃĥȊÃååêåǣȊȀ”ąĉŒȊŷÃŒȊÃȊ åĉĤĉĥĉŒąĉĥĀȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊĞĬŒŒȊĬÿȊŒĬȊ
^ÃŽåÃŽȊßÃĞĞȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊŒěĉňňêŋǡ ßĬĤňĞĉßÃŚêåȊŒąĬŠŚǢȊÞŠŚȊÃȊĀŋêÃŚȊ ĤÃĥŽȊĬŶêŋȊŚąêȊŽêÃŋŒǡȊ
ÞĬŶêȊ

10 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 NEWS

ƓƕĤȊŚąêȊŋŠĥĥĉĥĀȊßĬŒŚŒȊÞêßĬĤêȊ ”ąêȊŒêÃŋßąȊĉŒȊĬĥȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊŶꌌêĞŒȊ
built before 1950 which are
ŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚȊÃĥåȊÿŠĥåĉĥĀȊĉŒȊÃȊ
ŒŚĉĞĞȊŠŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ ĉŶêŋȊ#êÞêĥ
ßąÃĞĞêĥĀêȊÿĬŋȊŒÃĉĞȊŚŋÃĉĥĉĥĀȊ

Geography Photos/Universal Images Group/Getty

ĬňêŋÃŚĉĬĥŒȊĥĬȊĤÃŚŚêŋȊŷąÃŚȊŒĉƅêǡȊ
”ąĉŒȊŽêÃŋȊŷêȊŷĉĞĞȊąÃŶêȊŚŷĬȊ
ŶꌌêĞŒȊĉĥȊĬŠŋȊƍêêŚȊĀĉŶĉĥĀȊÃȊ
ßĬĤÞĉĥêåȊŚŋÃĉĥêêȊßÃňÃßĉŚŽȊĬÿȊ
ƓƓȊêŶêŋŽȊŷêêěǡȊfŠŋȊŚąĉŋåȊŶꌌêĞǢȊ
Brian BorúǢȊĉŒȊĉĥȊÿĬŋȊêżŚêĥŒĉŶêȊ
ŋêƌŚȊŷĬŋěȊĬŶêŋȊŚąêȊŒŠĤĤêŋǡȁ
BêȊÃååêåǣȊȀfĥêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
ÃåŶÃĥŚÃĀêŒȊĬÿȊŒŠÞǸƓƕĤȊŶꌌêĞŒȊ
ĉŒȊŚąÃŚȊŷêȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊêĥŚêŋȊ
ÃȊĀŋêÃŚȊĥŠĤÞêŋȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŒĤÃĞĞêŋȊ
ßĬÃŒŚÃĞȊňĬŋŚŒȊÃĥåȊƍŽȊŚąêȊƍÃĀǡȊ
°êȊÃŋêȊÃĥȊÃĞĞǸFŋêĞÃĥåȊßąÃŋĉŚŽȊ
ÃĥåȊŷĉĞĞȊŒêŋŶêȊ_ĬŋŚąêŋĥȊFŋêĞÃĥåǢȊ
ŚąêȊFŋĉŒąȊŒêÃȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊŚąêȊŷêŒŚȊ
ßĬÃŒŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊšVȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊŒĬŠŚąȊ
ßĬÃŒŚȊĬÿȊFŋêĞÃĥåǡȁ

Status update SCOTLAND ŒĉĥßêȊĉŚŒȊĉĥßêňŚĉĬĥǢȊŚąêȊêŶêĥŚȊ ĞÃŒŚȊŽêÃŋǢȊŷÃŒȊÞŠĉĞŚȊÃŚȊŚąêȊ

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Ȋ_ĬŋŚąêŋĥȊFŋêĞÃĥåȊDz ¶
_FdzȊ
ąÃŒȊĬÿƌßĉÃĞĞŽȊßąÃĥĀêåȊĉŚŒȊŒŚÃŚŠŒȊ
Regatta rating ąÃŒȊêĥßĬĤňÃŒŒêåȊŒêŋĉĬŠŒȊ
ŋÃßĉĥĀȊÃĞĬĥĀŒĉåêȊêŶêŋŽŚąĉĥĀȊ
(ŶêŋŒĬĥȃŒȊÞĬÃŚŽÃŋåǢȊĥĬŷȊ
°ĬĬåÞŋĉåĀêȊĬÃŚŽÃŋåǢȊÃĥåȊĉŒȊ
ÿŋĬĤȊÃȊĞĉŒŚêåȊßĬĤňÃĥŽȊŚĬȊÃȊ fĥêȊĬÿȊŒßĬŚĞÃĥåȃŒȊĞĬĥĀêŒŚǸ ÿŋĬĤȊňÃååĞêÞĬÃŋåȊŋÃßêŒȊŚĬȊ ŋêĀŠĞÃŋĞŽȊŋÃßêåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋǡ
ŋêĀĉŒŚêŋêåȊßąÃŋĉŚŽǡ ŋŠĥĥĉĥĀȊŽÃßąŚȊŋêĀÃŚŚÃŒȊąÃŒȊ ÞÃěĉĥĀȊßĬĤňêŚĉŚĉĬĥŒǢȊĞĉÿêÞĬÃŚȊ ”ąêȊ #
ȊňŋĬĘêߌȊÃĉĤŒȊŚĬȊ
FŚȊÿĬĞĞĬŷŒȊßĬĥŒŠĞŚÃŚĉĬĥȊŷĉŚąȊ ŒŷĉŚßąêåȊŚĬȊÃȊĥÃŚĉĬĥÃĞȊąÃĥåĉßÃňȊ ŚĬŠŋŒȊÃĥåȊÞêÃßąȊňÃŋŚĉêŒǡȊ ĉåêĥŚĉÿŽȊąĬŷȊĤÃĥŽȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŒŚĉĞĞȊ
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ǸÃÿƌĞĉÃŚêåȊßĞŠÞŒȊĉĥȊ_ĬŋŚąêŋĥȊ ŒŽŒŚêĤȊÃąêÃåȊĬÿȊĉŚŒȊƘƘŚąȊ ÃƍĬÃŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ#êÞêĥȊÃŋêȊĬŶêŋȊƘƖȊ
FŋêĞÃĥåǢȊÃĥåȊĉŒȊĉĥŚêĥåêåȊŚĬȊ ÃĥĥŠÃĞȊêŶêĥŚȊÿŋĬĤȊƓǸƙȊ
ŠĀŠŒŚǡȊ Shipyard rescue ŽêÃŋŒȊĬĞåȊÃĥåȊŚĬȊßêĞêÞŋÃŚêȊŚąêȊ
ƌĥÃĥßĉÃĞĞŽȊÞêĥêƌŚȊŚąêȊ fŋĀÃĥĉŒêŋŒȊąĬňêȊŚąÃŚȊ ŒňÃĥĉŒąȊŒąĉňÞŠĉĞåêŋȊ_ÃŶÃĥŚĉÃȊ ŒěĉĞĞȊÃĥåȊåêåĉßÃŚĉĬĥȊŷąĉßąȊěêêňȊ
ĬŋĀÃĥĉŒÃŚĉĬĥȊÃĥåȊŠĞŚĉĤÃŚêĞŽȊ ÃåĬňŚĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ
êŋÃȊ¶”ȊĥÃŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ ąÃŒȊßĬĥƌŋĤêåȊŚąêȊŋêŒßŠêȊåêÃĞȊ ŚąêĤȊĬňêŋÃŚĉĬĥÃĞǡȊ”ąêȊňŋĬĘêߌȊĉŒȊ
ąêĞňȊŚĬȊåêŶêĞĬňȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊÃßŋĬŒŒȊ ŋÃŚĉĥĀȊŒŽŒŚêĤȊÿĬŋȊßŋŠĉŒêŋǸŋÃßêŋŒȊ ŷĉŚąȊ”ĉŚÃĥĉßȊŒąĉňÞŠĉĞåêŋȊ ÞêĉĥĀȊĞêåȊÞŽȊTŠĞĉÃȊTĬĥêŒǢȊŷąĬȊ
ŚąêȊßĬŠĥŚŋŽǡȊêßĬĤĉĥĀȊÃȊ ŷĉĞĞȊňŋĬŶĉåêȊÃȊŒĉĤňĞêŋȊŋÃŚĉĥĀȊ BÃŋĞÃĥåȊɇȊ°ĬĞÿÿȊĉŒȊßĬĤňĞêŚêǡ êåĉŚŒȊŚąêȊÃŒŒĬßĉÃŚĉĬĥȃŒȊ
ŋêĀĉŒŚêŋêåȊßąÃŋĉŚŽȊĤêÃĥŒȊŚąÃŚȊ ÃŒŒêŒŒĤêĥŚȊŚĬȊȂêĥßĬŠŋÃĀêȊ
ĞĞȊÿĬŠŋȊÿÃßĉĞĉŚĉêŒȊĉĥȊêĞÿÃŒŚǢȊ ĤÃĀÃƅĉĥêǢȊThe Debenǡ
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_FȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêßĬĤêȊêĞĉĀĉÞĞêȊÿĬŋȊ ŒěĉňňêŋŒȊĬÿȊÃĥŽȊŒěĉĞĞȊĞêŶêĞȃȊŚĬȊ
ňňĞêåĬŋêǢȊ^êŚąĉĞȊÃĥåȊ
ŋĥĉŒąȊ ”ąĬŒêȊŷąĬȊĬŷĥȊĬŋȊěĥĬŷȊĬÿȊÃȊ
ĤĬŋêȊĀŋÃĥŚŒȊÃĥåȊĤÃěêŒȊŚąêȊ ŋÃßêȊŚąêĉŋȊÞĬÃŚŒǡȊ‚ŋĉĥßĉňĞêȊŋÃßêȊ ÃŋêȊĥĬŷȊňŋĬŚêߌêåǢȊÃĞĬĥĀȊŷĉŚąȊ ňŋêǸƒƚƖƑȊÞĬÃŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊÃŋêȊ
ĬŋĀÃĥĉŒÃŚĉĬĥȊĤĬŋêȊÃŚŚŋÃߌĉŶêȊ ĬÿƌßêŋȊTĬąĥȊ êÃåĤÃĥȊŒÃĉåǣȊ ƒǢƑƑƑȊĘĬÞŒȊÃßŋĬŒŒȊŚąêȊÿĬŠŋȊŒĉŚêŒȊ ÞêĉĥĀȊÃŒěêåȊŚĬȊŒŠÞĤĉŚȊÃȊňąĬŚĬȊ
ŚĬȊßĬŋňĬŋÃŚêȊŒňĬĥŒĬŋŒąĉňǢȊŚĬȊ ȀFȊąĬňêȊŚąÃŚȊŚąĉŒȊŷĉĞĞȊňŋĬŶêȊ ǺȊȂŒŚŋêĥĀŚąêĥĉĥĀȊŋĉŚÃĉĥȃŒȊ ÃĥåȊåêŚÃĉĞŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊ
ÿŠĥåŋÃĉŒêȊĤĬŋêȊêÿÿêߌĉŶêĞŽȊÃĥåȊ ÃŚŚŋÃߌĉŶêȊĥĬŚȊĘŠŒŚȊŚĬȊŒßĬŚŚĉŒąȊ åêÿêĥßêǢȊĤÃŋĉŚĉĤêȊÃĥåȊßĞêÃĥȊ ĥÃĤêǢȊÞŠĉĞåȊåêŚÃĉĞŒǢȊĬŋĉĀĉĥÃĞȊ
ßĞÃĉĤȊĀĉÿŚȊÃĉåȊĬĥȊåĬĥÃŚĉĬĥŒǡ ĬŷĥêŋŒǢȊÞŠŚȊŒÃĉĞĬŋŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ êĥêŋĀŽȊĉĥ劌ŚŋĉÃĞȊßÃňÃÞĉĞĉŚĉêŒȃǢȊ ňŠŋňĬŒêǢȊߊŋŋêĥŚȊŠŒêǢȊĬŋĉĀĉĥÃĞȊ
êĉĥĀȊÃȊßąÃŋĉŚŽȊÃĞŒĬȊĬňêĥŒȊŠňȊ FŋêĞÃĥåǢȊŚąêȊŒĬŠŚąȊßĬÃŒŚȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊ ŚąêȊƌŋĤȊŒÃĉåȊĉĥȊÃȊŒŚÃŚêĤêĥŚǡ ÃĥåȊߊŋŋêĥŚȊĤĬåêȊĬÿȊ
ŒŠňňĬŋŚȊĤêßąÃĥĉŒĤŒȊŚĬȊÃßßꌌȊ
ĤêŋĉßÃĥȊÞĬÃŚŒȊêżňêߌêåȊŚĬȊ ĉßÃŋåĬȊ#ĬĤċĥĀŠêƅǢȊ ňŋĬňŠĞŒĉĬĥǢȊŋĉŶêŋȊĞĬßÃŚĉĬĥȊÃĥåȊ
ÃååĉŚĉĬĥÃĞȊÃåŶĉßêȊÃĥåȊŒŠňňĬŋŚȊ ŶĉŒĉŚȊĬŠŋȊŷĬĥåêŋÿŠĞȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊ ßąÃĉŋĤÃĥȊĬÿȊ_ÃŶÃĥŚĉÃǢȊŒÃĉåǣȊ ąĉŒŚĬŋŽȊÞŽȊƌĞĞĉĥĀȊĉĥȊŚąêȊÿĬŋĤȊÃŚȊ
ÃŋĬŠĥåȊĀĬŶêŋĥÃĥßêȊÃĥåȊ ŷÃŚêŋŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŷêŒŚȊßĬÃŒŚȊĬÿȊ ȀŽȊßĬĤÞĉĥĉĥĀȊBÃŋĞÃĥåȊɇȊ www.pbo.co.uk/deben
ƌĥÃĥßĉÃĞȊňŋĬßêåŠŋêŒǡ ŒßĬŚĞÃĥåȊŚąĉŒȊŒŠĤĤêŋȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊ °ĬĞÿÿȃŒȊňŋĬŠåȊąêŋĉŚÃĀêȊÃĥåȊ
_ĬȊÿŠĥåÃĤêĥŚÃĞȊßąÃĥĀêŒȊĉĥȊ ŋŠĉŒĉĥĀȊĞŠÞȊĬÿȊ
ĤêŋĉßÃǡȁ ÿÃßĉĞĉŚĉêŒȊŷĉŚąȊ_ÃŶÃĥŚĉÃȃŒȊĀĞĬÞÃĞȊ Pontoon expansion
ąĬŷȊ ¶
Ȋ_ĬŋŚąêŋĥȊFŋêĞÃĥåȊŷĉĞĞȊ #ÃŚĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊƒƙƙƓǢȊ°êŒŚȊ êżňêŋŚĉŒêȊĉĥȊåêÿêĥßêǢȊĤÃŋĉŚĉĤêȊ
ååĉŚĉĬĥÃĞȊÞêŋŚąŒȊÃĥåȊÃȊĥêŷȊ
ĬňêŋÃŚêȊĬĥȊÃȊåÃŽǸŚĬǸåÃŽȊÞÃŒĉŒȊ BĉĀąĞÃĥåȊ¶ÃßąŚĉĥĀȊ°êêěȊĉŒȊĬĥêȊ ÃĥåȊŋêĥêŷÃÞĞêȊêĥêŋĀŽǢȊŷêȊÃŋêȊ ňĬĥŚĬĬĥȊŒŽŒŚêĤȊŒŠŋŋĬŠĥåĉĥĀȊ
ÃŋêȊêżňêߌêåǡ ĬÿȊŒßĬŚĞÃĥåȃŒȊĬĞåêŒŚȊŋêĀÃŚŚÃŒǡȊ ßŋêÃŚĉĥĀȊÃĥȊêżßêňŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ ŚąêȊąĬĉŒŚȊåĬßěǢȊßŋêÃŚĉĥĀȊÃȊ
ňĞÃŚÿĬŋĤȊÿĬŋȊĀŋĬŷŚąǡȁȊ åêåĉßÃŚêåȊÃĥåȊŒÃÿêȊŒňÃßêȊÿĬŋȊ
The Atlantic Youth Trust ߊŒŚĬĤêŋŒȊŚĬȊĞêÃŶêȊŚąêĉŋȊÞĬÃŚȊ
has sold its schooner EAST & SOUTH EAST ŚĬȊÞêȊĞĉÿŚêåǢȊÃŋêȊÃĤĬĥĀȊŠňĀŋÃåêȊ
Deben’s old boats
Grace O’Malley ŷĬŋěŒȊĥĬŷȊßĬĤňĞêŚêȊÃŚȊ ĬŽÃĞȊ
„ŠÃŽŒȊ^ÃŋĉĥÃǢȊ_ĬŋŚąȊŒąĉêĞåŒǡȊ

ȊĥêŷȊňŋĬĘêߌȊÞŽȊŚąêȊ ĉŶêŋȊ ”ąêȊÞĬÃŚÿĬĞěȊĤÃŋĉĥÃǢȊŒĉŚŠÃŚêåȊȊ
#êÞêĥȊ
ŒŒĬßĉÃŚĉĬĥȊDz #
dzȊÃĉĤŒȊ ßĞĬŒêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊêĥŚŋÃĥßêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ
ŚĬȊĉåêĥŚĉÿŽȊŚąêȊĬĞåêŒŚȊÞĬÃŚŒȊ ĉŶêŋȊ”ŽĥêǢȊąÃŒȊÃĞŒĬȊąÃåȊ
ŷąĉßąȊßÃĞĞȊŚąĉŒȊŷÃŚêŋŷÃŽȊąĬĤêǡ ąÃĤĤêŋąêÃåȊêżŚêĥŒĉĬĥŒȊÃååêåȊ
Atlantic Youth Trust

”ąêȊŒŠÿÿĬĞěȊŋĉŶêŋȊŷÃŒȊĬĥßêȊÃȊ ŚĬȊÃĞĞȊêżĉŒŚĉĥĀȊňĬĥŚĬĬĥŒǢȊŚĬȊ
ŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚȊŚŋÃĥŒňĬŋŚÃŚĉĬĥȊŋĬŠŚêȊ ßŋêÃŚêȊƖƕȊĥêŷȊƗĤǸƒƔĤȊÞêŋŚąŒǢȊ
ÿĬŋȊňêĬňĞêȊÃĥåȊßÃŋĀĬȊÃĥåȊąÃŒȊÃȊ ÃĞĬĥĀŒĉåêȊĥêŷȊňĬĥŚĬĬĥȊ
ĞĬĥĀȊąĉŒŚĬŋŽȊŷĉŚąȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊ ĉĥŒŚÃĞĞÃŚĉĬĥŒȊÿĬŋȊêĉĀąŚȊƓƑĤȊ
ÞĬÃŚÞŠĉĞåĉĥĀǡȊ”ąêȊ#êÞêĥȊ ÞêŋŚąŒǡȊ”ąĉŒȊąÃŒȊŚÃěêĥȊŚąêȊŚĬŚÃĞȊ
ąêŋŠÞȊƓƒÿŚȊŋĉŶêŋȊŋÃßĉĥĀȊßĞÃŒŒǢȊ ĥŠĤÞêŋȊĬÿȊÞêŋŚąŒȊŚĬȊƕƑƑǢȊ
ŷąĉßąȊßêĞêÞŋÃŚêåȊĉŚŒȊßêĥŚêĥÃŋŽȊ ŋêňŋêŒêĥŚĉĥĀȊÃȊƒƘɃȊĉĥßŋêÃŒêǡ

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Sharing your boating thoughts and opinions

Both directions good to experience rough

weather from time to time (if it
I was interested to read Trevor doesn’t last too long).
Martin’s ‘Improving a heads Conditions worsened. On the
pump installation’ (PBO, March plus side, with no mizzen, main
2025), it was a great article. and jib rolled in to 50%, we
However, the author made a were averaging 6 knots so the
slight error in assuming that passage would be fast.
the Whale MkV sanitation The downside was the waves
pump for a Lavac toilet can only striking the starboard side so
ÞêȊƌŚŚêåȊĉĥȊĬĥêȊåĉŋêߌĉĬĥǡȊ”ąêȊ the yacht was heeling badly.
whole cover, complete with However, we were quite
inlet and outlet ports, can comfortable in the cockpit,
simply be unscrewed and autopilot managing, watching
rotated in almost any direction the interior turn upside down,
you choose (including 180º), like in a washing machine.
as I have discovered myself. On approach to Malta, we
It was good to see that Trevor saw, on our port side, a unique
kept his Lavac, rather than ÞĉĀȊƌŒąĉĥĀȊÞĬÃŚȊŒĞĬŷĞŽȊŚĬŷĉĥĀȊ
binning it for a Jabsco, as so ĉŚŒȊĥêŚŒȊŷĉŚąȊĀŋêÃŚȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚŽǢȊ
many owners seem to do. tossing and turning a lot. But
In my experience a Jabsco we were far away behind it,
is more easily blocked by loo so, no problem… we thought.
paper, whereas a Lavac vacuum Suddenly, Hervé shouted
toilet will cope with surprisingly “What’s that?” pointing at
large quantities of the stuff something black and very big
(though not the quilted variety, on the starboard side.
as I discovered when a crew °êȊŋêÃĞĉŒêåȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊÃȊƌŒąȊÿÃŋĤȊ
member brought her own mounted version, despite their employees, as this sort of thing – its radar signals had been
supply of this product!). reference to ‘all models’. can get out of hand ƍÃŚŚêĥêåȊÞŽȊŚąêȊŷĉĥåȊÃĥåȊ
Jabscos also need regular So, Richard is correct that I frighteningly rapidly. hidden by waves.
servicing to ensure the various could have just rotated the Thomas C Eaves. We were passing very close,
valves don’t get gummed up, pump body on the housing! but there was no need to divert
whereas a Lavac is mostly
maintenance-free. Goodness
Owning an older yacht is so
much fun!
Timely wave our course. Seconds later, to
our horror, we saw a huge
only knows why people rip Last year we left Sicily early green propylene cable
them out.
Richard Reed
Alcohol on boats one morning, bound for Malta
50 miles south. The forecast
stretched perpendicularly in
front of us. We realised that the
Regarding the news report was for 15-knot winds with ŒąĉňȊŷÃŒȊňŠĞĞĉĥĀȊŚąêȊƌŒąȊÿÃŋĤǡȊ
Trevor Martin responds: about alcohol consumption on 2.5m waves, decreasing. _ĬȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊƌĀŠŋêȊĬŠŚȊŷąÃŚȊŚĬȊåĬȊ
When I planned my boats (PBO, April 2025), I agree I was aboard my Amel Euros –when, a big wave lifted us over
replacement pump installation, with the Coroner that no one 41 with Jeannine, and her and we crossed the cable
I noted the instructions under ŒąĬŠĞåȊÞêȊŠĥåêŋȊŚąêȊĉĥƍŠêĥßêȊ nephew Hervé. We prefer without hitting it! At 6 knots, a
the heading ‘To change when in charge of a vessel. better weather but thought it’s sudden stop would have made
åĉŋêߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊƍĬŷȊǸȊÃĞĞȊĤĬåêĞŒȃȊ However, the thought of
(BP0527, bulkhead mounted youths with ‘Harbourmaster’ Michel Gellato’s
Amel Euros 41 Linosa
and BP0535, thru deck painted on the side of fast RIBs
mounted), which stated: ‘the and armed with breathalysers
outlet should not be put in line ƌĞĞŒȊĤêȊŷĉŚąȊåŋêÃåǡȊ°ąÃŚȊĤÃŽȊ
with the pump handle’. the situation be when a skipper
Due to the existing bulkhead and crew are anchored in a
cut-out and concentric upper creek somewhere overnight
ÃĥåȊĞĬŷêŋȊƌżĉĥĀȊąĬĞêŒȊŷąĉßąȊ and enjoying a bottle of wine,
made just turning the base or dare I say, a gin and tonic or
around impractical, I re-routed two? Would the harbourmaster
the pipes as described in the still be able to pull alongside
article. with a breathalyser? I think this
Since then, on checking with situation may need careful
Michel Amel

°ąÃĞêǢȊŚąêȊƌŋĤȊŚêĞĞŒȊĤêȊŚąÃŚȊ thought and discussion before

the instruction for the pump even more powers are
handle alignment only relates bestowed on harbour
to the BP0527 bulkhead- authorities and thence to their

12 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 LETTERS
www.twitter.com/p_b_o www.facebook.com/ www.instagram.com/
practicalboatownermag practical_boat_owner

LEFT The Tudor

Rose was built by Channel hopping
Charles Essential monthly highlights from the world
êååĉĥĀƌêĞåȃŒȊ
father in the of online sailing channels with Kass Schmitt
ąÃŋĞêŒȊêååĉĥĀƌêĞå

1970s and
subsequently
ŋêƌŚŚêåȊÞŽȊ
Charles

our yacht plunge. We stared at While the magazine must keep

each other in silence, feeling an up with the times I do hope it
immense sense of relief. That’s never loses sight of its origins.

Kass Schmitt
what you call luck! Keep up the good work and
Michel Gellato, long may it continue.
Urrugne, France ąÃŋĞêŒȊêååĉĥĀƌêĞå

Inspiring Annie Fouled prop trick

The Dorange and the Hare: a fable of
I was pleased to read Annie
Hill’s letter (PBO, March 2025). I
One trick not mentioned in
Prop tangle (PBO, March 2025)
two Vendée Globe storytellers
am a great fan of her book, which works on Saildrive and As I write, it’s been a month the brutality and exhilaration
Voyaging on a Small Income, shafts which I have used on since Charlie Dalin took of the race, from battling
and I for one could never have engines up to 56hp. victory in the 2024 Vendée ferocious winds to delighting
afforded a boat like the Tudor Q A crew member hooks the Globe on Macif Santé ĉĥȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȃŒȊŒňêêåǡȊFĥȊąêŋȊƌĥÃĞȊ
Rose without it being self-built. tangled rope and holds it tight. Prévoyance, and all but a race hours, she tried to catch
It was for the likes of us that Q Turn the engine over in gear handful of the 40 starters the veteran competitor Kojiro
PBO was invented in 1967. It is using a large spanner on the ąÃŶêȊƌĥĉŒąêåȊŚąêĉŋȊŋÃßêǡȊ Shiraishi on the foiling DMG
the mix of practical articles and end of the crankshaft. <ĬŋȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŚĉĤêǢȊÃÿÿĬŋåÃÞĞêȊ Mori Global OneǡȊŒąêȊƌĥĉŒąêåȊ
readers’ practical experience of Q If the rope gets looser high-bandwidth satellite
boating, motor and sail, that continue pulling and turning. communications allowed
distinguish the magazine and If it gets tighter change from near-daily video updates,
keeps me coming back, and astern to forward or vice versa. making it easier than ever to
even contributing occasionally. It often works and avoids follow the race. But with so
Sadly, I cannot assure Annie horrible loads on starter motor much content, I doubt I was
that low-budget boating is etc plus possibility of making alone in feeling overwhelmed
doing better here than in New things worse by too much and worried I was missing
Zealand. The trend seems to be rotation tangling prop further. some of the most compelling 25th, just over an hour behind.
inexorably toward cheque book Also, it saves battery power, stories. A look at the YouTube And her adventure is far from
ÞĬÃŚĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊĀêĥŚŋĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊ which might be useful for the stats for the onboard videos over—just days after her
of expensive marinas. PBO is VHF if you can’t get free. posted on the Vendée Globe rapturous welcome to Les
our last bastion of practicality. Paul Jackson channel, as well as the teams’ Sables d’Olonne, she
own channels, shows that two announced she’ll be joining
skippers who stood out were British skipper Sam Davies as
Violette Dorange and Pip co-skipper on Initiatives-Cœur
SEA PET OF THE MONTH
Hare–each offering a for the 2025 season.
Ship’s cat Pyat may have been the UK’s compelling perspective. Meanwhile, Pip–competing
most northerly pet last June when she Violette, the youngest in her second Vendée aboard
sailed her Sirius-Werft 35 DS with competitor at just 23, sailed Medallia–delivered some of
Fiona Hampton-Matthew and family DevenirǢȊĬĥêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊƍêêŚȃŒȊ the most watchable footage.
beyond Muckle Flugga and Out Stack, oldest boats, bringing great Even after her heartbreaking
north of the Shetland Islands. Since êĥêŋĀŽȊŚĬȊąêŋȊƌŋŒŚȊ¯êĥåëêǡȊ dismasting, she engaged
her RSPCA adoption in 2014, Pyat has While her team didn’t post to followers with her Slow Boat
visited France, Holland and Germany. her YouTube channel to Melbourne series, sharing
(preferring TikTok and the gritty reality of sailing
Instagram), her onboard 800 miles under jury rig and
Win an OLAS tag MOB rescue device footage on the event channel emotional toll of withdrawal.
Send a photo and details about your seadog to pbo@ was among the most watched. BêŋȊŋÃŷǢȊąĬĥêŒŚȊŋêƍêߌĉĬĥŒȊ
futurenet.com. The chosen star of the month wins an Her updates captured both ensured her story remained
OLAS tag (UK residents only). This compact transmitter,
easily attached to pets, people and gear, is tracked by one of the most followed.
the OLAS application on a mobile device or via the Core, I’m looking forward to
Guardian and Extender. If the tag breaks connection seeing both Pip and Violette
with an OLAS receiver, an alarm and light activates back as Vendée 2028
along with the OLAS mobile application. Each
WORTH tag comes with a silicone wrist strap and competitors—this time with
£65 pre-installed CR2477 battery (replaceable).
www.exposuremarine.com
the well-funded campaigns
they so deserve.
Q youtu.be/UjByUMzVdZI

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 13

 NEW BOATS

New boat launches

Exciting sub-40ft boats making a debut at boot Düsseldorf

boot Düsseldorf is the world’s largest Beneteau’s First 30

marks a move to the
indoor boat show and a vital launch pad Beneteau fast cruising sector
for new yachts of all shapes and sizes. First 30
Here we look at a selection of sub-40ft LOA: 10.33m/33ft 11in
mono- and multihulls that made their LWL: 9.35m/30ft 8in
debuts in January this year Beam: 2.95m/9ft 8in
Draught: 1.98m/6ft 6in
Beneteau First 30 Displacement: 3,150kg/
The First 30 is billed as Beneteau’s 6,945lb
affordable planing cruiser. At 3.1 tonnes Ballast: 1,070kg/2,360lb

Beneteau
and with 60m2 of upwind sail area, it Price: from €100,000
should plane in 13-14 knots of wind. A /£82,937 ex VAT
backstay, and German-sheeted mainsail Contact: beneteau.com
on an A-frame keep the cockpit clear and
lines are within easy reach of the helm.
The racing layout has an additional #ŋÃĀĬĥƍŽȊƔƗ
mainsail traveller and trim controls. Down LOA: (sailing)
below are two cabins which sleep four 11.55m/37ft 8in
people, heads, saloon and galley. LWL: (centre hull)
10.90m/35ft 7in
Beam: sailing (folded)
#ŋÃĀĬĥƍŽȊƔƗ 8.12m/26ft 6in
This is essentially a scaled-down (3.70m/12ft 1in)

#ŋÃĀĬĥƍŽȊ”ŋĉĤÃŋÃĥŒȊ
#ŋÃĀĬĥƍŽȊƕƑȊÞŠŚȊąÃŒȊŒĬĤêȊĥêŷȊÿêÃŚŠŋêŒȊ Draught: board up
like the swing-wing folding system, which (down): 0.67m/ 2ft 1in
(2.0m/6ft 5in)
reduces beam to 3.7m when folded, and a Light Displacement:
reverse bow on the main hull, providing 4,500kg/9,925lb
more volume, space and speed. The Price: from €510,000/
trimaran offers easy handling and fast ”ąêȊ#ŋÃĀĬĥƍŽȊƔƗȊßÃĥȊ £424,567 ex VAT
short-handed sailing including electric achieve 23 knots Contact: GUDJRQͥ\GN
winches, large storage lockers and
fold-out saloon table. The touring version
comes with a self-tacking jib, while the
performance version has a taller rig.
Maxus 31
Maxus 31 Hull length: 8.99m/
Polish yard Northman has packed a lot of 29ft 4in
boat into the Maxus 31, which is offered in Beam: 2.99m/9ft 8in
a two-or three-cabin layout, with standing Draught: 1.95m/
headroom in the forepeak berth and 1.50m/6ft 3in/4ft 9in
double doors for privacy. There are many Displacement:
4.500kg/9,920lb
clever design features such as a dedicated Ballast: (shallow keel):
shower cabin in the extended heads and 1,150kg/2,535lb
_ĬŋŚąĤÃĥ

folding chart table to create a full-sized Price: from €105,900/ The Maxus 31 is
berth in the salon. A long or shallow keel £87,830 ex VAT aimed at families and
version is available. As standard is a Contact: northman.pl beginner sailors
Yanmar 2YM15 14hp diesel engine, but
there is an option for electric drive.

RS Cat 12
This modern beach catamaran takes 10
ĤĉĥŠŚêŒȊŚĬȊŒêŚȊŠňȊÃĥåȊąÃŒȊÃȊŒĉĤňĞĉƌêåȊ
design to appeal to novice sailors
ĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊÃȊŋêêƌĥĀȊĤÃĉĥŒÃĉĞǢȊĬňŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ
ÿŠŋĞĉĥĀȊĘĉÞǢȊÃĥåȊĤÃŒŚąêÃåȊƍĬÃŚǡȊ”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊ RS Cat 12
front grab handles, kick-up through- LOA: 3.7m/12ft 1in
bolted rudders, a hull gully for easy Beam: 1.8m/5ft 9in
launching and recovery, and replaceable Weight: 76.4kg/168lb
bow fenders. The self-draining design has Max crew eight:
concave seating on the hull and a 340kg/750lb
ŒȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀ

trampoline seating area for up to three The hull is made from Price: from €6,648/
people. A single trapeze is also on the lightweight and very £5,513 including VAT
options list. strong rotomolded PE1 Contact: rssailing.com

14 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 Mad about the boat
Dave Selby ĉŒȊŚąêȊňŋĬŠåȊĬŷĥêŋȊĬÿȊÃȊƖǡƕƙĤȊDzƒƙÿŚdzȊŒÃĉĞƌŒąǢȊŷąĉßąȊąêȊěêêňŒ
ĬĥȊÃȊŒŷĉĥĀĉĥĀȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊĬĥȊŚąêȊňĉߌŠŋêŒŊŠêȊĞÃßěŷÃŚêŋȊêŒŚŠÃŋŽȊĉĥȊ(ŒŒêż

ȂVêêňȊňŠĤňĉĥĀǢȊ#ÃŶêǢȊFȊ like a bath tub – albeit at no more than the

need more water to get
rate of a dripping tap. Though measuring
ĬÿÿȊĤŽȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀǡȃ
ĘŠŒŚȊƓƔǘÿŚȊĉĥȊĞêĥĀŚąȊąêŋȊßÃŋŶêĞǸňĞÃĥěêåȊ
hull has 600ft of seams that are stuffed
ŷĉŚąȊßĬŚŚĬĥǢȊŚąêĥȊƌĞĞêåȊŷĉŚąȊĞĉĥŒêêåȊĬĉĞȊ
ňŠŚŚŽȊĤĉżêåȊŷĉŚąȊŋêåǸĞêÃåȊňĬŷåêŋǡȊ
There’s more art than science in that,
and wonder too, as I marvel at how our
forebears made that leap of faith to cross
oceans and girdle the globe in vessels
that seem so fragile and tenuously held
together by a strange alchemy of
medieval sorcery and hope.
The truth, though, is that despite
advances in science no one’s found a
Claudia Myatt

better solution – until now. Like I said, I was

chewing on the problem, and that was
how I came up with the solution.
As a reformed smoker I took a gob of
nicotine gum out of my mouth and
pressed it into the weeping seam. After a

The mother
ĞĬŚȊĤĬŋêȊßąêŷĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊƌĞĞĉĥĀȊŚąêȊåŋĉÞÞĞêȊ
stopped altogether, and I opened the
ŚąŋĬŚŚĞêȊŚĬȊßÃŚßąȊŚąêȊƍêêŚȊŠňȊÃĥåȊÃŋŋĉŶêȊÃŚȊ
the pub just in time for haddock and chips.

of invention
BÃŋåǸňŋꌌêåȊŒĬĞŠŚĉĬĥ
Snipe remained watertight for the rest of
the holiday, and ever since. Eureka! Now
with the arrival of spring Snipe has been
lifted out to spruce her up and refresh the
Chewing on a problem yields a novel solution hardened caulking.
I’ve been pricing up the options and
though nicotine gum is just as good, and

T
possibly even superior, it would cost over
ąêȊŊŠêŒŚȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊŠĞŚĉĤÃŚêȊ displacement it was grimly fascinating. 3,000 quid to chew 600ft of it – and
marine sealant is over. For just Nevertheless, it was when I decided to prevent me from talking, which some may
ÃŒȊFŒÃÃßȊ_êŷŚĬĥȊÿĬŠĥåȊĀŋÃŶĉŚŽȊ chew on it for a bit that I had my eureka consider well worth it.
ÞŽȊÞêĉĥĀȊąĉŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊąêÃåȊÞŽȊĉŚǢȊ moment. I walked past the chemist’s, past the
ĤŽȊåĉŒßĬŶêŋŽȊßÃĤêȊÃÞĬŠŚȊ Science is a history of happy accidents chandlery too and on to our wonderful
ňŠŋêĞŽȊÞŽȊÃßßĉåêĥŚǡȊ
ŋßąĉĤêåêŒȊąÃåȊąĉŒȊ that produced everything from beer and local hardware shop where men in brown
êŠŋêěÃȊĤĬĤêĥŚȊŒĬÃěĉĥĀȊĉĥȊÃȊÞÃŚąǢȊÃĥåȊ bread to Viagra, Velcro, penicillin and store coats sold me all the putty, linseed
ŚąÃŚȊĉĥȊÃȊŒêĥŒêȊĉŒȊąĬŷȊĤŽȊŋêŶêĞÃŚĉĬĥȊßÃĤêȊ ßĬŋĥƍÃěêŒǢȊŒŠňêŋǸĀĞŠêȊÃĥåȊêŶêĥȊŚąêȊ ĬĉĞȊÃĥåȊŋêåǸĞêÃåȊFȊĥêêåȊÿĬŋȊĞꌌȊŚąÃĥȊșƕƑǢȊ
ŠňĬĥȊĤêȊÃŒȊFȊĤĬŚĬŋêåȊŠňȊŚąêȊßĬÃŒŚȊĬĥȊÃȊ colour mauve. And ever since ancient and deftly twirled each of the tubs and
ŷĉĥåĞꌌȊåÃŽȊŚąŋêêȊŒŠĤĤêŋŒȊÃĀĬȊ Britons made coracles bottles into brown
ŷÃŚßąĉĥĀȊÃȊŒŚêÃåŽȊŚŋĉßěĞêȊĬÿȊŷÃŚêŋȊßĬĤêȊ
ŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊňĞÃĥěȊŒêÃĤŒȊFȃåȊňĬĬŋĞŽȊ
ĬŠŚȊĬÿȊßĬŷǸąĉåêȊÃĥåȊ
sealed them with tar
‘SnipeȊŷÃŒȊƌĞĞĉĥĀȊŠňȊ paper bags. Why they
do this I don’t know,
ßÊĞěêåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŒňŋĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊĉĥŚĬȊŚąêȊÃÿŚêŋȊ we’ve been going ǺȊÃĞÞêĉŚȊÃŚȊŚąêȊŋÃŚêȊĬÿȊ but I’m pretty sure that
êĥåȊĬÿȊŚąêȊßĬßěňĉŚȊĬÿȊĤŽȊƒƚƖƔȊ round in circles on if I went in to buy a
ĞÃßěŷÃŚêŋȊŒĞĬĬňǡȊ our quest for the ÃȊåŋĉňňĉĥĀȊŚÃňȃ brown paper bag
As I gunned the throttle in an effort to ultimate sealant. they’d wrap it in a
keep pace with the larger boats on the When I replaced the leaky windows on brown paper bag. Maybe Sir Walter
cruise, Snipe of Maldon’s stern was ĤŽȊŒÃĉĞƌŒąȊƒƙȊFȊŷÃŒȊêÃĀêŋȊŚĬȊŷŋĉŚêȊĉŚȊŠňȊÿĬŋȊ Raleigh had a similar experience before
squatting down and submerging seams ŚąêȊÞêĥêƌŚȊĬÿȊĬŚąêŋȊPBO readers, until I ŒêŚŚĉĥĀȊĬÿÿȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ_êŷȊ°ĬŋĞåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊƒƗŚąȊ
that would normally be above water. discovered that the new ones leaked just century. I just wish he hadn’t come back
When I eased the throttle back the stern as much, but in different places, so there’s with tobacco.
lifted and the trickle subsided to a dribble, not a lot of point in telling you about the All of history and science is a blessing,
but if I didn’t get a hurry on I would miss sealant I used. As it was supposed to work curse and accident. Raleigh blighted our
the tide gate at the River Deben entrance on baths I thought it would be just the nation with tobacco, but if not for him my
and dinner at the Ferry Boat Inn. thing for a boat that resembles a bath tub. haddock would have come without chips.
As a practical demonstration of So much for the science. And none of that would have happened

ŋßąĉĤêåêŒȃȊňŋĉĥßĉňĞêŒȊĬÿȊƍĬÃŚÃŚĉĬĥǢȊ More concerning on my cruise that without the miracle concoction of cotton,
buoyancy, volume, mass and summer was that SnipeȊŷÃŒȊÃĞŒĬȊƌĞĞĉĥĀȊŠňȊ putty and lead.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 15

 Flotsam and jetsam Sam Llewellyn writes nautical thrillers, edits The Marine Quarterly,
and is perpetually patching up a 30ft ketch: samllewellyn.com
Image Professionals GmbH/Alamy

Preparing for
the operation
– patient,
instruments,
anaesthetic

on, making Blu Tack dams to hold it in

ňĞÃßêǡȊ”ąêȊŒąêåȊƌĞĞŒȊŷĉŚąȊÃßêŚĉßȊĥĉÿÿǡȊ”ąêȊ
mind rolls again, to Millport pier on Great
ŠĤÞŋÃêǢȊŚąêȊŚąŋĬĥĀȊĬŶêŋƍĬŷĉĥĀȊŚąêȊňŠÞǢȊ
eating its haddock and chips with toes
Clovelly on the north dangling over the side of the tall,
Devon coast, where a pontoonless quay. Approach cautiously.
quay is still a quay Kick astern to wind back end in. Biggish

Heritage dreams
tides here so nice long lines needed. Good
steps on the stone and concrete bit, but
use a plank for the fenders on the timber
legs of the steamer pier...

Final stages
Vintage is not always great, but there are The vinegar is turning the gunk into putty,
very unpleasant, remove with small brush
ƌĥêȊŶĉêŷŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ^êĤĬŋŽȊXÃĥê ĬĥȊŚąêȊêĥåȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ#ŋêĤêĞǡȊ°ąêĥȊßĞêÃĥǢȊƌŚȊ
new impeller, Chinese, bargain if it works.
Together it all goes. No it doesn’t.

H
The process, as past sufferers know,
eritage is wonderful stuff, The true mechanic has immense powers is as follows. Align the cooling water tube
I thought, rolling sleeves up of concentration, which is why I am not with the rubber socket provided. Align
and contemplating an ancient one. As I navigated to the paddlewheel, drive shaft with the, er, drive shaft hole.
outboard. This 5hp 2-stroke removed it and chipped away at the crust Connect the top half of the gear shaft with
began its life in the factory of aluminium oxide and sea salt in the its bottom half. Insert bolts and screw up.
of Mr Yamaha in Japan, was bought by channels, the mind drifted to heritage. Except that the cooling water tube won’t
a man in Germany, made its way back to Particularly with reference to harbours. connect until the drive shaft is in place,
England on the back end of my Cornish No nasty wobbly pontoon. A powerful and the clip that connects the gear shaft
Shrimper Daisy, and has since served as ĀŋÃĥĉŚêȊŊŠÃŽǢȊÃȊƍĉĀąŚȊĬÿȊ halves has vanished
a general workhorse in places including steps positioned so
the transom of a dinghy strapped you can step out of the
‘I’ll give it the 10-year into the leg, and while
it is possible to connect
alongside my ketch Dahlia during calms cockpit and take the overhaul, or anyway the things two at a time,
on a sail-only trip caused by her propeller lines up to bollards, connecting all three is
loss 150 miles from home. with due allowances change the impeller’ like doing open-heart
We have so far viewed this engine with for tide and fendering. surgery on an angry
affection, but nobody has been near it Ancient houses hunch round the harbour, tarantula, and you screw up, but not in
with anything resembling a spanner. and on one of them is a Red Lion under a good way. Fourteen attempts later the
So it was that seeking to do something – ŷąĉßąȊÃĥßĉêĥŚȊƌŒąêŋĤêĥȊŒĤĬěêȊňĉňêŒȊ mind is gliding alongside Old Grimsby
anything – that did not involve painting over their pints... hell, dropped the bolt. quay on Tresco. The granite is grey-green,
boats, I decided to give it the 10-year And anyway there are no antique the water glassy clear, and on the white
overhaul, or anyway change the impeller. seamen, just a bunch of coach tourists sand far below a large crab is taking a
I have changed impellers before, slurping cream teas. Still, you can’t walk. Get the line ashore. Tie up. Wander
notably in driving rain on the slipway at change the sea, and Clovelly is lovely. over the hill to the New Inn for a pint...
Tayvallich, and the task has seemed to Extract bolt from rat hole with magnet But that is for summer. Right now, clean
present no problems. I therefore removed on stick. The channels are clogged with the oils out of this heritage motor, tie a
the bottom of the outboard’s leg, tutted at alkaline muck. So we need acid. But strong length of line to it, and use it as a weight
the dark, sooty state of the contents and acids will eat the engine. No hydrochloric. for a mooring. Use a heritage cork buoy
tried to summon the old Tayvallich spirit. Into the kitchen. Distilled vinegar. Slosh it if you like. I don’t give a monkey’s.

16 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 Living with the sea
Marsali Taylor sails an Offshore 8M, Karima S. She’s a dinghy instructor and
author of The Shetland Sailing Mysteries starring liveaboard sleuth, Cass Lynch.

View from Noonsbrough over the push on and join the others, in the hope
sound. Green Holm island is left, that someone more knowledgeable would
the Icelanders are underwater
talk to the engine over lunch.
I was through the sound and creeping
towards the rendezvous in what was now
ňŋêŚŚŽȊŷêĞĞȊÃȊƍÃŚȊßÃĞĤȊŷąêĥȊÃȊŶĬĉßêȊßÃĤêȊ
over the radio: ‘Marsali, we’ve decided to
carry on to Papa.’ I called them up and
êżňĞÃĉĥêåǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊƍêêŚȃŒȊĞÃŋĀêŒŚȊßÃĤêȊ
back for me, with Kenny the engineer on
ÞĬÃŋåǡȊBêȊßąÃĥĀêåȊƌĞŚêŋŒȊÃĥåȊŒŠßěêåȊĬŠŚȊ
diesel bug while Ian towed us past the
Photos: Marsali Taylor

Icelanders... and we
A house with a pontoon that all went on to have
my heroine’s boat could lie at a good time on Papa.
Clousta, I thought,
would be good for
Cass. Normally I’d
sail there myself, but
it was still winter, and

Voyage plan
Karima was mastless,
so I got out the
charts and plotted.
The Clyde Cruising

plot thickeners
Club Orkney and
Shetland sailing
directions had a page on Vementry and
environs: ‘...many rocks and shallows’
it warned, and sure enough the shores
round Vementry were festooned with little
Passage planning and recalling real sailing crosses. The Icelanders got a special
mention, and the chart showed two of them
visible (green) and one invisible on each
êżňêŋĉêĥßêŒȊÃååȊåêňŚąȊŚĬȊåêŚêߌĉŶêȊƌߌĉĬĥ side of the channel, which was only 4m
deep and half a cable wide at this point.

S
ailing heroine Cass – from my with a Force 5 blowing me on. It was a Voe check
Shetland murder mystery text-book gybe; the capsize came later, Then I tried Google satellite view, and it
series – was needing as I fought my way home upwind. turned out the North Voe of Clousta, on
somewhere new to solve The second time was in a rally with the the chart, wasn’t the one with houses.
crimes. I thought it was time yachts from Brae. I hadn’t had Karima That was the South Voe, shaded low-
to pick on Clousta, the village just over long, and the plan was to go through water blue; North Voe was dedicated to
the hill from Aith: four miles by road, but Cribba Sound at mid falling tide, raft up mussel buoys. There was a dot on the
a good sail up to the end of Aith Voe, turn for lunch to give time for the Icelanders water which might be an Icelander, and
left into the Røna, then go half way round to be visible, then head piers and pontoons
Vementry Isle and into Clousta Voe. for a night on Papa ‘I missed the which might let Cass
There are hazards either way: going Stour. I was last when fall into conversation
past Vementry and in from the far side we reached Cribba underwater rocks by with a suspect. It was a
means threading past the Black Stane, Sound, for the wind was bonny, sunny afternoon,
through a set of little islands then going dying on us, and I was
sheer good luck’ so I drove over to see for
dead-centre of the channel to miss just about to go through myself. The heather was
invisible deadly rocks called the it when my engine cut out. I think that golden, and the water glass-still. I went
Icelanders, but coming this side of ĤĉĀąŚȊąÃŶêȊÞêêĥȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŚĉĤêȊĉŚȃåȊåĬĥêȊ right along to Noonsbrough, for a view
Vementry means Cribba Sound, a narrow, that, and I was in a bit of a dilemma. over the channel. It looked like the mussel
shallow channel with strong tides. folk had considerately put their buoys
I’ve sailed that way twice, and neither Conundrum over the rocks, with the orange light
ŚĉĤêȊŷêĥŚȊŷêĞĞǡȊ”ąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŚĉĤêȊŷÃŒȊĉĥȊĤŽȊ Turning back meant not only missing the marking the Icelanders, and the pontoon
Graduate dinghy, Lady Blue. It was a bonny rally, but having to get into the marina in front of the last house looked to have a
day, perfect for a longer sail. I went the under sail, which I hadn’t tried yet. Also, ŋêÃŒĬĥÃÞĞêȊåêňŚąȊĬÿȊŷÃŚêŋȊÃŚȊĉŚȊǺȊåêƌĥĉŚêĞŽȊ
ĞĬĥĀȊŷÃŽȊŋĬŠĥåǢȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊßĬĥƌåêĥßêȊĬÿȊ with the wind falling away, it would take enough for Cass if the tide was in. All the
ignorance, missed the underwater rocks me a while to get home, starting with same, in real life I think I’ll leave the
by sheer good luck, and ended up having tacking through Cribba Sound, and the Icelanders, Black Stane, and Cribba
to gybe bang in the middle of Cribba Sound, tide against me all the way. I decided to Sound well alone.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 19

 CRUISING THE UK & IRELAND

HOW TO SAIL BETTER

Around UK & Ireland:

a perfect challenge
Sam Steele explains everything you need to know
about a circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland

Celebrate passing
the milestones, like
the Fastnet Rock

Sam Steele
Sailing around the UK and Ireland
can take you to remote anchorages,
like Worbarrow Bay (pictured) on
the English south coast

T
here inevitably comes a venturing into exotic, far-off
moment on most summer waters may be tempting,
cruises when you must decide turning that dream into reality
when to turn around and head
Graham Snook/Future

ĬÿŚêĥȊŋêŊŠĉŋêŒȊĤÃĘĬŋȊŒÃßŋĉƌßêŒȊ
home. The pressure of –like selling your home.
schedules and responsibilities reminds However, we tend to forget
ŽĬŠȊŚąÃŚȊŽĬŠŋȊąĬĞĉåÃŽȊąÃŒȊÃȊƌĥĉŚêȊêĥåǡ that some of the world’s most
But imagine if you could continue spectacular cruising grounds
exploring new waters? While the idea of are right on our doorstep.
A circumnavigation around the
ABOUT THE AUTHOR UK and Ireland, or a Round
Britain adventure, offers the
Sam Steele is an RYA perfect challenge. it might even be possible to work from
Yachtmaster who has sailed your boat.
to the Azores and back, Advantages of a Q Unlike bluewater cruising, coastal
cruised around the Canary circumnavigation close to home cruising requires less self-reliance since
Islands, sailed around Q With so many harbours to choose from, many harbours have skilled mechanics
Britain and for the last nine you can easily hop along the coast, with on hand.
years has been exploring the Baltic with only a few overnight passages needed. Q In Ireland you are not constrained by
her wife, Mags, in Carra, their Rustler 42. Q You are never too far away from home in the 90 days within 180-day rule that
For more information about extended case of emergencies. applies when cruising in other European
cruising visit: www.sailingwithcarra.com Q Remote working means that for some, countries.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 21

 CRUISING
Not just our experience
Mags Campbell and I sailed around Britain
in Ituna, our Rival 38. The journey took us
115 days from May to August, covering
just under 2,200 miles.
Along the way we spent two full nights
sailing, nine nights at anchor, 13 nights on
buoys, 32 nights on pontoons, 46 nights in
marinas, and 11 nights against walls
(without drying out). Upon our return I
realised there was little information about
sailing round our coast. So I set about
writing the UK and Ireland
Circumnavigator’s Guide. But to ensure I
gathered the experience of others, I
surveyed 69 other circumnavigators,
who’d completed the various routes.

Which route?

Guy Clegg
There are three major route decisions
you’ll have to consider.
QDo you circumnavigate Ireland?
Q Do you take a shortcut through a canal
in Scotland? ABOVE Make sure
you spend plenty of
Q Do you go clockwise or anticlockwise? time exploring
Circumnavigating Ireland offers some Scotland’s west
truly spectacular scenery, but the long, coast, with its
rolling Atlantic swell can present a anchorages,
harbours and
challenge. Although it’s only an additional islands, like the
300 miles compared to sailing around Shiant Isles
ŋĉŚÃĉĥǢȊŽĬŠȊĤÃŽȊƌĥåȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊåêĞÃŽêåǢȊ
waiting in the lee of the many headlands RIGHT The Crinan
Canal allows you to
due to adverse weather conditions. avoid the Mull of
As for the question of going clockwise Kintyre, which
or anticlockwise, there are advantages to requires careful
tidal planning

Sam Steele
both. The prevailing currents are relatively
weak and favour a clockwise direction
except for the south coast.
When considering the prevailing winds,
there are several factors to account for:
your starting point, the percentage Canals Highlands. Completed in 1822, it took 19
likelihood of wind strength and direction, Using canals provides a welcome change years to build the 22 miles of man-made
and importantly, the timing of your arrival of pace, a chance to relax and enjoy the canal, all dug by hand with picks and
ÃŚȊěêŽȊĞĬßÃŚĉĬĥŒǢȊŷąĉßąȊßĬŠĞåȊĉĥƍŠêĥßêȊ scenery, as well as serving as a shortcut. ŒąĬŶêĞŒǡȊFŚȊŷÃŒȊŋĉŚÃĉĥȃŒȊƌŋŒŚȊŒŚÃŚêǸÿŠĥåêåȊ
your chosen direction. Be aware that canals are freshwater, so transport project, setting the precedent
On the west coast of Ireland, the you’ll need to account for an additional for many to come as it was both over
Atlantic swell and 10cm on your draught. budget and behind schedule!
onshore winds tend to ‘One of the hardest Depths can vary, so it’s Q The Crinan Canal: known as ‘Scotland’s
increase from June
onwards, so it’s wise
decisions is choosing always a good idea to
contact the sea lock
prettiest shortcut,’ the Crinan Canal
meanders from Ardrishaig on Loch Fyne
not to arrive too late in where to visit’ keepers in advance to ŚĬȊŋĉĥÃĥǡȊ°ąĉĞêȊĉŚȊåĬêŒĥȃŚȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚĞŽȊ
the season. Spring is ßĬĥƌŋĤȊßĬĥåĉŚĉĬĥŒǡȊ shorten the distance, it allows you to
the driest season, with May being the www.scottishcanals.co.uk bypass the challenging Mull of Kintyre,
sunniest month in Ireland. Q The Caledonian Canal: if time is tight, which requires careful planning to
Similarly, May, June, and July are ideal the ‘Caley’ canal can save you up to 500 navigate the tides. Even in summer, this
for exploring the west coast of Scotland, miles. The advantage comes not only from stretch can experience stormy conditions.
before the onset of autumn gales. These the shorter distance but also from the Q Forth and Clyde Canal: from the Clyde
factors often play a crucial role in added shelter, although the wind can to the Forth, this route offers a mix of
determining your route. Most sailors funnel down the glens. The canal is 60 bustling towns and tranquil countryside,
based on the South Coast set off heading miles long, stretching from Fort William to though you’ll need to remove your mast
west, while those on the East Coast may Inverness, and follows the natural fault along the way. You’ll pass by the Falkirk
head either north or south. line of the Great Glen through the Scottish °ąêêĞǢȊŚąêȊŷĬŋĞåȃŒȊƌŋŒŚȊŋĬŚÃŚĉĥĀȊÞĬÃŚȊĞĉÿŚǡȊ

Canal Average transit time Cost per Distance – sea Min Transiting the canals
(from survey) metre (2024) lock to sea lock depth Top tip if taking the Caledonian Canal
Don’t just take the shortest route if
Caledonian 4 days £26.15 50 miles 4.11m entering or exiting the Caledonian Canal
Forth & 2 days (excluding £15.80 31 miles 1.83m on the west coast of Scotland.
Clyde unstepping the mast) Plan to go north of Loch Linnhe to
explore, otherwise you’ll be missing out
Crinan 1.7 days £19.55 8 miles 2.89m on some of the most spectacular cruising
areas in Britain.

22 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CRUISING THE UK & IRELAND

Cruising highlights described in this article

Routes
England and Lowland Scotland
via the Forth & Clyde Canal
1,561 miles (92 days, 47 stops)

England, Ireland &

Lowland Scotland
via the Forth and Clyde Canal
1,700 miles (108 days, 62 stops)

Britain via Cape Wrath

2,281 miles (95 days, 55 stops)

Britain via Caledonian Canal

1,813 miles (86 days, 44 stops)

UK and Ireland via Cape Wrath

2,444 miles (90 days, 47 stops)

Figures based on survey

of 69 yachts

Early May is the most

popular time to leave on a
circumnavigation of Britain
David Harding

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 23

 PRACTICAL

Nic Compton
If you plan to circumnavigate
solo, make sure you check if
there are insurance limits to
passage hours

Top tip if sailing around Britain Short of time? a 30-year average, there are usually fewer
Plan to spend as much time as possible on If you’re short on time, there are several than one gale days per month during this
the west coast of Scotland. We only spent options to consider. You could reduce the period (with the exception of Malin Head,
25% of our four-month trip, we wished we number of stops, and sail longer legs, which averages two gale days). That’s the
had spent more – a common sentiment. pressing on quickly through areas you theory, but of course, a 30-year average is
know well. Having more crew for these just that—an average. Regardless of
How long does it take? stretches would help reduce fatigue. route or direction, about a third of people
The UK and Ireland sailing record stands Alternatively, you could break the journey ŒŠŋŶêŽêåȊŚŽňĉßÃĞĞŽȊŒêŚȊĬÿÿȊŷĉŚąĉĥȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊ
at just over three days, but for most the into long weekends or holiday periods, or two weeks of May.
attraction is exploring new waters, though even split it over several years,
the length of the cruise is likely to be overwintering at different locations. One Top tip for insurance
åĉßŚÃŚêåȊÞŽȊÿÃߌĬŋŒȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊŷĬŋěǢȊƌĥÃĥßêȊ couple broke their journey round Britain Many yacht insurance companies include
etc. Therefore, it will have to be a balance into 11 long weeks sailing a total of 30 days Ireland in home waters but do check. Also
between how much time you have, the over 13 months and covering 1,446 miles. be aware that if you are sailing single-
route you choose, the number of stops you handed some insurers limit the passage
wish to make and the weather you’re When to leave hours, to only 18 or 24 hours, so you might
prepared to venture out into. The shorter From April to the end of September is the need to shop around.
your time frame, the greater the pressure most popular window for most yachts, as
will be to keep moving. Even with a there are typically fewer gales between How much does it cost?
four-month cruise, you’ll still feel the May and August. According to the Met Without food and money spent ashore for
pressure to move on whenever you can. fÿƌßêȃŒȊÃĥåȊ^êŚȊ)ĉŋêÃĥĥȃŒȊåÃŚÃǢȊÞÃŒêåȊĬĥȊ leisure activities, expect to pay £19 to £35
Most people take between 86 to 95
days regardless of route, but these are How long does it take? Average
averages. One crew, in their Maxi 1100 with
a crew of four, rounded the UK and Ireland Route by yacht (and number of boats) Logged Cruise Days at Number
in 34 days visiting 23 harbours with 31 (nautical duration sea of places
days at sea. Their biggest frustration was miles) (days) visited
not having enough time to explore!
England, Wales & Lowland Scotland 1,561 92 58 47
via the Forth & Clyde Canal (1)
#êƌĥĉŚĉĬĥŒ
The name for the route you complete can England, Ireland & Lowland Scotland 1,700 108 64 62
spark hours of debate, it’s quite a via the Forth & Clyde Canal (1)
challenge to accurately describe it. For
ňŋêßĉŒêȊåêƌĥĉŚĉĬĥŒǢȊňĞêÃŒêȊŋêÿêŋȊŚĬȊwww. Britain via Cape Wrath (33) 2,281 95 55 55
sailingwithcarra.com/uk-and-ireland/ Britain via the Caledonian Canal (26) 1,813 86 47 44
åêƌĥĉŚĉĬĥŒǮ. However, for the purposes of
ŚąĉŒȊÃŋŚĉßĞêǢȊFȃŶêȊŒĉĤňĞĉƌêåȊŚąêĤǡȊ UK & Ireland via Cape Wrath (8) 2,444 90 51 47
Regardless of your route, completing it is
Table based on research of 69 yachts
an incredible achievement.

24 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CRUISING THE UK AND IRELAND

a day for a 36ft boat based on recent RIGHT Make sure

surveys. Harbour fees are a major cost, you take the spares
you need for your
ÞŠŚȊÃȊŶÃŋĉÃÞĞêȊŚąÃŚȊŽĬŠȊßÃĥȊĉĥƍŠêĥßêǣ engine and other
Anchor more –especially in the systems on board
south-west coast of Ireland and west
coast of Scotland where you are spoilt for
choice. One yacht whose daily cost was
£19 anchored 45% of their time and at the
other end the person who spent £35 a
day, anchored for only 3% of their time.
Reduce the amount of time in marinas
on the south coast of England –where
costs are at least 1.6 times the average of

Jon Mendez
elsewhere.
Additional costs are approximately
£1,000 to £1,200 for electronic charts and
paper charts, tidal atlases, Reeds Almanac
and pilot books.
Food 90/180 restriction doesn’t apply. So you
Provisioning Before heading to the more remote areas, can spend as much time in Ireland as you
Gas in Ireland particularly in some parts of the west wish – but you will need your passports.
Finding UK Calor gas in Ireland further coast of Ireland and Scotland, be sure to Q Boat VAT Status: a UK VAT-registered
ŷêŒŚȊŚąÃĥȊVĉĥŒÃĞêȊĉŒȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚǡȊÃĞĬŋȊ=ÃŒȊ stock up at the larger shops. While you’ll boat can only spend 18 months in Ireland,
Ireland’s smallest 4.5kg bottle is larger ƌĥåȊŶĉĞĞÃĀêȊŒąĬňŒȊÃĞĬĥĀȊŚąêȊŷÃŽǢȊŚąêȊ if it was in the UK on 31 December 2020.
and has a different connection to the selection can be limited. Q Procedure: on entering Irish waters you
British equivalent. If you are likely to need ĤŠŒŚȊƍŽȊÃȊ„ȊƍÃĀǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊßŋêŷȊŋêĤÃĉĥȊĬĥȊ
to buy gas in Ireland, plan to carry extra or Visiting Ireland board until the skipper has completed
use Campingaz, which although it is more If you’re planning to visit Ireland you need necessary customs and immigration
readily available, is still relatively scarce. to be aware of certain rules: ÿĬŋĤÃĞĉŚĉêŒǢȊŚąêĥȊŚąêȊ„ȊƍÃĀȊßÃĥȊÞêȊŚÃěêĥȊ
Be aware that the smaller 2.72kg Q Crew: the Republic of Ireland is not part down. You will need the ship’s papers,
Campingaz cylinder has a wider base and of Schengen but belongs to the common proof of ownership and where your boat
needs a different regulator. travel area, which thankfully means the was on 31 December 2020. Contact
Customs and the harbourmaster on
Keep the cost of your arrival. The actual experience appears to
circumnavigation down by
be more relaxed, often the Customs
anchoring as much as possible
– this is Puilladobhrain on response is that they’ll visit when they are
Scotland’s west coast in the area. But always go with the correct
procedure.
Q Waste: food waste from the UK is
treated as international catering waste
(ICW), which requires special disposal.
Minimise the amount of food waste you
take into Ireland and separate it from your
normal rubbish.
Q Red diesel Is not
permitted in Ireland, only
unmarked diesel is
allowed.
Q Returning to the UK:
re-entering UK waters you
need to complete a
Pleasure Craft Report
If you plan to sail to (sPCR) either online or by
Ireland, remember that
red diesel is banned ňĬŒŚĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊƍŽĉĥĀȊÃȊ„ȊƍÃĀǡȊ
Departing the UK, you
need to complete a pleasure craft report.

Challenges
This cruise will challenge your navigation
skills, with strong tides, tidal gates, rocks,
and sandbanks, all compounded by
varying degrees of visibility. However, a
circumnavigation requires more than just
ŊŠÃĞĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥŒȊĬŋȊêżňêŋĉêĥßêǡȊ”ĬȊŒŠßßêêåǢȊ
you’ll need a range of additional skills,
including the ability to maintain your boat
and equipment over an extended period.
šĥÿĬŋŚŠĥÃŚêĞŽǢȊŽĬŠȊĤÃŽȊƌĥåȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊ
Sam Steele

motoring more than you might expect—

survey respondents report spending an
average of 52% of their time motoring or
motor-sailing. Your engine will

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 25

 PRACTICAL
Q Don’t enter the water in anything more
than sea state slight. Above this could
result in having a casualty in the water,
with a head injury from hitting the bottom
of the boat.
Q Tie the knife to your wrist. Mags put it
down in 60m of water while she untied the
rope... she returned with the bread knife
tied to her wrist!

Rewards
There are many rewards of this trip: the
milestones that bring a true sense of
achievement when you pass them: Land’s
End; Ardnamurchan Point, mainland
Britain’s most westerly point and north of
which you’ll see white beaches and aqua
Helen Melton

Cruising the Dingle blue waters; Cape Wrath, the north-

Peninsula and the rest of westernmost point of mainland Britain;
Ireland is not subject to the and, if you circumnavigate Ireland, the
90/180-day Schengen rule Fastnet Lighthouse and the Dingle
Peninsula, Europe’s most westerly point.
therefore be crucial to your success, so it’s cutter. We successfully freed ourselves Another highlight is the diverse range of
essential to ensure it’s well-maintained and the engine was undamaged but we harbours and anchorages you’ll encounter.
and that you have the right spares on learnt several lessons that day: This is especially striking if you’re
board. Organisation is also key – getting to Q Brief your crew in advance about what accustomed to sailing in busy, crowded
the starting line requires careful planning, to do – I hadn’t told her to stop the engine waters where marinas are the norm and
from preparing your boat and gathering as soon as we caught a line. peaceful anchorages are hard to come by.
the necessary equipment to provisioning Q Don’t just cut the buoy free and drop the On your journey you’ll need to be prepared
and arranging for an extended absence line. If you tie the line off –you then have a for a variety of mooring situations:
from your home. How will you manage ƌżêåȊĞĉĥêȊŚĬȊňŠĞĞȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊŠĥåêŋȊŚąêȊŷÃŚêŋȊ anchoring, buoys, pontoons, marinas, and
your mail? Does your home insurance to the propeller. quay walls. You will be able to avoid drying
cover extended periods of absence?
You can anchor under a
castle at Holy Island in
Some essential gear Northumberland
Q A fender board to protect topsides and
fenders from the stone
walls and tyres that can Make sure
be found in canals and you have a
clear plan to
traditional harbours. deal with
Q Given the additional lobster pot
mileage take adequate entanglement
engine consumables e.g.
ĬĉĞǢȊÿŠêĞǢȊĬĉĞȊƌĞŚêŋŒǢȊÃĥåȊ
impellers for changes.
Q Other spares – being in
remote parts of Ireland or
Britain does make getting
spares a challenge which
can cost precious time – so work out what
spares make sense for your boat systems.

Hazards
_êÃŋĞŽȊƖƑɃȊĬÿȊŚąĬŒêȊŒŠŋŶêŽêåȊĉåêĥŚĉƌêåȊ
ĞĬÞŒŚêŋȊňĬŚŒȊÃŒȊÃȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚȊąÃƅÃŋåǡȊ¶ĬŠȊ
will see the good, the bad and the ugly in
terms of pot markers. Given this, it’s
essential not only to keep a sharp lookout,
but also to have a clear plan for what to do
if you become entangled with one.
We caught one on a windless day off
the coast of mainland Orkney, thankfully
the tide was taking us away from any
danger otherwise we would have radioed
for help. I had purposely brought the
curved-light/Alamy

ŷêŚŒŠĉŚȊŚĬȊƌŚȊ^ÃĀŒǢȊÃŒȊFȊƌĀŠŋêåȊŚąÃŚȊ
growing up in Scotland she’d be used to
the water temperature! But it was so cold
it caused her to hyperventilate. It took a
while to regulate her breathing. After
ŷąĉßąȊŒąêȊåĉŶêåȊŠĥåêŋȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊ
that the rope had neatly missed the rope

26 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CRUISING THE UK AND IRELAND
Helen Hotson/Alamy

The Helford River in

Cornwall is a wonderful
retreat, but not in an
easterly wind

out, if you want to. With an abundance of Q Picturesque marinas: while you’ll need
anchorages in south-west Ireland and the to use marinas at times, some are
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
west coast of Scotland, you can anchor as incredibly picturesque. Tarbert (Loch
much as you want. Of those surveyed the Fyne), is a well-sheltered natural harbour Sam Steele’s UK
highest number of nights at anchor for an with a delightful waterfront. and Ireland
average cruise length was 60 nights, the Q Beautiful rivers and estuaries: from Circumnavigator’s
shortest was just three. wide-open estuaries to narrow, winding Guide (3rd edition,
To make the most of anchoring in the rivers, and from rocky inlets to sandy or Adlard Coles) is
west coast of Scotland, use Antares Charts ĤŠååŽȊŒąĬŋêŒǢȊŽĬŠȃĞĞȊÞêĥêƌŚȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ the ultimate
www.antarescharts.co.uk. These digital shelter they provide. Picking up a buoy on resource for
charts are essential for safely exploring the Helford River, in particular, epitomises anyone planning a
anchorages there, as their charts are made this tranquillity, as long as there’s not an cruise around the
from recent surveys and are far more easterly blowing! stunning coastlines of the UK and
accurate than most other digital charts Q Whisky (whiskey in Ireland) tasting: this Ireland. Packed with invaluable,
which are based on surveys from the trip is the ideal opportunity to have a wee advice on planning, preparation, and
mid-19th Century. At £50 for a basic set-up åŋÃĤȊĬŋȊŚŷĬȊÃŚȊŒĬĤêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊƌĥêŒŚȊ maximising your experience, it
they’re excellent value for money. distilleries. Springbank (Campbeltown) highlights the must-see places
One of the hardest makes for a memorable along the way. Clear writing,
decisions is choosing ‘A round Britain and stop or not so memorable stunning imagery and detailed maps
where to visit and depending on how much ensure you get the most out of your
consequently where you Ireland adventure you have! journey. Whether sailing with a full
won’t have time to stop. Q Historical Interest: the crew or single-handed, this guide
Take full advantage of
offers the perfect Orkney Islands are rich in givesȊŽĬŠȊŚąêȊßĬĥƌåêĥßêȊŚĬȊŒêŚȊŒÃĉĞ.
the variety of harbours challenge’ history, from the ancient
and don’t plan to just stay ruins of Scara Brae to
in marinas. Otherwise, you might miss out more modern times and the Italian Wildlife
on the real essence of this cruise. prisoner-of-war chapel. You’ll encounter an abundance of wildlife
Q Castle anchorages: you have the unique Q Maritime history: as island nations, our up close. During our trip, the birdlife was
opportunity to anchor with castles histories are deeply intertwined with the rich: fulmars that loved to play chicken
overlooking you— or, in the case of Holy sea, and these stories are brought to life with the forestay, razorbills and guillemots
Island, two castles as your anchor transits. in the maritime museums and dockyards ƍŽĉĥĀȊĉĥȊŚĉĀąŚȊÿĬŋĤÃŚĉĬĥǢȊÃĥåȊňŠÿƌĥŒȊŚąÃŚȊ
Q Drop-dead gorgeous: discover enroute. The Titanic Museum (Belfast) is a seemed to have missed the memo on how
picturesque spots that are simply stunning, fascinating place to spend a few hours. to land gracefully. In the anchorages,
like mooring on the outer wall of the You’ll also discover plenty of places to ŽĬŠȃĞĞȊĬÿŚêĥȊƌĥåȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊÞêĉĥĀȊŒĉĞêĥŚĞŽȊ
charming town of Stonehaven, with the enjoy fantastic culinary experiences or observed by two large brown eyes as an
dramatic ruins of Dunnottar Castle nearby. sample local tasty treats. There are inquisitive seal surfaces nearby. Dolphins
Q Remote anchorages: there are hidden seaside gems you might pass by if play ahead of your bow, and at night you’ll
anchorages that offer unrivalled beauty you don’t know where to look. be treated to a magical display as the
surrounded by raw, unspoiled landscapes, For garden lovers, there are phosphorescence illuminates their paths.
Derrynane (south-west Ireland) –where opportunities to stroll through some You might even spot basking sharks,
you can lay at peace even when a storm is ĀĞĬŋĉĬŠŒȊĀÃŋåêĥŒǢȊĤÃĥŽȊĬÿȊŷąĉßąȊÞêĥêƌŚȊ minke whales, and if you are lucky, off the
lashing the coast. from the warmth of the Gulf Stream. coast of Ireland, a leatherback turtle.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 27

 ADVERTISING PROMOTION

NEW SEASON
SAFETY CHECKS
Enjoy the water with safety in mind

W
hen did you last check ŶꌌêĞŒȊßĬĤêȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊĘÃßěŒŚÃŽȊĬŋȊ
and service your attachment point. If your lifejacket has a
lifejacket or update your #ǸŋĉĥĀȊƌŚŚĉĥĀǢȊŽĬŠȊßÃĥȊŠŒêȊŚąĉŒȊŚĬȊąÃŋĥꌌȊ
emergency action plan? ŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊĬŋȊňÃŒŒêĥĀêŋŒȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŶꌌêĞǡȊFÿȊ
If you were to fall ŽĬŠŋȊßĬßěňĉŚȊåĬêŒĥȃŚȊąÃŶêȊŚąêŒêǢȊßĬĥŒŠĞŚȊÃȊ
overboard would your crew know how to ŒąĉňŷŋĉĀąŚǤȊŚąêŽȊßÃĥȊÃĞŷÃŽŒȊÞêȊŋêŚŋĬƌŚŚêåǡȊ
turn the boat around?
It’s easy to become complacent the ^fȊÃĞêŋŚȊÃĥåȊŋêßĬŶêŋŽ
Service lifejackets once a more sea miles you tick off, but now’s a <ÃĞĞĉĥĀȊĬŶêŋÞĬÃŋåȊĉŒȊêŶêŋŽȊŒÃĉĞĬŋȃŒȊŷĬŋŒŚȊ
year for peace of mind good time to refresh your knowledge nightmare, but there are many items on
ahead of the new season. Safety kit is ŚąêȊĤÃŋěêŚȊŚĬȊÃŒŒĉŒŚȊŷĉŚąȊŋêßĬŶêŋŽǡȊŒêÃȊ
always changing, and best practice does åŽêǢȊX(#ȊŒŚŋĬÞêȊĞĉĀąŚŒǢȊąĬŋŒêŒąĬêȊÞŠĬŽŒȊ
too, which is why the Maritime and and danbuoys help mark your position in
Coastguard Agency (MCA) has teamed up the water while throwlines, emergency
with the Royal National Lifeboat ĞÃååêŋŒȊÃĥåȊŋêßĬŶêŋŽȊŒŽŒŚêĤŒȊŷĉĞĞȊąêĞňȊ
Institution (RNLI) and Royal Yachting ŽĬŠȊĀêŚȊÞÃßěȊĬĥȊÞĬÃŋåȊDzŒêêȊ^=_ȊƖƕƕǢȊ
Association (RYA) to launch the new ŒêߌĉĬĥŒȊƖȊÃĥåȊƗȊÿĬŋȊĥĬĥǸĤÃĥåÃŚĬŋŽȊ
recreational boating safety campaign, =ŠĉåÃĥßêȊÿĬŋȊ êßĬŶêŋŽȊ(ŊŠĉňĤêĥŚȊĬĥȊ
‘Reduce the risk, boost your skills’. Non-SOLAS Vessels).
Whether you’re a new sailor, or a You can buy tags for people and pets
Ocean Signal

seasoned cruiser, here are some of the ŷąĉßąȊŚŋĉĀĀêŋȊÃĥȊ^fȊÃĞÃŋĤȊĬĥȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊ

things to think about to minimise worries and people’s phones when the wearer
The MOB2 is the smallest and maximise your fun on the water. ÞêßĬĤêŒȊŒêňÃŋÃŚêåǡȊ
ȊĤĬŋêȊêżňêĥŒĉŶêȊ
personal locator beacon ÞŠŚȊŋĬÞŠŒŚȊĬňŚĉĬĥȊĉŒȊÃȊ‚XȊDzňêŋŒĬĥÃĞȊ
‚êŋŒĬĥÃĞȊƍĬŚÃŚĉĬĥȊåêŶĉßêŒ locator beacon). This will send a distress

ȊňêŋŒĬĥÃĞȊƍĬŚÃŚĉĬĥȊåêŶĉßêȊDz‚<#dzȊßÃĥȊŒÃŶêȊ ĤꌌÃĀêȊÃĥåȊŽĬŠŋȊ=‚ŒȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥȊŚĬȊBĉŒȊ
your life, and while all lifejackets need to ^ÃĘêŒŚŽȃŒȊĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊDzB^=dzǢȊňÃŋŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
meet ISO standards they differ in design MCA, while a personal AIS beacon will
when it comes to crotch straps, oral ŒêĥåȊÃĥȊÃĞêŋŚȊŚĬȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŷĉŚąȊ
FŒȊŋêßêĉŶêŋŒȊ
ĉĥƍÃŚĉĬĥȊŚŠÞêǢȊĞĉÿŚĉĥĀȊŒŚŋĬňǢȊŒňŋÃŽąĬĬåǢȊ within a two- to four-mile radius. Your
light and COƻȊÞĬŚŚĞêǡȊ#êňêĥåĉĥĀȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ ňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥȊŷĉĞĞȊƍÃŒąȊŠňȊĬĥȊŚąêĉŋȊßąÃŋŚňĞĬŚŚêŋȊ
ŋĉŒěȊĞêŶêĞȊĬÿȊŽĬŠŋȊÃߌĉŶĉŚŽȊǺȊĉÿȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊŒĬĞĬȊĬŋȊ ŒĬȊŚąêŽȊßÃĥȊßĬĤêȊŚĬȊŽĬŠŋȊÃĉåǡȊ#ĉŒŚŋꌌȊ
ĬÿÿŒąĬŋêǢȊÿĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêȊǺȊŽĬŠȊĤÃŽȊŷÃĥŚȊŚĬȊ ŒĉĀĥÃĞĞĉĥĀȊŚêßąĥĬĞĬĀŽȊĉŒȊêŶĬĞŶĉĥĀȊŊŠĉßěĞŽǢȊ
ŋêŒêÃŋßąȊÃåŶÃĥßêåȊÿêÃŚŠŋêŒȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊ ÃĥåȊŚąêŋêȊÃŋêȊêŶêĥȊåêŶĉßêŒȊĥĬŷȊŚąÃŚȊ
‘back-tow’ technology, where a tethered ßĬĤÞĉĥêȊ‚XȊÃĥåȊ
FŒȊÿŠĥߌĉĬĥÃĞĉŚĉêŒǡȊ
Icom UK

Keep a laminated ĤÃĥȊĬŶêŋÞĬÃŋåȊDz^fdzȊĉŒȊåŋÃĀĀêåȊĉĥȊÃȊ

note on Mayday seating position, or whether your (‚F ŒȊÃĥåȊƍÃŋêŒ
protocol nearby ĞĉÿêĘÃßěêŚȊąÃŒȊŚąêȊĬňŚĉĬĥȊŚĬȊƌŚȊÃȊňêŋŒĬĥÃĞȊ
ĥȊ(‚F ȊDzêĤêŋĀêĥߎȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥǸĉĥåĉßÃŚĉĥĀȊ
ĞĬßÃŚĬŋȊÞêÃßĬĥȊDz‚XdzȊÃĥåǮĬŋȊÊŚĬĤÃŚĉßȊ radio beacon) can be mounted on a
ĉåêĥŚĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊŒŽŒŚêĤȊDz
FŒdzȊÞêÃßĬĥǡȊ ÞŠĞěąêÃåǡȊ
ߌĉŶÃŚêåȊÞŽȊŷÃŚêŋȊDzÿĬŋȊ
Try a few styles before you buy. You êżÃĤňĞêǢȊĉÿȊŚąêȊŶꌌêĞȊŒĉĥěŒdzǢȊĬŋȊĤÃĥŠÃĞĞŽȊ
ĤĉĀąŚȊŚąĉĥěȊßĬĤÿĬŋŚȊĉŒȊĉŋŋêĞêŶÃĥŚȊÿĬŋȊÃĥȊ by the ‘on’ switch, this sends a continuous
ĉŚêĤȊŚąÃŚȊßÃĥȊŒÃŶêȊŽĬŠŋȊĞĉÿêǢȊÞŠŚȊĉÿȊÃȊÞŠĞěŽȊ maritime distress signal to a search and
ĬŋȊĉĞĞǸƌŚŚĉĥĀȊĞĉÿêĘÃßěêŚȊĤêÃĥŒȊĉŚȃŒȊĤĬŋêȊ ŋêŒßŠêȊßêĥŚŋêȊÿĬŋȊƕƙȊąĬŠŋŒȊĬŋȊĞĬĥĀêŋǡ
likely to stay in the locker, then it’s no use <ĬŋȊĬÿÿŒąĬŋêȊňÃŒŒÃĀêŒǢȊŷąêŋêȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊ
ÃŚȊÃĞĞǡȊ
ŠŚĬĤÃŚĉßȊĉĥƍÃŚĉĬĥȊĞĉÿêĘÃßěêŚŒȊÃŋêȊ likely to be out of radio contact with other
ÃŶÃĉĞÃÞĞêȊĉĥȊÃĞĞȊŒĉƅêŒȊÿĬŋȊßąĉĞåŋêĥȊĬŶêŋȊƒƖěĀȊ ŶꌌêĞŒǢȊĤÃĥŽȊŒÃĉĞĬŋŒȊßÃŋŋŽȊÃȊŒÃŚêĞĞĉŚêȊ
ÃĥåȊÃåŠĞŚŒǡȊêȊŒŠŋêȊŚĬȊŒêŋŶĉßêȊŽĬŠŋŒȊ ňąĬĥêȊĬŋȊŚŋÃßěĉĥĀǮŚêżŚĉĥĀȊåêŶĉßêǢȊŷąĉßąȊ
ÃĥĥŠÃĞĞŽȊÃŒȊÃȊßĬŋŋĬåêåȊĀÃŒȊÞĬŚŚĞêȊĬŋȊƌŚŚĉĥĀȊ ŋêŊŠĉŋêŒȊÃȊĤĬĥŚąĞŽȊŒŠÞŒßŋĉňŚĉĬĥǡȊ<ĬŋȊĤĬŋêȊ
could result in tragic failure. on satellite communications see pbo.co.
Of course, the safest option is to uk/satcomms
Pre-season checks will ňŋêŶêĥŚȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊÿŋĬĤȊŒêňÃŋÃŚĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊ (ĞêߌŋĬĥĉßȊŶĉŒŠÃĞȊåĉŒŚŋꌌȊƍÃŋêŒȊDz(¯#ŒdzȊ
enable a safer journey ŽĬŠŋȊŶꌌêĞȊŷąêĥȊĬŶêŋÞĬÃŋåǡȊŒĬĤêȊ are not an internationally recognised
RNLI

means of distress signalling, but are crew or family might roll their eyes but your pilot books, paper charts and passage
sometimes carried by sailors as an remind them you’re all responsible for one ňĞÃĥȊßĬĤêȊĉĥǡȊBĬňêÿŠĞĞŽǢȊŽĬŠȃĞĞȊąÃŶêȊÞêêĥȊ
ÃĞŚêŋĥÃŚĉŶêȊŚĬȊąÃĥåąêĞåȊňŽŋĬŚêßąĥĉߌǢȊ another’s safety. If you’re on a motorboat plotting your position throughout the trip.
ŷąĉßąȊĤŠŒŚȊÞêȊåĉŒňĬŒêåȊĬÿȊÃŚȊßêŋŚĉƌêåȊ with an outboard engine, reiterate the
åĉŒňĬŒÃĞȊŒêŋŶĉßêȊňŋĬŶĉåêŋŒǡȊŒŚÃŋŚĉĥĀȊÃŚȊĞꌌȊ importance of the kill cord. ÃĞĞĉĥĀȊÿĬŋȊąêĞň
ŚąÃĥȊșƒƑƑȊŚąêŒêȊĤŠĞŚĉǸŠŒêǢȊŋêßąÃŋĀêÃÞĞêȊ (ĥŒŠŋêȊŚąêŽȊěĥĬŷȊŚąêȊ^fȊåŋĉĞĞǢȊąĬŷȊ It’s crucial to be able to raise the alert
X(#ȊƍÃŋêŒȊÃŋêȊêÃŒŽȊŚĬȊßÃŋŋŽȊÃĥåȊßĬŠĞåȊ ŚĬȊßÃĞĞȊÿĬŋȊąêĞňǢȊŷąêŋêȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊÃĉåȊěĉŚȊĉŒǢȊ ÿŋĬĤȊŽĬŠŋȊŶꌌêĞǡȊŋŠĉŒĉĥĀȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŷĉĞĞȊĤĬŒŚȊ
ŒÃŶêȊŽĬŠŋȊĞĉÿêǡȊ_ĬŚêǢȊąĬŷêŶêŋǢȊŚąÃŚȊ(¯#ŒȊ ŷąÃŚȊŚĬȊåĬȊĉĥȊßÃŒêȊĬÿȊÃȊƌŋêǢȊÃĥåȊĬŚąêŋȊ ĞĉěêĞŽȊąÃŶêȊÃȊƌżêåȊ¯B<ȊŋÃåĉĬǢȊÞŠŚȊêŶêĥȊ
ÃŋêȊĥĬŚȊĞĉŒŚêåȊÃŒȊÃȊåĉŒŚŋꌌȊÃĞêŋŚĉĥĀȊåêŶĉßêȊ ‘boat rules’, which might include switching åÃŽÞĬÃŚŒȊŒąĬŠĞåȊßÃŋŋŽȊÃȊąÃĥåąêĞåȊ¯B<Ȋ
in the international code of signals for the gas off at the bottle, clipping on ŷĉŚąȊŒňÃŋêȊÞÃŚŚêŋĉêŒǡȊBÃĥåąêĞåŒȊŚąêŒêȊ
ňŋêŶêĥŚĉĥĀȊßĬĞĞĉŒĉĬĥŒȊÃŚȊŒêÃȊDzfX (=ŒdzǡȊ ĬŠŚŒĉåêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊßĬßěňĉŚǢȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊňŋêŶêĥŚêŋȊ åÃŽŒȊąÃŶêȊŒĉĤĉĞÃŋȊÿêÃŚŠŋêŒȊÃŒȊƌżêåȊŒêŚŒǢȊ
åĬŷĥŷĉĥåǤȊĥĬŚąĉĥĀȊĉŒȊŚŋĉŶĉÃĞǡȊ°ŋĉŚêȊŚąêĤȊ ĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊÿŋêŊŠêĥߎȊŒßÃĥĥĉĥĀǢȊŷêÃŚąêŋȊ
FŒȊŽĬŠŋȊÞĬÃŚȊŒêÃŷĬŋŚąŽǨȊ down if you like, or share them with crew ŋêňĬŋŚŒǢȊ=‚ŒȊĉĥŚêĀŋÃŚĉĬĥȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊÃÞĉĞĉŚŽȊŚĬȊ
PBO regularly updates its pre-season ÞêÿĬŋêȊÃȊŶĬŽÃĀêǡȊ¶ĬŠȊßĬŠĞåȊêŶêĥȊÃŒěȊŚąêĤȊ ŒêĥåȊÊŚĬĤÃŚĉßȊåĉŒŚŋꌌȊŒĉĀĥÃĞŒȊŶĉÃȊŚąêȊ
checklist, and though it can feel daunting to contribute. #ĉĀĉŚÃĞȊŒêĞêߌĉŶêȊÃĞĞĉĥĀȊDz#ŒdzȊêĤêŋĀêĥߎȊ
ŚĉßěĉĥĀȊĬÿÿȊŒĬȊĤÃĥŽȊÞĬżêŒǢȊĬĥßêȊŽĬŠȃŶêȊ button. It’s a good idea to mount a
done it, it becomes easier year after year. ĬĬŒŚȊŽĬŠŋȊŒěĉĞĞŒ laminated note by the radio or chart table
<ŋêêȊ^
ǮȊ _XFǮȊ ¶
ȊßąêßěĞĉŒŚŒȊÃŋêȊÃĞŒĬȊ If there are gaps in yours or your crew’s ŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊŶꌌêĞȃŒȊßÃĞĞȊŒĉĀĥȊÃĥåȊ^^ŒFǢȊ
ÃŶÃĉĞÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊĬŋåêŋȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ^
ǢȊ _XFȊÃĥåȊ knowledge, perhaps consider an RYA reminding crew how to do a Mayday.
RYA at hmcoastguard.uk/ ßĬŠŋŒêȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊ#ÃŽȊŒěĉňňêŋǢȊXêŶêĞȊƓȊ XĉěêȊŚąêȊňĬĞĉßêǢȊƌŋêȊÃĥåȊÃĤÞŠĞÃĥßêǢȊ
boatingchecklists ‚ĬŷêŋÞĬÃŚȊĬŋȊŒĬĤêŚąĉĥĀȊŒąĬŋêÞÃŒêåȊŒŠßąȊ B^=ȊĉŒȊÃĥȊêĤêŋĀêĥߎȊŒêŋŶĉßêȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊ
BÃŒȊŽĬŠŋȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞêêĥȊŒêŋŶĉßêåȊÃĥåȊÃŋêȊ ÃŒȊ(ŒŒêĥŚĉÃĞȊ_ÃŶĉĀÃŚĉĬĥȊÃĥåȊŒêÃĤÃĥŒąĉňǡȊ same 999 number. While your mobile
your tanks free of diesel bug? Are your ”ąêȊĤĬŋêȊěĥĬŷĞêåĀêȊŽĬŠȊÃßŊŠĉŋêǢȊŚąêȊ ĤĉĀąŚȊŷĬŋěȊÃŚȊŒêÃǢȊŚąêȊÞêĥêƌŚȊĬÿȊŠŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ
electronics working and are your batteries ĤĬŋêȊßĬĥƌåêĥŚȊŽĬŠȃĞĞȊÞêǡȊfŋȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊĘŠŒŚȊÃȊ #ŒȊÞŠŚŚĬĥȊĬĥȊŽĬŠŋȊŋÃåĉĬȊĉŒȊŚąÃŚȊĉŚȊŷĉĞĞȊ
ßąÃŋĀĉĥĀȊfVǨȊFÿȊŽĬŠȊŋêĤĬŶêåȊÃĥŽȊąĬŒêŒȊ bit rusty, ask your local RYA centre if they ÊŚĬĤÃŚĉßÃĞĞŽȊĀĉŶêȊŽĬŠŋȊåĉŒŚŋꌌȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥǡȊ
ĬŶêŋȊŷĉĥŚêŋǢȊßąêßěȊŚąêŒêȊÃŋêȊĥĬŷȊ run any refresher courses. FÿȊŽĬŠȊåĬĥȃŚȊąÃŶêȊŚąÃŚȊĬňŚĉĬĥǢȊŽĬŠȊŒąĬŠĞåȊ
reattached and double clipped, and that make a Mayday call to the Coastguard on
your seacocks are closed but accessible ‚ÃŒŒÃĀêȊňĞÃĥ ¯B<ȊąƒƗǡȊ”ąêȊĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊŷĉĞĞȊåêßĉåêȊŚąêȊ
with safety bungs nearby. Check your Always carry a fully charged mobile best way to get help to you, whether that’s
sails, anchor and rig for wear and tear, and ňąĬĥêȊÃĥåȊąÃŶêȊÃȊňÃŒŒÃĀêȊňĞÃĥǡȊ êÃåȊŠňȊ tasking assets which could include RNLI
book in repairs if needs be. Is your tender ĬĥȊŚąêȊŷêÃŚąêŋȊÃĥåȊŚĉåêŒȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŽĬŠȊĞêÃŶêȊ or independent lifeboats, Coastguard
intact and your outboard working? These ŚąêȊåĬßěǡȊêȊňŋêňÃŋêåȊŚĬȊŚŠŋĥȊÃŋĬŠĥåȊĬŋȊ rescue teams and search and rescue
are just a few things to pay attention to ÃÞĬŋŚȊÃȊŚŋĉňǢȊêŶêĥȊĉÿȊĉŚȊŷĉĞĞȊßÊŒêȊåĉŒŋŠňŚĉĬĥȊ ąêĞĉßĬňŚêŋŒǡȊ<ĬŋȊĥĬĥǸåÃĥĀêŋĬŠŒȊŒĉŚŠÃŚĉĬĥŒǢȊ
before you get back on the water. or disappointment. you should contact organisations such as
”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊĤÃĥŽȊĥÃŶĉĀÃŚĉĬĥȊÃňňŒȊ ŒêÃȊŒŚÃŋŚȊŚąÃŚȊßÃĥȊƌżȊŽĬŠŋȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÃŚȊŒêÃȊ
(ĤêŋĀêĥߎȊňĞÃĥŒ ÃŶÃĉĞÃÞĞêȊÿĬŋȊňąĬĥêŒȊÃĥåȊŚÃÞĞêŚŒȊÞŠŚȊÞêÃŋȊ or tow you to safety.
When you’re happy your boat and crew in mind you may not be able to see your
ÃŋêȊŒÃÿêĞŽȊêŊŠĉňňêåǢȊĉŚȃŒȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊĞĬĬěȊÃŚȊ screen in bright sunlight and mobile ŒąĬŋêȊßĬĥŚÃߌ
boat rules and emergency drills. Your reception can be patchy. Think about registering your boat on the

ȊßąÃŋŚňĞĬŚŚêŋǮ RYA SafeTrx website (safetrx.rya.org.uk)
multi-function display ĬŋȊåĬŷĥĞĬÃåĉĥĀȊŚąêȊÃňňǡȊFŚȊĉŒȊŷĉŒêȊŚĬȊĞêÃŶêȊ
will be daylight details of your passage with family or
ŶĉêŷÃÞĞêǢȊÞŠŚȊŷąÃŚȃŒȊ friends. If you are late returning, they can
your backup if you lose raise the alarm by calling 999 and asking
power? This is where for the Coastguard.

#f°_Xf
#Ȋ
_#Ȋf #( Ȋ
¶fš Ȋ< ((ȊB(VXFŒ”Œǣ
Comfortable lifejackets
RYA

are more likely to be worn ąĤßĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåǡŠěǮÞĬÃŚĉĥĀßąêßěĞĉŒŚŒ

 SECOND-HAND BOATS

Beneteau Oceanis 393 Bavaria 40 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey/Sun Fast 40

Dufour 40 | Hanse 411 | Dehler 39

Third generation Oceanis

åêŒĉĀĥŒȊąÃåȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚĞŽȊ
better ultimate stability than
earlier models

Beneteau

Rupert Holmes looks at a popular model from the third

generation of Beneteau’s Oceanis cruising yachts that
represented a big step forward compared to earlier designs

T
he third generation of Sailing performance, and in some cases fĥêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊƌĥåĉĥĀŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŒŠÞŒêŊŠêĥŚȊ
Beneteau’s Oceanis range, seaworthiness in extreme conditions, took Marine Accident Investigation Branch
which consisted of seven more of a back seat in early models, (MAIB) report was: ‘The Oceanis 390 is
designs from 32-52ft, marked however, which were lightly ballasted, had a safe, comfortable, yacht suitable for
a change in the expectations relatively shallow draught and lacked low pleasure sailing and charter work. Her
of what a cruising yacht can offer. Ever centre of gravity bulb keels. lightweight design, however, together
since its inception with the Oceanis 350 Sadly, one of these boats, a 1989 with her stability characteristics,
and 430 in 1986, this line proved hugely Oceanis 390, was knocked down and introduce a high risk factor in the type
popular with private owners and charter inverted in a Force 8/9 while crossing the of extreme sea state conditions
companies alike thanks to excellent Bay of Biscay back in October 1997, with encountered. The yacht is not designed
accommodation volumes and the loss of a crew member who’d been on for crossing oceans in bad weather.’
a greater emphasis on interior design, deck at the time. Two more were winched This was addressed with the third
natural light and ventilation. to safety by a French rescue helicopter. Oceanis generation that debuted with the

30 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 OCEANIS 393 AND ALTERNATIVES

Oceanis 473 in 2000. These boats, with

model names ending in 3, sprouted the
option of deep, low centre of gravity keels Beneteau Oceanis 393
that, along with higher aspect ratio Hull length: 11.62m/38ft 2in
ŋŠååêŋŒǢȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚĞŽȊĉĤňŋĬŶêåȊąÃĥåĞĉĥĀȊ LOA: 11.98m/39ft 3in
characteristics and ultimate stability as Beam: 3.96m/13ft 0in
well as improving speed to windward. Draught: (standard) 1.90m/6ft 3in
Shallow draught keels were also (shoal) 1.55m/5ft 1in
offered, which was a particularly popular Displacement: (standard keel)
7,780kg/17,150lb
option for boats built in the Annapolis
Ballast: (std keel) 2,111kg/4,650lb
factory Beneteau had at the time to serve
(shoal keel) 2,439kg/5,380lb
the North American market.
Sail area: 74.9m2/806ft2
To maintain righting moment these
boats had an additional 328kg of
low-slung ballast, adding around 15%
to the weight of the keel.

Walking tall
The remainder of the hallmarks of the
Oceanis range were retained, while
ąêÃåŋĬĬĤȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŒÃĞĬĬĥȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚĞŽȊ
improved thanks to the stepped
coachroof. The Berret/Racoupeau Oceanis
393, for instance, has maximum
headroom under the companionway hatch
and in the aft cabins of an impressive 2.1m
(6ft 11in).

Nature Picture Library/Alamy

This design premiered in 2001, with
two- and three-cabin versions offered,
both with two heads. The layout forward is
identical in both options, with an owner’s
cabin forward, with a 1.95m x 1.45m (max)
double berth offset to port of the
centreline, plus stowage and a small
settee to starboard of a walkway leading
to a spacious ensuite right forward. It’s a
refreshingly different arrangement to
most in boats of this size.
In both cases, the saloon is to port, Safer sailing Impressive accommodation meant the Oceanis
with U-shape seating, plus a small central The mainsheet traveller is located just 393 was popular with charter companies
settee. The three-cabin boat has a long forward of the sprayhood, with the sheet
linear galley to starboard opposite the trimmed from the companionway. This Beneteau’s Cyclades 39.3, albeit with a
saloon, while two-cabin versions have an offers the huge advantage that both sheet different coachroof and a balsa sandwich
excellent U-shape galley aft that’s ideal and traveller are clear of the cockpit and hull instead of the solid laminate of the
for use at sea and offers impressive therefore safely clear of the crew. original Oceanis version.
worktop space and stowage. However, this comes at the expense of In some senses, the Cyclades 39.3 was a
The starboard side of the saloon of ĤÃěĉĥĀȊŒÃĉĞȊŚŋĉĤȊĤĬŋêȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊÃĥåȊŷąêĥȊ pared-down version of the boat, especially
two-cabin boats (where the linear galley bearing away with the boat well powered compared to the Clipper versions of the
is on three-cabin versions) has further up someone needs to tend the sheet at fßêÃĥĉŒȊƔƚƔȊŚąÃŚȊŷêŋêȊÞêŚŚêŋȊêŊŠĉňňêåȊ
stowage, making this an ideal boat for the companionway. than average, even if the sail and deck
longer-term living on board. Aft cabins In all more than 700 Oceanis 393s were gear package was rather basic.
have larger berths than the forecabin. built, both in Europe and the USA, before However, it also updated the concept.
On two-cabin boats it measures 2m in it was replaced by the Oceanis 40 in 2007. In particular, the rather small central
each direction, while on three-cabin However, that wasn’t the end of the story, wheel is replaced by twin wheels, which
models, it’s 2m x 1.5m. as the same hull was then used for ÞŋĉĥĀŒȊŚŷĬȊÞêĥêƌŚŒȊÞêŽĬĥåȊŚąêȊĬÞŶĉĬŠŒȊ
of more contemporary styling.
Firstly, it opens up a clear passageway
between the transom and the
companionway that can improve life
ĬĥȊÞĬÃŋåȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚĞŽǢȊêŒňêßĉÃĞĞŽȊŷąêĥȊ
berthed stern-to, when swimming in an
anchorage, or when transferring to the
boat from a tender.
Marco McGinty/Alamy

Twin wheels are also advantageous

from a sailing perspective, particularly
when closehauled, or when using reaching
sails such as a Code 0, as it’s easier to see
the luff of the headsails than on a boat
with a single wheel, as well as making it
easier to swap drivers when well-heeled.
Today most examples seem to sell in
Over 700 Oceanis 393s were built in Europe and North America the £70,000-£90,000 range.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 31

 SECOND-HAND BOATS

Alternative boats
The Oceanis 393 was not alone in Jeanneau Sun Odyssey/
combining a step change in both initial Sun Fast 40
and ultimate stability for cruising yachts Hull length: 11.75m/38 ft 7in
in this size range with surprising LOA: 12.20m/40ft 0in
performance and comfortable, spacious Beam: 3.95m/13ft 0in
accommodation. Draught: (standard keel) 1.95m/6ft 5in
(shallow keel) 1.50m/4ft 11in
(performance keel) 2.40m/7ft 11in
Bavaria 40
Displacement: 7,170kg/15,800lb
This J&J Design was intended to deliver
Ballast: (std keel) 2,400kg/5,300lb
plenty of space at a price other (shoal keel) 2,650kg/ 5,840lb
manufacturers could not beat, primarily Sail area: 83.10m2/894ft2
as the result of economies of scale and
careful production engineering.
At this time Bavaria was one of the
biggest yards in Europe, with a recently
extended and upgraded factory
producing more than 1,000 boats a year.
A huge investment in production
engineering produced boats of very

Genevieve Leaper/Alamy
ßĬĥŒĉŒŚêĥŚȊŊŠÃĞĉŚŽȊÃĥåȊÃŚȊÃȊĞĬŷȊŠĥĉŚȊňŋĉßêǢȊ
although the standard inventory at this

Graham Snook/Future
time was very scant and even essentials
such as anchors were on the extras list.
On the other hand, Sterling was much
stronger back then than today, and the UK
ĉĤňĬŋŚêŋŒȊĬÿÿêŋêåȊŶêŋŽȊÃŚŚŋÃߌĉŶêȊƌĥÃĥßêȊ
and charter management packages.
A surprising number of boat show visitors
therefore left the exhibition as
unexpected owners of a new 40ft yacht. heel angles, reducing comfort and making Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 40 masthead sloop rig
Partly as a result of this large numbers ŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊĤĬŋêȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊÿĬŋȊêĉŚąêŋȊÃȊąŠĤÃĥȊ ąÃŒȊŒĞÃÞȊŋêêƌĥĀȊĬŋȊÃĥȊĉĥǸĤÃŒŚȊÿŠŋĞĉĥĀȊĤÃĉĥŒÃĉĞ
were sold in the UK, over four years or autopilot to steer.
starting in 2000, and they are easier Two- and three-cabin layouts were size, though the berths taper more
ŚĬȊƌĥåȊŚąÃĥȊŚąêȊfßêÃĥĉŒȊƔƚƔǡ offered, both with two heads. The forward towards the feet than those of newer
The most popular keels were the deep owner’s cabin is common to both versions yachts where the maximum beam is
iron (1.95m draught) or shallow iron (1.65m and has a large double berth (though you carried further aft.
draught), both with hefty bulbs and the still sleep with feet forwards) ensuite Two-cabin boats have the heads
ÿĬŋĤêŋȊÃňňêÃŋĉĥĀȊŚĬȊÞêȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚĞŽȊĤĬŋêȊ heads/shower, plus a large standing area compartment next to the companionway
popular, at least among boats sold in the and reasonable stowage. The main moved aft and enlarged, giving space for
UK. Almost all examples have in-mast element of the saloon – generous seating a bigger and more conventional U-shape
ŋêêƌĥĀȊĤÃĉĥŒÃĉĞŒȊÃĥåȊĞÃŋĀêȊĬŶêŋĞÃňňĉĥĀȊ around a large table on the starboard side galley aft of the saloon area. Ahead of this
genoas. Although easily handled, it’s not – is also common to both layouts, as is a are two armchairs or a short settee. The
ÃĥȊêÿƌßĉêĥŚȊŒêŚȊŠňǢȊêŒňêßĉÃĞĞŽȊĉÿȊŚąêȊŒÃĉĞŒȊ proper forward-facing navigation station ÃßßĬĤĤĬåÃŚĉĬĥȊÃĞŒĬȊÞêĥêƌŚŒȊÿŋĬĤȊňĞêĥŚŽȊ
are old and misshapen, which can hinder with a dedicated seat. of natural ventilation and overhead
progress to windward as well as increase Three-cabin boats have a linear galley hatches, though most interiors used fairly
to port opposite the saloon, with the dark veneers and so look darker than
The Bavaria 40 was an instant hit thanks to second heads abaft of that, next to the those of many boats of the era.
spacious accommodation and a moderate price companionway. Both aft cabins are a good ”ĬåÃŽȊŽĬŠȃåȊÞêȊąÃŋåǸňŋꌌêåȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊÃȊ
boat with more space at a similar price,
although the relatively small single wheel
and narrower transom dates the design
Bavaria 40 somewhat. Prices vary widely from less
Hull length: 11.85m/38ft 10in
than £60,000 to around £85,000 for the
LOA: 12.50m/40ft 10in
best examples.
LWL: 10.90m/35ft 10in
Beam: 3.95m/13ft 0in
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey/
Draught: 1.95m or 1.65m/
6ft 5in or 5ft 5in
Sun Fast 40
Although already part of Groupe Beneteau,
Displacement: 9,000kg/19,842lb
Jeanneau continued to be one of the most
Ballast: 2,765kg/6,095lb
popular alternatives to the parent
Sail area: 91m2/979ft2
company’s own range of yachts. The Sun
Odyssey 40, a Daniel Andrieu design built
Carolyn Jenkins/Alamy

from 1998 to 2004 (and then as the 40.3

until 2007) was one of the best of its era,
with a deep bulb keel and relatively
powerful rig providing good performance
and handling. Yet, at the same time,
there’s impressive and spacious
accommodation in two-or three-cabin
layouts with a choice of one or two heads.

32 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 OCEANIS 393 AND ALTERNATIVES

Dufour 40
Hull length: 11.99m/39ft 5in
LOA: 12.30m/40ft 6in
LWL: 10.74m/35ft 3in
Beam: 3.90m/12ft 10in
Draught: (standard keel) 1.60m/5ft 3in
(deep keel) 2.10m/6ft 11in
Displacement: 7,300kg/16,061lb
Ballast: 2,700kg/5,941lb
Upwind sail area: 89m2/957ft2

Although a marginally longer boat than Yet these are boats that also provide The Dufour 40’s high-aspect and deep rudder
the Oceanis, displacement is 8% lighter, spacious and very comfortable translates into excellent control
yet the Sun Odyssey’s ballast ratio is accommodation. All versions have the
higher. I sailed an early example in the same owner’s cabin forward, which has into a deep groove. It proved similarly
British Virgin Islands and found it to be space for an optional ensuite, while the ŷêĞĞǸÞêąÃŶêåȊåĬŷĥŷĉĥåǢȊŒŠŋƌĥĀȊêÃŒĉĞŽȊĬĥȊ
rewarding to sail and a very different large L-shaped galley and starboard side ÃȊŊŠÃŋŚêŋĉĥĀȊŒêÃȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊåêêňǢȊąĉĀąǸ
experience from what might have been of the saloon are also identical. Two-cabin aspect rudder providing excellent control.
expected of a charter boat at that time. boats have a larger heads compartment As standard the deck layout was
Examples with in-mast furling headsails aft by the companionway, ahead of which designed for ease of use when sailing
will be more sluggish in lighter airs as a is a navigation station with a dedicated short-handed, with mainsheet, traveller
result of the reduced sail area. forward-facing seat, plus a full-length and primary winches all within reasonably
In brisk Caribbean breezes of up to 20 settee on the port side of the saloon. easy reach of the single wheel.
knots, the boat proved well balanced with In three-cabin versions, the aft heads Below decks, all layout options have
a direct and light feel to the helm, even moves forward and the chart table is the same impressively large and
when pressed hard. Helm positions are located above the port settee. ŷêĞĞǸÃňňĬĉĥŚêåȊĀÃĞĞêŽǢȊŷĉŚąȊŚÃĞĞȊƌååĞêŒȊ
comfortable and have a good view of the Prices range from around £60,000- to ensure items remain in place on the
luff of the jib, thanks in part to the șƙƑǢƑƑƑǢȊŚąĬŠĀąȊŷêĞĞǸêŊŠĉňňêåȊŒŠĥȊ<ÃŒŚȊ worktops, and excellent stowage. As
twin-wheel versions may fetch a standard, the forward owner’s cabin has
arrangement that
places the driver
‘Jeanneau continued to little more. an offset double berth, additional seating
and plenty of stowage. An optional ensuite
further outboard than a be one of the most Dufour 40 heads was offered, but this pushed the
single wheel. This is a more berth further forward. Aft cabins are a
We also made good popular alternatives’ performance-oriented good size, with generous clearance above
progress in lighter airs, option built from the the berth, reasonable stowage and a good
êŶêĥȊŚąĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊêŊŠĉňňêåȊ mid-2000s onwards that nevertheless standing and changing area.
with a spinnaker of any kind for reaching offers spacious and comfortable On the downside, the saloon is smaller
and downwind work, where the apparent accommodation in two-or three-cabin than some, though still has ample space
ŷĉĥåȊŒŚŋêĥĀŚąȊßÃĥȊŊŠĉßěĞŽȊåĉĤĉĥĉŒąǡ formats. Dufour 40s were historically to seat six or more around the table for
Sun Fast versions have the same interior more expensive than the Oceanis 393 and dining. There’s also a forward-facing chart
and deck mouldings, but have improved other yachts in this selection, but recently table with its own seat, although this
deck hardware, including a cockpit I’ve seen VAT-paid examples advertised means the starboard settee is too short
mainsheet traveller in place of the for as little as £80,000, although asking to form a proper sea berth.
coachroof-mounted arrangement of the ňŋĉßêŒȊßÃĥȊŋÃĥĀêȊŠňŷÃŋåŒȊĉĥŚĬȊŒĉżȊƌĀŠŋêŒǡȊ In many respects the Dufour 385 Grand
Sun Odyssey boats. This makes a marked FȊŚêŒŚêåȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊÞĬÃŚȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊĬňŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ Large, built from 2005 onwards, was a
difference in facilitating easy and accurate deep keel imported into the UK on a gusty more obvious choice as an alternative to
sail trim, but with the downside that the early spring day and was impressed by its the Oceanis 393. However, despite the
mainsheet can sweep dangerously across performance and handling. Sailing name, the hull length is only 11.36m (37ft
the cockpit if not properly controlled in close-hauled with 19-25 knots of apparent 2in) and the waterline length is a whole
manoeuvres. The Sun Fast version was ŷĉĥåȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŋêêÿȊŚŠßěêåȊĉĥǢȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊ 3ft shorter than the Dufour 40. It packs
also offered with a deeper 2.4m draught proved to be a delight to sail, with the helm in a large amount of comfortable
low centre of gravity keel and taller rig. ideally balanced and the boat easy to settle accommodation, but most examples

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 33

 SECOND-HAND BOATS

Hanse 411
LOA: 12.35m/40ft 6in
LWL: 10.90m/ 35ft 8in
Beam: 4.05m/12ft 3in
Displacement: 9,700kg/21,384lb
Draught: 1.98m/6ft 6in
Draught: (shoal keel) 1.55m/5ft 1in
Sail area: 82.10m2/884ft2

Dehler 39
LOA: 11.80m/38ft 8in
ABOVE The Hanse 411 is easy to sail, with two LWL: 10.70m/35ft 1in
deep single-line reefs for the mainsail and Beam: 3.85m/12ft 7in
self-tacking jib
Draught: (std keel) 1.98m/6ft 6in
(optional deep keel) 2.35m/7ft 8in
ŒêêĤȊŚĬȊŒêĞĞȊÿĬŋȊƌĀŠŋêŒȊßĞĬŒêȊŚĬȊŚąÃŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ Displacement: (deep keel)
7,000kg/15,400lb
Dufour 40, which makes the larger boat
Ballast: (deep keel) 2,295kg/5,060lb
that has better performance a more
Sail area: 92m2/990ft2
attractive proposition.

Hanse 411
In the years leading up to the 2008 global
economic crisis, Hanse grew rapidly

Rupert Holmes
thanks to the vision of Michael Schmidt, a
yacht broker turned boatbuilder who saw
an opportunity to harness skilled labour in
the former East Germany. Labour costs
and factory overheads there were still low
compared to the west, yet the region had
a rich history of yacht construction. ABOVE The Dehler 39 performs well thanks to raced his Dehler 39SQ around Britain and
Although the yard started in a small the boat’s narrow beam and light displacement Ireland, as well as completing the Azores
way, buying the tooling of existing designs and Back Race (AZAB), and has sailed
of smaller yachts, Schmidt’s vision was on from the interior to the large cockpit north to Scandinavia in the dead of winter
a much grander scale and it was not long locker, turning this into a walk-in stowage for a few weeks of cross-country skiing.
before he commissioned renowned space/technical area. In more usual cruising conditions,
designers Judel/Vrolijk to produce a range The boat was set up to be easy to a combination of lighter displacement
of thoroughly up-to-date cruising yachts. handle, with two deep single-line reefs and slightly narrower beam create a more
Launched in 2001, the Hanse 411 was the for the mainsail and a self-tacking jib. easily driven hull shape that boosts speed
third of these and marked a step change The Hanse 411 was certainly an attractive in light airs, reducing the amount of
ĉĥȊŊŠÃĞĉŚŽȊÃĥåȊƌĥĉŒąȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊŽÃŋåǡ package, but the brand was less well motoring that needs to be done to
It’s a slightly larger and heavier boat known at that stage and didn’t sell as well maintain a reasonable speed on passage.
than the Oceanis 393, with spacious two- as later models of a similar size. Prices are At the same time, a deep, low centre of
or three-cabin accommodation in a bright currently around £70,000-£80,000. gravity keel and healthy ballast ratio also
interior with a striking mix of white make this a boat capable of looking after
panelling and high gloss varnished joinery Dehler 39 her crew in heavy weather.
that was both attractive and stood out This is a well-made German design, again Three keel options were offered with
from the crowd. Two-cabin models offer a by Judel/Vrolijk, but is a sportier choice draughts of 1.65m, 1.98m and 2.35m, with
particularly large galley, as well as a door with more emphasis on performance. the shallower options having an extra
It also offers comfortable accommodation 965kg and 650kg of ballast respectively
in a choice of two-or three-cabin layouts, to maintain righting moment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR even if there’s less internal volume than One drawback is that nowhere near as
Rupert Holmes has sailed other boats in this selection. The Dehler many were built as the Oceanis 393,
85,000 miles in more than 39 slightly pre-dates the Oceanis 393, ĤÃěĉĥĀȊŚąêĤȊąÃŋåêŋȊŚĬȊƌĥåǡȊ‚ŋĉßêŒȊŒŚÃŋŚȊ
250 different boats. He won though remained in production for longer around 10-15% higher than the Oceanis,
the 2022 Sevenstar in the slightly revised SQ version that was but tend to vary across a wide range,
non-stop round Britain and sold from 2004 onwards. ňêŋąÃňŒȊŋêƍêߌĉĥĀȊŚąêȊĞĬĥĀȊňŋĬåŠßŚĉĬĥȊ
Ireland race and is currently It’s a well-proven design with many run and that some examples are very
preparing for the Globe 40 double- examples successfully completing long ŷêĞĞǸêŊŠĉňňêåȊÃĥåȊąÃŶêȊąĉĀąǸ
handed round the world race. voyages. I have a Dutch friend who has ŒňêßĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊŒÃĉĞŒǡ

34 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 ADVERTISING PROMOTION

Allow the snubber to take

the weight of the chain
rising from the seabed

YOUR
CHAIN
SNUBBING
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Credit

The Kong chain The Ultra chain grabber

gripper is ‘captive’ is ‘non-captive’ – the
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a load on the snubber
 ADVERTISING PROMOTION

A ready-made
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snubbing bridle

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ood anchoring protects your boat and
keeps the crew comfortable. And while
there is no universal way to set an
all-chain anchor rode, one end of the
chain will be secured to the boat and
the other end will be connected to the anchor,
meaning the anchor system is metal from end
to end, without elasticity. Simple set length
But sudden jolting on the chain is bad news: the chain snubbing
noise and motion are irksome for the crew, it affects strops are available
the chain and bow roller, and shocks to the rode can on the website
as standard
even break out the anchor.
Snubbers absorb the jolts, and wipe out the squeak
of chain on bow-roller. ‘retentive’, where the connection stays on when the
A rope snubber is attached to the chain and cleated snubber goes slack), or ‘non-captive’ (also called
off at the bow. Once the rope is under tension, the ‘plain’), where the connection is open to release when
chain is slackened until the strain is all on the snubber. the snubber goes slack. In practice, when correctly
Providing the snubber is long enough, the stretch in it deployed and loaded, a ‘non-captive’ hook or grabber
will then cushion any shock loading. shouldn’t detach itself, but a long, heavy loop of chain
”ąêȊƌŋŒŚȊßąĬĉßêȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊŒĥŠÞÞêŋȊĉŒȊŷąêŚąêŋȊŚĬȊąÃŶêȊÃȊ will be necessary to keep the hook engaged if the
single strop to one cleat, or a V-shaped bridle going to rode goes completely slack, eg when the tide
two. With a bridle, you will avoid any pressure on the overrides the wind. Because of the calibration of most
bow roller. modern chain, the links are not entered, with hooks
Another question is what kind of rope will be ÃĥåȊĀŋÃÞŒȊåêŒĉĀĥêåȊŚĬȊƌŚȊĬŶêŋȊÃȊĞĉĥěȊĉĥȊĬĥêȊ
ŋêŊŠĉŋêåǡȊXF fŒȊ_ŽĞĬĥȊŒŚŋêŚßąêŒȊŠňȊŚĬȊÃȊƌÿŚąȊĤĬŋêȊĬÿȊ dimensional plane and rest on the next link, which will
its original length before parting. Generally, the rope naturally lie transverse to it.
should have a break load similar to that of the chain. There are choices to be made depending on how long
For a single-line snubber, either Anchorplait you usually spend at anchor and where you drop the
(eight-strand) or three-strand rope can be used. For a hook. Long periods at exposed anchorages would call
V-shaped bridle, Anchorplait is regarded as the only for a relatively long, heavy snubber line. And of course,
workable solution. There is no discernible difference several anchors would require several snubbers…
in elasticity between eight- and three-strand. As you Many boat owners might not be aware of the online
can imagine, the longer the rope, the more elasticity availability of tailored solutions. Strops and bridles
ŽĬŠȊŷĉĞĞȊĀêŚǡȊŠŚȊŽĬŠȊĤÃŽȊƌĥåȊÃȊĞĬĥĀêŋȊĞĉĥêȊĞꌌȊ can be custom-made for you by Jimmy Green Marine.
manageable during deployment and recovery. Anyone who would prefer not to order online can
A snubber can go to a hook, or a gripper. The specify their requirements and complete a purchase
options are categorised as ‘captive’ (that is to say via phone or email.

F O R A C O M P R E H E N S I V E R O U N D - U P O F I N F O R M AT I O N , V I S I T. . .

www.jimmygreen.com/content/190-anchor-chain-snubbing-guide
 Clive MarshȊåĉŒßĬŶêŋêåȊŒĤÃĞĞȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŷąĉĞêȊŷĬŋěĉĥĀȊÿĬŋȊÃĥÃåĉÃĥȊ‚ÃßĉƌßȊŒŚêÃĤŒąĉňŒȊÃĥåȊĉŒȊÃȊňÃŒŚȊĬĤĤĬåĬŋêȊ
ĬÿȊŚąêȊ^êŋßąÃĥŚȊ_ÃŶŽȊ
ŒŒĬßĉÃŚĉĬĥȊĬÃŚȊĞŠÞǡȊFĥȊŚąĉŒȊŒêŋĉêŒȊąêȊŒąÃŋêŒȊŚÃĞêŒȊÿŋĬĤȊąĉŒȊƖƑȊŽêÃŋŒȊĬÿȊÞĬÃŚȊĬŷĥêŋŒąĉňǡ

Mick Kirby/RHSC
Victoria of Rye ŷÃŒȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊÞĬÃŚȊ
ĤĬĬŋêåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊ ŽêȊňĬĥŚĬĬĥ

Invicta 26
A classic long keel yacht for
the price of a good dinghy

T Mick Kirby/RHSC
he once great British and people like that”.
Merchant Navy was in decline. When we got back to
ŒąĉňŒȊŷêŋêȊÞêĉĥĀȊĤĬŚąÞÃĞĞêåȊ England, I bought books on
ÃĥåȊŒąĉňňĉĥĀȊßĬĤňÃĥĉêŒȊŷêŋêȊ accountancy instead of VictoriaȃŒȊßĞÃŒŒĉßȊ
closing down. London Docks celestial navigation and caulked decks
ŷêŋêȊêĤňŚŽĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊĤŽȊĬŷĥȊêĤňĞĬŽêŋǢȊ eventually found myself an
ÃĥÃåĉÃĥȊ‚ÃßĉƌßȊŒŚêÃĤŒąĉňŒǢȊŷas down ĬÿƌßêȊŋĬĞêȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊŚÃĥěêŋȊßĬĤňÃĥŽȊÃŒȊÃȊŒĬŋŚȊ boatbuilders. There was a Mk1 model and
ŚĬȊĬĥĞŽȊĬĥêȊňÃŒŒêĥĀêŋȊĞĉĥêŋǡȊŒĬǢȊĉŚȊåĉåĥȃŚȊ of nautical accountant. Life was easy and a Mk2 version, which offered a little more
take much imagination to see that I found time to sail dinghies. I kept a foot headroom. Later versions were moulded
êĤňĞĬŽĤêĥŚȊÃĥåȊňŋĬĤĬŚĉĬĥȊňŋĬŒňêߌŒȊ in both camps but as the shipping ÞŽȊ<FǸŋÃÿŚȊĉĥȊ(ŒŒêżȊÃĥåȊƌŚŚêåȊĬŠŚȊÞŽȊ
ŷêŋêȊÞĞêÃěǡȊ‚êŋąÃňŒȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊĀĬȊ companies closed one by one, I found FI-Craft or Salterns Yacht Agency.
ÞÃßěȊŚĬȊŒßąĬĬĞȊÃĥåȊƌĥåȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊßÃŋêêŋǡ myself working as an accountant for a Folkboats have great lines, but this
It was December when my little general manufacturing company in Tonbridge. comes with limited space below. They are
cargo ship was leaving the St Lawrence ^ŽȊĬÿƌßêȊĞĬĬěêåȊĬŠŚȊĬĥŚĬȊŚąêȊ”ŽĞêŋȊĬÃŚȊ often sold as families get bigger and tend
before the freeze to head out into the wild Company yard. Every few weeks to be owned by young couples or older
winter North Atlantic. Around 1600 it was marvellous yacht hulls would pass sailors who sail without growing kids on
getting dark and my job was to keep the through their gates and one was the board. They have become a much admired
ship’s log, stand by the telegraph and Invicta 26. A perfect view for me since I modern classic. One was moored next to
attempt to interpret the instructions for have always preferred boats to ships and ĤŽȊÞĬÃŚȊĥêÃŋȊŒŚŋÃĥåȊ„ŠÃŽȊŠňȊ ĬßěȊ
relaying to various parts of the ship. For maybe one day I could afford one. ąÃĥĥêĞȊÃŚȊ ŽêǡȊFȊąÃŶêȊŷÃŚßąêåȊąêŋȊŒÃĉĞȊ
the most part I did this phonetically. ĬŠŚȊĉĥȊŚąêȊÃŽȊŷĉŚąȊåĉÿÿêŋêĥŚȊĬŷĥêŋŒȊÿĬŋȊ

ŒȊŷêȊňÃŒŒêåȊŒĬĤêȊĬÿƌßêȊÞĞĬßěŒȊĬĥȊĬŠŋȊ Folkboat inspiration many years and always admired her lines
port side, I could see, through binoculars, ÃŒêåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ<ĬĞěÞĬÃŚǢȊŚąêȊ= ‚ȊFĥŶĉߌÃȊƓƗȊ and performance. She looked very
ňêĬňĞêȊĉĥȊŷÃŋĤǢȊßĬŒŽȊĬÿƌßêŒǡȊFȊÃŒěêåȊŚąêȊ ŷÃŒȊåêŒĉĀĥêåȊÞŽȊ(ŋĉߊŒȊ=êŋąÃŋ劌ȊDz(=dzȊ comfortable and at home in her
captain what they all did, and he said, van de Stadt. Tylers moulded the hulls, environment, riding the waves
“They’re not like us, they’re accountants ÃĥåȊŚąêŽȊŷêŋêȊƌŚŚêåȊĬŠŚȊÞŽȊÃȊŶÃŋĉêŚŽȊĬÿȊ comfortably with no slamming or fuss.

38 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CLIVE’S BOATS: INVICTA 26

Victoria’s attractive low

ňŋĬƌĞêȊßĬĤêŒȊÃŚȊŚąêȊ
êżňêĥŒêȊĬÿȊĉĥŚêŋĉĬŋȊŒĉƅê

^ŠåȊÞêĥêƌŚŒ
The current owner is Mick Kirby at our
sailing club. His extensive overhaul
includes a compact replacement Volvo
MD 2010D engine with raw water cooling
and a heat exchanger to cool the exhaust
gases. She looks better than ever, but
keeping a boat looking clean when
ÞêŋŚąêåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ ŽêȊĤŠåȊĉŒȊÃȊßąÃĞĞêĥĀêǡ
She digs her keel into the mud and

Mick Kirby/RHSC
leans against the wall at Strand Quay.
One advantage of a drying mooring is less
frequent antifouling. I once managed to
go for four years with a fouling-free but
ĤŠååŽȊąŠĞĞǡȊ‚êŋąÃňŒȊÞêßÊŒêȊŷąêĥȊŚąêȊ
ŒÃĞŚŽȊŚĉåêȊåêňÃŋŚŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ ĬßěȊąÃĥĥêĞǢȊ
ÿŋêŒąȊŷÃŚêŋȊĉŒȊĞêŚȊĬŠŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ ĉŶêŋȊ
Tillingham, and this mix of fresh and salt Sea-kindly some modern yachts with their speed.’
water at each tide might confuse the Invictas have an excellent reputation. I can vouch for this, having observed
Klingons I get in a marina. Also, being dry In 2001, PBO’s sister magazine Yachting Mick’s Victoria of Rye in a variety of sea
for half of each day might help. There are Monthly did a used boat test and said: conditions. Of course, she might take a
other local theories but whatever the ‘Invictas are sea kindly, knockabout little longer to come round on a tack than
reason, I prefer a nice mud berth to a cruisers that will keep a couple or young ÃȊƌĥȊěêêĞȊÞĬÃŚǢȊÞŠŚȊŒąêȊĉŒȊĤÃåêȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊŒêÃȊ
marina. I prefer mud to barnacles any day. family safe in all weathers and embarrass and not for dodging around the buoys.
The transom-hung rudder joined to
An inboard engine the end of the long keel looks robust and
ąÃŒȊÞêêĥȊƌŚŚêåǤȊ
outboard bracket
Invicta 26: approximate I wonder if these are less vulnerable to the
ĉŒȊĘŠŒŚȊÃȊÞÃßěȊŠň dimensions playful orca attacks off Cape Trafalgar.
Long keel, transom hung rudder I like to be able to see my rudder when
Rigging type: masthead sloop ŒÃĉĞĉĥĀǡȊÃĞĞÃŒŚȊĉŒȊêĥßÃňŒŠĞÃŚêåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊěêêĞǡȊ
LOA: 26ft 5in / 8.06m
LWL: 20ft 8in / 6.30m Keel conundrum
Beam: 7ft 4in / 2.24m FȊąÃŶêȊŚêĥåêåȊŚĬȊÃŶĬĉåȊĞĬĥĀǸȊĬŋȊƌĥǸěêêĞȊ
Displacement: 5,137lb / 2,330kg boats in favour of bilge keelers which I can
Ballast: 2,315lb / 1,050kg ÞêÃßąȊĤĬŋêȊêÃŒĉĞŽǡȊŠŚȊÃŚȊ ŽêǢȊÞĉĞĀêȊěêêĞŒȊ
encapsulated
Mick Kirby/RHSC

ÃŋêȊĥĬŚȊŒĬȊŠŒêÿŠĞǡȊ=ĉŶêĥȊŚąêȊŒŚêêňȊĤŠåȊ
Max draught: 3ft 11in / 1.20m
banks, a bilge keeler can not easily lay
Construction: GRP
alongside a wall. Even worse, one keel
First built: 1964
ĤĉĀąŚȊƌĥåȊÃȊąĬĞêǡȊ<ĬŋȊŚąêŒêȊŋêÃŒĬĥŒǢȊÞĉĞĀêȊ
Builders: Tyler Boat Co & FI-Craft
keelers tend to berth bow-on to the bank
Designer: EG van de Stadt
and then, when the tide departs, their rear
end is left in the air.
The Contessa 26 is a Mick keeps his Invicta on a fully drying
similar Folkboat Contessa 26: mooring ‘roped’ so that she leans against
derivative the wall when the tide goes out. The long
approximate
dimensions ěêêĞȊåĉĀŒȊĉĥŚĬȊŚąêȊŒĬÿŚȊ ŽêȊĤŠåǡȊfĥêȊĀŋêÃŚȊ
Long keel, transom hung rudder advantage of a long keel is that
Rigging type: masthead sloop antifouling is a lot easier to apply than it
LOA: 25ft 6in / 7.77m would be on a bilge keeler. There is a slip
LWL: 20ft 0in / 6.10m ŷĉŚąȊňĬŒŚŒȊÃŚȊ ŽêǢȊÃĥåȊŽÃßąŚŒȊßÃĥȊåŋŽȊĬŠŚȊ
Beam: 7ft 6in / 2.29m DzÞŽȊÃŋŋÃĥĀêĤêĥŚȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊąÃŋÞĬŠŋȊĤÃŒŚêŋdzȊ
Displacement: 5,400lb / 2,449kg for a tide and a quick antifoul. A lot less
Ballast: 2,300lb / 1,043kg bother and expense than hauling the boat
Max draft: 4ft 0in / 1.22m out at a yard.
Another similar boat to look at is the
Andy Arthur/Alamy

Construction: FG/GRP
First built: 1965 Contessa 26. Dimensions for both boats
Last built: 1990 ÃŋêȊĀĉŶêĥȊDzĞêÿŚdzȊÿĬŋȊßĬĤňÃŋĉŒĬĥǡȊ
Builder: Jeremy Rogers The prices of used Invictas vary, mainly
Designer: David Sadler according to the engine. Some, that would
ÞêĥêƌŚȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊĥêŷȊêĥĀĉĥêǢȊßĬŒŚȊĞꌌȊŚąÃĥȊ
a good dinghy.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 39

 BOATBUILDING

Why Plan B is the

route to success
Katy Stickland meets the founder and students at Plan B to see how
boatbuilding and sailing are giving teenagers a second chance

Katy Stickland
Boatbuilding and sailing
are used to teach
students skills which
can be transferred into
other industries and jobs

P
lan B, and how its staff and the works with 10-25-year-olds who for one transferred into other industries and a
programmes they run help to reason or another can’t take part in route to employment.
prevent dozens of children and mainstream education. Instead, by using Adam, who is now 21 and has started
teenagers from falling through the diversity of the local marine industry, training towards his RYA Yachtmaster
the cracks, giving them a the staff teach skills which can be easily ŊŠÃĞĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥǢȊŷĬŋěŒȊÿŠĞĞȊŚĉĤêȊÃŚȊ‚ĞÃĥȊȊ
renewed purpose for the future, is clearly
illustrated by the words of former
student Adam Pankhurst.
“I was a delinquent in the community
when I was younger. I wasn’t a school
person, I preferred doing things with my
hands rather than studying,” said Adam.
“I was in and out of schools, and then I
found John in 2019 running his previous
organisation and moved over with him to
Plan B in 2022. I started as a student,
working my way up to an apprenticeship
at 16 and then became a member of staff
at 18. Maybe, I could have found my own
path but most likely I would have gone
åĬŷĥȊÃȊŶêŋŽȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊňÃŚąȊĉĥȊĞĉÿêǡȊFŚȊŷÃŒȊ
important I found somewhere like Plan B
which could get me back on track and
show me there was something else in life
other than running around the streets Getting out on the
Plan B

committing crimes,” he said. water is all part of the

The Gosport-based Plan B organisation Plan B philosophy

40 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 SKILLS FOR LIFE

LEFT Students are

taught the basics of
boatbuilding

INSET BELOW Many

of the boats built by
Plan B are CNC cut
and then built using
the stitch and glue
method
Plan B

teaching woodworking and boatbuilding BêȊŒÃŽŒȊąêȊƌĥåŒȊÞĬÃŚÞŠĉĞåĉĥĀȊȀňêÃßêÿŠĞȁȊ

to students as well as kayaking and but his real passion lies in sailing.
paddleboarding after achieving British “The second week I was here, I had my
ÃĥĬêĉĥĀȊßĬÃßąĉĥĀȊŊŠÃĞĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥŒǡ ƌŋŒŚȊêŶêŋȊŒÃĉĞȊÃĥåȊFȊŷÃŒȊąĬĬěêåǢȊFȊĥêŶêŋȊ
“We do basic training with the students want to let go; it’s magical. Since then
ÃĥåȊĀĉŶêȊĬŠŚȊßêŋŚĉƌßÃŚêŒȊŒĬȊŚąêŽȊÃßąĉêŶêȊ I have done lots of Round the Island Races

Plan B
something as a result of their time out on and did the 2023 Fastnet Race and built
the water. When they come into the miles on the Sweden 38 Plan B co-owns,
workshop and then start with building a and in the spring we’ll be taking the
picture frame and later an oar they have students out teaching them drills and Shamrock Quay in Southampton. This led
a real sense of achievement. skills. Ultimately, I’d love to be a skipper of
him to travel the world, running yachts
“This is so important, as they’ve been a Swan or a Spirit yacht; sailing yachts arein the Mediterranean, Asia and Australia,
used to a situation where the mainstream my real passion.” before circumnavigating the world with
school system can’t cope with them, and his wife, Vikki, between 2004-2007. Vikki
they feel like an outcast; they have no <ŠĞƌĞĞĉĥĀȊÃȊĥêêå is also a big part of the Plan B team. As
reason to be good or do anything. So, Plan B was founded by John and Vikki åĉŋêߌĬŋȊÃĥåȊĬÿƌßêȊĤÃĥÃĀêŋǢȊŒąêȃŒȊĬÿŚêĥȊ
when they can come here and participate Gillard who saw an “exponential need” ŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊňĬĉĥŚȊĬÿȊßĬĥŚÃߌȊÿĬŋȊňÃŋêĥŚŒȊŚŋŽĉĥĀȊ
and can be recognised for their to provide an alternative route for young ŚĬȊƌĥåȊÃȊŒĬĞŠŚĉĬĥȊÃÿŚêŋȊŚąêĉŋȊßąĉĞåȊąÃŒȊÞêêĥȊ
achievements, it’s a big step towards a people not engaging in mainstream excluded from school.
better life for them,” explained Adam. education. “When we came back
Previously John was Ȃ°ąĉĞêȊŷêȊąÃŶêȊÃȊ to the UK in 2008 we
involved with the became involved with sail
Portsmouth Sail Training ŒŚŋĬĥĀȊšŒ‚ȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ training and tried to then
Trust and then Oarsome ĤÃŋĉĥêȊĉĥ劌ŚŋŽǢȊÃĞĞȊ pay it forward to the next
Chance, which both generation,” said John.
provide programmes to ŚąêŒêȊŒěĉĞĞŒȊÃŋêȊ “But, what we recognised
ąêĞňȊŽĬŠĥĀȊňêĬňĞêȊÿŠĞƌĞȊ
their potential through
ŚŋÃĥŒÿêŋÃÞĞêȊĉĥŚĬȊ was that while sail
training was fantastic and
maritime training. ĬŚąêŋȊĉĥ劌ŚŋĉêŒȃ life-changing for some of
Oarsome Chance’s the young people we
students and staff were responsible for sailed with, we didn’t have a mechanism to
taking over the building follow up and truly see them through into
of the PBO Project Boat – the gaff cutter jobs and careers within the industry or
Secret 20 Harvey – in 2019 ahead of its other associated industries. So we created
unveiling at the Southampton Boat Show. Plan B to make sure we could be there for
John is a big believer in apprentice-led these young people, week in, and year out,
training. He sailed out of Liverpool while until they can move on to successful and
growing up before moving to the South ÿŠĞƌĞĞĉĥĀȊĞĉŶêŒǡȁ
Coast where, in 1995, he was given the Now, Plan B helps 54 students, ranging
Plan B

opportunity to train for two years to in age from 11 to 19; most are aged 14-16.
achieve an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean All of them are vocational learners who
Learning how to use epoxy adhesive ŊŠÃĞĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊŷĉŚąȊŋĉŚÃĥĥĉÃȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊÃŚȊ need an education programme where

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 41

 BOATBUILDING
tools are put in their hand, rather than RIGHT Boatbuilding
sitting in a classroom listening to a skills come to
fruition with the
teacher. ƌĥĉŒąêåȊÃŋŚĉßĞê
John has found that boatbuilding is
one of the best ways to do that. BELOW To date, the
“Working with wood is a great medium students at Plan B
have built 12 boats
and building a boat and getting such
a fantastic end product is attractive to
young people. I was surprised in the very
early days how well they took to it but
over the last 10 years I’ve seen how well
boatbuilding engages boys and girls of
all age groups,” he said.
The programme starts with the basics
of joinery and the introduction of different
types of wood, tool use and entry-level
ŚêßąĥĉŊŠêŒȊÿĬŋȊĘĬĉĥŚĉĥĀȊŷĬĬåǡȊ”ąêȊƌŋŒŚȊ
project is a picture frame to teach how to
build a mitre joint before moving on to the
mortise and tenon joint and then a paddle
so students can hone their skills where
accuracy is essential.
Those who really take to working with
wood then move on to the next level –
building a boat, usually a stitch and glue
construction like a Medway 10.9. To date,
12 boats have been built in the workshop
ÃŚȊ‚ĞÃĥȊȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚǢȊÃȊ ĬĤĥêŽȊƓǡƓȊ
clinker ply rowing and sailing tender
which was built from scratch. Often, the
ƌĥĉŒąêåȊÞĬÃŚŒȊÃŋêȊŠŒêåȊÞŽȊŚąêȊŒŚŠåêĥŚŒȊŒĬȊ

Plan B
“they can enjoy the fruits of their labour”
before the vessels are sold.

BÃĥåŒǸĬĥȊêżňêŋĉêĥßê Wessex’s Hamish Cook is a technical

“We found, as opposed to the bigger boats advisor for Plan B, and provides full
that we’ve built like skiffs where it is a lot access to the company’s support teams
more instructor-led, 95% of the build of for advice on boatbuilding and craft
the Romney was done just by the students. projects, and the use of epoxy products.
They might make a few errors on the build He is impressed with the standard of

Plan B
because of the method on the jig but it is work coming out of the workshop.
all correctable and they learn so much “We deal with a lot of people, whether
more by being truly hands-on. Primarily, they be educational establishments,
this is about giving children who otherwise generosity of several benefactors. Many professional boatbuilders or amateurs who
wouldn’t have it, the opportunity to learn local businesses also support the project are building boats in their back gardens, so
ŒěĉĞĞŒȊÃĥåȊƌĥåȊĘĬÞŒȊÃĥåȊňŋĬĀŋꌌǡȁ including RS Sailing, Bosham Sailing it is always impressive to see what people
The work of John and his Plan B team Club, boatfolk’s Haslar Marina and can create and the students here have
is funded by top-up funding for special Wessex Resins and Adhesives, which such great support they can really produce
education needs from schools and local supplies the organisation with its range some fantastic boats,” said Hamish.
authorities, fundraising, and the of licensed West System epoxy products.
ŒěĉĞĞŒȊÿĬŋȊĞĉÿê
The aim of Plan B is not just about training
the boatbuilders or carpenters of the
future; it is about giving each student the
ŒěĉĞĞŒȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊĬĥĀĬĉĥĀȊêĤňĞĬŽĤêĥŚȊÃĥåȊ
manage independent living.
“We’re teaching them a process,”
explained John Gillard. “We’re teaching
them to plan the job, to have the right
materials, have the right skills, have
everything ready, so on a Monday morning,
when they turn up to the job, 50% of the
work is done because they followed that
process. That’s exactly the same whether
you are boatbuilding, plumbing in a radiator
Katy Stickland

or wiring a house; it’s the same thought

process. While we have a strong USP in the
marine industry, which is a great employer
here in Gosport, all these skills are
transferable into other industries.”
Just some of the people who make Plan B a success – the organisation provides a range of activities As well as large woodworking and
for teenagers including boatbuilding, cooking and music smaller engineering workshops on site,

42 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 SKILLS FOR LIFE
Plan B

Plan B also has a recording studio, run by ABOVE RYA sail training is also offered with
Music Matters, and a kitchen where offshore team building and sailing events
ĞĬßÃĞĞŽȊÃĥåȊÿŠŋŚąêŋȊÃƌêĞå
students can earn Food & Hygiene Level 1
ÃĥåȊƓȊßêŋŚĉƌßÃŚêŒȊÃĥåȊÞêȊŚÃŠĀąŚȊŚąêȊŒěĉĞĞŒȊ RIGHT Many students have no connection to
to cook healthy and nutritious meals boating before Plan B; Adam Pankhurst is now
under the watchful eye of chef Martin hoping for a career as a skipper
Bennett. Activities also include fresh and
ŒêÃȊŷÃŚêŋȊƌŒąĉĥĀǢȊÃŒȊŷêĞĞȊÃŒȊŋĬŷĉĥĀǢȊ he crossed paths with John and Vikki
inshore and offshore sailing, kayaking and Gillard at the age of 14. The 23-year-old
other paddle sports, led by watersports is now the workshop manager at Plan B,
manager, Chris Hill. having initially found work at a
Most of the students have no sailing commercial diving company while
or watersports background and many of ƌĥĉŒąĉĥĀȊąĉŒȊ=Œ(ŒȊÞêÿĬŋêȊßĬĤňĞêŚĉĥĀȊÃȊ
them have never visited the beach, four-year marine engineering
despite living within 10 miles of the coast. apprenticeship with Paragon Training.
“One of the bonuses This resulted in a job
of our location is our Ȃ(ŶêĥȊŚąêȊŒĉĤňĞêŒŚȊ with One Degree West
Plan B

close proximity to the in Southsea, rebuilding

water and the students ÃߌĉŶĉŚŽȊßÃĥȊ and serving diesel
all aspire to get out on ŚŠŋĥȊĉĥŚĬȊŋêÃĞĞŽȊ engines. He then
the water. Most of focussed on the with composites with IMOCA race teams. I
them, not all, have ĞĉÿêǸßąÃĥĀĉĥĀȊŒŚŠÿÿȊȃ technical side of wouldn’t be who I am today without Plan B.”
never been to the carbon boatbuilding Joe describes the Plan B team as a
beach locally, which is amazing for an area and fabrication, completing work “big family” who look out for each other.
like this. So, quite often, that is one of the placements with Alex Thomson’s Hugo It is clear that this nurturing
ƌŋŒŚȊÃߌĉŶĉŚĉêŒȊŷêȊåĬǢȊŠŒŠÃĞĞŽȊÃȊĞĉŚŚêŋȊňĉßěǡȊ Boss and the L’Occitane IMOCA 60 race environment is delivering results, given
We were doing one the other afternoon teams, and hopes to focus on composite the success of former students Joe
and one of the students began stroking boatbuilding in the future, building large Swindale and Adam Pankhurst.
the sand. I asked him what he was doing ßÃŋÞĬĥȊƌÞŋêȊŋÃßêÞĬÃŚŒǡ “Hopefully, there’ll be a Plan B in every
and he said, ‘I didn’t realise it’d be so soft”; “No one in my family is sailing-orientated town and city around the country because
he only lived 15 minutes from the beach or has anything to do with the water, but ŷêȊŒêêȊŚąêȊÞêĥêƌŚŒȊÿĬŋȊÃĞĞȊŽĬŠĥĀȊňêĬňĞêȊĉĥȊ
but he had never been there. Even the they love that I have found something that vocational educational alternative
simplest activity can turn into really I enjoy that makes me happy,” said Joe. provision,” said Plan B principal, John
life-changing stuff,” explained John. “I learnt so much about life by being here, Gillard. “Every young person should have
like people skills, how to engage with the opportunity to come and do this sort
ŋĉĀąŚêŋȊÿŠŚŠŋê others, how to do anything with wood, of thing alongside their schooling.”
Like many of the students, Joe Swindale engineering; all the good stuff. It has given For further information on Plan B visit
had never stepped foot on a boat before me massive opportunities like working theplan-b.org.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 43

 BOATS

Westons Point 27
A semi-bespoke gentleman’s launch in cedar strip construction,
the Westons Point 27 is a real head-turner that oozes traditional
craftsmanship, as David Harding reports

H
arbours all around our coast and so on. These things matter to anyone
ABOUT THE AUTHOR will be buzzing with small who owns a boat. People’s priorities differ,
David Harding has been motorboats on a nice however. For example, does it matter to
testing boats for more than summer’s day. Many of these you what your boat looks like? On the
25 years and has sailed over boats will be well-known basis of what we see out there,
500 types, from dinghies models from big yards that build them appearance doesn’t enter the equation
and dayboats to fast by the thousand. Many of them will also in many cases. For others, it’s the starting
multihulls and offshore look not unlike many of the others. point – and why shouldn’t it be?
cruisers. He is also a marine For the majority of the owners,
photographer and runs his agency it’s all about practicality: ease of BELOW The Westons Point 27’s
Sailing Scenes. His work regularly use, suitability for purpose, ĤĬåêŒŚȊŷêĉĀąŚȊÃĥåȊêÿƌßĉêĥŚȊąŠĞĞȊ
appears in the yachting press. purchase and running costs, form keep wash to a minimum
All photos David Harding

44 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MOTORBOAT TEST

More often than not for recreational One of a kind That’s not to say that elegance,
owners, buying a boat is driven by emotion The Westons Point 27 is one such boat. restraint and civility in motorboats have
rather than logic, and some people like to At a glance, you’d put her in the same to be the exclusive preserve of the sailor
feel proud of what they own; to enjoy general category as Cockwells’ Duchy ǺȊߊŋŋêĥŚȊĬŋȊňÃŒŚǡȊ”ąêȊĬŷĥêŋŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊ
looking at it, and to savour the experience motor launches, the Bristol 27 by Star Westons Point 27 have some sailing
of being aboard in terms of what you Yachts, and Swallow Yachts’ Whisper – all experience between them, but are not in
might call ‘sensory satisfaction’. It’s so êĞêĀÃĥŚǢȊŚĉĤêĞꌌȊÃĥåȊÿŠêĞǸêÿƌßĉêĥŚȊßŋÃÿŚȊ the category of lifelong sailors for whom
much more than simply ticking the designed to appeal to those whose desire the time has come to put away the winch
‘practicality’ boxes. is not to hurtle around kicking up an handles and hang up the sail ties.
If you just want a 25-30ft (7.6-9m) uncivilised wash in a thirsty, slab-sided Searching for a boat to use with their
motorboat for day-use, overnighting or plastic motorboat. family in and around Poole Harbour, they
weekending, there are plenty to choose People who buy boats like the Duchies, were introduced by a friend to Tim
from. If, on the other hand, you want one Bristols and Whispers will often have Frearson and Paul Kendall of Traditional
that’s built to your own requirements, that come from the world of sail, as will those Shipwright Services.
looks gorgeous, that’s equally happy who are drawn to the Hardys (now also They had initially been looking at a boat
inland or on the sea and that’s light built by Cockwells), Nelsons and from a different part of the country. Then,
enough to hitch up behind a car and trail Seawards. As an ex-sailor in a motorboat, seeing the plans of one that appealed to
to different waters –well, then your choice you want to be able to hold your head up them and that was built barely 50 yards
becomes rather more limited. high after moving across to ‘the dark side’. from where they’d be keeping her in
Parkstone Bay, on the north-east side
RIGHT A rounded of Poole Harbour, they put their faith in
forward end of the Tim and Paul to turn the drawings into
coachroof is more
complicated to
something special.
build, but enhances The drawings showed a boat that
the lines looked unlike those modelled on
1930s-style motor launches, such as the
Bristol 27 and earlier alternatives of
broadly similar ilk such as Hedley Bewes’s
Badnam Launch, designed by the late
David Thomas. The Westons Point 27
was designed by Jack Gifford in close
collaboration with Traditional

BELOW The cockpit provides generous seating

for six people, plus two more with the helm and
co-pilot’s seats

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 45

 BOATS

ABOVE A practical all-rounder, the Westons Adding to her user-friendliness is the use which made best use of the installed
Point 27 is happy at both displacement of twin outboards rather than an inboard horsepower but without trying to
and planing speed
engine. As Jack Gifford explains: “We all overreach on performance. Truth be told,
felt that outboards offered many boating at 20+ knots isn’t always that
Shipwright Services, which specialises advantages over the complexities of an much fun and we wanted to design this
in the repair, maintenance and inboard; servicing and cleanliness to name boat around a comfortable day out in the
refurbishment of classic yachts, keelboats just two, so we intended to use outboards harbour and surrounding area, with the
and motor launches. It has built plenty from the outset.” ability to get a move on when it was time
of boats from scratch, too. This time, Enclosed outboards have become to go home.”
however, it would be entirely under their increasingly popular in recent years and In a recreational context, few planing
own banner, from conception to are now widely found on boats up to 40ft motorboats under 30ft (9m) or so would
completion and beyond. (12m). Everyone involved in the Westons be able to exceed 20 knots continually
Having worked with Jack on a number Point wanted the outboards to be hidden, once the sea kicks up. Even if they could,
of major refurbishments, Tim and Paul put but without a raised cover to give the the crew might not be happy about it.
their ideas to him and the Westons Point 27 game away. Various engines entered the So, now that we know how the Westons
was born. They wanted something based running before twin 50hp Yamahas were Point 27 was born and a little about her,
on the style of the Maine lobster boats, eventually chosen. what’s she actually like?
which typically have a rounded, slightly As we found on our test run, they will For a start, she really is a stunner to
raked stem and a graceful sheer. She was produce speeds of up to 21 knots. That’s look at. Her lines are elegant and the
to be built in (western red) cedar strip, more than fast enough for the boat’s varnished timber trim – mostly in light oak
because wood is what the yard specialises intended use. “The brief was a real treat,” –contrasts with the pale blue of the hull to
in, it looks nicer than GRP (especially down Jack told me, “a boat suited to the harbour, set them off a treat. Tim and Paul
below) and it gives a strength-to-weight
ratio that’s hard to match except with very Twin outboards –
expensive, high-tech composites that Yamaha 50s on the
ƌŋŒŚȊÞĬÃŚȊǺȊÃŋêȊŊŠĉêŚȊ
don’t share wood’s appeal. and out of sight in
As we all know, wood treated with their enclosed well
modern epoxy resins is extremely durable
and, in practice, no harder to maintain
than GRP. If you’re into carbon footprints
and so on, you’ll also be drawn to the idea
of wooden construction.

Power to weight
The less a boat weighs, the less power
is needed to drive it and, all things being
equal, the less wash it will produce. At
around 2 tonnes including the engines,
the Westons Point is light for a 27-footer.

46 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MOTORBOAT TEST

explained that they spent many hours

ŋêƌĥĉĥĀȊŚąêȊĞĉĥêŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŷŋÃňǸÃŋĬŠĥåȊ
windscreen, mocking it up and looking at
it over several days as they walked past
the boat in the yard. The curved side
sections on top are in laminated oak, while
the straight sections are solid. You’d be
hard pressed to tell the difference.
The strips of 20mm tongue-and-groove
cedar used for the hull were graded to put
the most appealing sections on show
inside the cabin.
On a boat like this you neither want nor
ĥêêåȊĉĥŚêŋĉĬŋȊĞĉĥĉĥĀŒȊĬŋȊƌĥĉŒąêŒȊĬÿȊÃĥŽȊŒĬŋŚȊ
hiding the structure. All too often, their
only purpose is to speed up production or
create a smooth interior; they add weight
and complexity while making little or no
structural contribution. It’s a far better use
of materials when the joinery is part of the
structure. That’s honest boatbuilding.
In this case, it looks lovely too.
Vertical joints in the cedar are hidden painted with two-pack International ABOVE Twin throttles (with Morse controls) and
behind the ring frames that run into Perfection Pro. Oak trim is epoxied and space for a plotter at the sheltered helm station
substantial knees beneath the deckhead ŚąêĥȊƌĥĉŒąêåȊŷĉŚąȊ(ňĉÿÃĥêŒȊŶÃŋĥĉŒąǡȊ
and are made from 2.5mm strips of In terms of hull shape, the Westons Keeping level
laminated Khaya mahogany. Point has a moderately veed entry that Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the
Glued and screwed to the frames and ŋŠĥŒȊĉĥŚĬȊƍÃŚŚêŋȊŒêߌĉĬĥŒȊÃÿŚǢȊÃŒȊŽĬŠȊŷĬŠĞåȊ boat’s handling is the absence of any hump
bulkheads, the cedar is sheathed with expect of a planing boat. A soft chine during the transition from displacement
glass and epoxy inside and also externally, starts just abaft the bow and becomes to planing mode. Neither did she show any
ŷąêŋêȊĉŚȃŒȊƌĞĞêåȊÃĥåȊÿÃĉŋêåȊÞêÿĬŋêȊÞêĉĥĀȊ harder towards the stern. tendency to weave from side to side at low
speeds, as planing hulls often do. This
might be because of the iroko keel, which
runs from about mid-length to just
forward of the outboards and is 16in
(40cm) deep at its aft end.
At up to 8 knots, she was fully in
displacement mode. Nudging the revs
up to 3,000 took her to 9 knots, when
the bow lifted marginally and she was
thinking about breaking away from the
transom turbulence. By the time we
reached 3,700rpm, she was semi-planing
at 11 knots while drinking a modest 15lt
per hour. A comfortable cruising speed
would be 15 knots (4,200rpm), at which
speed she uses 20lt per hour. With a 55lt
fuel tank under the aft end of the cockpit
seating each side, this would give a range
of around 80 miles, or double that if you
cruise at 7 knots. Larger tanks can be
ƌŚŚêåȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȊĞĉěêǢȊÃĥåȊåêßěȊƌĞĞêŋŒȊĤÃěêȊ
for easy refuelling.
Should you have a rush of blood to the
head and open the throttles all the way, she
will reach 21 knots (probably more without
the weight of three men aboard). Fuel
consumption increases sharply at the top
end, from 25lt per hour at 17 knots to 37lt at
21 knots, so you’d probably choose to stick
in the mid-teens unless in a serious hurry.
Perhaps more important than the
difference in performance between
inboards and outboards for any given
horsepower is the noise level. You can still
carry on a conversation at normal volume
‘She really is a stunner to look at – between the helm station and anywhere in
the cockpit. With a centrally-mounted
her lines are elegant and varnished
timber trim sets them off a treat’ LEFT Centrally hinged reversible backrests
allow the seats to be used facing either
forward or aft

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 47

 BOATS

‘It’s a far better use of materials

when the joinery is part of the
structure; it looks lovely too’

inboard, it’s highly unlikely that would ABOVE A cabin for weekending like no other, The fronts of the lockers beneath
be possible. Having the outboards in an showing off the Western Red Cedar, ring the seats are angled (from inboard to
frames in khaya mahogany, and light oak trim
enclosed well keeps them out of the way outboard) rather than vertical. Apart from
and minimises the noise while bringing the looking nicer, this feature creates a wider
weight forward of the transom. That’s the the helm and co-pilot seats have a central cockpit sole and means you don’t kick the
principal reason for the absence of a hump. pivot so you can sit facing forward or aft locker fronts with your heels when seated.
Throwing the boat around in the with no need to rotate the seats. Having Naturally, you can have a full cockpit
ŋêĞÃŚĉŶêĞŽȊƍÃŚȊŷÃŚêŋȊĬÿȊ‚ĬĬĞêȊÃŽȊŋêŶêÃĞêåȊ to rotate them would mean mounting tent that joins on to the sprayhood, or roll
no surprises, though she showed little them further inboard, narrowing the up the sides and aft end to leave a canopy.
tendency to bank into the turns and access to the cabin. It’s a neat solution. It’s a spacious and comfortable cockpit.
remained remarkably level. As Jack All the seats in the U-shaped cockpit Our test boat was built with a well at the
Gifford says: “She was never intended as are 5ft 7in (1.7m) long (including across forward end of the cockpit sole to create
a rough weather boat, but she is designed the aft end). Together they’d provide headroom below the originally intended
to achieve RCD Category C.” comfortable seating for six people around hard top. The owners subsequently decided
Boy-racer trials over, we headed back the large table, which stows away along against the hard top, so the well can either
into the harbour at a more sedate pace the hullside outboard of the co-pilot’s ŋêĤÃĉĥȊĬŋȊÞêȊƌĞĞêåȊĉĥȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊĀŋÃŚĉĥĀǡȊ
ȊŒŠĤňȊ
and I took the opportunity to study the seat. It can also be lowered to create a with a bilge pump is under the well. The
cockpit in more detail. The backrests of ĞÃŋĀêȊĞĬŠĥĀĉĥĀȊÃŋêÃȊŷĉŚąȊÃĥȊĉĥƌĞĞȊߊŒąĉĬĥǡ rest of the cockpit is self-draining.

A plumbed-in heads lives under the seat to

A simple galley provides a two-burner gas hob, stowage and a sink starboard, with a holding tank under the berth

48 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MOTORBOAT TEST

ABOVE The only clue to the presence of berth to port is the galley, with two
outboard engines is the tunnel in the stern burners and stowage for weekend
beneath the bathing platform
provisions. Opposite this is a seat (with
36in/91cm headroom beneath the
Two more bilge pumps are under the deckhead). It lifts to reveal the plumbed-in
cabin sole and a further two right aft, one toilet with its macerator pump. Two house
on either side of the keel, because the batteries are under the cabin step, or can
iroko extends upwards into the hull and be moved forward to balance the trim Westons Point 27
effectively creates two separate according to the weight of the engines. Price: from £300,000 plus VAT
ßĬĤňÃŋŚĤêĥŚŒǡȊ<êŷȊƓƘǸÿĬĬŚêŋŒȊąÃŶêȊƌŶêȊ LOA: 8.24m/27ft 0in
bilge pumps. Verdict LWL: 7.86m/25ft 10in
This isn’t a boat that you buy if you want Beam: 2.62m/8ft 7in
Looking the part maximum length or volume for your Draught: 0.68m/2ft 3in
ąĬĬŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊŋĉĀąŚȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒȊÃĥåȊêŊŠĉňĤêĥŚȊ money. She’s a boat for the sort of person Engines: 2 x 40-50hp outboards
is crucial on a boat like this. The portholes, who might buy a Morgan rather than just Fuel: 106lt/23gal
ÿĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêǢȊŚĬĬěȊŒĬĤêȊƌĥåĉĥĀǢȊÃŒȊ‚ÊĞȊ a car to get from A to B. She’s an Water: 39lt/8.6gal
explained. “The boat was drawn with round expensive 27-footer because she takes a RCD Category: C
ĬĥêŒǢȊÞŠŚȊŷêȊßĬŠĞåĥȃŚȊƌĥåȊÃĥŽȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŋĉĀąŚȊ long time to build – and you can see why. Designer: Jack Gifford
size that looked modern enough. Lots of You buy her because you want something Builder: Traditional Shipwright Services
the round ones look as though they should that’s practical, beautiful and a pleasure www.traditionalshipwrightservices.co.uk
be on a 1930s Harrison Butler.” Tim added: to spend time aboard.
“We didn’t want it to look too ‘Captain
Pugwash’ either. And the quality of some
of the more modern ones just isn’t there.”
As with other important elements of the
design, they made patterns and put them
on the boat to make sure they looked right
before committing themselves. A further
consideration is that the portholes needed
to be in stainless steel to match the
anchor and windlass.
To look through the ports from inside,
you drop down into a cabin that invites you
to take your time admiring the woodwork,
soaking in the ambience and simply
enjoying being there. Much of the space
is occupied by a generously proportioned
V-berth, beneath which are the fresh-
water and black-water tanks and the
ßÃĞĬŋĉƌêŋȊŚÃĥěȊDzŋŠĥȊÿŋĬĤȊƓƕƑ¯dzǡȊ
ÞÃÿŚȊŚąêȊ Opening the throttles will take the speed up to 20 knots if you want to get home in a hurry

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 49

 PRACTICAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH

‘Can I trust
this mooring?’
Most sailors use traditional moorings without knowing about their
condition or how they’re made up. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies explains

M
ost navigable estuaries are Where moorings dry out, it’s
lined with traditional crucial to ensure the boat can’t
swinging moorings and be damaged by grounding on
the tackle at low water
ŚąêŽȃŶêȊƌĞĞêåȊŠňȊĤÃĥŽȊĬÿȊ
our anchorages, too. Some
ŒěĉňňêŋŒȊŶĉêŷȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀŒȊŷĉŚąȊŒŠŒňĉßĉĬĥǢȊ
ňŋêÿêŋŋĉĥĀȊŚĬȊŚŋŠŒŚȊŚąêĉŋȊĬŷĥȊÃĥßąĬŋȊĬŋȊŚĬȊ
ŚĉêȊŠňȊÃĞĬĥĀŒĉåêȊêŶêŋŽȊĥĉĀąŚǢȊÞŠŚȊĤĬŒŚȊĬÿȊ
us use them, either as visitors or as
long-term residents.
It’s easy to inspect the top part of a
mooring when you pick it up and it’s wise
to do so, but what about the parts that you
can’t see through the murky water? They

Jeff Morgan 06/Alamy

all look the same at the buoy, but there
are many different ways to make up a
ĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊŚÃßěĞêȊÃĥåȊĤÃĥŽȊßĬĥƍĉߌĉĥĀȊ
opinions among experts as to how it
should be done.
Local knowledge is important. I grew up
in a boatyard in Suffolk where the top
reaches of the rivers dry out to various
types of mud at low water and where it’s Boatyard or fairway committee? êżňêߌȊĉŚȊŚĬȊÞêȊƌŚȊÿĬŋȊňŠŋňĬŒêȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊ
crucial to ensure the boat can’t be Many boatyards have been in the agreed size and draught of yacht. It’s
damaged by grounding on top of her moorings business for generations, under ÃĞŷÃŽŒȊŷĬŋŚąȊßąêßěĉĥĀȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊĬÿƌßêȊÃŚȊ
mooring tackle. Strong ebb tides, varying long-standing fairway agreements. They the start of the season that your mooring
depths and shifting sands can complicate lay their own moorings and rent them out, has been serviced prior to your using it.
it further. often on a seasonal arrangement and the Moorings run by fairway committees
As a yacht surveyor and cruising owner of the river bed – usually the Crown are often oversubscribed because they
skipper, I’ve encountered many different Estate – gets a percentage of the takings. tend to be cheaper than boatyard
types of moorings around the British A boatyard mooring is the least-hassle moorings, with long waiting lists. When
coast. It’s worth knowing a bit about them type because an annual service of the ŚąÃŚȊĞêŚŚêŋȊĬÿȊÃĞĞĬßÃŚĉĬĥȊƌĥÃĞĞŽȊÃŋŋĉŶêŒȊĉŚȊ
and here’s what you need to know. tackle is normally included and you can can feel like winning the lottery – but it
usually comes with
strings attached, so read
the terms and
conditions. In most
cases, you are
completely responsible
for laying appropriate
mooring tackle to hold
your yacht at the
designated position on
the chart, without
hindering others.
A fairway committee
may also stipulate what
type of mooring tackle
Graham Snook/Future
Theo Stocker/Future

you are expected to use.

Often, this stems from
local knowledge of what
does and doesn’t work
These moorings and their sinkers have on a particular type of
ÞêêĥȊąÃŠĞêåȊÃÞĬŶêȊŚąêȊĞĬŷȊŷÃŚêŋȊĤÃŋěȊÿĬŋȊ °ąêĥȊňĉßěĉĥĀȊŠňȊÃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊŽĬŠȊßÃĥȃŚ river bed. Or it may be
checking and servicing over the winter check its condition underwater that space is tight and

50 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MOORING TACKLE
Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

ŽĬŠȊÞĬŋŋĬŷȊÃȊňŋĉŶÃŚêȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀ

they need to ensure that adjacent boats weight, called a sinker.

are moored the same way so they don’t This is generally how it’s ”ŽňĉßÃĞȊŒĉĥěêŋȊ
ĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊŒêŚǸŠň
swing into each other. done, except where
Some fairway committees insist on being moorings are very close
ĥĬŚĉƌêåȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȊÃŋêȊÃŷÃŽȊÿĬŋȊĤĬŋêȊŚąÃĥȊÃȊ together and their
few weeks, so the mooring can be sub-let. scope (swinging room)
Disputes about liability can occur if a is critical.
boat drags or breaks a sub-let mooring. If A sinker can be
there’s any doubt, it’s worth ensuring your almost anything. I’ve
mooring is serviced before you sail away seen old tractor wheels,
for the summer, if only for peace of mind. a load of 56lb weights Swivel
Most fairway committees require each shackled together, even
mooring to display a clear number and old engine blocks – but
some people paint on the buoy the it’s usually a concrete
maximum size of boat it can handle. This block with some scrap LWS
can be helpful but could also land you in chain inside it and a
hot water if a visitor picks it up and it then couple of 40mm rings
fails. I know a few folk who declare that coming out of it, or a run Heavy chain to LWS
their mooring is only suitable for a of heavy-gauge chain.
Wayfarer dinghy! Experts disagree

Maxine Heath/Future
about the ‘correct’ shape Sinker Mud
Can I lay my own mooring? of a sinker, if its
If you are responsible for laying and underside should be
maintaining your mooring, think very slightly hollow to create Diagram not to scale
carefully before deciding to do it yourself. suction and where the
FĥȊĤĬŒŚȊßÃŒêŒȊĉŚȃŒȊêżŚŋêĤêĞŽȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊ chain or ring should be
without specialist equipment, including a positioned. Some say in
good work boat and a barge on which to the middle while others
lay out the tackle with a winch capable of put it near a corner or side. I preferred the
lifting more than a ton. If you try doing it latter, laid in the ebb tide orientation. Our
from a yacht or a large dinghy you’re likely reasoning came from a few incidents when
to damage the boat. It’s far more sensible moorings with central rings skidded across
to pay a professional to supply and lay the the river bed in a strong ebb. When the
ground tackle. If you do use a contractor, chain was run from the side of a sinker, if it
make sure they have insurance cover to did start dragging it often got pulled down
undertake the job as instructed. into the riverbed.
Some yacht clubs lay moorings for their Where moorings are laid in shifting
members in self-help working parties, sand or very soft mud, the sinker often
which is a great way to learn how it’s done. gets swallowed up and when it needs
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies

The components that make up a typical servicing, it may be impossible to recover.

mooring tackle include a sinker or That’s why I like to run a length of heavy
anchored ground chain, a riser, a swivel, chain from the sinker to well above low
A ground anchor
several shackles and a buoy on a pick-up water springs – just in case. should have only
line. Let’s start at the bottom. Where moorings are tightly packed, ĬĥêȊƍŠěêȊŚĬȊÃŶĬĉå
The simplest way to hold a mooring in fairways committees often require the snagging on the
place on the sea bed is to use a large use of two anchors on a large ground mooring’s riser

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 51

 PRACTICAL
chain, instead of a sinker. The riser can be
shorter – reduced to the depth at high ”ŽňĉßÃĞȊĀŋĬŠĥåȊßąÃĉĥ
water springs plus a few feet. Some ĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊŒêŚǸŠň
committees also stipulate the direction in
which the tackle must be laid. It’s
important to prevent the riser from
tripping out an anchor on the turn of low
water and to ensure the boat’s keel can’t
ever make contact with a ground anchor.
The rule of thumb from my own
experience is that the ground chain should
be twice the length of the yacht plus the
scope of riser and another 10ft for safety.
Swivel
In some areas, ground chains are laid
across the tide with one anchor deep in the LWS Safe
fairway and the other replaced by a stake, Heavy chain to LWS distance
placed at low water springs. There are a
few obvious problems: the chain gets

Maxine Heath/Future
Same gauge riser Run ground chain
worked a lot more with each tide; there
as ground chain beyond the potential
may be only 15 minutes of slack water in position of where the
which to lay the mooring; and there may yacht could end up at LWS
be a risk of the boat drifting over the stake
as the tide ebbs away and impaling herself Diagram not to scale
on it. But the most common problem is
when a visiting yacht drops anchor, not
knowing where the ground chains are.
They get fabulous holding when their very crowded, they use fore and aft risers
anchor fouls your ground chain… so the boats are prevented from swinging.
Regardless of what’s on the sea bed,
When moored boats collide the riser is very important.
A trot is a line of moorings that share the Most old-school boatmen would run a
same long run of ground chain, with an chain the whole way up, but it’s expensive
anchor at each end. The ground chain, if and steel is not what it was – recycled
heavy enough, does most of the work ĤÃŚêŋĉÃĞȊĉĥȊŒŚêêĞȊąÃŒȊåêƌĥĉŚêĞŽȊßÊŒêåȊ
while the anchors act as pins. Boats on a some chains to fail after just a few
trot must be reasonably compatible. I can seasons of use. Most moorings have a
vividly remember one boatyard that laid heavy chain running up from the ground
trots and put all sorts of different boats on chain or sinker to the level of low water
them, the result was a very busy springs, then either a lighter chain or a
workshop that summer after a strong rope from there to the top. This makes it a
wind-over-tide day when deep-keeled lot easier to haul the whole lot up at low

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies
yachts lay to tide while quarter tonners water springs for checking and servicing.
and lift-keelers zipped around like All-rope and part-rope risers are on the
demented speedboats on a leash! increase. A heavy, good quality, pre-
In some places where moorings are stretched three-or four-strand nylon warp
will last longer and help keep the boat
pointing in the right direction, though not Mooring swivels are under constant load,
INSURANCE ISSUES AND as effectively as chain. Where rope is ąĬĞåĉĥĀȊŚąêȊŷêĉĀąŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŋĉŒêŋȊßąÃĉĥ
CONSIDERATIONS connected to the chain, it’s vital to use
ňŋĬňêŋȊŚąĉĤÞĞêŒȊŚĬȊŒŚĬňȊŚąêȊŋĬňêȊßąÃƌĥĀȊ splicing needs to be neat and also
^ĬŒŚȊĉĥŒŠŋÃĥßêȊßĬĤňÃĥĉêŒȊßĬĥŒĉåêŋȊ on the shackle. Using a bow shackle whipped, to prevent any chance of being
moorings to be slightly higher risk reduces wear on the thimble, too. The ŠĥŷĬŠĥåǡȊ#ĬĥȃŚȊŠŒêȊÃĥŽȊŋĬňêȊŚąÃŚȊƍĬÃŚŒǡȊFŚȊ
than marinas, so they will charge a could take a turn around the keel at low
ÞĉŚȊĤĬŋêȊÃĥåȊêżňêߌȊĉŚȊŚĬȊÞêȊňŋĬňêŋĞŽȊ BêÃŶŽȊÞĉŚŒȊĬÿȊŒßŋÃňȊĤêŚÃĞȊÃŋêȊ water – boats have been known to break
sometimes used as sinkers,
ßąêßěêåǡȊ(ŶêĥȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊßĬĥƌåêĥŚȊ their moorings that way.
like this old steel wheel
ŽĬŠȊßÃĥȊåĬȊŚąĉŒȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿǢȊĉŚȃŒȊ The scope of a mooring with any sort of
ĉĤňĬŋŚÃĥŚȊŚĬȊßĬĥƌŋĤȊŽĬŠŋȊĉĥŒŠŋêŋȊĉŒȊ sinker must be carefully considered. Ideally,
ąÃňňŽȊÿĬŋȊŽĬŠȊŚĬȊåĬȊŒĬǡȊ”ÃěêȊňąĬŚĬŒȊ the riser’s length should be two to three
ÃŒȊêŶĉåêĥßêȊŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊŚÃßěĞêȊĉŒȊěêňŚȊĉĥȊ times the depth, depending on what it’s
good condition, and to document made of, the tidal range and, importantly,
your maintenance and checks. the strength of the tidal stream.
FÿȊŽĬŠȊąĉŋêȊŚąêȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊ Swivels are often the weakest link.
ŚąĉŋåȊňÃŋŚŽǢȊêĥŒŠŋêȊŽĬŠŋȊÃĀŋêêĤêĥŚȊ They’re turned under load four times a
with them states that they’re day and can wear quite quickly. You’ll
ŋêŒňĬĥŒĉÞĞêȊÿĬŋȊňŋĬŶĉåĉĥĀȊÃȊŒŠĉŚÃÞĞêȊ need a good, large one in the right place.
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies

ĬĥêǢȊÃĥåȊÿĬŋȊßąêßěĉĥĀȊĉŚŒȊßĬĥåĉŚĉĬĥǡ I’ve had to deal with horrible messes

Lastly, be aware that most where the swivel has seized and the riser
underwriters only cover boats on has wound itself into a ball, becoming so
ĤĬĬŋĉĥĀŒȊÿĬŋȊȂŚąêȊŒêÃŒĬĥȃǢȊŒĬȊêĥŒŠŋêȊ tight at high water that it has overloaded
you know when that season starts ŚąêȊŒŚêĤȊƌŚŚĉĥĀȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŽÃßąŚǡ
ÃĥåȊƌĥĉŒąêŒǡ I like to put the swivel at the top of the
riser so no matter what the tide does, grit

52 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MOORING TACKLE

MOORINGS: CHECKING, SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

FŚȃŒȊÞÃåȊňŋÃߌĉßêȊŚĬȊßąêßěȊÃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÞŽȊ
motoring hard astern – and very bad
ĤÃĥĥêŋŒȊĉÿȊĉŚȊÞêĞĬĥĀŒȊŚĬȊŒĬĤêÞĬåŽȊêĞŒêǦȊ
”ąÃŚȊĉĥßĞŠåêŒȊŶĉŒĉŚĬŋŒȃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀŒǡȊFÿȊ
you’re unsure about them, ask the
ąÃŋÞĬŠŋĤÃŒŚêŋȊŋÃŚąêŋȊŚąÃĥȊƌååĞĉĥĀȊ
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies

ŷĉŚąȊŚąêĤȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿǡ
You can check your own mooring
ĤĬŒŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŷÃŽȊåĬŷĥȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŒĉĥěêŋȊĬŋȊ
ĀŋĬŠĥåȊßąÃĉĥǢȊêĉŚąêŋȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊÞĉĀȊåĉĥĀąŽȊ
”ąêȊĤêŚÃĞȊňÃŋŚŒȊĬÿȊÃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÞŠĬŽȊßÃĥȊßÊŒêȊ that you don’t mind getting scratched,
êżŚêĥŒĉŶêȊåÃĤÃĀêȊŚĬȊÃȊÞĬÃŚȃŒȊŚĬňŒĉåêŒǢȊŒĬ ĬŋȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊŽÃßąŚȃŒȊÿĬŋêåêßěǡȊ(ĉŚąêŋȊ
ensure that they can never make contact way, take great care and do it at low
ŷÃŚêŋȊŒňŋĉĥĀŒǡ
or mud can’t get easily packed into the ¶ĬŠȃĞĞȊĞêÃŋĥȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊêżňêŋĉêĥßêȊąĬŷȊ
wearing surfaces. ĬÿŚêĥȊŚąêȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊĥêêåŒȊŚĬȊÞêȊßąêßěêåǡȊ
When making up mooring tackles I
ȊĀĬĬåȊĞĬĬěȊÃŚȊŚąêȊŒŚÃŋŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŒêÃŒĬĥǢȊ
always used the largest swivel I could ÞêÿĬŋêȊĉŚȃŒȊŠŒêåǢȊĉŒȊꌌêĥŚĉÃĞǡȊFȃŶêȊåêÃĞŚȊ
ňąŽŒĉßÃĞĞŽȊƌŚȊŚĬȊŚąêȊßąÃĉĥȊÃĥåȊňÃŒŒȊÃȊ with claims that arose when a boat was
shackle through. ňŠŚȊĬĥȊÃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊŚąÃŚȊŷÃŒȊåŠêȊŚĬȊÞêȊ

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies
As with chain, the quality of steel used ŒêŋŶĉßêåȊŚąêȊÿĬĞĞĬŷĉĥĀȊŷêêěǡ
in shackles is key. When buying, ensure A mid-season check is sensible and
ŚąêȊňĉĥŒȊƌŚȊŒĥŠĀĞŽȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊßąÃĉĥȊŽĬŠȊ ĉŚȃŒȊŷĬŋŚąȊåĬĉĥĀȊÃĀÃĉĥȊÃŚȊŚąêȊêĥåȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
are using. ŒêÃŒĬĥǡȊFÿȊĉßêȊĉŒȊêżňêߌêåȊĬŶêŋȊŷĉĥŚêŋȊ
You may need two shackles to connect ÃŚŚÃßąȊêżŚŋÃȊƍĬÃŚŒǢȊÃĥåȊĉÿȊŚąêȊŋĉŒêŋȊĉŒȊ Even steel chain risers
a heavy ground chain to a lighter chain ŋĬňêȊêĥŒŠŋêȊĉŚȊßÃĥȃŚȊÞêȊߊŚǡ need checking annually.
ŋĉŒêŋǡȊ”ąêȊŒąÃßěĞêȊŒąĬŠĞåȊƌŚȊŒĥŠĀĞŽǢȊÞŠŚȊ fĥȊŚąêȊŠňňêŋȊŋêÃßąêŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊ ”ąĉŒȊĬĥêȊĉŒȊÞÃåĞŽȊňĉŚŚêå
not so snug that it can get wedged. where I worked, we used to take the
”ąêȊŒąÃßěĞêȊňĉĥȊŒąĬŠĞåȊƌŚȊŒĥŠĀĞŽȊÃĥåȊ ĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÞŠĬŽȊĬÿÿȊßĬĤňĞêŚêĞŽȊÃĥåȊŠŒêȊÃȊ ŚĬĬǡȊFÿȊĉŚȊąÃŒȊÃȊŚąŋêÃåêåȊÞÃŋȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊĥŠŚǢȊ
its thread mustn’t be too coarse. This is ĞĉĀąŚȊßąÃĉĥȊŷĉŚąȊƌŒąĉĥĀȊßĬŋěŒȊĬĥȊÃȊĞĉĥêȊ sometimes the threads are hammered
very important. If it’s badly cut, when tied to a large wooden log and a lobster ĬŋȊŒňĬŚȊŷêĞåêåǤȊĬßßÃŒĉĬĥÃĞĞŽȊŚąêȊ
tightened the thread will be stripped off ňĬŚȊßĬŋěȊƍĬÃŚȊÃĥåȊƍÃĀȊÿŋĬĤȊ#êßêĤÞêŋȊ threads can corrode and the nut will get
the pin. After tightening, use a hammer to to early March. ňŠĞĞêåȊĬÿÿǦȊ
ĞŒĬǢȊßąêßěȊŚąêȊÞÃŋȊŚąÃŚȊŋŠĥŒȊ
seize the thread so it can’t turn back, and through the buoy – it might well be mild
wire or a cable tie to seize the pin. Swivels – the weakest link? ŒŚêêĞȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊňĞÃŒŚĉßȊßĬÃŚǡȊ^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊ
The swivel needs regular checks êŶêŋŽȊŒąÃßěĞêȊĉŒȊŒêĉƅêåȊÃĥåȊÃĥŽȊŒňĞĉßêŒȊ
Buoy suitability ÞêßÊŒêȊĉŚŒȊŷĬŋěĉĥĀȊŒŠŋÿÃßêŒȊßÃĥȊŷêÃŋȊ ÃŋêȊŷąĉňňêåȊŒĬȊŚąêŽȊßÃĥȃŚȊĀêŚȊŠĥŷĬŠĥåǡ
There are many types of mooring buoy. ŊŠĉŚêȊŊŠĉßěĞŽǡȊFÿȊňĬŒŒĉÞĞêǢȊÃňňĞŽȊ ”ąĉĤÞĞêŒȊĤŠŒŚȊÃĞŒĬȊÞêȊŷêĞĞȊƌŚŚêåǡȊ
One popular type has a part-threaded ŷÃŚêŋňŋĬĬÿȊĀŋêÃŒêǡȊFÿȊŚąêȊŋĉŒêŋȊĉŒȊŋĬňêǢȊ Believe it or not, there are anode blocks
metal bar though the buoy that serves as ßąêßěȊÿĬŋȊåÃĤÃĀêȊÃĞĬĥĀȊĉŚŒȊÿŠĞĞȊĞêĥĀŚąȊ available to hang on your riser. Given the
a swivel, with a ring eye on one end and a as well as at the ends. ňĬĬŋȊŊŠÃĞĉŚŽȊĬÿȊĤĉĞåȊŒŚêêĞȊŚąêŒêȊåÃŽŒǢȊĉŚȃŒȊ
seized nut on the other. On the whole, they FÿȊŽĬŠȊąÃŶêȊÃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÞŠĬŽȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊ worth a try. I’ve seen massive galvanic
are very reliable but a few models need ŒŷĉŶêĞǢȊßąêßěȊŚąÃŚȊßÃŋêÿŠĞĞŽȊÿĬŋȊŷêÃŋǢȊ ňĉŚŚĉĥĀȊĉĥȊąĉĀąǸßÃŋÞĬĥȊŒŚêêĞȊßąÃĉĥŒǡ
careful checking at least annually. The
other drawback is that the boat can surge ”ąêȊĞĬĬňȊĬĥȊŚąĉŒȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀ
buoy is badly worn, but the
or pitch onto the buoy and strike the metal
ňŋĬÞĞêĤȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞêȊŶêŋŽȊąÃŋåȊ
bar, scratching and chipping her gel coat. to see while it’s under load
A common problem with mooring buoys
is that they get submerged at high water
or dragged under when the tidal stream is
strongest. If this happens, the buoy isn’t
big enough. So before you buy one, check
that it has enough buoyancy to support
the weight of the whole riser, plus a bit
more, and check it when the tide is
ŋŠĥĥĉĥĀȊąÃŋåǡȊ
ŚŚÃßąĉĥĀȊŒĤÃĞĞȊßĬŋěȊƍĬÃŚŒȊ
further down the riser can keep the buoy
ÃƍĬÃŚǢȊÞŠŚȊŚąêŽȊßÃĥȊßĬĤňĞĉßÃŚêȊŚąĉĥĀŒȊÃĥåȊ
will increase the wear on a chain riser. Use
a pick-up buoy on a length of line instead.
Finally, a word about borrowing private
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies

ĤĬĬŋĉĥĀŒǡȊ
ĞŷÃŽŒȊÃŒěȊƌŋŒŚǡȊFÿȊŚąêŋêȊĉŒȊ
nobody to ask, don’t use it except perhaps
in a real emergency when there’s no other
option. Even then, you’re taking a risk –
you don’t know how strong it is or when
it was last serviced – and above all, you
must stay on board in case the owner
comes back.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 53

 Rupert Holmes previews the latest marine products

Professional sailors Will Harris

with Musto BR3 Sport Jacket and
Shorts and Pamela Lee wearing
BR3 Sport Smock and Shorts
Felix Diemer/Musto

Sailor Pamela Lee wearing

BR3 Offshore Jacket & Trousers

Felix Diemer/Musto
Musto BR3 technical clothing
This range is an addition to Musto’s garments incredibly easy to don and doff. Tech Pro proprietary membrane, which has
catalogue, slotting in between the It also improves breathability, reducing the four-way mechanical stretch. This helps
lower-priced two-layer (plus separate liner) risk of condensation on the lining and has maximise ease of movement, yet still
BR2 fabrics aimed very much at the inshore the potential to improve insulation in cold ÃĞĞĬŷŒȊÿĬŋȊÃȊßĞĬŒêǸƌŚŚĉĥĀȊŒĉƅêȊŚĬȊÞêȊßąĬŒêĥǡ
and coastal cruising markets and the rather weather. But the biggest differences are in In all cases a durable water-repellent
more expensive three-layer Gore-Tex comfort and ease of movement – in this coating is used that’s free of harmful
garments. By contrast, with the exception domain, additional weight and bulk are no ňêŋƍŠĬŋĉĥÃŚêåȊßąêĤĉßÃĞŒȊDz‚<ŒdzǡȊ
ĞĞȊĉŚêĤŒȊ
of the Offshore Jacket, the BR3 range is longer synonymous with added protection. are impressively lightweight and pack
intended to be perfect for active inshore The BR3 Offshore jacket and trousers easily in a kit bag, yet still have a 20K
sailing, including racing high performance use a Pertex membrane that Musto says ŷÃŚêŋňŋĬĬƌĥĀȊŋÃŚĉĥĀȊÃßŋĬŒŒȊŚąêȊŋÃĥĀêǡȊ
boats such as J/70s, Cape 31s and SB20s. performs similarly to the Gore-Tex
Lightweight three-layer foul weather products and has a much higher MUSTO BR3
gear is also my preference for inshore and breathability rating than the BR2 products. Price: From £150 (BR3 Sport Short) to
coastal cruising for a number of reasons. Other BR3 items, including Sport Jacket, £500 (BR3 Offshore Jacket)
Firstly, the lack of a separate lining makes Smock and Salopettes use Musto’s Ocean Contact: musto.com

B&G Zeus SR high-end MFDs

B&G has just announced a new series of excellent sailing features like SailSteer,
ąĉĀąǸêĥåȊ^<#ŒȊĉĥȊƒƑĉĥǢȊƒƓĉĥȊÃĥåȊƒƗĉĥȊŒĉƅêŒǡȊ LayLines, Routes and StartLine. There’s also
The Zeus SR has hybrid controls, including ßĬĤňÃŚĉÞĉĞĉŚŽȊŷĉŚąȊǸ^
‚Ȋ#FŒf¯( ȊµȊÃĥåȊ
keypad and rotary dial as a back-up to (¯(
XȊµȊßąÃŋŚŒǢȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊŒÃÿêŚŽȊÃĞêŋŚŒǡ
ŚĬŠßąŒßŋêêĥȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞŒǡȊ
ĞĞȊŠŒêȊÃȊňĬŷêŋÿŠĞȊ
8-core processor and have a redesigned B&G ZEUS SR
interface with tailored screens for cruising, Price: From £2,740
B&G

racing, and anchoring, as well as B&G’s Contact: bandg.com

54 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 NEW GEAR

Arthur Beale meets National

Maritime Museum retro garments

ŋŚąŠŋȊêÃĞêǢȊÃȊßąÃĥåĞêŋŽȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊąĉŒŚĬŋŽȊ ”ąêȊƌŋĤȊąÃŒȊÃĞŒĬȊĉĥŚŋĬåŠßêåȊÃȊȂ‚ŋêǸ
spanning 500 years, has teamed up with loved’ clothing line, with discounts up to
the National Maritime Museum Greenwich 60% on items that either show signs of
to produce a range of clothing inspired by wear, or had imperfections in the knit from
great maritime explorers of old. ŚąêȊĬŠŚŒêŚǡȊ(ÃßąȊĀÃŋĤêĥŚȊĉŒȊßÃŋêÿŠĞĞŽȊ
The chandler has unprecedented access checked and comes with repair wool so you
to the museum’s 2.5 million items from ßÃĥȊƌżȊÃĥŽȊĉĤňêŋÿêߌĉĬĥŒȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿǢȊÃĥåȊĀêŚȊ
sailors and explorers, including several a lifetime of wear.
arthurbeale.co.uk

ňŋĬåŠßêåȊĬŋĉĀĉĥÃĞĞŽȊÞŽȊ
ŋŚąŠŋȊêÃĞêǡ
The Maritime Submarine Pullover ARTHUR BEALE x NATIONAL
(pictured) for instance is a heavy-knit MARITIME MUSEUM GREENWICH
garment made of 100% British wool, and Price:
ŋŚąŠŋȊêÃĞêȊ‚ŋêǸĞĬŶêåȊĉŚêĤŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ
intended to offer classic style, comfort £7.50, Maritime Submariner Pullover £195
and longevity. Contact: arthurbeale.co.uk

SEA.AI Brain ocean monitoring

”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊÃȊąŠĀêȊĥŠĤÞêŋȊĬÿȊƍĬÃŚĉĥĀȊ path of a vessel. The system uses
objects that could potentially be two thermal cameras, plus a visible
encountered at sea, from shipping spectrum unit, mounted near the
containers to slumbering whales. masthead to scan the sea ahead of

SEA.AI
Fortunately, direct collisions are very rare, the vessel.
but I’ve encountered a large, half The stereo thermal vision is used
ŒŠÞĤêŋĀêåȊåêêňȊÿŋêêƅêȊÃĥåȊŒĥÃĀĀêåȊ to detect objects in the water,
several lobster pots, more than half of which means the system operates as well expensive it has become more affordable
them at night. So far I’ve always been able ÃŚȊĥĉĀąŚȊÃŒȊåŠŋĉĥĀȊŚąêȊåÃŽǡȊ
ȊŚŋÃßěĉĥĀȊ over time and the latest product, the
to disentangle without undue risk or function means objects temporarily hidden Œ(
ǡ
FȊŋÃĉĥǢȊêŒŚÃÞĞĉŒąêŒȊÃȊĥêŷȊĞĬŷêŋȊňŋĉßêȊ
damage, but that’s certainly not everyone’s behind waves are not lost. point. Recognising that a number of boats
experience, which has led The Cruising Since then an enormous amount of data already have thermal cameras, this unit has

ŒŒĬßĉÃŚĉĬĥȊŚĬȊŋêĥêŷȊĉŚŒȊĞĬÞŒŚêŋȊňĬŚȊ recorded from many millions of miles at just the processors and hardware
campaign – look out for more details in a ŒêÃǢȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊĤĬŋêȊŚąÃĥȊąÃĞÿȊŚąêȊƍêêŚȊĉĥȊ necessary to process the images to detect
forthcoming edition of PBO. ŚąêȊĞÃŒŚȊŚŷĬȊ¯êĥåëêȊ=ĞĬÞêȊŋĬŠĥåȊŚąêȊŷĬŋĞåȊ potential dangers in the path of a boat.

ȊÿêŷȊŽêÃŋŒȊÃĀĬȊ<ŋêĥßąȊŒŚÃŋŚǸŠňȊŒ(
ǡ
FȊ races, has been analysed to improve the
DzĬŋĉĀĉĥÃĞĞŽȊßÃĞĞêåȊfŒ
dzȊŒêŚȊĬŠŚȊŚĬȊßŋêÃŚêȊ object database and improve the SEA.AI BRAIN
an automated monitoring system to recognition algorithms. Price: <ŋĬĤȊȒƙǢƑƑƑȊêżȊ¯
”
ĉåêĥŚĉÿŽȊåÃĥĀêŋĬŠŒȊƍĬÃŚĉĥĀȊĬÞĘêߌŒȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ Like many new technologies, while still Contact: sea.ai

B&G Zeus S Ultrawide multifunction displays

°ąêĥȊŒĉĤŋÃåȊĞÊĥßąêåȊĉŚŒȊ_ŒµȊšĞŚŋÃŷĉåêȊ windows. However, an equivalent model area. This can be toggled between harbour
multifunction display last year it grabbed ŷĉŚąȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀǸŒňêßĉƌßȊŒĬÿŚŷÃŋêȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊ and offshore modes, with the latter
plenty of attention, including a special initially offered by sister company B&G. scanning further ahead.
ĤêĥŚĉĬĥȊÃŚȊĞÃŒŚȊ_ĬŶêĤÞêŋȃŒȊ#
^(Ȋ#êŒĉĀĥȊ That changed with the launch of 12in and ”ąêȊ¾êŠŒȊŒȊšĞŚŋÃŷĉåêȊÃĞŒĬȊąÃŒȊÃĤňĞêȊ

ŷÃŋåŒȊÃŚȊ^(”Œ”
#(ȊĉĥȊ
ĤŒŚêŋåÃĤǢȊÃŒȊ ƒƖĉĥȊĤĬåêĞŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊɇ=Ȋ¾êŠŒȊŒȊšĞŚŋÃŷĉåêȊ space to display instrument data, as well
ĉŚȊĬňêĥŒȊŠňȊĬňŚĉĬĥŒȊÿĬŋȊƍêżĉÞĞŽȊåĉŒňĞÃŽĉĥĀȊ at the Düsseldorf boat show earlier this as B&G’s excellent wind plots that help
multiple charting and navigation data year. It’s an impressive piece of kit in a to identify trends in wind strength and
number of respects, including the fast direction. It could be used as the primary
quad-core processors that eliminate display on many boats from less than 30ft
screen lag, even when running two upwards, possibly mounted above the
charting windows open at different scales, companionway hatch, where three or four
both with radar overlays. individual 4in instrument displays might
The extra wide screen format lends itself once have been located.
to displaying two chart windows, creating a On bigger boats, it could either be used
very powerful solution in any complex as a secondary display, or mounted at the
pilotage situation, when it helps to have an helm stations, where it would offer a more
indication of dangers close to the boat and streamlined aesthetic than multiple
an overview of the wider situation. individual displays.
The system also scans ahead of the boat
to identify and warn of charted dangers B&G ZEUS S ULTRAWIDE
ŚąŋĬŠĀąȊÃĞĞȊĞÃŽêŋŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊǸ^
‚ȊßąÃŋŚĉĥĀȊ Price: ɇ=Ȋ¾êŠŒȊŒǸƒƓȊšĞŚŋÃŷĉåêȊșƔǢƑƖƑǢȊ
data, including those that are not displayed ɇ=Ȋ¾êŠŒȊŒǸƒƖȊšĞŚŋÃŷĉåêȊșƔǢƘƗƑ
when the chart is panned out over a wide Contact: bandg.com

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 55

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”( ^ŒȊɇȊf_#F”Ff_ŒȊfÿÿêŋȊßĞĬŒêŒȊƓƓȊfߌĬÞêŋȊƓƑƓƖǡȊ‚ĞêÃŒêȊÃĞĞĬŷȊŠňȊŚĬȊƗȊŷêêěŒȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊåêĞĉŶêŋŽȊĬÿȊŽĬŠŋȊƌŋŒŚȊŒŠÞŒßŋĉňŚĉĬĥȊĉŒŒŠêȊDzŠňȊŚĬȊƙȊŷêêěŒȊĬŶêŋŒêÃŒdzǡȊ”ąêȊÿŠĞĞȊ
ŒŠÞŒßŋĉňŚĉĬĥȊŋÃŚêȊĉĥßĞŠåêŒȊňĬŒŚÃĀêȊÃĥåȊňÃßěÃĀĉĥĀǡȊǬŒÃŶêȊƖƑɃȊĉŒȊÞÃŒêåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊßĬŶêŋȊňŋĉßêǡȊ‚ÃŽĤêĥŚȊĉŒȊĥĬĥǸŋêÿŠĥåÃÞĞêȊÃÿŚêŋȊŚąêȊƒƕǸåÃŽȊßÃĥßêĞĞÃŚĉĬĥȊňêŋĉĬåǡȊǬǬ
ßßꌌȊŚĬȊ
ŚąêȊåĉĀĉŚÃĞȊĞĉÞŋÃŋŽȊŷĉĞĞȊêĥåȊŷĉŚąȊŽĬŠŋȊŒŠÞŒßŋĉňŚĉĬĥǡȊ<ĬŋȊÿŠĞĞȊŚêŋĤŒȊÃĥåȊßĬĥåĉŚĉĬĥŒǢȊŶĉŒĉŚȊŷŷŷǡĤÃĀÃƅĉĥêŒåĉŋêߌǡßĬĤǮŚêŋĤŒǡȊ<ĬŋȊêĥŊŠĉŋĉêŒȊÃĥåȊĬŶêŋŒêÃŒȊŋÃŚêŒȊňĞêÃŒêȊßÃĞĞǣȊ
ȪƕƕȊDzƑdzȊƔƔƑȊƔƔƔȊƒƒƒƔǡȊȊXĉĥêŒȊÃŋêȊĬňêĥȊ^ĬĥåÃŽǸ<ŋĉåÃŽȊƙǣƔƑÃĤǸƘňĤǢȊŒÃŚŠŋåÃŽȊƒƑÃĤǸƔňĤȊšVȊ”ĉĤêȊDzêżßĞŠåĉĥĀȊÃĥěȊBĬĞĉåÃŽŒdzȊĬŋȊêĤÃĉĞǣȊąêĞňɆĤÃĀÃƅĉĥêŒåĉŋêߌǡßĬĤǡȊ
ÃĞĞŒȊŚĬȊƑƔƔƑȊĥŠĤÞêŋŒȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊßąÃŋĀêåȊÃŚȊĥĬȊĤĬŋêȊŚąÃĥȊÃȊĥÃŚĉĬĥÃĞȊĞÃĥåĞĉĥêȊßÃĞĞǢȊÃĥåȊĤÃŽȊÞêȊĉĥßĞŠåêåȊĉĥȊŽĬŠŋȊňąĬĥêȊňŋĬŶĉåêŋȃŒȊßÃĞĞȊÞŠĥåĞêǡ
 PRACTICAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Start the season

maintenance tips
boatcare’s David Thomas has advice on how to get your yacht
or motorboat ready for the beginning of the new sailing season

F
irst signs of spring are warming ^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊŽĬŠȊĉĥŒňêߌȊŽĬŠŋ Key areas to check
stern gear and the
the air and as ŚąêȊåÃŽŒȊƌĥÃĞĞŽȊ QBŠĞĞȊÃĥåȊåêßě Look for cracks, blisters
condition of anodes
ŒŚÃŋŚȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊĞĬĥĀêŋȊĉŚȃŒȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊ and scratches that might need repair.
prepare your boat for the QUnderwater Check for any signs of keel
adventures ahead. Just with movement, check the anodes and
ÞĬÃŚßÃŋêȃŒȊêĥåȊĬÿȊŒêÃŒĬĥȊŚĉňŒȊÿŋĬĤȊPBOȃŒ condition of your stern gear. Check rudder
November issue, boatcare manager at bearings for signs of play.
BÃŒĞÃŋȊ^ÃŋĉĥÃǢȊ#ÃŶĉåȊ”ąĬĤÃŒǢȊŒêŚŒȊĬŠŚȊÃȊ QHardware Is all hardware secure? This
ĤêŚąĬåĉßÃĞȊÃňňŋĬÃßąȊŚĬȊêĥŒŠŋêȊŽĬŠȊÃĥåȊ includes toe rails, stanchions, and cleats.
your boat are ready for the season ahead. Check high load areas such as
WeȃĞĞȊÞŋêÃěȊŚąĉŒȊåĬŷĥȊĉĥŚĬȊĤÃĥÃĀêÃÞĞêȊ chainplates, mast base, gooseneck etc.
steps to ensure nothing is missed. QÃĥŶÃŒȊÃĥåȊŠňąĬĞŒŚêŋŽ These may
well have been removed as part of

boatcare/boatfolk
Inspection your end-of-season maintenance,
Before the start of the season conduct a but any winter covers that have
detailed visual inspection of your boat. been left on are worth checking for
Look out for any visible wear and tear. This damage now. Get them repaired
could be anything from GRP damage to during the summer season so
worn rigging, loose cleats and deck they’re ready to go next winter.
hardware. Check internally for any leaks
ÿŋĬĤȊŷĉĥåĬŷŒǢȊąÃŚßąêŒȊÃĥåȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒȊŒŠßąȊ picture of the completed list so Mechanical
ÃŒȊåêßěȊĀĞÃĥåŒȊÃĥåȊŚąŋĬŠĀąǸąŠĞĞȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒǡ that you can refer back to it next year to Your engine is the heart of your boat, so
Start a list, your own personal survey remind yourself of any reoccurring issues. it’s crucial to ensure it’s in top condition.
report. This can be done in a notebook, Starting by creating a list of jobs Carry out a thorough inspection and
your ship’s logbook, or even a drywipe ensures you allow enough time to sort out service. If you winterised your engine at
board. If the latter, it’s a nice idea to take a ÃĥŽȊĉŒŒŠêŒȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŽĬŠŋȊƌŋŒŚȊŚŋĉňȊĬŠŚǡȊ the end of the season now’s the time to

^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊŽĬŠȊßąêßěȊÃĞĞȊĬÿȊŽĬŠŋ
ŒŽŒŚêĤŒȊĬĥȊŽĬŠŋȊƌŋŒŚ
ŒąÃěêåĬŷĥȊŒÃĉĞȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŒêÃŒĬĥ

58 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 PRE-SEASON CHECKS

boatcare/boatfolk
ąÃŋŚŒȊĥêêåȊŚĬȊÞêȊŠňȊŚĬȊåÃŚêȊÞêÿĬŋêȊĞêÃŶĉĥĀȊ
ĬĥȊŽĬŠŋȊƌŋŒŚȊŒÃĉĞȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŽêÃŋ

contain essentials for an emergency.

Include a torch, hand-bearing compass,
ŒÃÿêŚŽȊěĥĉÿêȊÃĥåȊÃȊŒĉĤňĞêȊƌŋŒŚȊÃĉåȊěĉŚǡȊ
Make this easily accessible from the
cockpit, just inside the companionway is
normally a good spot.
Lastly, and often forgotten, are
softwood bungs and blanking plugs.
(ĥŒŠŋêȊêÃßąȊŚąŋĬŠĀąǸąŠĞĞȊƌŚŚĉĥĀȊąÃŒȊÃĥȊ
appropriate bung or blanking device ready
for use. These can either be kept on a
short length of string or taped to
pipework. Alternatively, store them
boatcare/boatfolk

together in a known place on board.

fĥßêȊŚąĉŒȊĉŒȊÃĞĞȊßĬĤňĞêŚêȊŚąêȊƌĥÃĞȊŒŚêňȊ
is to make a diagram of the location of all
this kit. In an emergency will you
Recommission your remember where you put it? What about
engine after winterisation your crew? Mount the diagram in a
prominent position, by the chart table or
recommission it. Once complete run up the one that you sent off for servicing on the main bulkhead. Make all crew
the engine and test everything alongside. after reading our end-of-season tips! Then aware of it and familiarise them with the
Try the engine in and out of gear. Check lifejackets, again freshly serviced and location of the safety equipment.
for leaks and unusual noises. stowed for easy access.
Next up is electrical systems. Start with _êżŚȊŠňȊĉŒȊŽĬŠŋȊƌŋŒŚȊÃĉåȊěĉŚǡȊ^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊ Documents and subscriptions
the batteries, ensuring that terminals are it’s suitable for the sort of sailing you’ll be êÿĬŋêȊŽĬŠŋȊƌŋŒŚȊŚŋĉňȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŽêÃŋǢȊĉŚȃŒȊ
clean and greased to prevent corrosion. doing. There are plenty of ready-made kits essential to make sure all of your papers
Make sure terminals are tight to give proper on the market tailored to sailing. Even if are up to date. This is particularly true
connection. Next, check your negative you’re just restocking your existing kit it’s post-Brexit if you’re planning channel
busbar in a similar fashion. So often faults worth taking a look at these to make sure crossings. Make sure registrations,
are traced back to a ‘bad earth’. Given that you have everything you need. insurance, and harbour dues are up to
in most cases all of your 12V system will ŒĉĤĉĞÃŋĞŽǢȊßąêßěȊŽĬŠŋȊƍÃŋêŒȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊêżňĉŋŽȊ date. Check local regulations to ensure
share a common negative it saves a lot of date and update your supplies to suit your compliance, not just for your home harbour
time to check this connection annually sailing plans for the year. Dispose of any but any you plan to visit this season.
before tracing any other faults individually. ĬŠŚǸĬÿǸåÃŚêȊƍÃŋêŒȊŋêŒňĬĥŒĉÞĞŽǡȊšŒŠÃĞĞŽǢȊ šňåÃŚêȊßąÃŋŚŒǢȊÞĬŚąȊňÃňêŋȊÃĥåȊåĉĀĉŚÃĞǡȊ
fĥßêȊŚąĉŒȊĉŒȊßĬĤňĞêŚêȊƌŋêȊŠňȊÃĞĞȊĬÿȊŽĬŠŋȊ these can be handled by local harbour If using apps such as Navionics make sure
electrical items one by one, working ĤÃŒŚêŋŒǢȊŒĬĤêȊêŶêĥȊŋŠĥȊƍÃŋêȊÃĤĥêŒŚŽȊ your subscription isn’t going to expire
through bilge pumps, navigation events at this time of year so check with mid-voyage. The same goes for any
equipment, navigation lights, interior lights, your local harbour master. Remember, weather forecasting apps.
appliances etc. This is a job for later in the out-of-date means expired before the end
day when masthead lights will be easier to of the season, not today’s date! Go sailing
see and a fair amount of these checks will Make up a grab bag. This is best done ‚ĞÃĥȊÃȊŒêĥŒĉÞĞêȊƌŋŒŚȊŒąÃěêåĬŷĥȊŒÃĉĞǡȊ”ąĉŒȊ
be done down below in the warm! with a small roll-top dry bag and should is your chance to test everything in known
waters before setting off on more
Safety equipment <ĉŋêȊŠňȊÃĞĞȊêĞêߌŋĉßÃĞȊ ÃåŶêĥŚŠŋĬŠŒȊŚŋĉňŒǡȊšŒêȊŚąĉŒȊÃŒȊÃȊßąÃĥßêȊŚĬȊ
systems
In the November end-of-season article, try out all onboard systems. This should
we started with the winter pack down. include autopilots, self-steering gear,
Now it becomes apparent why it was so radar etc. Even if you wouldn’t usually use
important. This is the time to start them on such a short trip, try them now.
boatcare/boatfolk

reinstating all of your belongings, and The same goes for other equipment, put in
what better place to start than with safety a reef and shake it out, for example, just
êŊŠĉňĤêĥŚǡȊŒŚÃŋŚȊŷĉŚąȊƌŋêȊêżŚĉĥĀŠĉŒąêŋŒǢȊ so you’re sure everything was put back
and ensure these are in date and of the together correctly. It’s better to prove
correct type for the application. everything works when you don’t need it,
_êżŚǢȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȊßÃŋŋŽȊĬĥêǢȊŋêƌŚȊŽĬŠŋȊĞĉÿêŋÃÿŚǢȊ rather than hope it does when you do!

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 59

 PRACTICAL

Rig tuning for

cruising sailors
‚ĬĉĥŚȊąĉĀąêŋȊÃĥåȊŒÃĉĞȊÿÃŒŚêŋȊǺȊêŶêŋŽȊŽÃßąŚȊßÃĥȊÞêĥêƌŚȊÿŋĬĤȊÃĥȊ
ĬňŚĉĤÃĞȊŋĉĀȊŒêŚŠňǡȊ
ĞĉȊ°ĬĬåȊƌĥåŒȊĬŠŚȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊêżňêŋŚŒȊąĬŷȊĉŚȃŒȊåĬĥê

R
emove the backstay please, them the difference a well-tuned rig can ąŋĉŒȊ(ŶÃĥŒȊĬÿȊµ‚Ȋ ĉĀĀĉĥĀȊêżňĞÃĉĥŒȊŚąÃŚȊ
requested the yard manager make, they agree that cruising faster and good tuning is also a preventative
as my Maxi 84 was due to be ĤĬŋêȊßĬĤÿĬŋŚÃÞĞŽȊĉŒȊåêƌĥĉŚêĞŽȊÞêŚŚêŋǦȊ ĤêÃŒŠŋêȊŚĬȊåêĞÃŽȊŷêÃŋȊÃĥåȊŚêÃŋǡȊ
craned out. My stomach sank. Ȁ
ȊŋĉĀȊŒąĬŠĞåȊÞêȊŋêňĞÃßêåȊêŶêŋŽȊƔƑǢƑƑƑȊ
InȊÃĞĞȊŚąêȊŚĉĤêȊFȃåȊĬŷĥêåȊĤŽȊƌŋŒŚȊ Why tune your rig? ĤĉĞêŒȊĬŋȊƙǸƒƑȊŽêÃŋŒǢȁȊąêȊ
yacht I’d not even tweaked the rigging, let The number one reason to ŒÃŽŒǡȊȀŒĬĬĥêŋȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ
alone removed any part of it. apply correct rig tension is southern hemisphere
I was aware of the importance of rig ŒÃÿêŚŽǡȊ
ȊŷêĞĞǸŚŠĥêåȊŋĉĀȊ where it’s subject to
tension, but the rig had been declared ensures all the strain is
ŒÃÿêȊÃĥåȊŒêÃŷĬŋŚąŽǢȊŒĬȊFȊŷÃŒȊŒÃŚĉŒƌêåǡȊFȊ taken by the correct
had no intention of going racing, so as elements of the mast, Don’t let your rigging screw reach
long as the mast wasn’t going to fall down ŒňŋêÃåêŋŒȊÃĥåȊŷĉŋêȊŋĉĀĀĉĥĀǡȊ this state, as found by surveyor Ben
FȊŷÃŒȊąÃňňŽǡ
ȊňĬĬŋĞŽȊŒŠňňĬŋŚêåȊĤÃŒŚǢȊĬĥȊ Sutcliffe-Davies
But now I was embarrassed to admit I the other hand, is put under
åĉåĥȃŚȊěĥĬŷȊąĬŷȊŚĬȊåĬȊĉŚǡȊ<ĬŋŚŠĥÃŚêĞŽǢȊŚąêȊ all sorts of stresses and in extreme cases
yard came to my rescue, but it did draw to åĉŒĤÃŒŚĉĥĀȊßÃĥȊÞêȊŚąêȊŋêŒŠĞŚȊǺȊŒĬĤêŚąĉĥĀȊ
my attention an essential part of my boat I’ve reported on twice while covering the
FȃåȊĤĬŒŚĞŽȊĉĀĥĬŋêåǡȊFŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊŚĬȊ
ŚĞÃĥŚĉßȊ ÃĞĞŽȊÿĬŋȊŋŠĉŒêŋŒȊDz
dzǡȊ”ąÃŚȊ
grips with rig-tuning; after all, I wouldn’t ŒÃĉåǢȊŚąêȊåĉŋêߌĬŋȊĬÿȊŋŠŒÃåêŋȊŒÃĉĞŒǢȊ‚ÊĞȊ
sail a boat with badly set sails, so why Lees, points out that dismasting without
disregard the rig? ŷÃŋĥĉĥĀȊŒĉĀĥŒȊĉŒȊŶêŋŽȊŋÃŋêǡȊ
It turns out I’m not alone in my ȀfĥȊĤĬŒŚȊÞĬÃŚŒǢȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚȊĉŒȊĀĬĉĥĀȊŚĬȊ
ĉĀĥĬŋÃĥßêǡȊPBO’s boat tester David ŒŚÃŽȊŠňǡȊ”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊŶêŋŽȊÿêŷȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŚąÃŚȊÃŋêȊ This sheared

Ali Wood
Harding routinely quizzes cruisers about so poorly rigged or tuned that the mast is rod rigging led
ŚąêĉŋȊŋĉĀȊŒêŚŠňǡȊȀfąȊĉŚȊåĬêŒĥȃŚȊĤÃŚŚêŋȊǺȊFȃĤȊ going to fall down as there is such a safety to an ARC yacht
not racing,” they reply, but when he shows ÿÃߌĬŋȊĉĥȊĤĬŒŚȊŋĉĀŒǡȁ losing its rig

A well-tuned rig will

help your yacht to
point better
David Harding

60 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 RIG TUNING

LEFT If you can do just one thing to improve

your rig on the water, adjust the backstay

BELOW Correct rig tension improves the

êÿƌßĉêĥߎȊĬÿȊŽĬŠŋȊŒÃĉĞŒ

In a moderate breeze
the leeward shrouds
should stay taut

ąĉĀąêŋȊąŠĤĉåĉŚŽȊÃĥåȊŒÃĞŚȊßĬĥŚêĥŚǡȊŠŚȊŚąĉŒȊ owner who can’t close the door to the ŚąêȊŒÃĉĞŒȊŷĬĥȃŚȊŒêŚȊňŋĬňêŋĞŽǡȊąŋĉŒȊêżňĞÃĉĥŒǣȊ

ĉŒȊåêňêĥåêĥŚȊĬĥȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒȊŚąÃŚȊÃŋêȊĥĉßêȊÃĥåȊ ąêÃåŒǢȊÿĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêǢȁȊąêȊŒÃŽŒǡȊȀ”ąêŒêȊÃŋêȊ ȀFĥȊŒĉĤňĞêȊŚêŋĤŒǢȊĉÿȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚȊĉŒȊŚĬĬȊŠňŋĉĀąŚǢȊ
secure under load and working within their ŋêĞÃŚÃÞĞêȊÃĥåȊŋêÃĞǸŷĬŋĞåȊňŋĬÞĞêĤŒȊǺȊŚąĉĥĀŒȊ ŒÃŽȊƑɎǢȊĬŋȊÿĬŋŷÃŋåȊǸƒɎǢȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŷĉĞĞȊ
åêŒĉĀĥȊňÃŋÃĤêŚêŋŒǡȊFÿȊŚąêŽȃŋêȊƍĬňňĉĥĀȊ ĞĉěêȊĞĬßěêŋŒȊĥĬŚȊßĞĬŒĉĥĀǦȊ
ȊĀĞÃŒŒƌÞŋêȊąŠĞĞȊ struggle to point and sail upwind, but if it’s
around they’re more likely to suffer from ąÃŒȊÃȊĞĬŚȊĬÿȊĀĉŶêȊĉĥȊĉŚǢȊÃĥåȊĉŒȊĤĬŋêȊƍêżĉÞĞêȊ ŚĬĬȊŋÃěêåǢȊĉêǡȊȪƓɎǢȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊĀĬĉĥĀȊŚĬȊŒŚŋŠĀĀĞêȊ
ߎßĞĉßȊÿÃŚĉĀŠêȊÃĥåȊŒŠŋÿÃßêȊŷêÃŋǡȁȊ ŚąÃĥȊňêĬňĞêȊŋêÃĞĉŒêǡȁȊ ŷĉŚąȊŷêÃŚąêŋȊąêĞĤǡȊFŚȃŒȊŷąÃŚȊĥÃŶÃĞȊ
ąŋĉŒȊÃĞŒĬȊąĉĀąĞĉĀąŚŒȊŚąêȊĉĤňĬŋŚÃĥßêȊĬÿȊ This is rarely anything the owner has architects and sailmakers refer to as
ŋêňĞÃßĉĥĀȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒǡȊȀFÿȊŽĬŠȊąÃŶêȊÃȊŷĉŋêȊĬŋȊ done, but is down to the boatbuilder or ‘balance’; that’s the magic balance point
termination failure, industry working ŽÃŋåǡȊȀ¶ĬŠȊßÃĥȊꌌêĥŚĉÃĞĞŽȊßĬĞĞÃňŒêȊŚąêȊ between the sail central loadings and the
practice is to replace all of them at the deck by over-tuning it,” ěêêĞȊßêĥŚŋÃĞȊĞĬÃåĉĥĀŒǡȁ
same time, or at the very minimum in With the right rig
ňÃĉŋŒǡȊFÿȊŽĬŠȊąÃŶêȊÃȊňĬŋŚȊĞĬŷêŋȊŚąÃŚȊÿÃĉĞŒǢȊÿĬŋȊ
ŒÃŽŒȊąŋĉŒǢȊȀŠŚȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȊ
stick to the rule of
‘A poorly supported setup, you should heel
example, you should also replace the thumb and tune to 15% mast is put under all less, point better and
ŒŚÃŋÞĬÃŋåȊĬĥêǡȁȊ of break load, you won’t have a much lighter
êĀŠĞÃŋȊŋĉĀȊßąêßěŒȊÃŋêȊꌌêĥŚĉÃĞȊÿĬŋȊ experience these sorts of stresses’ ąêĞĤǡȊfÿȊßĬŠŋŒêǢȊŽĬŠȊ
êŶêŋŽȊÞĬÃŚȊĬŷĥêŋǡȊ^ÃŋĉĥêȊŒŠŋŶêŽĬŋȊêĥȊ ĉŒŒŠêŒǡȊFÿȊŽĬŠȊåĬǢȊŽĬŠȊ want your sails
ŒŠŚßĞĉÿÿêǸ#ÃŶĉêŒȊňĬĉĥŚŒȊĬŠŚȊŚąÃŚȊŋĉĀĀĉĥĀȊĬŋȊ need to speak to a shipwright, surveyor or ňêŋÿĬŋĤĉĥĀȊêÿƌßĉêĥŚĞŽȊŚĬĬȊǺȊĉŚȃŒȊĥĬŚȊĘŠŒŚȊ
shaft alignment should always be done ÞĬÃŚÞŠĉĞåêŋǡȁ åĬŷĥȊŚĬȊŽĬŠŋȊŋĉĀǡȊȀFŚȃŒȊÃĞĞȊŋêĞÃŚêåǢȁȊÃååŒȊ
ŷąĉĞêȊŚąêȊßŋÃÿŚȊĉŒȊÃƍĬÃŚǡȊȀ
ȊňŋĬňêŋȊŋĉĀȊ ąŋĉŒǡȊȀ<ĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêǢȊÃȊěĉßěêŋȊĬŋȊÃȊŶÃĥĀȊŷĉĞĞȊ
check should consider the age of the wire, Under-tuned rigs ÃĞŒĬȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊŚąêȊĞêêßąȊňŋĬƌĞêȊÃĥåȊąĬŷȊŚąêȊ
chainplate, backstay and forestay Unless you’re sailing a boat that requires a ŚêĞĞŚÃĞêŒȊÃŋêȊåÃĥßĉĥĀǡȁȊ
ŒêߊŋĉŚŽǢȁȊąêȊÃåŶĉŒêŒǡȊȀ^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊŽĬŠȊßąêßěȊ ŒĬÿŚȊŋĉĀǢȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊÃĥȊµȊĬĥêȊåêŒĉĀĥȊDzÃȊŒĬŠŚąȊ There are all sorts of tweaks to be done
ŚąêȊĤÃŒŚȊŒŚêňȊÿĬŋȊßĬĤňŋꌌĉĬĥȊĉŒŒŠêŒǡȁ ĬÃŒŚȊåÃŽȊŋÃßêŋdzǢȊŽĬŠŋȊÞĬÃŚȊŷĉĞĞȊŒÃĉĞȊÞêŚŚêŋȊ with the sails and running rigging which
ŷĉŚąȊÃȊŚĉĀąŚĞŽȊŚŠĥêåȊŋĉĀǡȊ^ÃĥŽȊÞĬÃŚȊĬŷĥêŋŒȊ ÃŋêȊÞêŽĬĥåȊŚąêȊŒßĬňêȊĬÿȊŚąĉŒȊÃŋŚĉßĞêǡȊ
Over-tuned rigs aren’t aware of the difference rig tuning However, the rig setup is a good place to
¯êŋŽȊĬßßÃŒĉĬĥÃĞĞŽǢȊąŋĉŒȊ(ŶÃĥŒȊêĥßĬŠĥŚêŋŒȊ ßÃĥȊĤÃěêǡȊ¶ĬŠŋȊŒÃĉĞĤÃěêŋȊŷĉĞĞȊąÃŶêȊ start and, along with dockside tuning for
over-tuned rigs, but these are extreme designed your sails to work with the the conditions, will help you get the most
ßÃŒêŒǡȊȀFȊĤĉĀąŚȊĀêŚȊÃȊßÃĞĞȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊÞĬÃŚȊ correct rig tension so if the rig’s not right, ĬŠŚȊĬÿȊŽĬŠŋȊÞĬÃŚǡȊ

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 61

 PRACTICAL
ȀFŚȃŒȊŠĥÞêĞĉêŶÃÞĞêȊąĬŷȊĤÃĥŽȊňêĬňĞêȊŚêĞĞȊ If you can do just one thing to improve Sight up the luff groove to
me their boat sails better after I’ve tuned your boat’s performance, learn to adjust check that the mast is
ŚąêȊŋĉĀǢȁȊŒÃŽŒȊąŋĉŒǡȊȀ<ĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêǢȊĬĥȊÃȊ ŽĬŠŋȊÞÃßěŒŚÃŽǢȊÃåŶĉŒêŒȊąŋĉŒǡȊȀ”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊ straight from side to side
Westerly Konsort you might get half a different kinds of backstay; hydraulic or
knot extra speed but over a day’s passage, ĤêßąÃĥĉßÃĞǡȊŒĬĤêȊąÃŶêȊŋĬňêŒȊŷĉŚąȊÞĞĬßěȊ
ŚąÃŚȊŒÃŶêŒȊÃȊĞĬŚȊĬÿȊŚĉĤêǦȁȊ ÃĥåȊŚÃßěĞêȊĬĥȊŚąêĤǡȊFĥȊŚąêȊŒĉĤňĞêŒŚȊŚêŋĤŒȊ
If, like me, your preference is to set up ĉÿȊŽĬŠȊŷÃĥŚȊŚĬȊåêňĬŷêŋȊŽĬŠŋȊŒÃĉĞŒȊDzĉĥȊ
your rig and forget about it, the best ŒŚŋĬĥĀȊŷĉĥåŒdzȊF_ (
Œ(ȊÞÃßěŒŚÃŽȊ
option is to err towards a strong wind ŚêĥŒĉĬĥǡȊFÿȊŽĬŠȊŷÃĥŚȊŚĬȊĉĥßŋêÃŒêȊňĬŷêŋȊDzĉĥȊ
ŒêŚŠňǢȊňÃŋŚĉߊĞÃŋĞŽȊŷĉŚąȊŒąŋĬŠåȊŚêĥŒĉĬĥǡȊ ĞĉĀąŚȊŷĉĥåŒdzȊ (#š(ȊÞÃßěŒŚÃŽȊŚêĥŒĉĬĥǡȊ
ĉĀĀĉĥĀȊŚąÃŚȃŒȊŠĥåêŋǸŚêĥŒĉĬĥêåȊňŠŚŒȊ Ȁ_ĉĥêŚŽȊƌŶêȊňêŋȊßêĥŚȊĬÿȊŒÃĉĞĬŋŒȊFȊĤêêŚȊ
ĉĥƌĥĉŚêĞŽȊĤĬŋêȊĞĬÃåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŷĉŋêǢȊ don’t do this, and when I tell them to, it
bottlescrews, terminals and hull structure ĤÃěêŒȊŒŠßąȊÃȊåĉÿÿêŋêĥßêǡ
because of the snatch loads every time ȀFÿȊŽĬŠȊŷÃĥŚȊŚĬȊěĥĬŷȊąĬŷȊĤŠßąȊŚêĥŒĉĬĥȊ
ŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊÿÃĞĞŒȊĬÿÿȊÃȊŷÃŶêǡ to apply for different wind strengths, why

ŒȊ#ÃŶĉåȊBÃŋåĉĥĀȊňĬĉĥŚŒȊĬŠŚǢȊȀ”ąêȊĤÃĉĥȊ not ask your sailmaker or rigger to whip
reason why undertensioned rigs on cruising some twine and mark the backstay for
boats stay standing as they do is that ŽĬŠǨȊ
ĥȊąĬŠŋȊĬÿȊŚąêĉŋȊŚĉĤêȊŷĉĞĞȊŚÃěêȊÃŷÃŽȊ
ĤÃĥŠÿÃߌŠŋêŋŒȊÞŠĉĞåȊĉĥȊêĥĬŋĤĬŠŒȊĤÃŋĀĉĥŒǡȁȊ ÃĞĞȊŚąêȊĀŠêŒŒŷĬŋěǡȁ
But even so, proper tension means better
ňêŋÿĬŋĤÃĥßêȊÃĥåȊĀŋêÃŚêŋȊŒÃÿêŚŽǡ Expert advice
_êżŚȊŚĉĤêȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊßĞĬŒêǸąÃŠĞêåȊĉĥȊÃȊ
Wind strength and direction ĀĬĬåȊÞŋêêƅêȊŚÃěêȊÃȊĞĬĬěȊŠňȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚǡȊ
ŋêȊ
While wind direction determines how you the lee shrouds slack? If the top or middle
trim your sails, it makes little difference of the mast is sagging to leeward it’s not
ŷąêĥȊĉŚȊßĬĤêŒȊŚĬȊŋĉĀǡȊ°ąêŚąêŋȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊĬĥȊÃȊ
downwind or upwind passage, the theory
ĉŒȊňŋêŚŚŽȊĤŠßąȊŚąêȊŒÃĤêǢȊŒÃŽŒȊąŋĉŒȊ(ŶÃĥŒǡ FRACTIONAL VS MASTHEAD TUNING
ȀfVǢȊŒĬȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȊĞĬĬěȊÃŚȊŚąêȊF^f
ȊƗƑŒǢȊ
they’d change their rigs according to the David Harding explains swept aft typically about 25°, they
wind direction, but you’re looking at a tiny why tight is right need to be under a lot of tension to keep
percent of the world’s top sailors, and ^ÃŒŚąêÃåȊßĬĥƌĀŠŋÃŚĉĬĥŒȊ the forestay tight. Because they’re also
êŶêĥȊŚąêŽȊĀêŚȊĉŚȊŷŋĬĥĀȊÃĥåȊåŋĬňȊŚąêĉŋȊŋĉĀŒǡȊ with in-line spreaders at a much shallower angle to the mast,
<ĬŋȊÃĥȊ
ȊĬŋȊĞĬĥĀǸåĉŒŚÃĥßêȊßŋŠĉŒêŋǢȊŷĉĥåȊ need less cap-shroud ŚąêŽȊÞêÃŋȊÞêŚŷêêĥȊŚąŋêêȊÃĥåȊƌŶêȊŚĉĤêŒȊ
åĉŋêߌĉĬĥȊĉŒȊĉŋŋêĞêŶÃĥŚǡȁȊȊ tension than swept- the load of the forestay. With fractional
Where rig tension does matter is wind spreader fractional rigs. This is because rigs, then, it’s vital to keep the cap
ŒŚŋêĥĀŚąȊǺȊÃĥåȊŚąĉŒȊĉŒȊŚąêȊěĉĥåȊĬÿȊŚŠĥĉĥĀǢȊĬŋȊ in-line caps are only supporting the shrouds tight. If they’re too loose, the
‘tweaking’ that you do on the dock, or mast laterally. The backstay stops it forestay will sag too much, the headsail
during a passage, as opposed to the initial moving forwards, so each wire has a will become too full and its leech will be
ŒêŚŠňȊĬŠŚĞĉĥêåȊĬĥȊňÃĀêȊƗƗǡȊ”ąĉŒȊĉŒȊÃĥȊ ŒêňÃŋÃŚêǢȊßĞêÃŋĞŽǸåêƌĥêåȊŋĬĞêǡ too tight. Then the boat will become
ĉĤňĬŋŚÃĥŚȊåĉŒŚĉĥߌĉĬĥǡȊFåêÃĞĞŽǢȊêÃßąȊŚĉĤêȊ Aft-swept caps support the mast unbalanced, heel too far, make more
you go out you should be assessing the both laterally and fore-and-aft. Being leeway and lose both speed and
weather forecast and wave conditions and pointing ability.
ŚŠĥĉĥĀȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚȊÃňňŋĬňŋĉÃŚêĞŽǡ A masthead rig is more Structurally,
straightforward to tune

ȊŋêÃĞĞŽȊŋĬŠĀąȊŋŠĞêȊĬÿȊŚąŠĤÞȊĉŒȊŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊ under-tensioned
ŷĉĥåĉêŋȊĉŚȊĉŒȊŚąêȊŚĉĀąŚêŋȊŽĬŠȊĀĬǡȊŒŚŋĬĥĀȊ rigging with a
winds require more mast rake and prebend swept-spreader rig
ĉĥȊŚąêȊŋĉĀȊŚĬȊąêĞňȊƍÃŚŚêĥȊŚąêȊĤÃĉĥŒÃĉĞǢȊŷąĉßąȊ presents a problem in
is usually done by tightening the forestay addition to the issue
ÃĥåȊÞÃßěŒŚÃŽǡȊXĉĀąŚȊÃĉŋŒȊŋêŊŠĉŋêȊŒĬÿŚêŋȊ of snatch loading.
settings, so you’ll often see racing sailors Tension in the
ŚŷêÃěȊŚąêĉŋȊŋĉĀȊŚêĥŒĉĬĥŒȊÞêÿĬŋêȊÃȊŋÃßêǡȊ leeward cap shroud is
important in keeping
The backstay on this Maxi 84 is the mast in column [in
easily adjustable. Pull it on in strong
place], to the extent
winds to help depower the sails
that Loos and Co (the
manufacturer of the
popular rig-tension
gauges) states that a
mast loses 50% of its
lateral stiffness when
the leeward cap goes
slack. When this
happens, the mast is
effectively hinging
around the forestay
and the windward cap
shroud and is far
more prone to
pumping as the boat
bounces around.

62 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 RIG TUNING

A sailmaker is used to
measuring rigs and
STORM SAILING
can tune them too
In their article on storm sailing in
PBO August 2024 Øyvind Bordal
and Magne Klann offered top tips
for storm rigs:
QThe base trim and a tight backstay
should ensure rig tension in all
directions. Don’t ease the backstay
much on open wind angles
QRegularly check the mast is
straight sideways and has a
proper longitudinal pre-bend. If
it’s not, ease the sheets to
depower the sails and take a
closer look
QIf shroud damage is detected on
the weather side, come about
quickly to prevent losing the mast,
and stabilise with halyards
attached tightly to the chainplate
or toe rail
QA broken lower shroud can be
‘imitated’ with a halyard led under
the spreaders and preferably also
ňŋĬňêŋĞŽȊŒŠňňĬŋŚêåǡȊFÿȊŚąêȊŋĉĀȊĉŒȊŠĥêŶêĥȊ ŷÃŋĥŒȊ‚ÊĞȊXêêŒȊĬÿȊŋŠŒÃåêŋȊŒÃĉĞŒǡ a turn around the mast. This rules
side-to-side, you’ll experience a Ȁ”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊŚąĬŒêȊŷąĬȃŶêȊÞêêĥȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊ out using the mainsail but could
frustrating difference in power and point for hundreds of years and those who sit save the rig.
ĬÿȊŒÃĉĞȊĬĥȊåĉÿÿêŋêĥŚȊŚÃßěŒǡ ÞêąĉĥåȊÃȊĞÃňŚĬňǡȊ”ąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŚąĉĥĀȊŷêȊÃŒěȊÃĥŽȊ QThe mid-section of the mast must
fĥêȊŒĬĞŠŚĉĬĥȊĉŒȊŚĬȊąÃŶêȊÃȊňŋĬÿꌌĉĬĥÃĞȊ boatowner who wants their rig tuned is, never bend backwards, which can
ŋĉĀǸŚŠĥêǢȊŷąĉßąȊŷĉĞĞȊŚÃěêȊÃŋĬŠĥåȊƒǸƓȊąĬŠŋŒǡȊ ȂŷąÃŚȊěĉĥåȊĬÿȊÞĬÃŚǨȃȊ
ȊŒÃåĞêŋǢȊÿĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêǢȊ happen when the mainsail is
But bear in mind, even if you have an will be completely different to a Hunter deeply reefed and there’s not
expert tune your rig for you, it will stretch XêĀêĥåǡȊFŚȃŒȊÃȊÞĉŚȊĞĉěêȊÃŒěĉĥĀȊÃȊßÃŋȊ enough tension in the backstay.
over time, something known in the mechanic to work on a performance QIf possible, the mid-section of the
ĉĥ劌ŚŋŽȊÃŒȊȂßŋêêňȃǡȊ”ąĉŒȊĉŒȊňÃŋŚĉߊĞÃŋĞŽȊ ĤĬŚĬŋÞĬÃŚǢȊĞĬŋŋŽȊÃĥåȊĞÃŷĥĤĬŷêŋǡȊ°ąÃŚȊ mast should bend slightly
ŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚȊĉĥȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊƒƓȊĤĬĥŚąŒȊĬÿȊĥêŷȊ bothers us, and we see it a lot, is someone forward. Avoid pumping or jerks in
ŋĉĀĀĉĥĀǢȊÃĥåȊŋĉĀĀêŋŒȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊąŋĉŒȊÃŚȊµ‚Ȋ used to working on a pushbike being the mast and tighten check stay
ĉĀĀĉĥĀȊŷĉĞĞȊŒßąêåŠĞêȊÃȊŋêǸŚŠĥêȊÃÿŚêŋȊÃȊ ÃŒěêåȊŚĬȊĤÃĉĥŚÃĉĥȊÃȊ”=¯Ǧȁ and baby stay if applicable
ŽêÃŋȊŚĬȊÃååŋꌌȊŚąĉŒǡȊ

ĞŒĬǢȊÃŒȊŒÃĉĞŒȊŒŚŋêŚßąǢȊŋĉĀȊÃåĘŠŒŚĤêĥŚŒȊ What the sailmaker sees
are necessary, so it’s worth knowing how ŒĬȊŷąÃŚȊÃŋêȊŚąêȊŚŽňĉßÃĞȊŋĉĀǸŚŠĥĉĥĀȊ ŋêŊŠĉŋêŒȊÃȊߊŒŚĬĤȊƌŚŚĉĥĀȊÞêßÊŒêȊŚąêȊȂĬÿÿȊ
to tune your rig, or at least recognise ĤĉŒŚÃěêŒȊŚąêȊŚêÃĤȊÃŚȊŋŠŒÃåêŋȊŒÃĉĞŒȊ the peg’ version went out of manufacture
ŷąêĥȊĉŚȊĥêêåŒȊåĬĉĥĀǡȊ encounter? ĉĥȊƒƚƘƙǦ
ĉĀȊŚŠĥĉĥĀȊŷĉĞĞȊåĉÿÿêŋȊÿŋĬĤȊÞĬÃŚȊŚĬȊÞĬÃŚǢȊ ȀFÿȊFȊąÃåȊÃȊŚêĥĥêŋȊÿĬŋȊêŶêŋŽȊÞĬĞŚȊŒßŋêŷȊ
ĥåŽȊÃååŒȊŚąÃŚȊȂÞÃßěȊĉĥȊŚąêȊåÃŽǢȃȊĤĬŒŚȊ
depending on a whole range of factors not secured, or clevis pin without a split ÞĬÃŚŒȊŷêŋêȊĤÃŒŚąêÃåȊŋĉĀĀêåǡȊ
ŒȊÃȊŋêŒŠĞŚȊ
from the aspect ratio of the rig to the ňĉĥǥȁȊŒÃŽŒȊ‚ÊĞǡȊȀFŚȃŒȊÃߌŠÃĞĞŽȊŋêÃĞĞŽȊÞÃŒĉßȊ ŚąêŽȊąÃåȊŋêÃŒĬĥÃÞĞŽȊŷĉåêȊŒąŋĬŠåȊÞÃŒêŒǡȊ
ŒąŋĬŠåȊÞÃŒêǢȊŋĬĞĞêŋǸŋêêƌĥĀȊŒŽŒŚêĤǢȊ ŒŚŠÿÿȊÞŠŚȊßĬŠĞåȊßÊŒêȊßÃŚÃŒŚŋĬňąĉßȊÿÃĉĞŠŋêǡȁȊ Ȁ¶ĬŠȊßĬŠĞåȊňŠŚȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚȊĉĥȊÃĥåȊÞêßÊŒêȊĉŚȊ
ŒňŋêÃåêŋȊŚŽňêȊÃĥåȊĤĬŋêǡȊ¶ĬŠȊĤÃŽȊÞêȊÃÞĞêȊ ŒÃĞêŒȊĤÃĥÃĀêŋȊ
ĥåŽȊŋĬŒŒȊÃååŒǣȊȀ”ĬĬȊ wasn’t particularly tall, you could go
ŚĬȊƌĥåȊĉĥŒŚŋŠßŚĉĬĥŒȊÿŋĬĤȊŽĬŠŋȊÞĬÃŚÞŠĉĞåêŋǡȊ much or too little mast rake is a common around with a spanner and apply a rule of
FÿȊĥĬŚǢȊßĬĥŒŠĞŚȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊŒÃĉĞĤÃěêŋȊĬŋȊŋĉĀĀêŋǡ ĉŒŒŠêǡȊ^ĬåêŋĥȊŋĉĀŒȊĉĥȊ ŚąŠĤÞȊŚĬȊŚŠĥêȊĉŚȊÃĞĞǡ
Ȁ^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊŚąêŽȊěĥĬŷȊŚąêĉŋȊŒŚŠÿÿǢȁȊ particular are more Today’s generation of
sensitive to mast bend, ‘You can’t just twiddle fractional rig boats
Check the
thread length is
and on fractional rigs a few cap shrouds and have either the same
with aft-swept size or a bigger mast
even on the port
and starboard spreaders, a lot are hope it will be all right’ further forward so the
rigging screws set-up with too much setup for that is
ňŋêÞêĥåǡȊŒÃĉĞŒȊŒŚŋêŚßąȊĬŶêŋȊŚĉĤêȊÃĥåȊÃŒȊŚąêŽȊ åĉÿÿêŋêĥŚǡȊ¶ĬŠȊßÃĥȃŚȊĘŠŒŚȊŚŷĉååĞêȊÃȊÿêŷȊßÃňȊ
get fuller, people, and riggers particularly, shrouds and hope it will be all right
ŚêĥåȊŚĬȊÃååȊŋÃěêȊŚĬȊƍÃŚŚêĥȊŚąêĤȊÃĥåȊĤÃěêȊ ÞêßÊŒêȊĉŚȊŷĬĥȃŚȊÞêǡȊFŚȊŋêŊŠĉŋêŒȊÃȊŷąĬĞêȊ
ŚąêĤȊŒêŚȊÞêŚŚêŋǡȊ”ąêĥȊŷąêĥȊŽĬŠȊŒŚĉßěȊÃȊĥêŷȊ ŷĬŋĞåȊĬÿȊåĉÿÿêŋêĥßêǡȁ
mainsail on, it won’t set right, so you need to
go back to the original settings for mast Rigging material
ÞêĥåǡȊ”ąÃŚȊŷÃŽȊŽĬŠȃĞĞȊĀĬȊÃȊĞĬŚȊÿÃŒŚêŋȊÃĥåȊĉŚȊ ĉĀĀĉĥĀȊĤÃŚêŋĉÃĞŒȊąÃŶêȊĥĬŚȊßąÃĥĀêåȊÿĬŋȊ
won’t do the nasty things of vibrating and ŚąêȊêŶêŋŽåÃŽȊßŋŠĉŒêŋǡȊŒŚêêĞȊŷĉŋêȊßĬĥŚĉĥŠêŒȊ
ŠĥĥêßꌌÃŋĉĞŽȊŒŚŋꌌĉĥĀȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒǡȁ to be the most common type of rigging

ĥĬŚąêŋȊßĬĤĤĬĥȊĉŒŒŠêȊŚąêȊŚêÃĤȊ due to its relatively low cost, reliability and
êĥßĬŠĥŚêŋŒȊĉŒȊĉĥêżňêŋŚĞŽȊƌŚŚêåȊąêÃåŒÃĉĞȊ ŚêĥŒĉĞêȊŒŚŋêĥĀŚąǡȊ”ąêȊÃåŶÃĥŚÃĀêȊĬÿȊŚąĉŒȊĉŒȊ
ŋêêƌĥĀȊŒŽŒŚêĤŒǤȊŒĬĤêŚĉĤêŒȊŚąêȊÃĥŚĉǸŷŋÃňȊ that strand fractures and buckles are easy
Ali Wood

ƌŚŚĉĥĀȊĉŒȊĥĬŚȊĉĥȊňĞÃßêǢȊŷąĉßąȊßÃĥȊĞêÃåȊŚĬȊ ŚĬȊŒňĬŚǢȊŷÃŋĥĉĥĀȊĬÿȊňĬŚêĥŚĉÃĞȊňŋĬÞĞêĤŒǡ
ąÃĞŽÃŋåȊŷŋÃňŒǡ ^ĬŒŚȊŋĉĀŒȊÃŋêȊŒêŚȊŷĉŚąȊƒȊżȊƒƚȊŷĉŋêȊDzÃȊ
The problem, on older boats, is this ßêĥŚŋêȊŒŚŋÃĥåǢȊƗȊŚŷĉŒŚêåȊÃŋĬŠĥåȊŚąêȊ

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 63

 PRACTICAL
ßĬŋêǢȊƒƓȊŚŷĉŒŚêåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊĬňňĬŒĉŚêȊåĉŋêߌĉĬĥȊ standing and running rigging made of ÞĬÃŚȊŒĬȊŽĬŠȊßÃĥȊěêêňȊÃĥȊêŽêȊĬĥȊĉŚǡȊ^ĬĉŒŚŠŋêȊ
ĉĥȊĬŠŚêŋȊĞÃŽêŋŒdzǡȊ ňŋĬåŠßŚŒȊŒŠßąȊÃŒȊßÃŋÞĬĥȊƌÞŋêǢȊŒňêߌŋÃǢȊ or grounding damage, for example, can
ĬåȊŋĉĀĀĉĥĀǢȊĬĥȊŚąêȊĬŚąêŋȊąÃĥåǢȊĉŒȊŒĬĞĉåȊ VêŶĞÃŋȊÃĥåȊĬŚąêŋȊŚŽňêŒǡ weaken the structure or corrode hidden
ŒŚÃĉĥĞꌌȊŒŚêêĞȊŒąÃňêåȊĉĥŚĬȊÞÃŋŒǡȊ”ąĉŒȊ (żŚŋêĤêĞŽȊŒŚÃÞĞêȊÃĥåȊĞĉĀąŚŷêĉĀąŚǢȊŒŠßąȊ ňÃŋŚŒȊĬÿȊßąÃĉĥňĞÃŚêŒȊĬŋȊŷêĞåŒǡȊ
stretches less and has greater strength ŋĉĀŒȊÃŋêȊÃĞŒĬȊŶêŋŽȊêżňêĥŒĉŶêȊÃĥåȊßĬĥƌĥêåȊ
DzĥĬŋĤÃĞĞŽȊƓƑɃȊŒŚŋĬĥĀêŋȊŚąÃĥȊŷĉŋêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ ŚĬȊĞÃŋĀêŋȊňêŋÿĬŋĤÃĥßêȊŽÃßąŚŒǡȊ Types of rig
ŒÃĤêȊåĉÃĤêŚêŋdzǢȊąêĥßêȊĉŚŒȊ Working with the The Bermudan rig is the most common,
use on racing yachts with Wire rigging can easily shrouds and stays, you ÃĥåȊŚąêŋêȊÃŋêȊŚŷĬȊĤÃĉĥȊŚŽňêŒǣȊĤÃŒŚąêÃåȊ
ąĉĀąȊŚêĥŒĉĬĥȊŋĉĀŒǡȊ”ąêȊ be checked for buckling have toggles, rigging bolts, DzÞÃßěŒŚÃŽȊÃĥåȊÿĬŋêŒŚÃŽȊÃŋêȊÞĬŚąȊÃŚŚÃßąêåȊ
disadvantages are its turnbuckles and terminals, ÃŚȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚąêÃådzȊÃĥåȊÿŋÃߌĉĬĥÃĞȊDzŚąêȊ
shorter lifespan and that it all of which should be ÿĬŋêŒŚÃŽȊĉŒȊÃŚŚÃßąêåȊÞêĞĬŷȊŚąêȊĤÃŒŚąêÃådzǡȊ
gives no warning of failure, ŒŚÃĉĥĞꌌȊŒŚêêĞȊŊŠÃĞĉŚŽȊ
ƕȊ The fractional rig, which supports a larger
ŷąĉßąȊßÃĥȊÞêȊßÃŚÃŒŚŋĬňąĉßǡȊFÿȊ or bronze, and should allow main and smaller/fewer headsails, is more
bent too much, hidden the shrouds or stays to ‘tuneable’ but also more demanding to
damage can occur, which is move slightly without ŚŠĥêȊÃĥåȊěêêňȊŷêĞĞǸŚŠĥêåǡȊ
only revealed by a non- åêŶêĞĬňĉĥĀȊěĉĥěŒǡȊ
åêŒŚŋŠßŚĉŶêȊåŽêȊŚêŒŚǡȊ<êŷêŋȊ ąÃĉĥňĞÃŚêŒȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊêĥŚĉŋêȊ Can you tune a multihull?
boatbuilders opt for rod hull, including bulkheads, ąŋĉŒȊ(ŶÃĥŒȊĬÿȊµ‚Ȋ ĉĀĀĉĥĀȊêżňĞÃĉĥŒȊŚąÃŚȊ
rigging these days due to should be able to absorb multihull rigs are tuned on the ground
ąĉĀąȊĤÃĥŠÿÃߌŠŋĉĥĀȊßĬŒŚŒǡ ŚąêȊĞĬÃåŒȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊŋĉĀǡȊFŚȃŒȊÃȊ before they go up because they use an
Ali Wood

<ĉÞŋêȊŋĉĀŒȊąÃŶêȊåêŶêĞĬňêåȊ good idea to familiarise additional set of shrouds called reverse

greatly in recent years and yourself with how the rig åĉÃĀĬĥÃĞŒȊDz #ƒǢȊ #ƓȊÃĥåȊ #ƔdzȊÃĥåȊ
it’s possible to have both load is supported in your ĘŠĤňêŋŒǡȊȀ”ąêŒêȊÞÃŒĉßÃĞĞŽȊŒŠňňĬŋŚȊŚąêȊ

ADJUSTING RIG TENSION

Some forestays on yachts with headsail The main halyard can be
ÿŠŋĞĉĥĀȊÃŋêȊÃȊƌżêåȊĞêĥĀŚąȊÞŠŚȊÃĞĞȊĬŚąêŋȊ used to measure to the
shrouds and stays are usually adjustable cap shroud chainplates
and this is achieved by tightening or
loosening the thread on the
bottlescrews at the bottom of the stays
where they are attached to the deck. For
the initial set-up, the boat should be
ĞêŶêĞǡȊ
ȊƌĥĀêŋȊÞêŋŚąȊŷĉĞĞȊÃĞĞĬŷȊŽĬŠȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊ
A Loos gauge
off the boat to assess whether the mast makes rig
is upright. setup easier
Over the page is a guide to tuning your
rig. While experienced riggers will be
able to check tension by feel at the
dockside, the simplest way to check
tension as you wind down the
bottlescrews is to use a rig-tension
meter, such as the Loos or Spinlock Rig
Sense. Once you know the diameter of
the wire, it will give you the load both in
kilograms and as a percentage of its RIGHT Use a
breaking load (the load at or around second spanner
which major failure occurs – see table far to hold the shroud
right). If you don’t have a tension gauge, still when
tensioning the
you can calculate the percentage of a bottlescrew
wire’s breaking load by measuring its
stretch. Most cruising boats have rigging
made from 1x19 wire. Normally over a Tips
distance of 2m: when 1x19 wire has QDon’t force dry bottlescrews. Apply a
stretched by 1mm over a 2,000mm lubricant such as Tef-Gel to the
length, it’s at 5% of its breaking load threads before turning them.
whatever its diameter. PBO’s Alex Bell QDon’t use massively long tools for
outlined this method in his rig-tension extra leverage on the bottlescrews. If
gauge test (pbo.co.uk/rigtensiongauge), you can feel the load, you’re less likely
or you can also read about the ‘folding to strain or break anything.
rule method’ in Sélden mast’s excellent Q^ĬŒŚȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŷĉĞĞȊƍêżȊŚĬȊŒĬĤêȊêżŚêĥŚȊ
hints and advice manual which can be when the rig is properly tensioned. If
found at seldenmast.com – it’s you’re concerned about excessive
considered the ‘bible’ for many riggers! bend, take it easy, use a straight edge
If in any doubt, your rigger will be able across the deck to check for
to explain how to arrive at the correct movement, and seek advice. On this Contessa
tension values. Watch how he or she QIf in any doubt, ask a sailmaker or 26, the forestay
tunesȊŽĬŠŋȊŋĉĀȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊŚĉĤêǢȊÃĥåȊŋêÿêŋȊ ŋĉĀĀêŋȊŚĬȊŚŠĥêȊŽĬŠŋȊŋĉĀȊÿĬŋȊŽĬŠȊŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊ bottlescrew sets
back to this article for future tweaks. time and take lots of notes or a video! mast rake

64 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 RIG TUNING

mast but can induce and reduce prebend, Chris Evans of XP Rigging
ŷąĉßąȊĉŒȊĤÃŚßąêåȊŚĬȊĞŠÿÿȊߊŋŶÃŚŠŋêǡ works with standing and
ȀXĉěêȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊɇ ȊŋĉĀȊǶÃȊêŋĤŠåÃĥȊ running rigging
ŶÃŋĉÃĥŚȊåêŒĉĀĥêåȊÞŽȊŒŷêåĉŒąȊêĥĀĉĥêêŋŒǷǢȊ
the reverse diagonal shrouds are used to
pull back the mast while on the ground
then the rig is put up almost like a bent
ÞÃĥÃĥÃǡȁȊ
fĥßêȊŚąĉŒȊĤÃŒŚȊĉŒȊŠňǢȊŽĬŠȊßÃĥȃŚȊÞêĥåȊĉŚȊ
any further with the backstay like you
ŷĬŠĞåȊÃȊĤĬĥĬąŠĞĞǡȊFĥȊĬŚąêŋȊŷĬŋåŒǢȊ
ĤŠĞŚĉąŠĞĞȊŋĉĀŒȊÃŋêȊĥĬŚȊȂŚŠĥêÃÞĞêȃǡ
Brian Thompson, multihull racer and
åĉŋêߌĬŋȊÃŚȊ#ĬŽĞêȊŒÃĉĞŒȊŒĬĞêĥŚǢȊňĬĉĥŚŒȊĬŠŚȊ
ŚąÃŚȊŽĬŠȊßÃĥȃŚȊƍÃŚŚêĥȊÃȊĤÃĉĥŒÃĉĞȊŷĉŚąȊĤÃŒŚȊ
bend as you might do in a monohull with a
ÞÃßěŒŚÃŽǡȊfĥȊÃȊĤŠĞŚĉąŠĞĞǢȊÞêßÊŒêȊŚąêȊ
shrouds are further outboard and often
further aft than on a monohull, permanent
ÞÃßěŒŚÃŽŒȊÃĥåȊŋŠĥĥêŋŒȊÃŋêĥȃŚȊŋêŊŠĉŋêåǡ

ȊĤŠĞŚĉąŠĞĞȊŷĬĥȃŚȊŋĬĞĞȊåĬŷĥŷĉĥåȊĞĉěêȊ
traditional monohulls, so there’s much
ĞꌌȊŋĉŒěȊĬÿȊÃĥȊÃßßĉåêĥŚÃĞȊĀŽÞêǡȊ”ąêȊąĉĀąȊ
righting moment combined with a lack of
backstay or runners, means that the mast
has to be strong and stiff and is not tension and adjustment and mast rake, BREAKING LOADS FOR
ÃåĘŠŒŚÃÞĞêȊĉĥȊÞêĥåȊŠĥåêŋȊŷÃŽǡȊ ÃĥåȊŚÃěêȊĥĬŚêŒǡȊ”ąêĥǢȊĬĥßêȊŽĬŠȊąÃŶêȊÃȊ
baseline, sail methodically, adjusting one
1 X 19 STRAND WIRE
Advanced rig tuning ŒêŚŚĉĥĀȊÃŚȊÃȊŚĉĤêǡȊFÿȊŽĬŠȊĤĬŶêȊĉŚǢȊŷŋĉŚêȊĉŚȊ Wire diameter Breaking load
There are three stages to monohull rig åĬŷĥǡȊFÿȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊŒêŚŚĉĥĀȊĉŒȊŷĬŋŒêǢȊĤĬŶêȊĉŚȊ
ŚŠĥĉĥĀǣȊŚŋĉĤĤĉĥĀȊŚąêȊŋĉĀȊŒĉåêŷÃŽŒǢȊ ÞÃßěǢȊĉÿȊĉŚȃŒȊÞêŚŚêŋǢȊěêêňȊĀĬĉĥĀǡ mm kN lb
ŚŋĉĤĤĉĥĀȊĉŚȊÿĬŋêȊÃĥåȊÃÿŚȊŚąêĥȊƌĥêǸŚŠĥĉĥĀȊ When the boat is fast and performing 3 8 1,770
ŠĥåêŋȊŒÃĉĞǡ how you want it to, mark everything and
While many cruising boat rigs have not write it down so you can repeat your 4 14 3,090
been tuned since the day they were ŒêŚŚĉĥĀŒȊŷĉŚąȊêÃŒêǡ
5 22 4,860
launched, racing boat rigs are regularly ¶ĬŠȊßÃĥȊƌĥåȊĤĬŋêȊÃÞĬŠŚȊŚąĉŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ
ŋêĤĬŶêåȊÿĬŋȊŚŋÃĥŒňĬŋŚȊÃĥåȊŚąêĥȊŋêǸŋĉĀĀêåǡȊ „ŠÃĥŚŠĤȊŒÃĉĞŒȊŷêÞŒĉŚêǢȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊÃȊ 6 31 6,845
These owners are adept at rig tuning to åĬŷĥĞĬÃåÃÞĞêȊßąÃŋŚȊDzpbo.co.uk/tuneguidedzǡȊ
7 43 9,490
ĀêŚȊŚąÃŚȊĞÃŒŚȊąÃĞÿȊÃȊěĥĬŚȊĬŠŚȊĬÿȊŚąêĉŋȊÞĬÃŚǡȊ ĉĀĀêŋȊąŋĉŒȊ(ŶÃĥŒȊąÃŒȊÃȊŒĉĤňĞêȊŚĉňȊÿĬŋȊ
ŒĬĤêȊĬŷĥêŋŒȊêŶêĥȊěêêňȊÃȊŚŠĥĉĥĀȊĀŠĉåêȊĉĥȊ any boat owner removing the rig, whether 8 56 12,360
order to keep track of the optimal for over-winter storage or to get work
ňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŒŚÃŽŒǢȊŒąŋĬŠåŒȊÃĥåȊŋÃěêǡȊ åĬĥêǡȊBêȊŒŠĀĀêŒŚŒȊŽĬŠȊĤÃŋěȊŚąêȊÞĬŚŚĞêǸ 10 88 19,425
If you sail a dinghy or small keelboat, ŒßŋêŷŒȊŷĉŚąȊ‚¯ȊŚÃňêȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŠĥåĬĉĥĀȊ 12 126 27,815
why not experiment with how tuning ŚąêĤǡȊȀFÿȊŽĬŠȊěĥĬŷȊŽĬŠŋȊÞĬÃŚȊŒÃĉĞêåȊŋêÃĞĞŽȊ
14 171 37,750

Sélden
ÃÿÿêߌŒȊŽĬŠŋȊŒÃĉĞȊňĞÃĥǨȊfĥȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŚąĉŒȊŒĉƅêǢȊ nicely, and you want it to do the same next
smaller masts and shroud diameters show time, tape both ends of the thread where 16 216 47,680
more dramatic tuning adjustments that ĉŚȊĤêêŚŒȊŚąêȊßĞêŶĉŒȊňĉĥǡȊ¶ĬŠȊßÃĥȊŚąêĥȊŷĉĥåȊ
ÃŋêĥȃŚȊÃŒȊĬÞŶĉĬŠŒȊĬĥȊÃȊĞÃŋĀêȊßŋŠĉŒĉĥĀȊÞĬÃŚǡȊ ĉŚȊÞÃßěȊŚĬȊŚąêŒêȊƌżêåȊňÃŋÃĤêŚêŋŒȊŚĬȊ
^êÃŒŠŋêȊŚąêȊŚŠŋĥÞŠßěĞêȊŚŠŋĥŒǢȊŒąŋĬŠåȊ ŋêňĞĉßÃŚêȊŚąêȊňêŋÿêߌȊĤÃŒŚȊŒêŚŚĉĥĀǡȁ FURTHER RESOURCES
If you’re taking your QHints and advice on rigging and
mast down, record the
tuning of your Seldén mast (ƌĥå a
settings on your rigging
screws with PVC tape PDF at seldenmast.com under
‘technical support’).
QSail & Rig Tuning by Ivar Dedekam
QSail and Rig the Tuning Guide by
Øyvind Bordal and Magne Klann

Thanks to Chris Evans of XP Rigging

and Paul Lees and Andy Cross of
Crusader Sails

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 65

 PRACTICAL

STEP BY STEP

Masthead rig with single in-line spreaders

By David Harding

This is the simplest rig to set up. Whether

2 ATHWARTHSHIPS TUNING
With the bottlescrews on the cap
shrouds not even hand-tight and the
Using the main
halyard hoist a
tape measure
keel-stepped or deck-stepped and lowers/babystay completely loose, hoist to the
supported by forward lowers or a a tape measure to the masthead on the masthead to
babystay, it’s the same basic procedure. main halyard (provided it runs over a measure the
distance to the
central sheave). Measure the distance to chainplates on

1 CHECK THE RIGGING SCREWS

The boat should be level so you can
sense-check the measurements.
ƌżêåȊňĬĉĥŚŒȊĬĥȊÞĬŚąȊŒĉåêŒȊŚąÃŚȊÃŋêȊ
symmetrical about the centreline, such
as the base of the chainplates. If you
both sides
(red lines)

The simplest way to check the mast is don’t have a long tape measure, use the
balanced left and right is to see if the halyard itself. Centre the masthead by
rigging screws are measuring the same adjusting the port and starboard cap
gap, port and starboard. You can do this shrouds until the measurements are the
with vernier calipers or even a steel rule. same, then hand-tighten the
The thread lengths should be equal on bottlescrews by taking the same
both sides. number of turns on each side. Re-check
and adjust as necessary.

3 SET THE RAKE

Rake is the amount the mast is
angled aft (this is different to mast bend
little backstay before using the forestay
bottlescrew to move the masthead fore
or aft to adjust the rake. The backstay
4 TIGHTEN CAP
SHROUDS &
BACKSTAY
or ‘pre-bend’, which is the amount you takes hold of the forestay and tightens It’s now time to
bend the mast after you or slackens it. begin tensioning
have set your rake). Most With a weight suspended To measure the rake, the rigging
from the halyard, measure
boats are designed to sail suspend a weight from the properly. Tension
the distance to the mast
with some rake, typically main halyard, just above the cap shrouds by
1°to 2° (closer to the latter deck level, and record the taking the same
if fractional). If possible, distance between the number of turns on Using ordinary
check the recommended weight and the mast foot. each: no more than hand-tools it’s hard
measurement from your One degree of rake is two or three on one to over-tension the
rigging
designer. You may need to about 6in (15cm) in 30ft side before doing
êżňêŋĉĤêĥŚȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊŷąÃŚȊ (9m). If it’s a bit rolly, you the same on the other. Count carefully.
works. Increasing the rake ßÃĥȊåÃĤňêĥȊƍŠßŚŠÃŚĉĬĥŒȊ You’re aiming to tension the caps and
will increase weather helm, by placing the weight in a backstay to 15% of their breaking load
and vice versa. Pull on a bucket of water. (see table page 65).

Measure mast rake Yacht designers

by suspending a often choose
weight from the 30-40% of the
masthead stay’s breaking
load as maximum
allowable tension
so there’s a
reasonable
safety factor
against shock
loads.

66 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 RIG TUNING

5 TIGHTEN THE LOWERS/ BABYSTAY

The aft lowers and forward lowers/
babystay control the bend at mid-height.
The lower (and intermediate,
if you have them) shrouds are
your opportunity to set fore
A mast should bend forward in the middle, and aft mast bend, as well as
though only to a small extent on stiff preventing the middle of the
ĤÃŒŚąêÃåȊŋĉĀŒǡȊ<ĬŋȊĤĬŋêȊƍêżĉÞĞêȊĤÃŒŚŒȊ mast sagging off to leeward.
and fractional rigs, you’ll need more bend.
Also known as ‘pre-bend’, the purpose of
this is to counter two factors in heavy
weather: increased forestay loads pulling
the top of the mast forward, and the head
of a reefed mainsail pulling the middle aft.
Together, they can result in the middle of
the mast bowing aft, which makes it
unstable and is bad for sail trim. For
maximum strength in extremis it should
be straight. Use the forward lowers or
babystay to pull the middle of the mast
forward. The bend thus induced should be
no more than half the mast’s fore-and-aft
measurement. Then take up the slack in
the aft lowers. They don’t need to be tight;
they’re just countering the forward pull.
Sight up the luff groove to make sure the
mast is straight laterally. Correct any
åêƍêߌĉĬĥŒȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊĞĬŷêŋŒǡȊFÿȊŽĬŠȊŒêŚȊŠňȊ
the caps properly to start with, you should
not adjust them again at this stage.

6 RIG CHECK UNDER SAIL

=ĬȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊŠĥåêŋȊÿŠĞĞȊßÃĥŶÃŒȊĉĥȊƍÃŚȊŷÃŚêŋȊÃĥåȊêĥĬŠĀąȊŷĉĥåȊŚĬȊňĬŷêŋȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŠňȊ
fully – approaching the top end of full-sail conditions, so you’re heeling around 20°.
Inverted bend (mast bowing aft in the
middle) is bad for sail trim and
First, make sure the leeward cap shroud isn’t waving around in the breeze. You should potentially dangerous for the rig
ÞêȊÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊåêƍêߌȊĉŚȊ
ŷĉŚąȊÃȊƌĥĀêŋȊÞŽȊÃȊÿêŷȊ
inches; no more. If it’s
too loose, take a turn or
two on the leeward
bottlescrew, then tack
and do the same on the
other side. Now sight
up the back of the
mast. It should be
straight athwartships
and bending slightly
forward in the middle.
If it’s straight or
bending aft in the
middle, try increasing
the backstay tension
(but not beyond 30% of
its breaking load) and,
if necessary, tensioning
the forward lowers/
babystay and
slackening the aft
lowers. Remove any
lateral bends by
adjusting the lowers.

ŚąŷÃŋŚŒąĉňŒȊåêƍêߌĉĬĥȊĤĉĀąŚȊ Once you’re happy, lock
make it look as though the top is
falling away to one side, but it off the bottlescrews to
won’t be if it was centred make sure they can’t
properly in Step 1. Straighten the come undone.
middle by adjusting the lowers

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 67

 PRACTICAL

STEP BY STEP

Fractional rig with single, aft-swept spreaders

Widely used on smaller cruisers and cruiser/racers, this
ßĬĥƌĀŠŋÃŚĉĬĥȊĥêêåŒȊÃȊåĉÿÿêŋêĥŚȊÃňňŋĬÃßąȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊĤÃŒŚąêÃåȊŋĉĀ 3 TIGHTEN THE CAP SHROUDS
Forestay tension is achieved primarily through the caps,
and they need to be seriously tight. Their maximum tension is

1 ENSURE THE MAST IS UPRIGHT

Repeat the steps as with a masthead rig, page 66.
25% of breaking load, but it’s best not to tension them all the
way in one go because that would result in a very bent mast:
tensioning the caps pushes the spreaders, and therefore the
middle of the mast,

2 SET THE RAKE

Fractional rigs
often need more
forward. Start by
taking them to
about 15% of
rake than a breaking load, then
masthead tighten the lowers
equivalent. to pull the middle of
Anything up to 2° is the mast back so it’s
the norm. With a straight. This is how
fractional rig, rake the swept-spreader
is set by the fractional rig works:
forestay and cap the caps and lowers
shrouds rather than are working against
the forestay and each other, caps
backstay (see next pushing and lowers
step). With a pulling, to stabilise
swept-spreader the middle of the
fractional rig it’s the mast. Sight up the
cap shrouds, not mast when it’s
the backstay, that straight to check for
stop the mast ĞÃŚêŋÃĞȊåêƍêߌĉĬĥǢȊ
moving forward. correcting it with
They provide both In a fractional rig, the shrouds pull the the lowers. With a
fore-and-aft and mast back, ensuring a certain amount Tensioning the caps pushes the spreaders ƍêżĉÞĞêȊĤÃŒŚȊŽĬŠȊ
of pressure – and the middle of the mast – forward
lateral support, so might need to
they’re doing two repeat the process,
jobs. The backstay’s principal role is to control the topmast and taking the caps to 20% before tensioning the lowers again.
mast-bend. Because it’s above the point where the forestay Otherwise go straight to the next stage, which is to pull on the
joins the mast, it’s not pulling directly against the forestay and backstay. Pull it tight, but don’t go mad. Tensioning the
therefore has less effect on forestay tension. How much it pulls backstay bends the mast and therefore shortens the distance
against the forestay depends on factors including the height of from the hounds (where the caps join) to the deck. This loosens
the topmast, the stiffness of the mast section and the tension the caps, so it’s easier to tension them back to the 20% mark.
of the lower shrouds (which determine the bend). Measure the When you let the backstay off, the caps will tension again and
rake in the same way you would a masthead rig. should be at about 25% of breaking load – but no more.

4 SET THE PRE-BEND

Take a few turns on the lowers to
achieve the right amount of pre-bend.
It should be more than with an in-line
masthead rig, but a mast should never
bend to more than 2% of the height of
the foretriangle even with the backstay
tensioned (that’s about 180mm in 9m,
or 7in in 30ft). Check to see how far the
mast bends with a tight backstay.
The optimum bend will often be
determined by the cut of the mainsail,
or recommended by the sailmaker or
your class association.
Pre-bend is vital because most
5 CHECK THE RIG UNDER SAIL
The caps should be tighter than
ŷĉŚąȊÃȊĤÃŒŚąêÃåȊŋĉĀǢȊŷĉŚąȊĥĬȊŒĉĀĥĉƌßÃĥŚȊ
fractional rigs don’t have forward lowers slack on the leeward side when the
or a babystay, so if the mast were to boat’s hard on the wind and heeling
bend aft in the middle (inverted bend) 15-20°. If the static tension is up to 25%
it could collapse. In fresh conditions, but the leeward cap is always slack, the
especially under spinnaker, it’s a wise boat might be bending. That’s a topic
precaution never to release the beyond the scope of this article! Sight
backstay completely. That stops the Pre-bend is the fore-and-aft bend in the up the mast to check the bend both fore-
upper section of the mast from being mast of a fractional rig before the and-aft and athwartships, adjusting the
backstay is tensioned
pulled too far forward. lowers as necessary.

68 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 RIG TUNING

STEP BY STEP

Fractional rig, two sets of aft-swept spreaders

With slimmer mast sections, this is a
As with the single-
ňĬňŠĞÃŋȊßĬĥƌĀŠŋÃŚĉĬĥȊĬĥȊÞĬÃŚŒȊÞêŚŷêêĥȊ spreader fractional rig,
30ft and 40ft but is more complex to tune. the cap shrouds induce
mast-bend by pushing

1 SET THE RAKE the spreaders forward.

Bend is controlled at the
Get the mast upright athwartships as lower spreaders by the
with a masthead rig, then follow the D1s (lowers) and at the
same procedure described for a upper spreaders by the
single-spreader rig to set the rake. D2s (intermediates).
Tensioning the D1s and
Generally speaking, more rake improves D2s pulls out bend
upward performance but too much will induced by the caps
induce weather helm.

2 TIGHTEN CAPS, SET THE BEND

Get the mast upright and set the
rake as for a fractional rig. Now, after
tensioning of the cap shrouds, you have
to straighten the mast by tensioning
both the lowers (also known as D1s) and
the intermediates (D2s). The D1s control
the bend between the deck and the
upper spreaders and the D2s between
the lower spreaders and the hounds, so
ŚąêĉŋȊÃŋêÃŒȊĬÿȊĉĥƍŠêĥßêȊĬŶêŋĞÃňǡȊfĥȊ
boats (where the D2s terminate at the
lower spreaders) you have to send
someone aloft to adjust them. If they run
over the spreader tips and down to the
chainplates (continuous intermediates)
you can do everything from on deck. You
need to achieve an even bend fore and
aft. If the mast is bending too much at
the bottom and is too straight at the top,
tighten the D1s and slacken the D2s.
S-bends can creep in athwartships and
make it look as though the top of the
mast is offcentre. If you set up the cap
shrouds properly it shouldn’t be, so
åĬĥȃŚȊƌååĞêȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêĤȊÃĥŽȊÿŠŋŚąêŋȊĥĬŷǣȊ
take out the bends with the D1s and D2s.

Windward Windward
lower too intermediate
loose too tight

3 CHECK THE RIG UNDER SAIL

Get the boat heeling around 20° on
the wind, tension the backstay and feel
the leeward cap to make sure there’s
only minimal slack. Removing any kinks
and S-bends can take more tweaking of
lowers and intermediates, the latter
ÞêĉĥĀȊĤĬŋêȊƌååĞŽȊŚĬȊÃåĘŠŒŚȊĉÿȊŚąêŽȃŋêȊ
discontinuous. If the masthead looks as
though it’s falling off one way, it’s
probably because the D2 on the
opposite side is too tight.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 69

 PRACTICAL

Upgrading navigation
instruments
Fed up with glitches, Graham Keating
The colour instruments
are a big improvement

replaces his 1997-vintage navigation

instruments with multifunction displays

T
he original 25-year-old
autohelm instruments aboard
my Vancouver 38 Pilot were
beginning to worry me – the
odd, unexpected
communication errors with the newer
chart plotter always happened at crucial
moments! So we decided to replace them
with new Raymarine colour displays.
Many of us are faced with the
challenges of maintaining fantastic boats;
they are generally aging gracefully but
ŷêȃŋêȊňŋĬÞÃÞĞŽȊÃĞĞȊƌĥåĉĥĀȊŚąÃŚȊŒĬĤêȊ
components are reaching the end of their
working lives.
At 25 years old Maunie of Ardwall is
looking very good for her age (especially
considering the 60,000 miles on her log)
and we are working hard to keep her in
Unboxing process under
prime condition, with major upgrades way – the Raymarine kit
completed as and when required. came neatly packaged
This big project, undertaken in with clear instructions
September 2022, aimed to address for DIY installers
her 1997-vintage autohelm network
of navigation instruments. Raymarine colour chart plotter replaced converter was required so that the original
both the original Yeoman plotter and the Autohelm instruments, which operate on
Linked upgrades green-screen radar, and then an ACU400 the SeaTalk network interface, could
Over the years the original network autopilot was installed when the original converse with the newer SeaTalkNG
system –consisting of three instruments autopilot computer failed in New Zealand. operating system.
ĉĥȊŚąêȊňĉĞĬŚąĬŠŒêȊÃĥåȊƌŶêȊĉĥȊŚąêȊßĬßěňĉŚȊ The addition of newer generation We always found it faintly miraculous
ǺȊąÃåȊÞêêĥȊŠňĀŋÃåêåȊĉĥȊŒŚÃĀêŒǤȊƌŋŒŚǢȊÃȊ Raymarine technology meant that a clever that this system of multifunction devices
(MFDs) worked; the 25-year-old autohelm
The previous set up autopilot display would control the 2017
in the pilothouse
Raymarine autopilot while the wind, depth
and speed transducers happily shared
their data with the chart plotter.
The autohelm instruments were still in
great condition; the ones in the pilothouse
looked pretty much as new due to their
sheltered location, but even the cockpit
åĉŒňĞÃŽŒǢȊŚąÃĥěŒȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŋêĞĉĀĉĬŠŒȊƌŚĤêĥŚȊ
of their sun covers when not in use, looked
good for their age.
However, the liquid crystal displays
The old network system with upgrades still (LCDs) were nowhere near as clear as the
worked but was becoming unreliable
new, colour displays of the latest kit and,
more worryingly, we’d started to
experience a few glitches in the system
where connection between instruments
was suddenly lost, usually at a most
inconvenient moment, requiring the
time-honoured IT solution of switching
it off and switching it back on again.
We decided it was time for action.

70 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 NAV INSTRUMENT UPGRADE

STEP BY STEP

2 The iTC-5
allows the
wind, depth and
speed transducers
to be connected and
it then conveys their
information onto
the SeaTalkNG
backbone cable, to
be shared with the
networked
instruments. This is
much neater than

1 Identifying and removing the redundant (and identical)

black SeaTalk cables was a challenge.
the original system where the individual transducers were
connected to the cockpit instruments via long cable runs.

3 The 5-port connector replaced the SeaTalk-SeaTalkNG

converter (the one with the yellow port). 4 The dashboard in the pilothouse. Holes from redundant
ĉĥŒŚŋŠĤêĥŚŒȊŷêŋêȊƌĞĞêåȊĉĥǢȊŋêÃåŽȊÿĬŋȊĥêŷȊŚêÃěȊŶêĥêêŋǡȊ

5 Upgraded dashboard with colour P70 autopilot control.

There’s an identical unit in the cockpit beside the wheel. 6 The new instruments required bigger holes (the upper
ones) to be cut in the cockpit bulkhead.

8 The i70 multi display in the cockpit (left) can beȊßĬĥƌĀŠŋêd

to show several different screens – we ŠŒŠÃĞĞŽȊßąĬĬŒêȊƌŶê,
selectable at the push of a button depending on what’s most
relevant at the time. Meanwhile, we set up the data boxes on
the P70 autopilot controller in the pilothouse (right) and chart

7 Teak panels cover the old holes and provide a tidy mount
for the new instruments.
plotter so we can access all the wind, depth, speed and heading
data that was previously displayed across three instruments.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 71

 PRACTICAL
Enforced DIY The new instruments
After some research we decided on a plan have colour displays and
but feared that the replacement project are much easier to read
might be too much for our do-it-yourself
skills –electronics aren’t really our forte.
However, after making enquiries with
local experts, we realised that demand
exceeded the supply of skills around
Dartmouth and there was no-one with
time available to do the job.
We really wanted to complete it before
we laid up for winter, to be able to fully
test the system in the water, so the only
option was to tackle the job ourselves.
I therefore embarked on the removal
of the old and the installation of the new
myself and spent three long days on it, so
probably saved around £1,800 on labour,
travel costs and value added tax (VAT).

Expert eye
After a lot of internet research, we
decided that we would stick with
Raymarine. We had concluded that the
multifunction displays of the i60, P70 and
i70 instruments would allow us to simplify
the whole system and move from eight Thankfully, a local independent put this in?’ manner of all engineers.
displays down to just four. electronics expert, Chris Rothwell, was However, he agreed in principle to our
happy to have a look at my sketched ideas, created a proper wiring diagram
layout and he came on board for an hour and just to prove his service was money
BELOW Maunie’s revised instrument layout.
The items in red are new; the remainder were to discuss what was needed. well spent, he was even able to procure
existing components. The SeaTalkNG network I had removed the headlinings and the Raymarine components for about 5%
comprises a backbone cable with spur cables access panels, so Chris traced the less than the best online prices that I had
leading off to the instruments. It requires a
existing wiring and connections, whistling ĤÃĥÃĀêåȊŚĬȊƌĥåǡȊ
single, clean 12V power source (ours goes to
the ACU 400) which is then shared through the softly to himself and gently shaking his Design work completed, it was time to
SeaTalkNG cabling to power individual displays head in the time-honoured ‘who the hell get to work.

Schematic of Maunie of Ardwall’s Raymarine SeaTalkNG network Wind

transducer
Cockpit:
i60 Wind
i70 Multi Pilothouse:
P70 Autopilot
controller
RS150 GPS
P70 antenna
Autopilot
controller
3m Chartplotter

3m
1m

5m
ACU 400
Autopilot

ITC-5 Transducer
Converter

EV1 compass Depth & speed

transducers

72 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 NAV INSTRUMENT UPGRADE

LIVING WITH THE NEW INSTRUMENTS

Maunie in Acarsaid
Fhalaich anchorage

After a couple of season’s use, we are

thoroughly delighted with the new set
up, which has performed faultlessly;
Our i70 MFD
the new cockpit displays are so much ‘rolling road’ page
clearer to read than the old autohelm
LCDs and it’s now far easier for the At some stage we might upgrade the
helmsman to assimilate important chart plotter to a more modern version
information, having only two with a larger screen but, in the
instruments to look at, rather than meantime, an iPad in the cockpit
Conclusion the previous four. mounted in a waterproof case with a
Overall, the project was less daunting We took a while to settle the most Scanstrut Rokk quick-release rail
than we’d imagined. Tracing and removing important data to display on the i70 mount allows us to either stream an
the old network cables was quite a multifunction colour display (you can exact duplicate of the Raymarine
challenge but the ‘backbone and spur’ ßĬĥƌĀŠŋêȊĉŚȊŚĬȊŒąĬŷȊňŋêŚŚŽȊĤŠßąȊ ňĞĬŚŚêŋȊŒßŋêêĥǢȊŶĉÃȊĉŚŒȊÞŠĉĞŚǸĉĥȊŷĉƌȊ
cabling system for the SeaTalkNG anything from compass heading to sea transmitter, or to use it as a completely
network is simpler and more economical ŚêĤňêŋÃŚŠŋêdzȊÞŠŚȊŷêȊĥĬŷȊąÃŶêȊƌŶêȊěêŽȊ independent plotter. For this we have a
on cable runs. ‘pages’ that we can scroll through at Bad Elf GPS Pro receiver (now
The new colour instruments are a huge the press of a single button. discontinued and replaced by the Flex
improvement: much clearer and easy to Our ‘home page’ shows course over Mini), connected via Bluetooth, and the
assimilate than the old autohelm LCD ground (COG), speed over ground (SOG), excellent Memory-Map app which gives
displays and, of course, we now have the boat speed and depth and is the one we us an annually-updated set of UKHO
reliability of every instrument on the boat use most of the time. However, if we raster charts covering all UK waters for
being connected to a single SeaTalkNG have set a waypoint to steer to, we can a fraction of the cost of updating the
network. This also brings operational switch to a ‘rolling road’ display main plotters’ Navionics chart cards;
advantages; the displays, for example, (pictured top right) to show XTE it’s reassuring to have an independent
are now arranged so that, if you reduce (cross-track error) and distance to system if the main plotter should fail.
the brightness on one of them for night waypoint (though it’s a bit of a novelty
use, all the others, including the chart and gets a bit distracting after a while, to EXPERT COMMENT
plotter, dim at the same time. be honest) or a more simple, numerical
Total cost for components was £2,260 display of distance and course to Will Sayer, MFD product
and we saved about £1,800 labour costs waypoint, COG plus the waypoint name. manager for Raymarine,
by doing the job ourselves, with the added When coming into harbours and comments: I take great
ÞêĥêƌŚȊĬÿȊěĥĬŷĉĥĀȊąĬŷȊŚąêȊŒŽŒŚêĤȊŷĬŋěŒǡȊ rivers, a basic dual display of depth and pleasure in seeing
We also sold a few of our original ŒňêêåȊĉŒȊÃĞĞȊŚąÃŚȃŒȊĥêêåêåȊÃĥåǢȊƌĥÃĞĞŽǢȊ examples like this. It’s a
autohelm instruments to other sailors we have a page which shows lat/long (to testament to our engineers
wanting to keep their old systems working three decimal places!), HDOP and rigorous testing process that it is
ÃĥåȊŚąÃŚȊąêĞňêåȊêÃŒêȊŚąêȊƌĥÃĥßĉÃĞȊňÃĉĥǡȊ (horizontal dilution of precision, an easy only after 25 years and 60,000 miles
„ See more on how Graham did the job at ĤêÃŒŠŋêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÃßߊŋÃߎȊĬÿȊĬŠŋȊ=‚ŒȊƌżdzȊ that our instruments are being replaced.
youtu.be/PrdHDXZBFoY plus battery voltage to give us a quick To put it into perspective these autohelm
reassurance that all’s well with the instruments pre-date most readers
ABOUT THE AUTHOR system. All the pages we have set up ĬŷĥĉĥĀȊŚąêĉŋȊƌŋŒŚȊĤĬÞĉĞêȊňąĬĥêǦȊ”ąêȊŒ”ƒȊ
include a readout of depth, for obvious to STNG is a useful tool for customers
Graham Keating In 2012 safety reasons. upgrading older systems like this.
Graham relinquished Down in the pilothouse, the P70 Enabling previous generation SeaTalk1
directorship at Yeo Valley
ŠŚĬňĉĞĬŚȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞĞêŋȊĉŒȊßĬĥƌĀŠŋêåȊŷĉŚąȊ systems to be connected to SeaTalkNG
and set sail on a 38ft yacht data boxes which, in tandem with the means our customers don’t need to
with his wife, Dianne, to data displayed on the chart plotter, replace entire systems in one go.
explore the world. They allow us to access all the information It’s great to see Graham taking this
returned to Dartmouth six years later needed for hourly logs without having project on by himself demonstrating
from Australia to resume their careers to press any buttons. We have found the how easy our products are to install
and to give MaunieȊÃȊŷêĞĞǸåêŒêŋŶêåȊŋêƌŚǡȊ ability to adjust the brightness of all the and set up. On larger projects, our
They are now enjoying cruising in UK and instruments in the network, simply by ŷĬŋĞåŷĉåêȊĥêŚŷĬŋěȊĬÿȊßêŋŚĉƌêåȊ
European waters. adjusting the chart plotter, to be a ĉĥŒŚÃĞĞêŋŒȊßĬŠĞåȊÞêȊÞêĥêƌßĉÃĞǢȊÃĞĬĥĀȊ
„www.maunieofardwall.blogspot.com handy feature as night falls. with our on-board warranty.
„www.youtube.com/@Maunie38

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 73

 PRACTICAL

Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Regularly service your propeller to
keep it running smoothly. Always follow
the manufacturer’s instructions

Propeller care
Stu Davies has valuable tips on how to maintain
your prop –and explains how this vital bit of kit works

T
he next time your boat is on blades some have blades that fold. How it works
the hard for a scrub, antifoul Propellers can be right-handed, where BĬŷȊÃȊňŋĬňêĞĞêŋȊŷĬŋěŒȊĉŒȊŊŠĉŚêȊßĬĤňĞêżǡȊ
or whatever, have a look they turn clockwise as you go ahead, or It transforms ‘torque’ from the engine into
around and you will see quite left-handed where they turn anti- a linear motion. A boat’s propeller is often
a lot of different propellers on clockwise to go ahead. Look from the referred to as a ‘screw’ but it is far from it.
your neighbours’ boats. stern to determine your rotation; mine is It ‘screws’ its way through the water
Made of aluminium, brass or bronze left-handed. because the blades work similar to
–even plastic in the case of small outboards These differences come about because a wing on an aircraft and like a torque
– some have two blades, some have three different types of propellers are suited to converter in a car’s automatic transmission;
and some, very occasionally, have four. different types of boats, engines and once it is up to speed it almost actually
°ąĉĞêȊĤĬŒŚȊňŋĬňêĞĞêŋŒȊąÃŶêȊƌżêåȊ transmissions. has a positive ‘grip’ on the water.
A turning propeller moves water behind
ABOUT THE AUTHOR the blades, almost like a hand grabbing
water and pushing it behind it. This
Stu Davies has worked for produces part of the thrust.
ĤĬŒŚȊĬÿȊąĉŒȊĞĉÿêȊÃŒȊÃĥȊĬĉĞȊƌêĞåȊ Each blade has a distinctive curved
Mike Maniatis/Shutterstock

maintenance engineer in shape which, as it turns, acts like a foil in

Africa and the Middle East. the process ‘pulling’ the propeller and the
BêȊąÃŒȊƌżêåȊÃȊŷĉåêȊŋÃĥĀêȊĬÿȊ boat forward.
mechanical parts from the It acts like a foil because the angle of
smallest of engines to enormous the blade creates lift as it moves through
4,000hp gas turbines. the water, in a similar way that a wing
Boats have been part of Stu’s life since creates lift through the air, with a positive
his teenage years and he has been sailing pressure, on the underside and a negative
for more than 20 years. He and his wife, pressure, on the top side.
Laura, currently own a Beneteau 381 The curved shape of the blades produces the This produces the rest of the thrust.
which is based in Portugal. thrust to drive the boat move through the water Some power is wasted by the propeller

74 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CARING FOR PROPELLERS

Stu Davies
Stu Davies

Galvanic corrosion caused by using the The aluminium prop was initially power washed, Four-bladed props are
incorrect antifoul on an aluminium propeller ŷąĉßąȊĉåêĥŚĉƌêåȊŚąêȊĀÃĞŶÃĥĉßȊßĬŋŋĬŒĉĬĥ usually seen on larger boats

causing ‘prop kick’, of which more later. under power and cause less drag when Boat type, engine power, displacement
Going back to the ‘screw’ term. If a under sail. and desired boat speed are all factored in
propeller was screwing its way through a Three-bladed propellers give greater ŷąêĥȊßąĬĬŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊêżÃߌȊŚŽňêȊÃĥåȊ
solid material, the distance it would move thrust than two blades but increase drag. ŒňêßĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊĬÿȊÃȊňŋĬňêĞĞêŋǡ
in one revolution is equivalent to the Three-bladed props are more commonly
propeller’s pitch. In reality, because it is used for power boats but larger sailing Why use different metals
operating in a liquid, it doesn’t move far. boats also use them. to make props?
Diameter and pitch are the two Three-blades usually give a slightly Most two-bladed props I have come across
dimensions given to describe a propeller better top speed performance than four ÃŋêȊƌŚŚêåȊŚĬȊŒÃĉĞåŋĉŶêŒȊÃĥåȊÃŋêȊĤÃåêȊĬÿȊ
and are usually marked on the hub. Most blades. aluminium. They’re made of aluminium
of the propellers we encounter use inches Four-bladed propellers tend to be because of the need to keep copper-
ÃŒȊŚąêȊĤêÃŒŠŋêĤêĥŚǡȊ<ĬŋȊêżÃĤňĞêǢȊĬĥȊĤŽȊ quieter and vibration free. They produce based materials away from the aluminium
ÞĬÃŚǢȊFȊąÃŶêȊÃȊŚąŋêêǸÞĞÃåêåȊƒƗĉĥȊżȊƒƗĉĥȊ more lift at the stern which can help with sail legs to avoid electrolytic corrosion.
ÞŋĬĥƅêȊňŋĬňêĞĞêŋȊƌŚŚêåȊŚĬȊÃȊƔƑĤĤȊŚÃňêŋêåȊ acceleration. The picture (above centre) of my
and keyed shaft. friend’s two-bladed aluminium saildrive
Why use folding props? prop clearly shows galvanic corrosion as a
Why do props have different Folding or feathering props are designed result of electrolysis caused by the
numbers of blades? for sailing boats and minimise drag when improper use of a copper-based antifoul
Two-bladed propellers are the best option the boat is under sail. These are very on it and the saildrive leg.
ÿĬŋȊŒĤÃĞĞêŋȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊÞĬÃŚŒȊŠĥåêŋȊƒƑĤȊĉĥȊ êÿÿêߌĉŶêȊÞŠŚȊÃȊĞĬŚȊĤĬŋêȊêżňêĥŒĉŶêȊŚąÃĥȊ Three-bladed props, such as mine, give
length. They give adequate performance standard propellers. greater thrust and prop kick.
Sometimes the prop kick is a nuisance
Prop kick can be used but once the principle and action of it is
to your advantage,
understood it can be a big help when
especially when
reversing into a berth manoeuvring in reverse in tight quarters.
When going astern into my berth I turn the
boat to starboard in reverse using the
prop kick to help turn her.
My propeller is made of bronze and
gives a dull dong when tapped instead of
a ding like a bell. It doesn’t have an anode
on it either and has never shown any
evidence of electrolysis.
Brass is another matter and, usually,
small anodes are needed on the propeller
and shaft to protect it.
Four-bladed props are rarely seen
êżßêňŚȊĬĥȊÞĉĀĀêŋȊĤĬŚĬŋȊŽÃßąŚŒȊŷąêŋêȊŚąêŽȊ
ßĬĥŚŋĉÞŠŚêȊŚĬȊÞêŚŚêŋȊÃßßêĞêŋÃŚĉĬĥǤȊŚąêȊêżŚŋÃȊ
surface area provides more surface area
in the water.
Folding or feathering props are very
effective, and are reputed to give up to
ĬĥêȊěĥĬŚȊêżŚŋÃȊŒňêêåȊŠĥåêŋȊŒÃĉĞȊåŠêȊŚĬȊ
their lower drag, but they are pricey
compared to standard propellers.
Paul Wyeth

Feathering or folding props also require

a lot more attention given that they have
bearing surfaces and gears and require
periodic greasing.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 75

 PRACTICAL
Propeller maintenance
Propellers use the curved side of the
blade as an aerofoil-type surface. If that
smooth surface is disrupted by tube
worms or barnacles
ŚąêĥȊŚąêĉŋȊêÿƌßĉêĥߎȊ
is compromised. It is,
therefore important
to keep the blades
clean and smooth as
part of your usual
maintenance regime.
Every year I lift my
Stu Davies

boat in Portugal. The

hull antifoul I use
generally works well Tube worms even got behind the hub!
and there is usually
just a touch of slime and a few tube worms
on it after a year or so in the water. These
are easily cleaned off with a power wash.
However, the propeller is the bane of
my life. Tube worms and limpets love my
prop. Over the years I’ve tried everything:

Stu Davies
The prop after
polished it until it gleamed, covered it in preliminary cleaning;
lanolin, primed it and painted it with note the primer and
Hammerite then antifoul. I have even used antifoul edges
êżňêĥŒĉŶêȊßÃĥŒȊĬÿȊŷêĞĞǸěĥĬŷĥȊÃĥŚĉÿĬŠĞȊ
propeller treatment but the beasties keep and inspect them! Every manufacturer can check its alignment by placing it on a
ĬĥȊßĬĤĉĥĀǢȊÃĞŚąĬŠĀąȊŠŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊêżňêĥŒĉŶêȊ will produce details about how to service ƍÃŚȊŒŠŋÿÃßêȊÃĥåȊßąêßěĉĥĀȊŚĬȊŒêêȊĉÿȊÃĞĞȊŚąêȊ
stuff does produce better results than your propeller and the interval between blades touch the surface in the same place.
highly polishing it. I recommend polishing, maintenance. Always make sure you If you have a brass propeller, check for
priming and then slathering on the follow the instructions. signs that it is turning a pinkish colour as
antifoul on a propeller for the best result. ŚąĉŒȊĉŒȊÃĥȊĉĥåĉßÃŚĉĬĥȊĬÿȊåêƅĉĥßĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥȊ
Don’t forget that aluminium propellers General rules on propellers which can cause the propeller to weaken
and saildrives require specialist antifoul. Whatever type of propeller you have, if and disintegrate. This is the main reason
Always make sure you check and change you feel a vibration, make sure you get it why an anode is so important.
the anodes and never cover the anodes checked out as it could be a problem with If there are clear signs of the metal
with any product. the propeller or an unbalanced shaft drive. turning pink, you could try carefully
Folding propellers have moving parts,
ĞŷÃŽŒȊêżÃĤĉĥêȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊÞĞÃåêŒȊÿĬŋȊ polishing the propeller to see if the
gear teeth and bearing surfaces, and chips and corrosion and check they are not discolouration is removed and if the metal
need greasing as well. Beasties can also bent. If you have taken the propeller off you below is sound and not pitted or soft.
get at the moving parts. PBO’s survey and
To check they are working, use them RIGHT The tips of ßĬŋŋĬŒĉĬĥȊêżňêŋŚǢȊĬĞĉĥȊ
this propeller have
regularly and note any performance loss. Brown, has this advice:
crumbled due to
If this happens, anchor or moor in a extensive “Use a wire brush or
suitable place, don a mask and snorkel åêƅĉĥßĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥ ƌĥêȊŒÃĥåňÃňêŋȊŷĉŚąȊ
water. Be very careful
Folding propellers have about any dust you
moving parts so using an
make and wear a mask
Duncan Kent
appropriate antifoul is vital
to keep fouling a bay while you work. If you
get bright yellow
metal you’re good to
go but if the prop has
ŒŠÿÿêŋêåȊÿŋĬĤȊŒêŋĉĬŠŒȊåêƅĉĥßĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥǢȊŚąêȊ
ĤêŚÃĞȊŷĉĞĞȊÞêȊåŠĞĞȊĉĥȊßĬĞĬŠŋȊÃĥåȊĉĥȊêżŚŋêĤêȊ
cases it may well be soft enough that you
can break bits off the blade edges with a
ŚąŠĤÞĥÃĉĞȊĬŋȊÃȊĞĉĀąŚȊąÃĤĤêŋǡȊ”ąêȊêżňĬŒêåȊ
metal faces would then be distinctly pink.”
Ȁ°ĉŚąȊƌżêåȊňŋĬňêĞĞêŋŒǢȊÃȊŒąÃŋňȊŚÃňȊĬĥȊ
the blade with a small hammer should
give a good ring when the prop is in good
condition, and a dull sound if there is
åêƅĉĥßĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥǡȊ”ąĉŒȊŚêĥåŒȊĥĬŚȊŚĬȊŷĬŋěȊŒĬȊ
well on folding and feathering props but
Ben Meakins/Future

the metal should still sound hard. Don’t

use a hammer too enthusiastically near
the edge of a blade as you could damage
it even if it’s sound.”
If you have any concerns about your
propeller’s integrity, make sure you have
it checked by a specialist.

76 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 DIY ENGINE REPLACEMENT

DIY engine
replacement
saves £1,500
Richard Reed explains how he saved cash by
installing a ‘new’ second-hand engine himself
All photos Richard Reed

ĉßąÃŋåȊ êêåȃŒȊŒÃĥŚÃȊÃŋÞÃŋÃȊƔƓȊ
ĉŒȊĥĬŷȊŋŠĥĥĉĥĀȊŒŷêêŚêŋȊŚąÃĥěŒȊŚĬ
ŚąêȊĥêŷǸŚĬǸŚąêǸÞĬÃŚȊêĥĀĉĥê

E
arly in 2021 I was desperate to ÿŋĬĤȊßĬĞåȊŷĬŠĞåȊŒĤĬěêȊÃĥåȊŒňĉŚȊĀĬÞŒȊĬÿȊ ŷąêĥȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊ
ƌĥåȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊÞĬÃŚǡȊF’åȊÞêêĥȊ ĬĉĞȊĬŠŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊêżąÃŠŒŚǡȊFȊĞêÿŚȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ ŒňĞŠŚŚêŋêåȊÃĥåȊåĉêåǡȊ
ÿĬŋßêåȊŚĬȊŒêĞĞȊĤŽȊÞêĞĬŶêåȊ FŒĞêȊĬÿȊ°ĉĀąŚȊÃĥåȊåĉåȊĞĉŚŚĞêȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊĬŶêŋȊŚąêȊ FȊĤÃĥÃĀêåȊŚĬȊŋêŒŚÃŋŚȊĉŚȊÃĥåȊßÃŋŋŽȊĬĥǢȊÞŠŚȊ
^ĬĬåŽȊƔƔȊŚąêȊňŋêŶĉĬŠŒȊŽêÃŋǢȊ ĥêżŚȊƒƙȊĤĬĥŚąŒȊǺȊňÃŋŚĞŽȊåŠêȊŚĬȊÃȊĞÃßěȊĬÿȊ ÞŽȊŚąêȊŚĉĤêȊFȊĀĬŚȊŚĬȊ ŽåêȊĉŚȊąÃåȊåĉêåȊ
ÃŒȊFȊŷÃŒȊąÃêĤĬŋŋąÃĀĉĥĀȊßÃŒąȊ ßĬĥƌåêĥßêȊĉĥȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêǡȊŽȊƓƑƓƔȊFȊŷÃŒȊ ßĬĤňĞêŚêĞŽȊÃĥåȊFȊąÃåȊŚĬȊßÃĞĞȊŒêÌŚÃŋŚȊ
ŚąÃĥěŒȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĬŶĉåȊĞĬßěåĬŷĥŒǡȊ åêŚêŋĤĉĥêåȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊąêŋȊÞÃßěȊŚĬȊ#êŶĬĥǡȊ ŚĬȊŚĬŷȊĤêȊĉĥǡ
”ąÃĥěÿŠĞĞŽȊÞŽȊƓƑƓƒǢȊĤŽȊƌĥÃĥßêŒȊąÃåȊ FȊŒêŚȊŒÃĉĞȊÿĬŋȊ¶ÃŋĤĬŠŚąȊÿŋĬĤȊêĤÞŋĉåĀêȊ fĥßêȊŒÃÿêĞŽȊĉĥȊŚąêȊąÃŋÞĬŠŋǢȊÃȊŊŠĉßěȊ
ŒŚÃŋŚêåȊŚĬȊŋêßĬŶêŋȊÃȊĞĉŚŚĞêǡȊFȊŷÃŒȊŒŚĉĞĞȊĬĥȊÃȊ ŚąÃŚȊ^ÃŽǢȊÞŠŚȊąÃåȊÞÃŋêĞŽȊĞêÿŚȊąÃŋÞĬŠŋȊ ĉĥŒňêߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊƌĞŚêŋŒȊŒąĬŷêåȊŒêŋĉĬŠŒȊ
ŚĉĀąŚȊÞŠåĀêŚȊÃĥåȊĤŽȊêŽêȊěêňŚȊĀêŚŚĉĥĀȊ ÿŠêĞȊßĬĥŚÃĤĉĥÃŚĉĬĥȊǺȊŒĬĤêŚąĉĥĀȊŷąĉßąȊąÃŒȊ
åŋÃŷĥȊŚĬȊňąĬŚĬŒȊĬÿȊÃȊňŋêŚŚŽȊňĞŽŷĬĬåȊÃĥåȊ
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ÞêßĬĤêȊÃĞĤĬŒŚȊêĥåêĤĉßȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊÃåŶêĥŚȊ
= ‚ȊěêŚßąȊßÃĞĞêåȊSeven SummersȊÃŚȊ ĬÿȊÞĉĬåĉêŒêĞǡȊ
ĬÞÞȃŒȊ„ŠÃŽȊĉĥȊ‚ĬĬĞêȊBÃŋÞĬŠŋǡȊ#êŒßŋĉÞêåȊ Richard Reed is a freelance FȊÿĬŠĥåȊŒĬĤêĬĥêȊŷąĬȊŷÃŒȊÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊ
ÃŒȊÃȊŒÃĥŚÃȊÃŋÞÃŋÃȊƔƓǢȊĥĬǸĬĥêȊŒêêĤêåȊŚĬȊ ĘĬŠŋĥÃĞĉŒŚǡȊBêȊąÃåȊÃȊ^ĉŋŋĬŋȊ ŋêĤĬŶêȊĤĬŒŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊßĬĥŚÃĤĉĥÃŚêåȊÿŠêĞǢȊ
ěĥĬŷȊĤŠßąȊÃÞĬŠŚȊąêŋȊĬŋĉĀĉĥŒǡ åĉĥĀąŽȊĉĥȊąĉŒȊŚêêĥŒǢȊÃĥåȊ ÃĥåȊFȊŋêňĞÃßêåȊŚąêȊƌĞŚêŋŒǢȊÞŠŚȊŚąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊĥĬȊ
FŚȊŚŠŋĥêåȊĬŠŚȊąêŋȊŒŷêêŚȊƒƚƘƑŒȊĞĉĥêŒȊąÃåȊ ÃÿŚêŋȊÃȊĞĬĥĀȊÞŋêÃěȊÿŋĬĤȊ ĉĥŒňêߌĉĬĥȊąÃŚßąȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŚÃĥěȊŒĬȊŚąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊ
ÞêêĥȊåŋÃŷĥȊÞŽȊ(ÃŒŚȊĬÃŒŚȊåêŒĉĀĥêŋȊ ŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊÞĬŠĀąŚȊąĉŒȊƌŋŒŚȊȂÞĉĀȃȊ ĞĉŚŚĞêȊĤĬŋêȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊåĬȊĬŚąêŋȊŚąÃĥȊąĬňêȊŷêȃåȊ
ąÃŋĞêŒȊ=ŋêêĥêǢȊÿĬŠĥåêŋȊĬÿȊŋŠĉŒêŋȊVĉŚŒȊ ÞĬÃŚǢȊÃȊ”ŋÃňňêŋȊƖƑƑǢȊÞêÿĬŋêȊ ߊŋêåȊŚąêȊňŋĬÞĞêĤǡȊ
XŚåǢȊÞÃŒêåȊĉĥȊŠĥĀąÃŽǢȊŒŠÿÿĬĞěǢȊŚąĬŠĀąȊ ĤĬŶĉĥĀȊĬĥȊŚĬȊÃȊ^ĬĬåŽȊƔƔȊ^ěFǡȊBêȊĥĬŷȊ
ŒąêȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊÞŠĉĞŚȊŠĥŚĉĞȊŚąêȊƒƚƚƑŒǡ owns Seven SummersǢȊÃȊŋŠĉŒêŋȊVĉŚŒȊ Running out of patience
BêŋȊêĞåêŋĞŽȊŠěąȊ#¯ƓƑȊêĥĀĉĥêȊŷÃŒȊ ŒÃĥŚÃȊÃŋÞÃŋÃȊƔƓǢȊÃĥåȊŷĬŠĞåȊĞĉěêȊŚĬȊ FȊŒêŚȊĬÿÿȊÿĬŋȊ#êŶĬĥȊĉĥȊĞÃŚêȊ^ÃŽǢȊÞŠŚȊŚąêȊ
ňĞÃĀŠêåȊŷĉŚąȊňŋĬÞĞêĤŒǢȊąĬŷêŶêŋǡȊFŚȊąÃåȊ ßĬĤňĞêŚêȊÃȊĞêĉŒŠŋêĞŽȊ ĬŠĥåȊŋĉŚÃĉĥȊÞêÿĬŋêȊ êĥĀĉĥêȊÃĀÃĉĥȊňĞÃŽêåȊŠňǢȊŋêÿŠŒĉĥĀȊŚĬȊŋŠĥȊÃŚȊ
ÃȊŚêĥåêĥߎȊŚĬȊŋŠĥȊąĬŚǢȊÃĥåȊŷąêĥȊŒŚÃŋŚĉĥĀȊ ąêȊĀêŚŒȊŚĬĬȊÃĥßĉêĥŚǡȊ ĤĬŋêȊŚąÃĥȊąÃĞÿȊŒňêêåǡȊFȊňŠŚȊĉĥŚĬȊ‚ĬĬĞêȊ

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 77

 PRACTICAL
ÃĥåȊňĉßěêåȊŠňȊÃȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÃŚȊXÃěêŽÃŋåǡȊ ‚ŋĬňȊĤÃŽȊÞêȊŒĉŚŚĉĥĀȊŚĬĬȊßĞĬŒêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ ”ąêȊĬĞåȊŠěąȊŒÃÿêĞŽȊĬŠŚȊĬÿȊ
FȊŚŋĉêåȊßąÃĥĀĉĥĀȊŚąêȊƌĞŚêŋŒȊÃĀÃĉĥǢȊÞŠŚȊŚąêȊ ŋŠååêŋȊÿĬŋȊĀĬĬåȊŒŚêêŋÃĀêȊÃŒŚêŋĥǢȊ ŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊÃĥåȊÃŷÃĉŚĉĥĀȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊĘŠŒŚȊŋêÿŠŒêåȊŚĬȊňĞÃŽȊÞÃĞĞȊǺȊŋŠĥĥĉĥĀȊ ÞŠŚȊ ĉßąÃŋåȊŷÃĥŚêåȊŚĬȊĤÃěêȊŋĬĬĤȊ ßĬĞĞêߌĉĬĥȊÿĬŋȊŋêÿŠŋÞĉŒąĤêĥŚ
ÿĬŋȊÃĥȊÃĥĬåêȊÃĥåȊŋĬňêߊŚŚêŋ
ąÃňňĉĞŽȊĉĥȊĥêŠŚŋÃĞǢȊÞŠŚȊĥĬŚȊĀĬĉĥĀȊĤĬŋêȊ
ŚąÃĥȊÃȊÿêŷȊąŠĥåŋêåȊŽÃŋåŒȊĉĥȊĀêÃŋǡȊ”ąêȊ
ĀêÃŋÞĬżȊŷÃŒȊÃĞŒĬȊĞêÃěĉĥĀȊĬĉĞȊĞĉěêȊÃȊŒĉêŶêǡȊ
FȊĘŠŒŚȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊŒŠŋêȊŷąÃŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĬȊÞĞÃĤêǢȊÃĥåȊ
ŷÃŒȊÃŚȊĤŽȊŷĉŚŒȃȊêĥåǡȊ
”ąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊߊŚȊĬŠŚȊÃĀÃĉĥȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŷÃŽȊŚĬȊ
ĉåĀêȊ°ąÃŋÿȊ¶ÃßąŚȊêĥŚŋêǢȊ°ÃŋêąÃĤȊÿĬŋȊ
ŚąêȊŷĉĥŚêŋǢȊÃĥåȊFȊąÃåȊŚĬȊÞêȊŚĬŷêåȊĉĥȊÞŽȊ
ŒêÌŚÃŋŚȊĬĥßêȊĤĬŋêǡȊFȃåȊąÃåȊêĥĬŠĀąǡȊFȊąÃåȊ
ĞĬŒŚȊŚąêȊÞêŒŚȊňÃŋŚȊĬÿȊŚŷĬȊŒêÃŒĬĥŒǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊŷÃŒȊÃȊĞĉÃÞĉĞĉŚŽǡȊFȊąÃåȊßĬĤňĞêŚêĞŽȊĞĬŒŚȊ
ßĬĥƌåêĥßêȊĉĥȊĉŚȊǺȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĉĤêȊÿĬŋȊÃȊ
ŋêňĞÃßêĤêĥŚǡ

ÿŚêŋȊŒßĬŠŋĉĥĀȊŚąêȊĉĥŚêŋĥêŚǢȊFȊÿĬŠĥåȊÃȊ
ŒêßĬĥåǸąÃĥåȊêŚÃȊƓƙȊĬĥȊêÃŽȊŷĉŚąȊĘŠŒŚȊƓƒȊ
ąĬŠŋŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŚÃßąĬǡȊ^ŽŒŚĉƌêåǢȊFȊßĬĥŚÃߌêåȊ
ŚąêȊŒêĞĞêŋȊÃĥåȊÃŒěêåȊĉÿȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊÃȊŚŽňĬǡȊ”ąêȊ ÞŠŚȊÃĞŒĬȊÞêȊÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊňŠĥßąȊÃȊŒŚŋĬĥĀȊŚĉåêȊĬŋȊ Fuel tank cleaning
ŶêĥåĬŋȊŚŠŋĥêåȊĬŠŚȊŚĬȊÞêȊŚąêȊåĉŋêߌĬŋȊĬÿȊÃȊ ßąĬňňŽȊŒêÃŒȊĉÿȊĥêêåêåǡ ”ąêȊÿŠêĞȊßĬĥŚÃĤĉĥÃŚĉĬĥȊĉŒŒŠêȊĥêêåêåȊ
ĤÃŋĉĥÃȊĉĥȊŒßĬŚĞÃĥåǡȊ
ňňÃŋêĥŚĞŽǢȊŒĬĤêĬĥêȊ
ÿŚêŋȊßĬĥŒŠĞŚĉĥĀȊŒĬĤêȊĬĥĞĉĥêȊňŋĬňǸŒĉƅêȊ ÃååŋꌌĉĥĀǢȊąĬŷêŶêŋǢȊÞêÿĬŋêȊFȊňŠŚȊÃĥŽȊ
ąÃåȊŋêǸêĥĀĉĥêåȊÃĥȊĬĞåȊŷĬĬåêĥȊÞĬÃŚǢȊŒÃĉĞêåȊ ßÃĞߊĞÃŚĬŋŒȊÃĥåȊßąêßěĉĥĀȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊąêĞňÿŠĞȊ åĉêŒêĞȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊĤŽȊĥêŷȊêĥĀĉĥêǤȊFȊŷÃŒȊ
ĉŚȊåĬŷĥȊŚąêȊÃĞêåĬĥĉÃĥȊÃĥÃĞǢȊŚąêĥȊĥêŶêŋȊ ĀŠŽŒȊÃŚȊêŚÃǢȊŚąêȊßąĬĉßêȊßÃĤêȊåĬŷĥȊŚĬȊÃȊ ßĬĥŶĉĥßêåȊŚąĉŒȊŷÃŒȊŒŚĉĞĞȊÃȊÿÃߌĬŋǡȊFȃåȊąĬňêåȊ
ŠŒêåȊĉŚȊÃĀÃĉĥǡȊ”ąêȊÞĬÃŚȊąÃåȊÿÃĞĞêĥȊÃňÃŋŚȊĬĥȊ ƒƕżƚĉĥȊĬŋȊƒƖżƚĉĥȊDzåĉÃĤêŚêŋȊżȊňĉŚßądzǡ ŚĬȊŒĉĤňĞŽȊŋêňĞÃßêȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊŒŚÃĉĥĞꌌǸŒŚêêĞȊ
ŚąêȊąÃŋåȊÞŠŚȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊŷÃŒȊŠĥÃÿÿêߌêåǢȊ FȊŷêĥŚȊŷĉŚąȊêŚÃȃŒȊÃåŶĉßêȊÃĥåȊĬŋåêŋêåȊ ŚÃĥěǢȊÞŠŚȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊÞŠĉĞŚǸĉĥǢȊÃĥåȊĬŶêŋĞÃňňêåȊ
ÃĥåȊŒĬŠĥåêåȊĞĉěêȊÃȊȂĀĬĬåȊȃŠĥȃȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ ÃȊƒƖżƚĉĥȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊÃŒŚĞêȊ^ÃŋĉĥêȊĉĥȊ ŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞÃŽǢȊŒĬȊŚąÃŚȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊÃĥȊĬňŚĉĬĥȊ
ŶĉåêĬǡȊ‚êŋąÃňŒȊŒĬĤêȊĞŠßěȊÃŚȊĞÃŒŚǦȊ°êȊ ÃêŋĥÃŋÿĬĥȊǺȊĤĬŋêȊĬĥȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊŒĉƅêȊĞÃŚêŋǡȊ ŒąĬŋŚȊĬÿȊĤÃĘĬŋȊŒŠŋĀêŋŽǡȊ
ĥêĀĬŚĉÃŚêåȊÃȊňŋĉßêǢȊÃĥåȊÿĬŋȊșƓǢƖƑƑȊFȊąÃåȊ
ŒŚĬĥĉŒąĉĥĀĞŽǢȊŚąêŋêȊŷêŋêȊĥĬĥêȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ ŒêêěĉĥĀȊąêĞňȊĬĥȊŚąêȊÞŋĉĞĞĉÃĥŚȊŽÞŷǡßĬĤȊ
ÃȊĥêÃŋĞŽǸĥêŷȊêŚÃȊƓƙǡȊ ßĬŠĥŚŋŽȊÃĥåȊĉŚȊąÃåȊŚĬȊÞêȊßÃŒŚȊÞŽȊ^ĉßąĉĀÃĥȊ ÿĬŋŠĤǢȊŒĬĤêĬĥêȊŋêßĬĤĤêĥåêåȊ‚Ȋ<ŠêĞȊ
FȊŷĬŠĞåȊĥêêåȊÃȊĥêŷȊňŋĬňǢȊÃĥåȊFȊŷÃĥŚêåȊ ^ÃŋĉĥêȊDz^^‚dzȊĉĥȊŚąêȊšŒȊÃĥåȊĉĤňĬŋŚêåȊŚĬȊ ‚ĬĞĉŒąĉĥĀȊĉĥȊ‚ĬĬĞêǡȊ”ąêȊĬŷĥêŋǢȊÃŋĞǢȊŷÃŒȊ
ĬĥêȊŚąÃŚȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞĬŚąȊŚÃěêȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊŚĬȊ ŚąêȊšVȊǺȊÞŠŚȊĬĥĞŽȊÃŚȊÃȊßĬŒŚȊĬÿȊĘŠŒŚȊŠĥåêŋȊ ÞŋĉĞĞĉÃĥŚȊǺȊÃȊĤĬŋêȊąêĞňÿŠĞȊĀŠŽȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞêȊ
ĤÃżĉĤŠĤȊąŠĞĞȊŒňêêåǢȊŷąĉßąȊĉŒȊƘǡƓȊěĥĬŚŒǢȊ șƖƑƑǡȊfŠßąǦȊ ąÃŋåȊŚĬȊƌĥåǡȊ
êÿĬŋêȊąêȊÃŋŋĉŶêåȊFȊŋêĤĬŶêåȊÃȊ
”ąêȊĬĞåȊŠěąȊ#¯ƓƑȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ ŋêߌÃĥĀŠĞÃŋȊŒêߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊƍĬĬŋȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊÞÃŽȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊßêŋŚÃĉĥȊ
ßĬßěňĉŚȊĞĬßěêŋȊÃÞĬŶêȊŚąêȊŚÃĥěȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊ
ÃĤĬŠĥŚȊĬÿȊŠĥŚĉåŽȊŷĉŋĉĥĀǦ
ĘĉĀŒÃŷǢȊŒĬȊąêȊąÃåȊÃȊĀĬĬåȊŷĬŋěĉĥĀȊÃŋêÃǡȊ
ÃŋĞȊŚąêĥȊŋĉĀĀêåȊŠňȊÃȊąĉĀąǸňĬŷêŋêåȊňŠĤňȊ
ÃĥåȊŒŠßěêåȊĬŠŚȊÃĞĞȊŚąêȊåĉŋŚŽȊÿŠêĞȊÿĬŋȊ
åĉŒňĬŒÃĞǡȊ
BĉŒȊĥêżŚȊŚÃŒěȊŷÃŒȊŚĬȊߊŚȊÃȊąĬĞêȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŚĬňȊ
ĬÿȊŚąêȊŚÃĥěȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊƒƒƖĤĤȊąĬĞêȊŒÃŷȊÃĥåȊ
ŋêĤĬŶêȊßĬňĉĬŠŒȊÃĤĬŠĥŚŒȊĬÿȊƌŋêǸŋêŚÃŋåÃĥŚǢȊ
ŒŚÃĉĥĞꌌǸŒŚêêĞȊĤêŒąȊŚąÃŚȊƌĞĞêåȊŚąêȊŚÃĥěǢȊ
ŷĉŚąĬŠŚȊŷąĉßąȊÃȊåêêňȊßĞêÃĥȊŷĬŠĞåȊąÃŶêȊ
ÞêêĥȊĉĤňĬŒŒĉÞĞêǡ
°êȊąÃåȊƌŋêȊêżŚĉĥĀŠĉŒąêŋŒȊŚĬȊąÃĥåǢȊ
ÞŠŚȊŚąêȊßąÃĥßêŒȊĬÿȊåĉêŒêĞȊŶÃňĬŠŋȊ
ŒňĬĥŚÃĥêĬŠŒĞŽȊĉĀĥĉŚĉĥĀȊŷêŋêȊŋêĤĬŚêǡȊ
FŚȊŷÃŒȊĥĬŷȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊƍŠŒąȊŚąêȊŚÃĥěǢȊŷąĉßąȊ
ąÃåȊÃȊŚąĉßěȊĞÃŽêŋȊĬÿȊŒĞŠåĀêȊĬĥȊŚąêȊÞĬŚŚĬĤǡȊ
FŚȊąÃåĥȃŚȊąêĞňêåȊŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊÿŠêĞȊŚÃěêǸĬÿÿȊŷÃŒȊ
ŋĉĀąŚȊÃŚȊŚąêȊÞĬŚŚĬĤȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŚÃĥěȊÃĥåȊŒĬȊŷÃŒȊ
ßĬĥŒŚÃĥŚĞŽȊňŠĞĞĉĥĀȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊåĉŋŚŽȊÿŠêĞǡ
”ąêȊßĞêÃĥĉĥĀȊňŋĬßꌌȊŷÃŒȊêÃŒĉĞŽȊ
ÃßßĬĤňĞĉŒąêåȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃŋĞȃŒȊňŠĤňǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊ
ŚÃĥěȊŷÃŒȊĞêÿŚȊŚĬȊÃĉŋȊåŋŽǡ
”ĬȊƌĥĉŒąȊŚąêȊĘĬÞǢȊÃŋĞȊƌŚŚêåȊÃȊ°êĤÃȊ
<XǸƒȊĉĥŒňêߌĉĬĥȊąÃŚßąȊĉĥŚĬȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊąĬĞêǢȊ
ßĬĤňĞêŚêȊŷĉŚąȊÃĥȊĉĥŚêĀŋÃĞȊÿŠêĞȊŒêĥåêŋǢȊŒĬȊ
FȊĥĬŷȊąÃåȊÃȊÿŠêĞȊĀÊĀêǢȊŷąĉßąȊŷÃŒȊÃȊ
ŷêĞßĬĤêȊÞĬĥŠŒǡȊBêȊÃĞŒĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞêåȊÃȊ
ȂåĉňňêŋȃȊÿŠêĞȊňĉßěǸŠňȊŚŠÞêȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŚĬňȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
ŚÃĥěǢȊŷąĉßąȊŒŚĬňňêåȊŒąĬŋŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÞĬŚŚĬĤȊŚĬȊ
ÃŶĬĉåȊňŠĞĞĉĥĀȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊÃĥŽȊĤĬŋêȊåêÞŋĉŒȊŚąÃŚȊ
ĤĉĀąŚȊÃßߊĤŠĞÃŚêǡ
°ąĉĞêȊFȊŷÃŒȊÃŚȊŚąêȊŽÃŋåȊąêȊßÃŋŋĉêåȊĬŠŚȊÃȊ
ŒĉĤĉĞÃŋȊĘĬÞȊĬĥȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊÞĬÃŚǢȊÃĥåȊŒêŶêŋÃĞȊ
ĬŚąêŋȊĬŷĥêŋŒȊFȊŒňĬěêȊŚĬȊŋêňĬŋŚêåȊŒêŋĉĬŠŒȊ
ňŋĬÞĞêĤŒȊŷĉŚąȊÿŠêĞȊßĬĥŚÃĤĉĥÃŚĉĬĥȊǺȊĉŚȊ
ŒêêĤŒȊÞĉĬåĉêŒêĞȊĉŒȊĤŠßąȊĤĬŋêȊňŋĬĥêȊŚĬȊ
åĉêŒêĞȊÞŠĀȊÃĥåȊĉŒȊÃȊŋêÃĞĞŽȊŒêŋĉĬŠŒȊĉŒŒŠêǡ

78 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 DIY ENGINE REPLACEMENT

Preparing the engine bay

FȃåȊąĬňêåȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊÃȊňŋĬÿꌌĉĬĥÃĞȊŚĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞȊ
ĤŽȊêŚÃǢȊÃŒȊFȊŷÃŒȊŷÃŋŽȊÃÞĬŠŚȊŚÃěĉĥĀȊĬĥȊ
ŒŠßąȊÃȊĤÃĘĬŋȊňŋĬĘêߌǡȊBĬŷêŶêŋǢȊêŶêĥȊ
ŚąĬŠĀąȊSeven SummersȊĉŒȊÃȊßêĥŚŋêǸßĬßěňĉŚȊ
ÞĬÃŚȊÃĥåȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÃßßꌌȊĉŒȊêżßêĞĞêĥŚǢȊŚąêȊ
ŊŠĬŚêŒȊŷêŋêȊßĬĤĉĥĀȊĉĥȊÃŚȊșƒǢƖƑƑȊňĞŠŒȊĘŠŒŚȊ
ŚĬȊĤĬŠĥŚȊÃĥåȊÃĞĉĀĥȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêǡ
”ąĉŒȊŷÃŒȊĬŠŚȊĬÿȊĤŽȊÞŠåĀêŚǢȊŒĬȊFȊåêßĉåêåȊ
ŚĬȊŚÃßěĞêȊŚąêȊĘĬÞȊĤŽŒêĞÿǡȊFĥȊňŋêňÃŋÃŚĉĬĥȊÿĬŋȊ
ŚąêȊŽÃŋåȊŚĬȊĞĉÿŚȊĬŠŚȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊŠěąǢȊFȊ
åĉŒßĬĥĥêߌêåȊÃĞĞȊŚąêȊåĉêŒêĞȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒȊÃĥåȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊÃĥåȊĀêÃŋÞĬżȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊßÃÞĞêŒǢȊÃĥåȊ
ŋêĤĬŶêåȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊêĥĀĉĥêȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊňÃĥêĞȊ
ŚĬĀêŚąêŋȊŷĉŚąȊŒŠŋňĞŠŒȊŷĉŋĉĥĀȊŚąÃŚȊŷĬŠĞåȊ
ĥĬȊĞĬĥĀêŋȊÞêȊĥêêåêåǡ
”ąêȊêŚÃȊßÃĤêȊŷĉŚąȊĉŚŒȊĬŷĥȊĞĬĬĤǢȊ
ňŋêǸŷĉŋêåȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊňÃĥêĞǡȊFȊÃĞŒĬȊ
ßÃŋêÿŠĞĞŽȊŋêĤĬŶêåȊŚąêȊąêÃŶŽǸåŠŚŽȊĀŋĬŠĥåȊ
ßÃÞĞêȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞĞĬßěǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊĞĉŶêȊ
ßÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŒŚÃŋŚêŋȊĤĬŚĬŋǢȊåĉŒßĬĥĥêߌĉĥĀȊ
ÞĬŚąȊÃŚȊŚąêȊÞÃŚŚêŋŽȊêĥåȊƌŋŒŚǡȊ
FȊÃĞŒĬȊŋêĤĬŶêåȊŚąêȊĀêÃŋÞĬżȊßÃÞĞêȊ
ĤĬŠĥŚĉĥĀȊÞŋÃßěêŚǢȊŷąĉßąȊňŋĬŚŋŠåêåȊĉĥŚĬȊ
ŚąêȊŚŋÃĥŒĤĉŒŒĉĬĥȊŚŠĥĥêĞǢȊÃĥåȊÃĥŽŚąĉĥĀȊ
êĞŒêȊŚąÃŚȊĤĉĀąŚȊĀêŚȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŷÃŽȊǺȊŚąêȊŷÃŚêŋȊ
ŒŚŋÃĉĥêŋȊDzŷąĉßąȊĥêêåêåȊŠňĀŋÃåĉĥĀȊŚĬȊ¾ĉĥȊ
ÃĥŽŷÃŽdzǢȊŚąêȊêĞêߌŋĉßȊåĉêŒêĞȊĞĉÿŚȊňŠĤňȊFȊąÃåȊ
ĉĥŒŚÃĞĞêåȊĉĥȊÃȊÞĉåȊŚĬȊŒĬĞŶêȊĤŽȊňŋĬÞĞêĤŒǢȊ
ÃĥåȊŚąêȊ ÃßĬŋȊÿŠêĞȊƌĞŚêŋǡ
šŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊßŋÃĥêǢȊĉŚȊŚĬĬěȊŚąêȊŽÃŋåȊ
ŚêÃĤȊĞꌌȊŚąÃĥȊąÃĞÿȊÃĥȊąĬŠŋȊŚĬȊĞĉÿŚȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊ
#¯ƓƑȊĬŠŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊŷêĞĞǡ
ȊĥêŷȊßÃĞĬŋĉƌêŋȊ
ÃŷÃĉŚĉĥĀȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞÃŚĉĬĥȊ
Upgrading the seacocks ŷąĉĞêȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊĉŒȊĬŠŚ
°ĉŚąȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊŠěąȊŋêĤĬŶêåȊFȊĥĬŷȊąÃåȊÃĥȊ
êĤňŚŽȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞÃŽǢȊÃĥåȊFȊŚĬĬěȊŚąêȊ ĤÃěĉĥĀȊÃȊąĬĞêȊÞĉĀĀêŋȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊąĬĞêȊŒÃŷȊßÃĥȊ ”ŋŠ#êŒĉĀĥȊßĬĤňĬŒĉŚêȊŒěĉĥȊƌŚŚĉĥĀȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ
ĬňňĬŋŚŠĥĉŚŽȊŚĬȊåĬȊŒĬĤêȊŷĬŋěȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŚąêȊ ÞêȊŚŋĉßěŽǢȊÃŒȊŽĬŠȊąÃŶêȊĥĬȊßêĥŚŋêȊŚĬȊŚÃěêȊ ňĬŋŚȊŒĉåêǡȊFȊŚąêĥȊåŋĉĞĞêåȊÃĥåȊƌŚŚêåȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊ
êŚÃȊŷêĥŚȊĉĥȊǺȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊÃȊßąÃĥßêȊFȊŷĬŠĞåĥȃŚȊ ŚąêȊňĉĞĬŚȊåŋĉĞĞǡȊBĬŷêŶêŋǢȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊĬŷĥêŋȊÃŚȊ ŒŚÃŋÞĬÃŋåȊåŋÃĉĥǢȊŚąŋêÃåĉĥĀȊŚąêȊąĬŒêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ
ĀêŚȊÃĀÃĉĥǡȊFȊŷÃĥŚêåȊŚĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞȊÃȊŚąĉŋåȊ ŚąêȊŽÃŋåȊŒŠĀĀêŒŚêåȊƌĞĞĉĥĀȊŚąêȊêżĉŒŚĉĥĀȊ ĥĬŷȊŶÃßÃĥŚȊŒêÃßĬßěȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŒÃĤêȊŒĉåêȊĬÿȊ
ßĬßěňĉŚȊåŋÃĉĥȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŒŚÃŋÞĬÃŋåȊŒĉåêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ ąĬĞêȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊߊŚǸĬÿÿȊêĤêŋĀêĥߎȊŒĬÿŚŷĬĬåȊ ŚąêȊÞĬÃŚǡȊFȊŒŚŋŠĀĀĞêåȊŚĬȊƌĥåȊßąêÃňȊƒǡƖĉĥȊ
ÞĬÃŚȊǺȊŚŷĬȊŷêŋêȊĥĬŚȊêĥĬŠĀąǢȊĉĥȊĤŽȊÞĬĬěǢȊ ÞŠĥĀǢȊŷąĉßąȊŷĬŋěêåȊÃȊŚŋêÃŚǡ ŚąŋêÃåêåȊêĞÞĬŷŒȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊåêßěȊåŋÃĉĥŒǢȊ
ÿĬŋȊÃȊßêĥŚŋêǸßĬßěňĉŚȊÞĬÃŚǡȊ FȊÃĞŒĬȊŠŒêåȊŚąĉŒȊŚêßąĥĉŊŠêȊŚĬȊêĥĞÃŋĀêȊŚąêȊ ŠĥŚĉĞȊFȊÿĬŠĥåȊŒĬĤêȊĥŽĞĬĥȊĉŋŋĉĀÃŚĉĬĥȊƌŚŚĉĥĀŒȊ
FȊŠňĀŋÃåêåȊŚąêȊêżĉŒŚĉĥĀȊƒǛĉĥȊßĬßěňĉŚȊ ąĬĞêȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊŋÃŷǸŷÃŚêŋȊĉĥŚÃěêǢȊ ĬĥĞĉĥêȊÿĬŋȊÃÞĬŠŚȊÃȊƌŶêŋȊêÃßąǡȊ
åŋÃĉĥŒȊŚĬȊƒǘĉĥǢȊÃĥåȊŋêňĞÃßêåȊĬĥêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ ŷąĉßąȊĥêêåêåȊŠňĀŋÃåĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊǘĉĥȊŚĬȊǜĉĥǡ êňĞÃßĉĥĀȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÃĞŒĬȊĀÃŶêȊĤêȊŚąêȊ
ŒêÃßĬßěŒȊŚĬȊĤÃŚßąǡȊ”ąêȊĬŚąêŋȊŒêÃßĬßěǢȊĉŚȊ ”ĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊŒŚÃŋÞĬÃŋåȊßĬßěňĉŚȊ ĬĥêǸĬÿÿȊĬňňĬŋŚŠĥĉŚŽȊŚĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞȊÃȊßÃĞĬŋĉƌêŋȊĉĥȊ
ŚŠŋĥêåȊĬŠŚǢȊŷÃŒȊÃĞŋêÃåŽȊƒǘĉĥǡȊFŚȊŷÃŒȊêÃŒŽȊ åŋÃĉĥǢȊFȊŋêǸŋĬŠŚêåȊŚąêȊÃÿŚȊßêĥŚŋêȊåŋÃĉĥȊÿŋĬĤȊ ÃĥȊêĤňŚŽȊßĬĤňÃŋŚĤêĥŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊňĬŋŚȊŒĉåêȊĬÿȊ
êĥĬŠĀąȊŚĬȊߊŚȊĬÿÿȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊĥŽĞĬĥȊåŋÃĉĥŒǢȊÞŠŚȊ ĉŚŒȊŒŚÃŋÞĬÃŋåǸŒĉåêȊŒêÃßĬßěȊŚĬȊÃȊĥêŷȊ ŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞÃŽǡȊ

ĥȊÃßßꌌȊąĬĞêȊŷÃŒȊߊŚȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊąĬĞêȊŒÃŷȊÃĥåȊ Engine mounting and aligning

ƌŚŚêåȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊßĬŶêŋȊňĞÃŚêǢȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊÃȊÿŠêĞȊ
_ĬŷȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊêŚÃǡȊ
ĀÊĀêǡȊ”ąêȊĥêŷȊåĉňňêŋȊÿŠêĞȊňĉßěǸŠňȊĉŒȊÃÞĬŶê
FȃåȊÃĞŋêÃåŽȊĤêÃŒŠŋêåȊŚąêȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
ÿêêŚȊĬĥȊÞĬŚąȊêĥĀĉĥêŒȊÃĥåȊŷÃŒȊßĬĥƌåêĥŚȊĉŚȊ
ŷĬŠĞåȊƌŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞêÃŋêŋŒǡȊFȊŷÃŒȊ
ňŋêŚŚŽȊŒŠŋêȊŚąêȊŒŚÃĥåÃŋåȊŒŠĤňȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞêȊ
ŚĬĬȊåêêňǢȊŒĬȊFȊąÃåȊŚąêȊŽÃŋåȊƌŚȊŚąêȊĬňŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ
ŒąÃĞĞĬŷȊŒŠĤňǡ
”ąêȊêŚÃȊƓƙȊĉŒȊŒĞĉĀąŚĞŽȊŒĤÃĞĞêŋȊŚąÃĥȊŚąêȊ
ŠěąȊÃĥåȊŷÃŒȊÃĥȊêÃŒŽȊƌŚȊŠŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊ
ĞĉÿŚǡȊ”ąĉŒȊňŠŚȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊĉĥȊŋĬŠĀąĞŽȊŚąêȊŋĉĀąŚȊ
ňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥǢȊÞŠŚȊĥĬŷȊFȊĥêêåêåȊŚĬȊĞĉĥêȊŠňȊŚąêȊ
ĀêÃŋÞĬżȊƍÃĥĀêȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊ
ŒąÃÿŚȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŒêߊŋĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊĤĬŠĥŚĉĥĀȊÞĬĞŚŒȊǺȊÃȊ
ŚŋĉßěŽȊĬňêŋÃŚĉĬĥǡ
FȃåȊÞĬŋŋĬŷêåȊÃȊŒßÃÿÿĬĞåĉĥĀȊ
ňĬĞêȊÿŋĬĤȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊĬŷĥêŋǢȊÃĥåȊ
FȊĞÃĉåȊŚąêȊňĬĞêȊÃßŋĬŒŒȊŚąêȊŚĬňȊ
ĬÿȊŚąêȊßĬßěňĉŚȊßĬÃĤĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊ
ŒêߊŋêåȊĉŚȊĉĥȊňĞÃßêȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊ
”ąêȊĥêŷȊŒŚÃŋÞĬÃŋåȊßĬßěňĉŚȊ ßĬŠňĞêȊĬÿȊŷĬĬåêĥȊÞĞĬßěŒǡȊ
åŋÃĉĥȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊƒǘĉĥȊ ”ąĉŒȊĤêÃĥŚȊŒßŋêŷĉĥĀȊ
ŚąŋêÃåêåȊêĞÞĬŷȊÿŋĬĤȊÃĥȊ
ĉŋŋĉĀÃŚĉĬĥȊŒŠňňĞĉêŋ

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 79

 PRACTICAL
ŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊŚêÃěȊßÃňňĉĥĀǢȊÃĥåȊFȃåȊąÃŶêȊŚĬȊ ”ąêȊĥêŷȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÞêĉĥĀȊ
ĤÃěêȊŚąÃŚȊĀĬĬåȊÃÿŚêŋŷÃŋåŒǡȊFȊąÃåȊÞĬŠĀąŚȊÃȊ ĞĬŷêŋêåȊĉĥŚĬȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥǡȊ
ĬĥêǸŚĬĥȊßąÃĉĥȊąĬĉŒŚȊÿĬŋȊșƔƑȊĬĥȊêÃŽǢȊÃĥåȊĉŚȊ _êŷȊÃĥåȊŋêǸŋĬŠŚêåȊ
ßĬßěňĉŚȊåŋÃĉĥŒȊÃŋêȊßĉŋßĞêå
ŷÃŒȊŒĉĤňĞêȊŚĬȊŋĉĀȊŚąĉŒȊŠňȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ
ŒßÃÿÿĬĞåĉĥĀȊňĬĞêǢȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊĞĉĥêȊÃĥåȊŒąÃßěĞêȊ
ŚĬȊßĬĥĥêߌȊĉŚȊŚĬȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȃŒȊĞĉÿŚĉĥĀȊÞŋÃßěêŚǡ
”ąêŋêȃŒȊĥĬȊňĬĉĥŚȊŚŋŽĉĥĀȊŚĬȊŋŠŒąȊÃȊĘĬÞȊĞĉěêȊ
ŚąĉŒǢȊÃĥåȊFȃåȊÃĞĞĬŷêåȊÃȊ

ĥȊêÃŽȊÞŠŽȊßąÃĉĥȊąĬĉŒŚȊ
ßĬŠňĞêȊĬÿȊåÃŽŒȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊ ŷÃŒȊŠŒêåȊŚĬȊĤÃĥĬêŠŶŋêȊ
ÃĞĉĀĥĤêĥŚȊňŋĬßꌌǡȊ ŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊĉĥŚĬȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥ
êßÊŒêȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊ
ŒąÃÿŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĬĬȊŒąĬŋŚȊ
ÿĬŋȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊêĥĀĉĥêǢȊFȊ
ąÃåȊĬňŚêåȊŚĬȊÞŠŽȊÃĥåȊ
ƌŚȊÃȊƕĉĥȊŒňÃßêŋȊ
ěĥĬŷĥȊÃŒȊÃȊÞĬÞÞĉĥȊŚĬȊ
ŚąêȊêĥåȊĬÿȊŚąêȊňŋĬňǢȊ
ŋÃŚąêŋȊŚąÃĥȊÞŠŽȊÃȊĥêŷȊ
ĬĥêǡȊ”ąĉŒȊÃŶĬĉåêåȊ
ąÃŶĉĥĀȊŚĬȊåŋĬňȊŚąêȊ
ŋŠååêŋȊŚĬȊŋêĤĬŶêȊŚąêȊ
ňŋĬňǢȊÞŠŚȊŷÃŒȊÃȊåêßĉŒĉĬĥȊFȃåȊßĬĤêȊŚĬȊŋêĀŋêŚǡ

Fine tuning
BÃŶĉĥĀȊÃŚŚÃßąêåȊŚąêȊÞĬÞÞĉĥȊŚĬȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊ
ŒąÃÿŚǢȊFȊĥĬŷȊąÃåȊŚĬȊÞĬĞŚȊĉŚȊŚĬȊŚąêȊƍêżĉÞĞêȊ
ßĬŠňĞĉĥĀȊĬĥȊŚąêȊĀêÃŋÞĬżȊƍÃĥĀêǢȊêĥŒŠŋĉĥĀȊ
ĉŚȊŷÃŒȊňêŋÿêßŚĞŽȊÃĞĉĀĥêåȊĥĬŚȊĘŠŒŚȊŶêŋŚĉßÃĞĞŽǢȊ
ÞŠŚȊÃĞŒĬȊĞÃŚêŋÃĞĞŽǢȊĉêȊÿŋĬĤȊĞêÿŚȊŚĬȊŋĉĀąŚǡȊ
FȊĥêêåêåȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊĉŚȊŚĬȊŷĉŚąĉĥȊƔƑȊŚąĬŠŒÃĥåŒȊ
ĬÿȊÃĥȊĉĥßąȊÃĞĞȊŋĬŠĥåǢȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊÿêêĞêŋȊĀÊĀêǡȊ
FŚȊŷÃŒȊÃĞŒĬȊĉĤňĬŋŚÃĥŚȊŚĬȊêĥŒŠŋêȊŚąêȊ
ŶêŋŚĉßÃĞȊÃåĘŠŒŚĤêĥŚȊÞĬĞŚŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊ
ÿêêŚȊŷêŋêȊĥĬŚȊÃŚȊŚąêȊŚĬňȊĬÿȊŚąêĉŋȊŚŋÃŶêĞǡ
”ąĉŒȊĉŒȊŷąêŋêȊĤŽȊêĥĀĉĥêȊąĬĉŒŚȊßÃĤêȊĉĥŚĬȊ
ĉŚŒȊĬŷĥǢȊÃŒȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊåêÃåȊêÃŒŽȊŚĬȊĞĉÿŚȊŚąêȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊŠňȊĬŋȊåĬŷĥȊÃȊÿêŷȊĤĉĞĞĉĤêŚŋêŒȊŠŒĉĥĀȊ
ŚąêȊŋÃŚßąêŚȊßąÃĉĥǢȊĬŋȊĥŠåĀêȊĉŚȊÃßŋĬŒŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ
ĬĥêȊŒĉåêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĬŚąêŋǡ
FȊĥêêåêåȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊĉĥßĞĉĥêåȊ
åĬŷĥŷÃŋåŒȊÿŋĬĤȊÿŋĬĥŚȊŚĬȊÞÃßěǢȊÃĥåȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊ ÞŋÃßěêŚŒȊŚĬȊĀĉŶêȊÞêŚŚêŋȊÃßßꌌȊŚĬȊŚąêȊÞĬĞŚŒȊ ĬŠŚȊĬÿȊÃĞĉĀĥĤêĥŚǡȊFŚȃŒȊĥĬŚȊÃȊąŠĀêĞŽȊ
ĉĤĤêåĉÃŚêĞŽȊĬÞŶĉĬŠŒȊŚąêŋêȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊêĥĬŠĀąȊ ŷĉŚąȊÃȊŒĬßěêŚǡȊFŚȊŚĬĬěȊÃȊŷąĉĞêȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊŚąêȊ ňĬŷêŋÿŠĞȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊŠěąȊąÃåȊ
ÃåĘŠŒŚĤêĥŚȊĬĥȊŚąêȊÿŋĬĥŚȊÿêêŚȊŚĬȊŋÃĉŒêȊŚąêȊ ąÃĥĀȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÃĞĉĀĥĤêĥŚȊňŋĬßꌌǢȊŷĬŋěĉĥĀȊĉĥȊ ÞêêĥȊĤĬŠĥŚêåȊŚąĉŒȊŷÃŽǡȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊÃŒȊĤŠßąȊÃŒȊĥêßꌌÃŋŽǡȊXŠßěĉĞŽȊFȊ ŚŷĬȊňĞÃĥêŒȊŒĉĤŠĞŚÃĥêĬŠŒĞŽǢȊÞŠŚȊFȊĀĬŚȊŚąêŋêȊ
ąÃåȊŒĬĤêȊąÃŋåŷĬĬåȊÞĞĬßěŒȊŚąÃŚȊąÃåȊÞêêĥȊ ĉĥȊŚąêȊêĥåǢȊĀêŚŚĉĥĀȊŚąêȊßĞêÃŋÃĥßêȊåĬŷĥȊŚĬȊ Exhaust connections
ŠŒêåȊŚĬȊĤĬŠĥŚȊŚąêȊŠěąǢȊÃĥåȊFȊňŠŚȊŚąêŒêȊ ƓƖȊŚąĬŠŒÃĥåŒȊĬÿȊÃĥȊĉĥßąǡ FȊÃŒěêåȊŒÃĤǢȊŚąêȊŽÃŋåȃŒȊąêĞňÿŠĞȊêĥĀĉĥêêŋǢȊ
ŠĥåêŋȊŚąêȊÿŋĬĥŚȊÿêêŚǢȊĞÃŚêŋȊÃååĉĥĀȊÃȊßĬŠňĞêȊ ”ąêȊƌĥÃĞȊĘĬÞȊŷÃŒȊŚĬȊŒßŋêŷȊŒĬĤêȊ ŚĬȊƌŚȊŚąêȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊąĬŒêǢȊÃŒȊŷŋêŒŚĞĉĥĀȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊ
ĬÿȊŚąĉßěȊŒŚêêĞȊŒąĉĤŒȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊŋĬŠĀąĞŽȊŚąêȊ ąêżǸąêÃåȊßĬÃßąȊÞĬĞŚŒȊåĬŷĥȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊ ŋŠÞÞêŋȊÃĥÃßĬĥåÃȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŚŋÃĥŒĤĉŒŒĉĬĥȊ
ßĬŋŋêߌȊÃĥĀĞêǡ êĥĀĉĥêǸĤĬŠĥŚĉĥĀȊÿêêŚȊÃĥåȊĉĥŚĬȊŚąêȊąêÿŚŽȊ ŚŠĥĥêĞȊŷÃŒĥȃŚȊŒĬĤêŚąĉĥĀȊFȊÿÃĥßĉêåȊŚÃßěĞĉĥĀȊ
FŚȊŷÃŒȊŚąêĥȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊĤÃěêȊŚąêȊƌĥÃĞȊ ąÃŋåŷĬĬåȊÞêÃŋêŋŒȊÞêĥêÃŚąǡ ĉĥȊĤŽȊƗƑŒǦȊ”ąêȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊêĞÞĬŷȊąÃåȊÃĞŋêÃåŽȊ
ÃåĘŠŒŚĤêĥŚŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊÿêêŚȊŚąêĤŒêĞŶêŒǡȊ FåêÃĞĞŽǢȊFȊŷĬŠĞåȊąÃŶêȊåŋĉĞĞêåȊÃĥåȊŚÃňňêåȊ ÞêêĥȊߊŚȊÃĥåȊŷêĞåêåȊŒĬȊĉŚȊňĬĉĥŚêåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ
êÿĬŋêȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊŷÃŒȊåŋĬňňêåȊĉĥȊFȃåȊŠŒêåȊ ŚąêȊŚąĉßěȊŒŚêêĞȊňĞÃŚêŒȊĬĥȊŚĬňȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ ŋĉĀąŚȊåĉŋêߌĉĬĥǢȊÞŠŚȊąêȊŒŚĉĞĞȊąÃåȊŚĬȊŚŷĉŒŚȊŚąêȊ
ÃĥȊÃĥĀĞêȊĀŋĉĥåêŋȊŚĬȊߊŚȊÃŷÃŽȊÃȊŒĤÃĞĞȊ ÞêÃŋêŋŒǢȊÞŠŚȊĉŚȊŷĬŠĞåȊąÃŶêȊÞêêĥȊŶêŋŽȊêÃŒŽȊ êżąÃŠŒŚȊąĬŒêȊĬŶêŋȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊŒąÃÿŚȊŚĬȊŋĬŠŚêȊ
ŒêߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊąêÿŚŽȊêĥĀĉĥêǸĤĬŠĥŚĉĥĀȊ ŚĬȊĀêŚȊŚąêȊŚŷĬȊąĬĞêŒȊĬĥȊêÃßąȊÿĬĬŚȊŒĞĉĀąŚĞŽȊ ĉŚȊĉĥŚĬȊĉŚŒȊŒĞĬŚȊŠĥåêŋȊŚąêȊÃÿŚǸßÃÞĉĥȊƍĬĬŋǡ

”ąêȊêŚÃȊĤĬŠĥŚêåȊĉĥȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥȊ ”ąêȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊêĞÞĬŷȊ
ŷĉŚąȊÃĞĞȊŚąêȊÃĥßĉĞĞÃŋĉêŒȊÞÃßěȊĉĥȊ ߊŚȊÃĥåȊŷêĞåêåȊ
ňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥȊǸȊŚąêȊÿŠêĞȊƌĞŚêŋǢȊŷÃŚêŋȊ (circled) now
ŒŚŋÃĉĥêŋȊÃĥåȊêĞêߌŋĉßȊňŠĤň ňĬĉĥŚĉĥĀȊåĬŷĥŷÃŋåŒ

80 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 DIY ENGINE REPLACEMENT

FȃåȊåêßĉåêåȊŚĬȊĞêÃŶêȊŚąêȊêżĉŒŚĉĥĀȊƕƖĤĤȊ ǺȊÞĬŠĀąŚȊÿŋĬĤȊXĉåĞȊǺȊÃĥåȊFȊĥĬŷȊŋĉĀĀêåȊŚąĉŒȊ
¯êŚŠŒȊŷÃŚêŋȊĞĬßěȊĉĥȊňĞÃßêǢȊŋÃŚąêŋȊŚąÃĥȊ ŠňȊŚĬȊŚąêȊêĥåȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÿŠêĞȊĞĉĥêǡȊFŚȊŷĬŋěêåȊÿÃŋȊ
ŒňêĥåȊșƒƖƑȊŋêňĞÃßĉĥĀȊĉŚȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊƖƑĤĤȊ ÞêŚŚêŋȊŚąÃĥȊêżňêߌêåǢȊŒĬȊĤŠßąȊŒĬȊŚąÃŚȊ
ŠĥĉŚȊDzňĞŠŒȊÃȊĥêŷȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊĬŠŚĞêŚǤȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊ FȊŷÃŒȊŒąĬŷêŋêåȊŷĉŚąȊåĉêŒêĞǦȊŒŚĉĞĞǢȊŚąêȊĘĬÞȊ
șƒƑƑdzȊŚĬȊƌŚȊŚąêȊêŚÃȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊǺȊÃňňÃŋêĥŚĞŽǢȊ ŷÃŒȊåĬĥêȊÃĥåȊŷĉŚąȊêŶêŋŽŚąĉĥĀȊ
ŚąêȊ_ÃĥĥĉȊŶêŋŒĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŒÃĤêȊVŠÞĬŚÃǸ ŋêßĬĥĥêߌêåǢȊŒąêȊƌŋêåȊŠňȊŷêĞĞǡȊ
ÞÃŒêåȊêĥĀĉĥêȊĬĥĞŽȊŠŒêŒȊÃȊƕƖĤĤȊêżąÃŠŒŚǡ
FȊąÃåȊŒĬŠŋßêåȊÃȊ¯êŚŠŒȊÃåÃňŚêŋȊÃĥåȊŒÃĤȊ Lessons learned
ßĬĥĥêߌêåȊĉŚȊÃĞĞȊŠňȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊŒąĬŋŚȊŒêߌĉĬĥȊ fĥßêȊĬĥȊŚąêȊňĬĥŚĬĬĥǢȊFȊĞêÿŚȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊ
ĬÿȊĬĞåȊňĉňêǡȊ ŋŠĥĥĉĥĀȊÿĬŋȊÃȊŷąĉĞêǢȊÃĥåȊŒąêȊŒŚÃŋŚêåȊŚĬȊ
FȊŚąêĥȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞêåȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊǜĉĥȊŷÃŚêŋȊ ŶĉÞŋÃŚêȊŊŠĉŚêȊÞÃåĞŽȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŒŚÃĞĞĉĥĀǡȊFȊŷÃŒȊ
ŒŚŋÃĉĥêŋȊÃĥåȊßĬĥĥêߌêåȊŠňȊŚąêȊåĉêŒêĞȊÃĥåȊ ĤĬŋŚĉƌêåȊǺȊŷÃŒȊĤŽȊĥêŷȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÃȊåŠåǨȊ”ąĉŒȊ
êĞêߌŋĉßÃĞȊßĬĥĥêߌĉĬĥŒǢȊÃĥåȊFȊŷÃŒȊÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊ ąÃňňêĥêåȊŒêŶêŋÃĞȊŚĉĤêŒǢȊÃĥåȊFȊŷÃŒȊĀêŚŚĉĥĀȊ
ŋꊌêȊŚąêȊêżĉŒŚĉĥĀȊêĥĀĉĥêȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊßÃÞĞêŒǡ ĀĞĬĬĤĉêŋȊÃĥåȊĀĞĬĬĤĉêŋȊÞêÿĬŋêȊFȊĥĬŚĉßêåȊ
”ąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊňÃĥêĞȊŚąÃŚȊßÃĤêȊ ŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêȊĬĥȊŚąêȊåĉêŒêĞȊŋêŚŠŋĥȊňĉňêǢȊ
ĥȊÃĥŚĉǸŒŽňąĬĥȊ
ŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊêŚÃȊŷÃŒȊ ŷąĉßąȊFȃåȊŒąŠŚȊŷąêĥȊŚąêȊ åêŶĉßêȊŷÃŒȊƌŚŚêåȊÃŒȊ
ĤŠßąȊŚĬĬȊÞĉĀȊÿĬŋȊĤŽȊ ‘Installing an engine ĬĞåȊêĥĀĉĥêȊŷÃŒȊ ŚąêȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊêĞÞĬŷȊ
ĉŒȊÞêĞĬŷȊŚąêȊ
ŒŚêêŋĉĥĀȊßĬĥŒĬĞêǢȊ ŋêĤĬŶêåǢȊąÃåȊĥĬŚȊÞêêĥȊ
ąĬŷêŶêŋǢȊŒĬȊFȊąÃåȊÃȊ yourself is quite ŋêĬňêĥêåǥȊ^êÃȊߊĞňÃǢȊ
ŷÃŚêŋĞĉĥêȊÃĥåȊßĬŠĞåȊ
ŒŠßěȊßĬĬĞĉĥĀȊŷÃŚêŋȊ
ŋêňĞÃßêĤêĥŚȊĤÃåêȊŠňȊ doable – just get ÞŠŚȊÃĥȊêÃŒŽȊĬŶêŋŒĉĀąŚȊ ĉĥŚĬȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥê
ÞŽȊŋĉÃĥȊ°ÃŋåȊ^ÃŋĉĥêȊ ŷĉŚąȊŒĬȊĤŠßąȊŚĬȊßąêßěǡȊ
ĉĥȊ_ĬŋŷĉßąȊÿĬŋȊĘŠŒŚȊșƙƖǡȊ plenty of professional °ĉŚąȊŚąêȊŋêŚŠŋĥȊŶÃĞŶêȊ TĬêĞȊŚąĉĥěŒȊŚąêȊÞĬÞÞĉĥȊĬĥȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊŒąÃÿŚȊ
”ąêŽȊÃĞŒĬȊŚŋÃĥŒÿêŋŋêåȊ
ŚąêȊŒŷĉŚßąêŒȊÃĥåȊ
advice, and take it one ĬňêĥǢȊŒąêȊŋÃĥȊŶêŋŽȊ
ŒŷêêŚĞŽȊĉĥåêêåǡ
ŷÃŒȊßŋêÃŚĉĥĀȊÃȊßêĥŚŋĉÿŠĀÃĞȊêÿÿêߌȊÃĥåȊ
ßÊŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊňŋĬňȊŚĬȊŷąĉňĞÃŒąǢȊĤÃěĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ
ŷÃŋĥĉĥĀȊĞĉĀąŚŒȊÃßŋĬŒŒǢȊ step at a time’ ”ąêȊƌĥÃĞȊňÃŋŚȊĬÿȊĤŽȊ êĥĀĉĥêȊŶĉÞŋÃŚêǡȊ”ąÃĥěÿŠĞĞŽȊĉŚȊĬĥĞŽȊŒêêĤŒȊ
ÃĥåȊÃĞĞȊFȊąÃåȊŚĬȊåĬȊŷÃŒȊ ĞêÃŋĥĉĥĀȊߊŋŶêǢȊÃĥåȊĥĬŚȊ ŚĬȊąÃňňêĥȊÃŚȊąĉĀąêŋȊŋêŶŒǢȊŒĬȊÿĬŋȊĥĬŷǢȊFȊÃĤȊ
ŋêÃŚŚÃßąȊŚąêȊŷĉŋĉĥĀȊĞĬĬĤǢȊŠŒĉĥĀȊÃȊňąĬŚĬȊĬÿȊ ŒĬĤêŚąĉĥĀȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊąÃŶêȊÿĬŋêŒêêĥǢȊßÃĤêȊ ěêêňĉĥĀȊŚąêȊŋêŶŒȊÞêĞĬŷȊƓǢƑƑƑŋňĤȊŷąêŋêȊ
ŚąêȊĬĞåȊßĬĥŒĬĞêȊFȃåȊŚÃěêĥȊÃŒȊÃȊĀŠĉåêǡȊ ĞÃŚêŋȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŒŠĤĤêŋȊŷąêĥȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊ ňĬŒŒĉÞĞêȊÃĥåȊßąêßěĉĥĀȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÿêêŚȊ
<ĉĥÃĞĞŽǢȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊŒŚÃŋŚȊąêŋȊŠňǡȊ ÞêĀÃĥȊŚĬȊŶĉÞŋÃŚêȊŊŠĉŚêȊÞÃåĞŽȊÃŚȊąĉĀąȊŋêŶŒǡȊ ÃåĘŠŒŚêŋȊĥŠŚŒȊŋêĀŠĞÃŋĞŽǡȊBêȊŒŠĀĀêŒŚêåȊÃȊ
BÃŶĉĥĀȊŋĉĀĀêåȊŠňȊÃȊąĬŒêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŷÃŚêŋȊ ”ąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊÃĞŒĬȊÃȊÿÃĉŋȊÞĉŚȊĬÿȊŷÃŚêŋȊßĬĤĉĥĀȊ ŒąĬŋŚǸŚêŋĤȊƌżȊŷĬŠĞåȊÞêȊŚĬȊĤĬŠĥŚȊŚąêȊ
ŒŚŋÃĉĥêŋȊFȊŚŋĉêåȊŚąêȊěêŽǢȊÞŠŚȊåêŒňĉŚêȊĤŠßąȊ ĉĥȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊŒŚêŋĥȊĀĞÃĥåǢȊŷąĉßąȊŷÃŒȊ ÞĬÞÞĉĥȊåĉŋêßŚĞŽȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĀêÃŋÞĬżǢȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊ
ŚŠŋĥĉĥĀǢȊŒąêȊŷĬŠĞåĥȃŚȊƌŋêǡȊFȃåȊŋêĉĥŒŚÃĞĞêåȊ ŒĬĤêŷąÃŚȊÃĞÃŋĤĉĥĀȊDzĤŽȊŒŚêŋĥȊĀĞÃĥåȊĉŒȊÃĥȊ ƍêżĉÞĞêȊßĬŠňĞĉĥĀȊÞêŚŷêêĥȊŚąêȊÞĬÞÞĉĥȊÃĥåȊ
ŚąêȊêĞêߌŋĉßȊĞĉÿŚȊňŠĤňǢȊÃŒȊFȊěĥêŷȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ ĬĞåǸÿÃŒąĉĬĥêåȊŷąĉŚêǸĤêŚÃĞȊÞêÃŋĉĥĀȊŒêŚǸŠňǢȊ ŚąêȊňŋĬňǡȊ”ąĉŒȊŷĉĞĞȊąĬňêÿŠĞĞŽȊŋêåŠßêȊŚąêȊ
ŒňêߌȊŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊêŚÃȃŒȊĤÃĥŠÃĞȊĞĉÿŚȊňŠĤňȊ ŷĉŚąȊĥĬȊߊŚĞꌌȊÞêÃŋĉĥĀǡdz ŷąĉňĞÃŒąȊêÿÿêߌǡȊXĬĥĀêŋȊŚêŋĤǢȊŋêĤĬŶĉĥĀȊ
ŷÃŒĥȃŚȊÞêêÿŽȊêĥĬŠĀąȊŚĬȊňŠĞĞȊŚąêȊåĉêŒêĞȊŠňȊ ŽȊŚąĉŒȊŒŚÃĀêǢȊFȊŷÃŒȊêżňĞĬŋĉĥĀȊŚąêȊňŋêŚŚŽȊ ŚąêȊÞĬÞÞĉĥȊÃĥåȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞĉĥĀȊÃȊĞĬĥĀêŋȊňŋĬňȊ
ŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊåĉňňêŋȊŚŠÞêǡȊBĬŷêŶêŋǢȊ (żêȊêŒŚŠÃŋŽǢȊŒĬȊFȊŚĬĬěȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȊĉĥŚĬȊ”ŋĬŠŚȃŒȊ ŒąÃÿŚȊĉŒȊŚąêȊĬÞŶĉĬŠŒȊŷÃŽȊŚĬȊĀĬǡ
ŚąêȊêĞêߌŋĉßȊňŠĤňȊŷÃŒȊĥĬŚȊŒêĞÿǸňŋĉĤĉĥĀǡȊ ÞĬÃŚŽÃŋåȊÃŚȊ”ĬňŒąÃĤǢȊŷąêŋêȊFȊÃŒěêåȊŚąêĉŋȊ
XŠßěĉĞŽȊFȊąÃåȊÃȊƒƓ¯ȊåĉêŒêĞȊŚŋÃĥŒÿêŋȊňŠĤňȊ ąêĞňÿŠĞȊêĥĀĉĥêêŋǢȊTĬêĞǢȊŚĬȊĉĥŶêŒŚĉĀÃŚêǡȊBêȊ Finishing touches
ÿĬŠĥåȊŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊąÃåȊŒĞĉňňêåȊåĬŷĥȊ <ĉĥÃĞȊĤĬåĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥŒȊFȊąÃŶêȊĤÃåêȊŋêßêĥŚĞŽȊ
ĬĥȊĉŚŒȊĤĬŠĥŚŒȊÃŒȊŚąêȊÃåĘŠŒŚêŋȊĥŠŚŒȊąÃåȊ ĉĥßĞŠåêȊƌŚŚĉĥĀȊÃĥȊÃĥŚĉǸŒŽňąĬĥȊŶÃĞŶêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ
ŷĬŋěêåȊĞĬĬŒêǡȊŒŠŋňŋĉŒĉĥĀĞŽȊŚąêŋêȊÃŋêȊĥĬȊ ŋÃŷȊŷÃŚêŋȊßĬĬĞĉĥĀȊŒŽŒŚêĤǢȊÃŒȊŚąêȊêżąÃŠŒŚȊ
ĞĬßěĉĥĀȊĥŠŚŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊêŚÃȊÿêêŚȊÃåĘŠŒŚêŋŒǢȊ êĞÞĬŷȊĉŒȊÞêĞĬŷȊŚąêȊŷÃŚêŋĞĉĥêǡȊ”ąêŒêȊßĬŒŚȊ
ŚąĬŠĀąȊŚąêŋêȊŒąĬŠĞåȊąÃŶêȊÞêêĥȊŒĬĤêȊĞĬßěȊ ÃÞĬŠŚȊșƓƑȊÃĥåȊÃŋêȊêÃŒŽȊŚĬȊĉĥŒŚÃĞĞǢȊŒĬȊĉÿȊĉĥȊ
ŷÃŒąêŋŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŚĬňȊĥŠŚŒǢȊŷąĉßąȊTĬêĞȊ ÃĥŽȊåĬŠÞŚǢȊƌŚȊĬĥêǤȊȊĉŚȊßĬŠĞåȊŒÃŶêȊÃȊŶêŋŽȊ
ĉĥŒŚÃĞĞêåǢȊÃŒȊŷêĞĞȊÃŒȊŋêňĞÃßĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ êżňêĥŒĉŶêȊêĥĀĉĥêȊÿÃĉĞŠŋêǡ
åÃĤÃĀêåȊƍêżĉÞĞêȊßĬŠňĞĉĥĀǡȊXŠßěĉĞŽȊŚąêŋêȊ ”ąêȊĬŚąêŋȊĉŒŒŠêȊßÃĤêȊŚĬȊĞĉĀąŚȊÃŒȊÃȊŋêŒŠĞŚȊ
ŷÃŒȊĥĬȊåÃĤÃĀêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŒŚêŋĥȊĀĞÃĥåǡ ĬÿȊÃåĤĉŋĉĥĀȊĤŽȊÞĬÃŚȊĬĥȊąêŋȊĤĬĬŋĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊ
ĥĬŚĉßĉĥĀȊŚąÃŚȊŒąêȊŷÃŒȊ
ĥĬŚĉßêÃÞĞŽȊÞĬŷȊåĬŷĥǡȊFŚȊŚĬĬěȊ
ÃȊŷąĉĞêȊŚĬȊƌĀŠŋêȊĬŠŚȊŷąŽȊ
ĉßąÃŋåȊňąĬŚĬĀŋÃňąêåȊŚąêȊÞÃßěȊĬÿȊŚąêȊĬĞåȊ ŠĥŚĉĞȊFȊĞĬĬěêåȊÃŚȊŚąêȊŒňêߌȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊßĬĥŚŋĬĞȊňÃĥêĞȊÿĬŋȊŋêÿêŋêĥßê
ÿĬŋȊŚąêȊŚŷĬȊêĥĀĉĥêŒȊǺȊŚąêȊ
ŠěąȊ#¯ƓƑȊĉŒȊƘƑěĀȊąêÃŶĉêŋȊ
ŚąÃĥȊŚąêȊêŚÃȊƓƙǡȊ”ąĉŒȊ
ŷêĉĀąŚȊåĉÿÿêŋêĥŚĉÃĞȊąÃåȊ
ÃĞŚêŋêåȊŚąêȊÞÃĞÃĥßêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ
ÞĬÃŚǡȊFȃŶêȊŒňêĥŚȊŚąêȊňÃŒŚȊÿêŷȊ
ĤĬĥŚąŒȊÞŠŽĉĥĀȊŠňȊŒňÃŋêȊ
ŋĬĞĞŒȊĬÿȊŋĬĬƌĥĀȊĞêÃåȊÃĥåȊ
ŒŚŠÿƌĥĀȊĉŚȊŠĥåêŋȊŚąêȊÞŠĥěŒȊ
ĉĥȊŚąêȊÃÿŚȊßÃÞĉĥǢȊÃĥåȊŒąêȊĥĬŷȊ
ŒĉŚŒȊĥĉßêȊÃĥåȊĞêŶêĞǡ
FŚȃŒȊÞêêĥȊÃȊŒŚêêňȊĞêÃŋĥĉĥĀȊ
ߊŋŶêǢȊÞŠŚȊFȊĥĬŷȊěĥĬŷȊĤŽȊ
êĥĀĉĥêȊÃĥåȊĤŽȊÞĬÃŚȊĉĥŒĉåêȊ
ĬŠŚǢȊÃĥåȊFȃĤȊßĬĥƌåêĥŚȊFȊßÃĥȊ
åêÃĞȊŷĉŚąȊĤĬŒŚȊĉŒŒŠêŒȊŚąÃŚȊ
ĤĉĀąŚȊÃŋĉŒêǡȊFĥŒŚÃĞĞĉĥĀȊÃĥȊ

ȊߊŒŚĬĤȊĉĥŒŚŋŠĤêĥŚȊňÃĥêĞȊ êĥĀĉĥêȊŽĬŠŋŒêĞÿȊĉŒȊŊŠĉŚêȊ
ŷÃŒȊĥêêåêåȊŚĬȊƌŚȊŚąêȊ åĬÃÞĞêȊǺȊĘŠŒŚȊĀêŚȊňĞêĥŚŽȊĬÿȊ
ŒŚêêŋĉĥĀȊßĬĥŒĬĞêȊÃŒȊŚąêȊĥêŷȊ ňŋĬÿꌌĉĬĥÃĞȊÃåŶĉßêǢȊÃĥåȊ
êŚÃȊňÃĥêĞȊŷÃŒȊŚĬĬȊÞĉĀ ŚÃěêȊĉŚȊĬĥêȊŒŚêňȊÃŚȊÃȊŚĉĤêǡ

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Fixing holes in an inflatable tender

Paul Diamond repairs a dinghy that was chewed by rodents
FȃŶêȊąÃåȊÃȊƓǡƔĤȊ(żßêĞȊĉĥƍÃŚÃÞĞêȊŚêĥåêŋȊ Rodents had chewed
ÿĬŋȊĬŶêŋȊÃȊåêßÃåêǢȊÞŠŚȊåŠŋĉĥĀȊŷĉĥŚêŋȊ holes in the tender
ŒŚĬŋÃĀêȊŶêŋĤĉĥȊĀĬŚȊŚĬȊĉŚȊÃĥåȊßąêŷêåȊ tubes and the corner
ąĬĞêŒǢȊĬĥêȊĉĥȊêÃßąȊĬÿȊŚąêȊåĉĥĀąŽȃŒȊŚąŋêêȊ of the rubber rowlock
ßąÃĤÞêŋŒǡȊFÿȊŚąêȊÞÃÿƍêŒȊąÃåȊÞêêĥȊ
ąĬĞêåȊÃŒȊŷêĞĞȊŚąêȊ
ŚêĥåêŋȊŷĬŠĞåȊĥĬŚȊ
ąÃŶêȊÞêêĥȊ
ŋêňÃĉŋÃÞĞêǢȊÞŠŚȊ
ÿĬŋŚŠĥÃŚêĞŽǢȊŚąêŽȊ
ŷêŋêȊŠĥŚĬŠßąêåǡȊ
”ąêȊňŋĬňêŋȊ
ŷÃŽȊŚĬȊŋêňÃĉŋȊ
ŚąêŒêȊąĬĞêŒȊŷÃŒȊ
ŚĬȊňÃŚßąȊÿŋĬĤȊ
ÞĬŚąȊŚąêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊ
ÃĥåȊĬŠŚŒĉåêȊŚĬȊ
make a PVC
ŒÃĥåŷĉßąǢȊŠŒĉĥĀȊ Glue will need to

Photos: Paul Diamond

ŚąêȊÃňňŋĬňŋĉÃŚêȊ be applied inside
the tube for a
ŚŷĬǸňÃŋŚȊ‚¯Ȋ ƌŋŒŚȊĉĥĥêŋȊňÃŚßą
adhesive.
ŒĉĥĀĞêǸňÃŋŚȊ
ĀĞŠêȊÃĥåȊêżŚêŋĥÃĞȊňÃŚßąêŒȊĤÃŽȊÞêȊfVȊ
ÿĬŋȊňĉĥȊŒĉƅêåȊąĬĞêŒǢȊĬŋȊÃŒȊÃȊĀêŚǸŽĬŠǸ
ąĬĤêǸƌżǢȊÞŠŚȊÃŋêȊĥĬŚȊÃȊňêŋĤÃĥêĥŚȊ
ĞĬĥĀǸĞÃŒŚĉĥĀȊŋêňÃĉŋǡ
FŚȃŒȊŷĬŋŚąȊĥĬŚĉĥĀȊŚąÃŚȊŒĬĤêȊŚêĥåêŋŒȊ ŒąĬňňĉĥĀȊÞÃĀȊŚĬȊĞĉĥêȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊ ŒŚĉĞĞȊêÃŒĉĞŽȊŶĉŒĉÞĞêǡȊ êǸĤÃŋěȊŚąêĤȊÃÿŚêŋȊ
ÃŋêȊĤÃåêȊĬÿȊBŽňÃĞĬĥǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊŋêňÃĉŋȊ ÞêÿĬŋêȊÃňňĞŽĉĥĀȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊąĬĞêǡȊ ŒÃĥåĉĥĀȊĉÿȊĥêßꌌÃŋŽǡȊ
ňŋĬßꌌȊĉŒȊŚąêȊŒÃĤêȊÿĬŋȊŚąĬŒêȊÃňÃŋŚȊ FȊŒŚŠßěȊÃȊĞĬĬňȊĬÿȊĀÃÿÿêŋȊŚÃňêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊÞÃĀȊŷĉŚąȊ FȊĤÃåêȊŠňȊŚąêȊŚŷĬǸňÃŋŚȊĀĞŠêȊÃŚȊƓƖǣƒȊŋÃŚĉĬǢȊ
ÿŋĬĤȊŠŒĉĥĀȊąŽňÃĞĬĥȊňÃŚßąêŒȊÃĥåȊĀĞŠêȊ ÃȊňĉêßêȊĬÿȊĞĉĥêȊŚĉêåȊĬĥǢȊŒĬȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊåŋÃĀȊŚąêȊ ĤêÃŒŠŋĉĥĀȊÃŒȊÃßߊŋÃŚêĞŽȊÃŒȊňĬŒŒĉÞĞêǡȊ”ąêȊ
ĉĥŒŚêÃåȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ‚¯ȊŚąÃŚȊFȊŠŒêåȊÿĬŋȊĤĉĥêǡȊ ÞÃĀȊÞÃßěȊĬŠŚȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêȊąĬĞêȊĬĥßêȊ ‚ĬĞŽĤÃŋĉĥêȊ‚¯ȊĀĞŠêȊFȊŠŒêåȊąÃŒȊÃȊÿĬŠŋǸąĬŠŋȊ
”ąêȊŚŷĬȊŚŽňêŒȊÃŋêȊĥĬŚȊĉĥŚêŋßąÃĥĀêÃÞĞêǡȊ ŚąêȊŋêňÃĉŋȊŷÃŒȊßĬĤňĞêŚêǡȊ ňĬŚȊĞĉÿêǢȊŒĬȊňĞêĥŚŽȊĬÿȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊåĬȊĤŽȊňÃŚßąêŒǡ
”ąêȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚŽȊĉĥȊåĬĉĥĀȊĉĥŒĉåêȊňÃŚßąêŒȊ FȊßĞêÃĥêåȊÞĬŚąȊŒŠŋÿÃßêŒȊŷĉŚąȊÃßêŚĬĥêǢȊ
ĉŒȊŋêĤĬŶĉĥĀȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêŒȊŚĬȊĀêŚȊÃßßꌌǢȊ Follow instructions ÃĥåȊÃÿŚêŋȊƌŶêȊĤĉĥŠŚêŒȊŋêňêÃŚêåȊŚąêȊŷĉňĉĥĀȊ
ĞĉĥĉĥĀȊŠňȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąǢȊÃĥåȊŒŚĉßěĉĥĀȊĉŚȊ FŚȊĉŒȊĉĤňĬŋŚÃĥŚȊŚĬȊÿĬĞĞĬŷȊŚąêȊĉĥŒŚŋŠßŚĉĬĥŒȊĬĥȊ åĬŷĥȊňŋĬßꌌǢȊÃĀÃĉĥȊÃŒȊňêŋȊŚąêȊĉĥŒŚŋŠßŚĉĬĥŒǡ
åĬŷĥȊŠŒĉĥĀȊŚąêȊßĬĥŚÃߌȊÃåąêŒĉŶêǢȊ ŚąêȊĀĞŠêȊÞĬżȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĞêŚŚêŋǡȊFȊĤÃŋěêåȊÃȊĞĉĥêȊ
ÿŚêŋȊÃȊÿŠŋŚąêŋȊƒƑȊĤĉĥŠŚêŒǢȊFȊŠŒêåȊĤŽȊ
êĥŒŠŋĉĥĀȊŽĬŠȊåĬĥȃŚȊĀĞŠêȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêŒȊ ƓĉĥȊDzƖƑĤĤdzȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊêåĀêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊąĬĞêȊŚĬȊ ĤÃŋěŒȊŚĬȊĀŠĉåêȊĤêȊÃŒȊFȊÃňňĞĉêåȊÃȊŚąĉĥǢȊêŶêĥȊ
ŚĬĀêŚąêŋȊŷąĉĞêȊňŋꌌĉĥĀȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąêŒȊ ĀŠĉåêȊĤêǡȊ^ÃěêȊŒŠŋêȊŚąêŋêȊÃŋêȊĥĬȊŒąÃŋňȊ ßĬÃŚȊĬÿȊĀĞŠêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊ
ĉĥŚĬȊňĬŒĉŚĉĬĥǡ ßĬŋĥêŋŒȊĬĥȊŽĬŠŋȊňÃŚßąǢȊÃŒȊŚąêŒêȊŚêĥåȊŚĬȊ ŚŋĉĤĤêåȊƒĉĥȊňÃĉĥŚȊÞŋŠŒąǢȊÃĥåȊÃĞŒĬȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ
”ąêȊňĞÃŒŚĉßȊŶÃĞŶêȊŷŋêĥßąȊÞĬŠĀąŚȊ ňêêĞȊĬÿÿȊĤĬŋêȊêÃŒĉĞŽǡ ňÃŚßąǡȊ
ĥĬŚąêŋȊƓƑȊĤĉĥŠŚêŒȊňÃŒŒêåȊÃĞĞĬŷĉĥĀȊ
ŒňêßĉƌßÃĞĞŽȊÿĬŋȊŚąĉŒȊĘĬÞȊŒĥÃňňêåȊŷąêĥȊ ”ąêĥǢȊFȊňŋêňÃŋêåȊŚąêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊ‚¯ȊŒŠŋÿÃßêŒȊ ĉŚȊŚĬȊŚÃßěȊĬÿÿȊÞêÿĬŋêȊÃňňĞŽĉĥĀȊÃĥĬŚąêŋȊŚąĉĥǢȊ
FȊÃŚŚêĤňŚêåȊŚĬȊŠĥŒßŋêŷȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêŒȊÿŋĬĤȊ ÞŽȊŒÃĥåĉĥĀȊßÃŋêÿŠĞĞŽȊŷĉŚąȊƒƓƑǸĀŋĉŚȊňÃňêŋǢȊ êŶêĥȊßĬÃŚȊŚĬȊÞĬŚąȊŒŠŋÿÃßêŒǡ
ŚąêĉŋȊŒêÃŚŒǢȊŒĬȊFȊĤÃåêȊĬĥêȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊ ÃĥåȊŶÃߊŠĤêåȊĬŠŚȊŚąêȊ劌Śǡ FȊĞÃĉåȊÃȊňĬĞŽŚąêĥêȊŒÃĥåŷĉßąȊÞÃĀȊĬŶêŋȊŚąêȊ
ƒƓǸŒĉåêåȊŒĬßěêŚȊŒňÃĥĥêŋȊDzŒêêȊ‚ŋÃߌĉßÃĞȊ ”ąĉŒȊĀĉŶêŒȊÃȊěêŽêåȊŒŠŋÿÃßêȊÿĬŋȊŚąêȊĀĞŠêȊ ĀĞŠêåȊŒĉåêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊŒĬȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊŋĬĞĞȊŠňȊ
‚ŋĬĘêߌŒǢȊPBOȊ<êÞŋŠÃŋŽȊƓƑƓƖdzǡ ŚĬȊÃåąêŋêȊŚĬȊDzåĬȊÞêȊßÃŋêÿŠĞȊĥĬŚȊŚĬȊŒÃĥåȊŋĉĀąŚȊ ŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊÃĥåȊňŠŒąȊĉŚȊĉĥȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊąĬĞêȊ
FȊŠŒêåȊÃȊňĉêßêȊĬÿȊĀÃŋåêĥȊŷĉŋêȊŚĬȊąĬĬěȊ ŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊŚĬňȊŒŠŋÿÃßêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĤêŒąǦdzǡ ŷĉŚąĬŠŚȊĉŚȊŒŚĉßěĉĥĀȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêǡ
ŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêȊÞÃßěŒȊĥêÃŋȊŚąêĉŋȊąĬĞêŒǢȊŚĬȊ FȊߊŚȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊŚĬȊĤÃŚßąȊĤŽȊĤÃŋěĉĥĀŒǢȊ ”ąĉŒȊĉŒȊßĬĥŚÃߌȊÃåąêŒĉŶêǢȊŒĬȊŽĬŠȊĬĥĞŽȊĀêŚȊ
ŒÃŶêȊąÃŶĉĥĀȊŚĬȊƌŒąȊÿĬŋȊŚąêĤȊÿŋĬĤȊĉĥŒĉåêȊ ÃĥåȊĤÃŋěêåȊŚąêȊßêĥŚŋêȊÃĥåȊŚĬňȊŒĬȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊ ĬĥêȊßąÃĥßêȊŚĬȊŒŚĉßěȊĉŚȊĉĥȊŚąêȊŋĉĀąŚȊňĞÃßêǡȊ
ŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊĞÃŚêŋȊĬĥßêȊŚąêȊŋêňÃĉŋȊŷÃŒȊ ĬŋĉêĥŚÃŚêȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊĬĥßêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊ fĥßêȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊŷÃŒȊĉĥŒĉåêȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêǢȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊ
ßĬĤňĞêŚêåǡ ÞêÿĬŋêȊŒŚĉßěĉĥĀǡ ŠĥŋĬĞĞȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊÃĥåȊĞĉĥêȊĉŚȊŠňȊŷĉŚąȊĤŽȊ
‚¯ȊĀĞŠêȊåĬêŒȊĥĬŚȊŒŚĉßěȊŚĬȊ ŒÃĥåȊŚąêȊŒŠŋÿÃßêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąȊŚĬȊÞêȊ ßêĥŚŋêȊÃĥåȊŚĬňȊĤÃŋěŒȊŷĉŚąĬŠŚȊÿêÃŋȊĬÿȊ
ňĬĞŽŚąêĥêǢȊŒĬȊFȊŠŒêåȊÃĥȊĬĞåȊňĞÃŒŚĉßȊ ĀĞŠêåȊÃŒȊÃÞĬŶêǢȊêĥŒŠŋĉĥĀȊŽĬŠŋȊĤÃŋěŒȊÃŋêȊ ŠĥĉĥŚêĥŚĉĬĥÃĞĞŽȊŒŚĉßěĉĥĀȊĉŚȊŚĬȊŚąêȊĀĞŠêåȊ

82 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 STEP BY STEP

Patching the dinghy tube

ŒŠŋÿÃßêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêǡȊfĥßêȊßĬŋŋêßŚĞŽȊ
ÃĞĉĀĥêåȊFȊßĬŠĞåȊąĬĞåȊĉŚȊĉĥȊňĞÃßêǢȊňêêĞȊĬÿÿȊŚąêȊ
ŒÃĥåŷĉßąȊÞÃĀȊÃĥåȊňŋꌌȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊåĬŷĥȊÃĞĞȊ
ĉĥȊŚąêȊŋĉĀąŚȊňĞÃßêǡ
FŚȃŒȊŷĬŋŚąȊŚÃěĉĥĀȊÃȊÞĉŚȊĬÿȊŚĉĤêȊŚĬȊêĥŒŠŋêȊ
ŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊĉŒȊƍÃŚȊÃĥåȊÿŠĞĞŽȊŒŠňňĬŋŚêåǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊ
ňÃŚßąȊÃĞĉĀĥêåȊÞêÿĬŋêȊåĬĉĥĀȊŚąĉŒǡȊFŚȊåĬêŒȊ
ŒŚĉßěȊĉĥŒŚÃĥŚĞŽǡȊ”ąêĥȊFȊŠŒêåȊÃȊŋĬĞĞêŋȊŚĬȊŷĬŋěȊ
ĬŠŚŷÃŋåŒȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊĤĉååĞêȊŚĬȊňŠŒąȊĬŠŚȊÃĥŽȊ
ŚĉĥŽȊÃĉŋȊÞŠÞÞĞêŒǡ

Patch complete
fĥßêȊŚąêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊňÃŚßąȊŷÃŒȊßĬĤňĞêŚêåǢȊ
FȊŠŒêåȊĤŽȊĞĉĥêȊŚĬȊňŠĞĞȊŚąêȊŒąĬňňĉĥĀȊÞÃĀȊĬŠŚȊ
ĬÿȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêȊąĬĞêǡȊFȊÃňňĞĉêåȊÃȊĞĉĀąŚȊŒĤêÃŋȊĬÿȊ
ŷÃŚêŋňŋĬĬÿȊĀŋêÃŒêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêȊąĬĞêȊÃĥåȊ
ŚąŋêÃåȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŒßŋêŷĉĥĀȊĉŚȊÞÃßěȊĉĥȊňĞÃßêǡ
#ĬȊÞêȊßÃŋêÿŠĞȊĥĬŚȊŚĬȊåŋĬňȊŚąêȊŶÃĞŶêȊÞÃßěȊ
ĉĥŚĬȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊĬŚąêŋŷĉŒêǢȊŽĬŠȃĞĞȊąÃŶêȊŒêŶêŋÃĞȊ
ĤĉĥŠŚêŒȊĬÿȊߊŋŒĉĥĀȊŷąĉĞêȊƌŒąĉĥĀȊÃŋĬŠĥåȊŚĬȊ
1 Dragging a polythene bag through
the chewed hole in the dinghy tube
with a rope via the valve hole.
2 Sand the inside of the tube
through the hole and against a
block (inset) before marking the patch.
ŋêŚŋĉêŶêȊĉŚǡ
FȊŋêĉĥƍÃŚêåȊŚąêȊŚŠÞêȊŚĬȊÿŠĞĞǸŒĉƅêȊÞŠŚȊĥĬŚȊ
ÿŠĞĞȊňŋꌌŠŋêȊǺȊĘŠŒŚȊêĥĬŠĀąȊŚĬȊÃňňĞŽȊÿĬŋßêȊ
ŚĬȊŚąêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊňÃŚßąǢȊÞŠŚȊĥĬŚȊŚĬȊĀĉŶêȊĉŚȊ
ÞÃĞĞĬĬĥǸĞĉěêȊąêŋĥĉÃŚĉĬĥȊĬŠŚŷÃŋåŒȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊ
ŚąêȊąĬĞêǡ
FȊŋêňêÃŚêåȊŚąĉŒȊňŋĬßꌌȊŷĉŚąȊêÃßąȊąĬĞêȊ
ÃĥåȊŷÃĉŚêåȊÃŚȊĞêÃŒŚȊƕƙȊąĬŠŋŒȊ
ÿĬŋȊŚąêȊĀĞŠêȊŚĬȊߊŋêǡȊ#ĬȊßąêßěȊ
ŚąêȊߊŋêȊŚĉĤêȊĬÿȊŷąĉßąêŶêŋȊ
ĀĞŠêȊŽĬŠȊŠŒêǡ
fŠŚŒĉåêȊňÃŚßąĉĥĀȊŷÃŒȊÃȊ
ŒĉĤĉĞÃŋȊňŋĬßꌌǢȊêżßêňŚȊÿĬŋȊĥĬŚȊ
ĥêêåĉĥĀȊŚąêȊňĬĞŽŚąêĥêȊÞÃĀŒǢȊ
ÃĥåȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊÿÃŋȊêÃŒĉêŋȊŚĬȊåĬȊŷĉŚąȊ
ŚąêȊŚŠÞêŒȊĉĥƍÃŚêåǡȊ
ĀÃĉĥǢȊ
ÿĬĞĞĬŷȊŚąêȊĤÃĥŠÿÃߌŠŋêŋȃŒȊ
ĉĥŒŚŋŠßŚĉĬĥŒȊßÃŋêÿŠĞĞŽǡȊ

Rowlock removal
”ąêȊĞÃŒŚȊňŋĬÞĞêĤȊŷÃŒȊŚąÃŚȊŚąêȊŋÃŚŒȊąÃåȊ
ßąêŷêåȊĬĥêȊąĬĞêȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊŚąêȊÿÃÞŋĉßȊÃĥåȊ
3 Clean the inside of the hole and
the patch itself with acetone. 4 Patch rolled inside a polythene
bag that won’t stick to the glue.

ĉĥŚĬȊĬĥêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŋĬŷĞĬßěŒǢȊŒĬȊFȊąÃåȊŚĬȊŋêĤĬŶêȊ
ĉŚȊŚĬȊåĬȊÃȊňŋĬňêŋȊŋêňÃĉŋǡ
BêÃŚȊåêŒŚŋĬŽŒȊŚąêȊÞĬĥåȊĉĥȊŚąêȊĀĞŠêǢȊ
ÞŠŚȊŚĬĬȊĤŠßąȊßÃĥȊÃĞŒĬȊåÃĤÃĀêȊŚąêȊÿÃÞŋĉßǡȊ
5 One of
the
patches
FȊŠŒêåȊÃȊąÃĉŋȊåŋŽêŋȊÃĥåȊÃȊŒňĬĬĥȊŚĬȊňêêĞȊ inside (right)
ŠňȊŚąêȊŋĬŷĞĬßěǢȊÞŠŚȊÃÿŚêŋȊƕƖȊĤĉĥŠŚêŒȊąÃåȊ and with a
ĤÃåêȊĞĉŚŚĞêȊňŋĬĀŋꌌǡ covering
”ąêȊąÃĉŋåŋŽêŋȊąêÃŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĬĬȊĀêĥŚĞêȊŒĬȊFȊ patch outside
åŠĀȊĬŠŚȊĤŽȊąêÃŚȊĀŠĥȊÃĥåǢȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊßÃŋêÿŠĞȊ (below).
ÃňňŋĬÃßąǢȊŷÃŒȊÃÞĞêȊŚĬȊŊŠĉßěĞŽȊŋêĤĬŶêȊŚąêȊ
ŋĬŷĞĬßěȊDzŷąĉßąȊŷÃŒȊĥĬŚȊŋꊌÃÞĞêȊÃĥåȊąÃåȊ
ŚĬȊÞêȊŋêňĞÃßêåȊŷĉŚąȊÃȊĥêŷȊĬĥêdzǡȊ
ŚŚÃßąĉĥĀȊ
ŚąêȊŋĬŷĞĬßěȊŷÃŒȊŚąêȊŒÃĤêȊňŋĬßꌌȊÃŒȊÿĬŋȊ
ŚąêȊĬŚąêŋȊêżŚêŋĥÃĞȊňÃŚßąêŒǡȊ
ŒĬǢȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊąĬĞêŒȊňÃŚßąêåȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊĉĥŒĉåêȊ
ÃĥåȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊĬŠŚŒĉåêǢȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊßÃŋêÿŠĞȊŠŒêȊ
ĬÿȊŚŷĬǸňÃŋŚȊ‚¯ȊĀĞŠêǢȊFȊąĬňêåȊŚĬȊąÃŶêȊĤÃåêȊ
ÃȊňêŋĤÃĥêĥŚǢȊĞĬĥĀǸĞÃŒŚĉĥĀȊŋêňÃĉŋǡȊFŚȊŷÃŒȊÃȊ
ŋêňêŚĉŚĉŶêȊÃĥåȊŚĉĤêǸßĬĥŒŠĤĉĥĀȊňŋĬßꌌǢȊ
ÞŠŚȊŒÃŚĉŒÿŽĉĥĀȊŚĬȊąÃŶêȊåĬĥêȊÃȊňŋĬňêŋȊĘĬÞǡ
6 A heat gun was used carefully to
soften the glue securing the
chewed rowlock.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 83

 LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE

MOB in the
Mersey
Solo sailor Tony Purcell discovered
how quickly a tricky situation can
develop when he fell overboard his
42ft yacht on a busy tidal river
Claudia Myatt

S
ince retiring a couple of years with shipping but actually it was very timetables for that day, high water was
ago I have been sailing quiet that Sunday evening. I cruised about 2200, so I wouldn’t be able to get
around the UK. Mainly they’re upriver under motor slowly because I had in till 2045 at the earliest.
day sails, leaving the boat in time to lose. Liverpool Marina is in the old
places, going back to it and Brunswick Dock, and there’s a lock so you Temporary stop
carrying on. I’m trying to visit all the need a couple of metres over the bar It was now 1930 so I thought, I’ll grab a
beautiful ports around the coast, and before you can go in. Based on the mooring buoy for an hour or so. I wanted
am having a great time. to watch the America’s Cup on YouTube.
I’ve got a 42ft boat, which is about as There are very few places to moor up
big as you want to sail single-handed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR the Mersey, but I found some small craft
A good friend of mine often sails with me Tony Purcell, 66, of moorings, with a huge round buoy without
but on this particular leg, I was single- Stow-on-the-Wold, a pick-up line. It was at least 750mm
handed. It was the end of August, I’d been Gloucestershire, was an across, with a big, round body.
enjoying the Irish coast that summer and engineer and ran a The tactic I normally use for a
had left the boat in Fleetwood a couple of consultancy internationally, temporary stop is to throw a large bowline
weeks earlier. often based overseas. He over it, which should drop over the top of
So I returned to Fleetwood Marina on has sailed since he was a child, but work the buoy and hook underneath it. Then,
30 August and set sail at about 0930 the always got in the way of boat ownership because it’s a very large bowline you can
following morning, bound for Liverpool so instead he chartered in different pull it out of the water, get to the knot and
50 miles away. It was a beautiful day, the places around the world. Upon release it. It’s something I’ve done many,
wind was Force 3 to 4, off the land as well, retirement a couple of years ago, Tony many times before.
ĞêÃåĉĥĀȊŚĬȊÃȊƍÃŚȊŒêÃǡȊFȊĤÃåêȊĀĬĬåȊňŋĬĀŋꌌȊ bought his Southerly 42, Triple D, and I dropped the loop over the large buoy
and got to the end of the Mersey at 1900. ąÃŒȊÞêêĥȊÿŠĞƌĞĞĉĥĀȊąĉŒȊåŋêÃĤȊĬÿȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊ but it snagged on top rather than sliding
I dropped my sails as usually it is busy around Britain’s challenging tidal waters. ĬŶêŋȊŚąêȊŒĉåêŒȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÞŠĬŽǡȊ”ąêĥȊĉĥȊÃȊƍÃŒąǢȊ

84 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MERSEY EMERGENCY

Triple D on a mooring
buoy – as Tony has done
countless times on his
round-Britain voyage

Aerial view of Liverpool waterside

area fronting on to the River Mersey RESCUE TIMINGS

HM Coastguard (HMCG) oversaw

this incident on 31 August 2024
„ 6.38pm – HMCG receives a 999
call from a member of the public
who saw Tony’s fall.
A.P.S. (UK)/Alamy

„ 6.40pm – New Brighton lifeboat

tasked.
„ 6.42pm – Wirral and Crosby
Coastguard Rescue Teams
alerted.
„ 6.48pm – Tony’s PLB alert is
activated.
I was hanging onto the lifelines on the couldn’t see anyone around but I have „ 6.50pm – Mersey Fire Service
wrong side of the boat. I don’t remember since found out that someone with great Marine Fire 1 (MERF1) team
slipping. I must have just leant too far and eyesight or binoculars had spotted my respond.
gone over. tumble and called 999, I’m very grateful. „ 6.51pm – Tony is pulled out of the
My automatic reaction must have been I was still holding on to the rope, which water and onto MERF1 rigid
to grab anything. I couldn’t lift myself onto I had been trying to drop over the buoy, ĉĥƍÃŚÃÞĞêȊÞĬÃŚǡ
the boat and I and I wasn’t going „ 7.01pm – Tony is back on his
couldn’t hang to let go of it. vessel.
there for long, so I ȂFĥȊÃȊƍÃŒąǢȊFȊŷÃŒȊąÃĥĀĉĥĀȊĬĥȊ I was effectively „ 7.26pm – the RNLI lifeboat helm
thought, “I’m ŚąêȊĞĉÿêĞĉĥêŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŷŋĬĥĀȊ attached to the reports concern for Tony following
going to have to yacht, which was his ingestion of water.
drop into the ŒĉåêȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÞĬÃŚȃ ƍĬÃŚĉĥĀȊÿŋêêǡȊ”ąêȊ „ 7.37pm – Tony’s PLB issues
water and sort chart predicted another distress alert – HMCG
things out from there.” the tide to be running at 2-3 knots but it requests that MERF1 ask Tony to

ŒȊŒĬĬĥȊÃŒȊFȊåĉåȊĤŽȊĞĉÿêĘÃßěêŚȊĉĥƍÃŚêåǡȊ was less by the mooring otherwise I may deactivate.
It was fairly shocking because, one minute have had the engine in tickover to keep „ 8.09pm – Coastguard Rescue
ago, I was having a normal day – now I was the boat stationary whilst I dropped the fÿƌßêŋŒȊDz fŒdzȊĤêêŚȊŷĉŚąȊ”ĬĥŽȊ
in a place I didn’t want to be. line over the buoy. Having the engine in aboard Triple D, medical checks
gear would have been very challenging are carried out. One of the CROs
Drifting boat once I was over the side. As it was the working on the Rescue Team is
It was August so the water temperature engine was in neutral, so we were just at a paramedic.
ŷÃŒȊƌĥêǡȊ<ĬŋŚŠĥÃŚêĞŽǢȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊßÃĞĤȊŷêÃŚąêŋȊ the mercy of the Mersey. I found out later „ 8.41pm – the Coastguard rescue
and everything was quite serene, I was that the boat drifted about half a mile, team is released from the scene.
quite a long way from the shore and according to my track.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 85

 LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE
^êŋŒêŽŒĉåêȊƌŋêȊÃĥåȊ
rescue patrol boat at
Pier Head Liverpool
Dave Booth/Alamy

We drifted into the centre of the entangled around the rope, attaching me
channel but fortunately, there were no big to the boat. So I was effectively tied to the
ships bearing down on us. However, it was rope. Another thing that I’ve learned from
not a good position to be in. I always this event is to always carry a knife.
sensibly – I thought! – kept a VHF radio in
my chest pocket, but now the lifejacket Quick response
ŷÃŒȊĉĥƍÃŚêåǢȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊŚĬŚÃĞĞŽȊĉĥÃßßꌌĉÞĞêǡȊ I’m not sure how long the emergency
services took to respond, it felt like about
‚XȊÃĞêŋŚ ƒƖȊĤĉĥŠŚêŒǡȊ
ȊŋĉĀĉåȊĉĥƍÃŚÃÞĞêȊÞĬÃŚȊDz FdzȊ
I realised it was going to take a while to turned up, which I thought would be the
get myself out of the water, so I activated _XFȊÞŠŚȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊŚąêȊƌŋêȊŒêŋŶĉßêȊŷĉŚąȊŚąŋêêȊ
my personal locator beacon (PLB), burly guys on board.
attached to my lifejacket: You pull the They threw me a line, which I grabbed,
ÃêŋĉÃĞȊĬŠŚǢȊĞĉÿŚȊÃȊƍÃňǢȊňŋꌌȊŚąêȊŋêåȊÞŠŚŚĬĥǢȊ and they pulled it in and hoisted me on the
and that sends an alert, via satellites. dinghy. Another thing that comes home to get me back on the boat so I could get
All the man overboard rescue advice you after an event like this is the effort it warm and get things back under control.
says it’s best to alert the emergency takes to pull somebody out of the water. I was surprised when they agreed, it
services early. It was time to use this I’m not a particularly big guy, I weigh seemed to suit both parties.
device, and I’m pleased I did. 70-80kg and it took three strong crew to
I thought about getting around the back drag me out of the water onto the boat. After effects
of the boat to the swimming ladder but Anyway, they managed it. I was in shock Back on board, I discovered that once a
that would have required letting go of the from the event and starting to feel cold. lifejacket has gone off, it’s really hard to
rope and I quite fancied keeping hold of They were keen to get me to the shore take off. I was bruised, either from going
the boat. Also, I keep my dinghy tied to the and off to hospital. But there was a boat over the side or being dragged into the
stern when sailing and, in hindsight, it ƍĬÃŚĉĥĀȊÿŋêêȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ^êŋŒêŽǢȊŷąĉßąȊĥêêåêåȊ FǢȊÃĥåȊFȊĥêêåêåȊąêĞňȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊƌŋêȊßŋêŷǡȊ
does restrict access to the swim ladder. making safe, plus, it contained my dry, I was soon in clean, dry clothes, with
There was another slight complication; clean clothes, and I could make myself a a hot cup of tea, and fortunately, I had
the PLB tethered to my lifejacket had nice hot cup of tea. So I suggested they spare lifejackets on the boat so on with
a new one.
”ąêȊ _XFȊßŋêŷȊÿŋĬĤȊ_êŷȊŋĉĀąŚĬĥȊŚąêĥȊ
LESSONS LEARNED ŚŠŋĥêåȊŠňȊĉĥȊŚąêĉŋȊĞÃŋĀêŋȊ FǢȊÞŠŚȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊ
still an hour and a half before the lock
„ PLBs are essential – Everyone should pocket can become inaccessible gate would open, so they hung around
have one. Invest in a PLB and ŷąêĥȊÃȊĞĉÿêĘÃßěêŚȊĉĥƍÃŚêŒǡ with me, talking and checking that I was
emergency position-indicating radio „ Secondary drowning is a real risk compos mentis because I was shaken up.
beacon (EPIRB) for your vessel and – after the paramedic mentioned it, Falling in is something I’ve never done
register them with the MCA. Mine FȊĞĬĬěêåȊĉĥȊĤŽȊĬĥÞĬÃŋåȊƌŋŒŚȊÃĉåȊ in 50 years of sailing, and don’t intend to
was the Ocean Signal PLB, which cost manual and there was nothing at all åĬȊÃĀÃĉĥǡȊFĥȊÃȊƍÃŒąǢȊFȊŷÃŒȊĉĥȊŊŠĉŚêȊÃȊ
about £300-350, I’ve just contacted about it. I looked it up on the internet åĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊŒĉŚŠÃŚĉĬĥǡȊFŚȊŷÃŒȊňŋĬÞÃÞĞŽȊĘŠŒŚȊ
them again and it’s going to cost and there was information there but over-familiarity, having sailed the boat
about £200 for a new battery. many people don’t seem to know some 4,000 miles around the UK. I just
„ Keep equipment in pockets that are about it. It’s never come up on any of don’t know how I ended up over the side.
accessible even when your lifejacket ŚąêȊƌŋŒŚȊÃĉåȊßĬŠŋŒêŒȊFȃŶêȊåĬĥêǡ I’m taking a lot more care now.
expands. „ Wear a lifejacket. I was wearing a Once the lock gates opened, I continued
„ Always carry a sharp knife to cut Seago self-ĉĥƍÃŚĉĥĀȊĞĉÿêĘÃßěêŚ. I’ve on alone because they couldn’t follow me
away tangled rope or material, in a replaced the cartridge on it, so it’s ŚąŋĬŠĀąǡȊ”ąêȊ°ĉŋŋÃĞȊĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊ êŒßŠêȊ
pocket that is accessible. back to normal now, although it could Team was waiting to take my lines in the
„ Keep your handheld VHF radio where do with a service. marina. So I was served by three of the
you can get at it – beware that a chest „ Keep a spare lifejacket on board. rescue services. They were all brilliant.
Having someone to assist at the marina

86 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 MERSEY EMERGENCY

Expert response
Michael Buratti,
Coastal Operations
Area Commander
for HM Coastguard,
comments:
Tony was unlucky
to end up in the
water and it could easily have
turned into tragedy. But this
incident ended well because he did
everything right – he had the
appropriate equipment and
knowledge to increase his safety.
Thankfully in this case assets
were able to respond rapidly to
Tony’s distress signal, and a call to
HM Coastguard made by a
member of the public via 999.
Tony’s PLB activated at 6.48pm,
and by 6.51pm he was pulled
aboard a Fire Service Rescue
vessel. The RNLI also responded
with a lifeboat, and Coastguard
êŒßŠêȊfÿƌßêŋŒȊŷêŋêȊŒêĥŚȊŚĬȊĤêêŚȊ
Tony to assess the injuries he’d
reported.
Inhalation of water can be very
serious and in rare cases could
result in secondary drowning – a
medical condition which can
restrict airways and cause a shock
reaction where casualties can
was helpful because I wasn’t performing ABOVE Triple D, Tony Purcell’s Southerly 42 at deteriorate rapidly.
my best in terms of boat handling skills. anchor in the Outer Hebrides – his favourite HM Coastguard’s Network
place so far on his round-Britain adventures
I was shaken up. Once moored up, one of Commander recorded that Tony’s
ŚąêȊßĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåȊĬÿƌßêŋŒǢȊŷąĬȊĉŒȊÃĞŒĬȊÃȊƌŋŒŚȊ PLB distress call meant that even
responder, checked my oxygen levels and good shower I felt a lot better and able if he hadn’t been seen by a caller
pulse etc. He gave me the all clear and to continue my trip, so I sailed on to meet onshore, the Coastguard would
they left me to it. a friend at Conway. Three days later, have been alerted to his
But that wasn’t the end of it in terms of I developed back pain, which turned predicament due to his foresight in
the effect. The paramedic had warned me out to be the onset of pneumonia. I was both carrying a PLB and wearing a
about secondary drowning, which is when groggy for several days until I got to the lifejacket.
ƍŠĉåŒȊßÃĥȊÞŠĉĞåȊŠňȊŚąŋêêȊĬŋȊÿĬŠŋȊąĬŠŋŒȊ doctor and got some antibiotics. I’d recommend that all those
after you’ve been immersed. I’d not really In hindsight, maybe a trip to the aboard watercraft invest in a high
come across this before. hospital at the time could have been quality and well-serviced lifejacket
FȊąÃåȊÃȊňÃĉĥÿŠĞǢȊåĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊĥĉĀąŚȊĉĥȊÞêåǢȊĤŽȊ worthwhile, as staff might have said and an effective PLB device that
breathing was gurgly. The next day after a ‘you’ve been in the Mersey, here are some can rapidly alert us to a dangerous
antibiotics just in case’. situation on the water.
Tony’s swift rescue was due in
Carrying on no small part to relatively simple
It was quite a thing to get back on the boat preparations he’d made before
the next day and but the advice is always even setting off.
to get back in the saddle and all that. I’m „ ąĤßĬÃŒŚĀŠÃŋåǡŠěǮĬĥÞĬÃŋå
just more cautious about leaning over too
far over when mooring up.
Triple D was originally based in Cardiff My boat is now in Dartmouth so this
but one of the things I wanted to do before spring I might explore around the Isles
I settled on a home port was to sail around of Scilly, and then head to the Channel
the British Isles, it has really lovely Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, before
challenging waters. åĬĉĥĀȊŚąêȊ ĬŠĥåȊŚąêȊFŒĞÃĥåȊ ÃßêȊÃŋĬŠĥåȊ
I sailed the South and East coasts in the Isle of Wight. I wish I’d done this
2021, the Orkney’s and Shetland in 2022, voyage 10 years ago.
the Outer Hebrides in 2023 and Ireland
and the West coast in 2024. The highlight
so far has been the Outer Hebrides, it was Send us your boating experience story
If it’s published you’ll receive the original
just gorgeous with stunning scenery and
Claudia Myatt-signed watercolour which is
lots of little bays you can go into, and I was ňŋĉĥŚêåȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊÃŋŚĉßĞêǡȊ¶ĬŠȃĞĞȊƌĥåȊPBO’s
Tony at Triple D’s helm very fortunate, the weather was super. contact details on page 5.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 87

 Ask the experts
Got a question? Email pbo@futurenet.com
For more expert advice,
visit pbo.co.uk/expert-advice/expert-answers

BOATS

Older yachts were built to last

Q I’m interested in the
prospective life of boats.
There is often talk about
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies
responds:
Certainly, I look around and
wouldn’t be sailing boats that
are write-offs.
When that Westerly came
act in terms of longevity.
Yes, your Oysters and one
or two others cost megabucks
modern GRP boats having a think there are a lot of boats on the market in the 1960s, it and they’ll still be around for a
life of 25 years. 50-plus years old that are still cost more than the average long time.
But if you see a yacht as a very serviceable. And when house – it doesn’t now. But look at the difference of
long-term asset, then 25 you look at why, it’s because The average boat on sale at what we’re talking about –
years is really not long at all. they’re built with a hull an inch the Southampton Boat Show they cost three times the price
You could buy a 30-year-old thick (25mm) instead of the now costs a fraction of a of my house instead of the
Westerly from the 1980s for 5mm of today. Modern three-bedroom house in same as my house.
£35,000 and it’s still in materials and construction London or the South Coast.
wonderful condition. That methods allow this, of course, It’s all relative.
gives you some idea of what’s but you get the drift. The growing ability of Ben Sutcliffe-
been possible in the past and If we were to invest a little people to buy boats means Davies
what should really be possible bit of time and effort in the costs have been driven is a marine
now and going forward into building a boat at the start, we down –which is great in terms surveyor and
regular PBO
the future. would save the environment of making them accessible
contributor
Eric Beech at the end as we – but it’s a balancing

A second-hand yacht like this

Ed Dubois-deigned Westerly
Fulmar from the 1980s might
cost up to £30,000 but is likely
to be in perfect condition

Colin Work/Pixstel/TI Archive

88 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 EXPERTS

ANTIFOULING

Is fouling getting worse?

Q My boat was recently A bad case of fouling…
but is it getting worse
lifted out of a marina near
around our coasts?
Southampton and I was
amazed by the amount of
fouling. It was as bad as I’ve
ever seen it. I’m wondering
why that should happen in
ĬĥĞŽȊƌŶêȊĤĬĥŚąŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ ĉŶêŋȊ
Hamble.
I have a suspicion that the
water looks more full of
protein, organic matter than
I’ve ever seen. I wonder if
that’s feeding the growth?
PBO reader at Southampton
Boat Show

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies
responds:
People are more conscious
nowadays of the type of
antifouling products they use.

Future
We’ve lost some of the
really effective – but
detrimental to the
environment – antifouling leading to an increase in You only have to look at the now more oftern. As my boat’s
quite rightly, but also the fouling in certain areas. news to get an idea of the on a tidal mooring, I’m able to
water quality is changing. Another factor could be ÃĤĬŠĥŚȊĬÿȊêÿƍŠêĥŚȊåĉŒßąÃŋĀêåȊ walk in the water and scrub
As an example, Leyland boat use. Many antifouling around the coast, so it could the bottom off.
Marina in South Wales is tidal. products work best when the be that is having an effect.
For the last hour of the ebb, boat is being used regularly, My boat is on the Thames
the water is virtually fresh rather than sitting relatively estuary, and early in the year David Johnson
from all the water running off still on a mooring. ĉŚȊĉŒȊňŋĬĞĉƌßȊŷĉŚąȊÞÃŋĥÃßĞêŒǢȊ of Wessex Resins
the land – and with all the then later on weed. It’s all part is a West System
epoxy and
agricultural chemical run-off David Johnson responds: of boat ownership and
boatbuilding
that brings. As a boat owner, I’ve had the scrubbing it off is something expert
Perhaps this sort of thing is same experience. we’ve all got to do, perhaps

ELECTRONICS

Can VHF and AIS run on the same aerial?

Q FȃĤȊňĞÃĥĥĉĥĀȊŚĬȊƌŚȊÃĥȊ
FŒȊ
transceiver to my yacht
ÃĥåȊFȊßÃĥȃŚȊåêßĉåêȊĉÿȊFȊŒąĬŠĞåȊƌŚȊ
dictates its centre frequency,
so if you use a splitter on a
VHF voice antenna that is
So I’ve always been very
keen on having a separate AIS
antenna and hanging it on a
a splitter or not, so that my centred on 156MHz it’s not short pole attached to the
AIS can share the same aerial going to be very good at the back of the boat, out of the
as my VHF radio. 162MHz that AIS requires– so way of everything. In an
Also, I am unclear about the what’s the point? emergency, it also serves as a
difference between passive If you can separate the voice VHF antenna, should the
and active splitters. Can you antenna systems, that’s really mast come down.
offer any help? the way to go. Splitters are a compromise
Robert Campbell Another thing important to and a route not worth going
the whole subject is that if down if you can avoid it. If you
James Turner replies: we’re talking sailboats, an can possibly do separate
Regarding the antenna, the antenna at the top of the mast antennas, then do separate
most important VHF channel gives a fantastic 20-mile-plus antennas.
for voice is Ch16 because VHF range. But does anyone
LecartPhotos/Alamy

that’s the ‘help me, I’m sinking’ really need AIS at 20 miles
James Turner
channel. And the frequency range? That ship might worked in the
for AIS is absolutely at the change course, you might antenna business
other end of the marine VHF change course, tack, gybe or and can be found
VHF radio aerial, yes, on the YouTube
spectrum. So, whereas Ch16 is but do you really need whatever, and things are very
channel Boating
on 156MHz, AIS is at 162MHz. an AIS antenna at the different at 20 miles than they Equipment
For any antenna, its length top of the mast? are at closer to four miles. Reviews

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 89

Your cruising destinations, near and far
We pay for published cruising stories, email
pbo@futurenet.com, read more at pbo.co.uk/cruising

Photos: Timothy Waitt

Waterloo
N Bridge

Lambeth
Bridge

Kensington National
Chelsea Victoria
Joy goose-winged on Bridge Railway Bridge Theatre
approach to Big Ben
Chelsea Lambeth

London in a
Putney
Bridge
Fulham Battersea
Railway Power station
Bridge
Battersea

Mirror dinghy
Putney 0 2
Wandsworth
Bridge miles

Timothy Waitt sails his 10ft wooden vessel Wanting to do more day-sailing and to
engage my children in the sport, I got
on the tidal Thames from Putney to Waterloo a Mirror dinghy,which we named Joy.
<ĬĞĞĬŷĉĥĀȊÃȊĞĬßěåĬŷĥȊŋêƌŚȊÃĥåȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊ
on the Deben and Ore in Suffolk, from

T
ŒêňŚêĤÞêŋȊƓƑƓƑȊFȊŋêŚŠŋĥêåȊŚĬȊXĬĥåĬĥǡ
he River Thames has an ßĬĤĤêŋßĉÃĞȊŚŋÃÿƌßǡȊ”ŋêêŒȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ Launching from Putney and mostly
inspiring past. Historically its riverside parks hide the city grey and sailing downstream, I got to know the
tides carried trade in and out wildlife thrives, herons and cormorants ŋĉŶêŋǡȊ”ĉåêŒȊßÃŋŋĉêåȊĤêȊĬĥȊÃȊŒĞĬŷȊåŋĉÿŚȊ
of the capital and it is still ßÃĥȊÞêȊŒêêĥǡȊ”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊňêÃßêÿŠĞȊ downstream with barely steerage. I have
used to carry bulk supplies. communities of houseboats giving the blasted along in choppy wind-against-tide
Each high tide barge trains carry waste banks a village feel. At low water, a waters; working hard not to capsize.
out – taking almost 60 lorries off the peaceful quiet landscape appears. A suitable high tide gives a fantastic
road. Commuter and trip boats ply its evening sail after work – a great antidote
waters. But there is also a tranquil side XĬßěåĬŷĥȊŋêƌŚ ŚĬȊÃȊŒŚŋꌌÿŠĞȊåÃŽǦȊ
ȊŒąĬŋŚȊŒÃĉĞȊŠňŋĉŶêŋȊ
to its waters that few see. FȃŶêȊŒÃĉĞêåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊŒĉĥßêȊƓƑƒƖǢȊ takes you to various pubs, including the
At low tide, the bustling sounds fade as initially racing a Laser with the Southbank Ship at Mortlake (beach landing) and the
you journey below the bank. It is one of the Sailing Club on Barn Elms Reach, Putney. Black Lion at Chiswick (river stairs with
few, solitary places in this frenetic city. At high tide, a substantial, tranquil sailing mooring rings adjacent).
Upriver of Vauxhall bridge the waterway is ÃŋêÃȊĉŒȊŋêŶêÃĞêåȊǺȊƑǡƖěĤȊżȊƓěĤǡȊFȊåĉåȊĤŽȊ ŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊŚąĉŒȊŒêߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊ
wider and less cluttered with limited ĬĥĞŽȊßÃňŒĉƅêŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊąêŋêǦ requires passage planning and good

90 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CRUISING NOTES

Despite its low appearance, Joy beached

Timothy sailed under Victoria opposite Battersea
Railway Bridge with full rig up Power Station

seamanship. As the saying goes – if the Running with fast boat speed under the awful tide and standing waves inspired
tide is not with you, it’s against you. In a bridge and emerging into confused winds much research.
sailing dinghy, this is particularly true and often left me stalled. ”ąêȊĤÃĉĥȊňŋĬÞĞêĤȊĉŒȊÃŚȊąĉĀąȊŷÃŚêŋȊŷąêĥȊ
in Joy, unless there is a strong wind, I have ŚąêȊÞêÃßąȊĉŒȊßĬŶêŋêåȊŚąêȊŷÃŶêŒȊŋêƍêߌȊĬÿÿȊ
ĞĉŚŚĞêȊĬňŚĉĬĥȊÞŠŚȊŚĬȊĀĬȊŷĉŚąȊŚąêȊŚĉåêǦ ÃŋêÿŠĞȊĥÃŶĉĀÃŚĉĬĥ the embankments creating a clapotic
With light winds and a strong tide, a Charts do need to be considered as depths chop – steep pointy waves. I planned to
sedate downriver sail can turn into a tough vary substantially. Hitting a low spot in a avoid this by going in and out of the
ÞêÃŚȊÞÃßěȊŠňŋĉŶêŋǡȊ”ąêȊÿŠĥĥêĞĞĉĥĀȊêÿÿêߌȊĬÿȊ Mirror is dramatic as the centreplate ¯ÃŠżąÃĞĞȊŚĬȊ”ĬŷêŋȊŋĉåĀêȊŒêߌĉĬĥȊÃŚȊĞĬŷȊ
wind through the buildings, plus the tide, ßÃĥĥĬŚȊŋĉŒêǡȊ”ąêȊåĉĥĀąŽȊåĬêŒȊÃĥȊêĤêŋĀêĥߎȊ water when the exposed banks would
often means that regardless of the actual stop, throwing the stern forwards and the ŋêåŠßêȊŷÃŶêŒǡȊ”ĬȊĤĉĥĉĤĉŒêȊŋĉŶêŋȊŚŋÃÿƌßȊFȊ
wind direction, you bow down. My wooden ňĞÃĥĥêåȊÃĥȊêÃŋĞŽȊŒŚÃŋŚȊǺȊĉĥȊÃĥåȊĬŠŚȊÞŽȊƒƑƑƑǡȊ
are either running ‘Joy ran, goose- centreboard is easily ŒÃĉĞȊåĬŷĥȊĬĥȊŚąêȊêÞÞǢȊĀêŚȊŚĬȊ”ĬŷêŋȊŋĉåĀêȊ
or beating. repaired with varnish close to low water, and get out.
Sailing under bridges ŷĉĥĀêåǢȊňÃŒŚȊŚąêȊ and epoxy, and a saw
was terrifying in BĬŠŒêŒȊĬÿȊ‚ÃŋĞĉÃĤêĥŚȃ ĉÿȊĥêêåêåǦ ĉŚŽȊßÃĞĞĉĥĀ
anticipation; they look At low water, stakes It’s a funny mix of excitement, fear, energy
lower than they are. In fact, they are and concrete lumps are revealed– and nerves getting ready for a dinghy trip.
easier; the wind is steady, the tide carries probably the cause of groundings. ąÃŋŚŒȊߊŚȊŠňȊŒĬȊŚąêŽȊƌŚȊĉĥȊŚąêȊĤÃňȊßÃŒêǤȊ
you through and, in a Mirror, there is room A good lookout is also vital. Powerboats Notices to Mariners checked; pilotage
ŚĬȊŚÃßěǡȊ”ąÃŚȊŒÃĉåǢȊĤŽȊƌŋŒŚȊŚĉĤêȊŠĥåêŋȊ pop up silently and rapidly; a good look notes laminated; snacks; as always a lot
Hammersmith I dropped the yard and the ahead and behind is essential. I sail of jobs to do. But I love the adventure and
halyard disappeared up the mast. I conservatively; after all, there is no safety freedom of sailing.
managed to land on a nearby jetty, lower boat cover and with bridges and river Low spring tide at London Bridge at
the mast, re-thread the halyard and sail ŚŋÃÿƌßȊÃȊßÃňŒĉƅêȊĉŒȊŚĬȊÞêȊÃŶĬĉåêåǡ ƑƚƖƑȊĤêÃĥŚȊÃĥȊêÃŋĞŽȊŒŚÃŋŚǡȊƑƖƑƑȊŷÃŒȊŚąêȊ
ĬĥǡȊ”ąêȊÃňňŋĬÃßąȊĉŒȊĬÿŚêĥȊŚąêȊĤĬŒŚȊ ”ąêȊÞŠŒĉêŒŚȊŋĉŶêŋȊŒêߌĉĬĥȊĉŒȊÞêŚŷêêĥȊ ňĞÃĥȊŚĬȊåŋĉŶêȊŚĬȊ‚ŠŚĥêŽǢȊƑƗƑƑȊŋĉĀȊÃĥåȊ
åĉÿƌßŠĞŚȊÃŒȊŚąêȊŷĉĥåǢȊŒŚŋêÃĤĉĥĀȊÿŋĬĤȊŚąêȊ ¯ÃŠżąÃĞĞȊÃĥåȊ”ĬŷêŋȊŋĉåĀêǤȊŚŋÃÿƌßȊ ĞÊĥßąȊÃŚȊƑƘƑƑȊŚĬȊÃĞĞĬŷȊŚąŋêêȊąĬŠŋŒȃȊ
arches, swirls and heads you. Also, the increases and the river narrows. But it is sailing time. I had checked the forecast
tide can push you onto buttresses or iconic, passing many London landmarks. ÃĞĞȊŷêêěǣȊ<ĬŋßêȊƒǸƓȊĀĬĉĥĀȊŚĬȊƔǸƕȊĉĥȊŚąêȊ
ÃŋßąêŒȊÞêÿĬŋêȊŽĬŠȊąÃŶêȊŒňÃßêǡȊ”ąêȊŚŋĉßěȊĉŒȊ
ȊŚŋĉňȊŚąŋĬŠĀąȊ”ĬŷêŋȊŋĉåĀêȊŚŠĀĀêåȊÃŚȊĤêǡȊ afternoon – not ideal, but worth a try.
short-tacking to get into a good position, ”ąêȊßĬĞĞêߌĉŶêȊŷĉŒåĬĤȊÿŋĬĤȊÿêĞĞĬŷȊŒÃĉĞĬŋŒȊ On arrival, there was no wind. I set off
then tacking once under the arch. ĬĥȊ<ÃßêÞĬĬěȊŷÃŒȊȂåĬĥȃŚǦȃȊ#ĉŋêȊŷÃŋĥĉĥĀŒȊĬÿȊ ÃŚȊƑƘƕƖǢȊåŋĉÿŚĉĥĀȊßĞêÃŋȊĬÿȊŚąêȊÃĤÞŋĉåĀêȊ

Named Joy for the

pleasure she brings ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Timothy Waitt is a member
at Broxbourne Sailing Club.
After years trailer-sailing
his wooden Mirror dinghy
Joy pulled by a trusty VW
camper van, he needed a
vessel more suitable to take non-sailing
crew and for estuary sailing. After much
advice from Facebook, PBO back issues
for reviews and balancing budgets, he’s
just got a Laser 13. He’s looking forward
to sailing the Thames and Medway
Estuaries plus the East Coast rivers.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 91

 CRUISING NOTES

Essential provisioning... Being careful to avoid

the exclusion zone off
the MI6’s SIS building

University Boat Club training crews. I used could not have been more different, it kept calm. I didn’t rush, fearing a repeat failure.
oars to get into the stream and did a clear, slowed down, a decisive manoeuvre. FȊŷÃŒȊĬÿÿȊÃŚȊÃÞĬŠŚȊƑƖƕƖǤȊąÃŶĉĥĀȊŋĬŷêåȊ
controlled drift under Putney Bridge.
ŚȊƒƓƑƑǢȊêÃŒŚȊĬÿȊ°ÃĥåŒŷĬŋŚąȊŋĉåĀêǢȊ under Putney Bridge, there was enough
At Fulham Railway Bridge I lashed the I pulled Joy up the beach on what for me ÞŋêêƅêȊŚĬȊŒÃĉĞǡȊ”ąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊňêŋÿêßŚĞŽȊŋêƍêߌêåȊ
sail between yard and boom, lowered the is an essential piece of kit – a swimming ŚąêȊßąŠŋßąȊÃŚȊÃŚŚêŋŒêÃȊÃŚȊƑƗƔƚȊǺȊŒąĬŷĉĥĀȊ
ĘĉÞȊÃĥåȊŋĬŷêåǡȊ”ąêȊŒŠĥȊąÃåȊŋĉŒêĥȊŚĬȊĀĉŶêȊ ňĬĬĞȊĥĬĬåĞêȊŚŠŋĥêåȊĉĥŚĬȊÃȊňŋêŚƅêĞǦ how slowly I was going. Shortly after I had
ÞĞŠêȊŒěĉêŒǡȊ_ĬȊŷĉĥåȊĤêÃĥŚȊƍÃŚȊŷÃŚêŋȊÃĥåȊ I surprised a yoga class on the ÃĥȊÃÞŋŠňŚȊŒŚĬňȊÃŒȊFȊŋÃĥȊÃĀŋĬŠĥåǡȊ”ąêȊĥêżŚȊ
ŚąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊĞĉŚŚĞêȊŚŋÃÿƌßǡȊ
ŒȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊŚŷĉŒŚêåȊ embankment as I popped up the ladder ƓěĤȊŚĬĬěȊĤêȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ‚êÃßêȊ‚ÃĀĬåÃȊÃŚȊ
the sun was in my eyes and I wished for in a blue wetsuit and buoyancy aid. Coffee ÃŚŚêŋŒêÃȊ‚ÃŋěǡȊ”ąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊêĥĬŠĀąȊŷĉĥåȊ
my sunglasses. from Caserta near Wandsworth Bridge ŚĬȊßÃŋŋŽȊĬĥȊŒĬȊFȊßÃĞĞêåȊĉĥȊŚĬȊŠňåÃŚêȊ¯”Œǡ
I reached Battersea Railway Bridge at was lovely. By the time I got back, Joy was ŽȊƑƘƔƘȊFȊŷÃŒȊÃŚȊŚąêȊ^FƗȊÞŠĉĞåĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊ
ƑƙƓƑǢȊŷąêŋêȊŚąêȊąĬŠŒêÞĬÃŚŒȊňŋĬŶĉåêȊÃȊ ÃƍĬÃŚȊÃĥåȊåŋĉÿŚĉĥĀȊĬÿÿǤȊFȊąÃåĥȃŚȊåêňĞĬŽêåȊ ŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊĤŠßąȊÞêŚŚêŋǤȊÃŒȊŚąêȊŷĉĥåȊŚąêĥȊƌĞĞêåȊ
ŶĉĞĞÃĀêȊÿêêĞǡȊ”ąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊÃȊ ŚąêȊÃĥßąĬŋǦȊ
ȊåÃŒąȊ in and the tide slackened. I made Lambeth
heron on the bank. I
looked out for Chelsea
Ȃ”ąêȊŋêŚŠŋĥȊŚŋĉňȊąÃåȊ across the beach and
boat was rescued...
ŋĉåĀêȊÃŚȊƑƘƕƖȊÃĥåȊŋÃĥǢȊĀĬĬŒêǸŷĉĥĀêåǢȊ
past the Houses of Parliament.
Bridge and the tricky ŚąêȊŷĉĥåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊĥĬŒêǡȊ ĞꌌĬĥȊĞêÃŋĥêåǦ I was alongside the London Eye at
space between it and ”ąêȊŋêŚŠŋĥȊŚŋĉňȊŷÃŒȊ ƑƙƑƑǢȊĤÃěĉĥĀȊÃÞĬŠŚȊƓǡƓƓȊěĥĬŚŒȊÃĀÃĉĥŒŚȊ
Victoria Railway Bridge; FȊåĉåȊƒƔƘȊŚÃßěŒǦȃ uneventful with pleasant the tide. Under Waterloo Bridge and
hidden despite it being sailing in calm conditions. FȊÞêÃßąêåȊÞêĥêÃŚąȊŚąêȊ_ÃŚĉĬĥÃĞȊ”ąêÃŚŋêȊÃŚȊ
ĘŠŒŚȊƒƑƑǸƓƑƑĤȊÞêŽĬĥåǡȊ°ĉŚąȊŚąêȊÞŋĉåĀêŒȊ After Putney Bridge the wind went light ƑƙƓƒǡȊ”ąêȊŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊŷÃŒȊêÃŒŽȊÃĥåȊŋĉŶêŋȊŚŋÃÿƌßȊ
so close, high river walls and moored and swirly so I rowed. With a crowded slip ĤÃĥÃĀêÃÞĞêǡȊ”ąêȊêÃŋĞŽȊŒŚÃŋŚȊąÃåȊňÃĉåȊĬÿÿǡ
barges, the wind swirls here and sailing is I headed for the end but the tide swept me While having coffee on the beach from
tricky. Rowing with no wind was easy. past the slipway. Rowing back I made slow the AeroPress and Florentines, an
I had wanted to go down to Parliament progress until I got into shallow water. inspection of the centreboard revealed
at Westminster and beyond but without
ŒȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊƍĬĬåêåȊŚąêȊŋĬÃåǢȊFȊąŠŋŋĉêåȊ interesting damage but it would get me
a breeze, it wasn’t safe. Previous trips had to do my trailer checklist and go. It was a ąĬĤêǡȊ”ąêȊŚĉåêȊŷÃŒȊŋĉŒĉĥĀȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊŷĉĥåȊ
shown me a beach on the shore opposite ÿÃĥŚÃŒŚĉßȊŚŋĉňȊĬÿȊƒƗěĤȊŒÃĉĞêåǢȊêŶêĥȊĉÿȊFȊ strengthening so it was time to go.
Battersea Power Station; my abort point. didn’t reach my prize. FȊŋêňĬŋŚêåȊĉĥȊŚĬȊ¯”ŒȊǺȊÃĀÃĉĥȊŶêŋŽȊąêĞňÿŠĞȊ
FȊĞÃĥåêåȊÃŚȊƑƙƕƘȊÃĥåȊŒňêĥŚȊÃȊŋêĞÃżêåȊ – and set off. I headed upriver in between
ŚŷĬȊąĬŠŋŒǢȊÃĥßąĬŋêåȊƓǸƔĤȊÿŋĬĤȊŒąĬŋêǢȊ ŒêßĬĥåȊÃŚŚêĤňŚ the moored barges before crossing over
seemingly alone in a watery wilderness. Work, weather, then trouble with my to the north bank. A proximity alert on a
”ąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊĞĉňňêŋŒǢȊÃĞŒĬȊěĥĬŷĥȊÃŒȊšÞêŋȊ towing vehicle meant it was not until nine ÞÃŋĀêȊŋêŒŠĞŚêåȊĉĥȊĞĬŠåȊŋêßĬŋåêåȊĀŠĞĞȊßÃĞĞŒǦ
Boats, coming alongside the pier opposite months later that I decided to try again. With an empty river I used most of the
ĀêĥŚĞŽȊŒŷÃŽêåȊĤŽȊÞĬÃŚǡȊ”ąêȊŚĉåêȊňĬŠŋêåȊ XĬŷȊŚĉåêȊÃŚȊXĬĥåĬĥȊŋĉåĀêȊŷÃŒȊƑƘƑƑȊŒĬȊ stream to tack past the Wheel, but found
past. It was strange to see, feel and hear FȊňĞÃĥĥêåȊŚĬȊŒÃĉĞȊÃŚȊƑƖƑƑǡȊ
ȊßÃĞĞȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ‚ĬŋŚȊ ÃĤĉåŒŚȊŚŋÃÿƌßȊFȊŚąêĥȊąÃåȊŚĬȊŒąĬŋŚȊŚÃßěȊňÃŒŚȊ
the boat’s movement through the water. of London Authority (PLA) at London Parliament, keeping clear of the buoys
I munched fruitcake and drank coffee. ŶꌌêĞȊŚŋÃÿƌßȊŒêŋŶĉßêŒȊDz¯”ŒȊdzȊŷÃŒȊĤĬŒŚȊ ĤÃŋěĉĥĀȊŚąêȊƔƑĤȊêżßĞŠŒĉĬĥȊƅĬĥêǡ
”ąêȊŷĉĥåȊŒĞĬŷĞŽȊßÃĤêȊĉĥȊŒĬȊFȊŋĉĀĀêåȊ ąêĞňÿŠĞǡȊ°ÃěĉĥĀȊÃŚȊƑƔƕƖȊŚąêŋêȊŷÃŒȊÃȊƍÃŚȊ ”ąêȊŋêŚŠŋĥȊŚŋĉňȊąÃåȊŚąêȊŷĉĥåȊĬĥȊŚąêȊĥĬŒêȊ
hoping to get further along but with the ŚąêȊŷąĬĞêȊŷÃŽǡȊFȊßĬŠĥŚêåȊŚąÃŚȊFȊåĉåȊƒƔƘȊŚÃßěŒȊ
ĞĉĀąŚǢȊƍŠěŽȊÞŋêêƅêǢȊĉŚȊŷÃŒȊĥĬŚȊŚĬȊÞêǡȊ An after work snooze! ĬĥȊĤŽȊ=‚ŒǦȊ^ŽȊŚêßąĥĉŊŠêȊąÃåȊĥĬŚĉßêÃÞĞŽȊ
I rowed through Victoria railway bridge, improved by the end. I got back to Putney
then in clean air pulled in the mainsheet ÃŚȊƒƑƕƖǤȊĀĉŶĉĥĀȊÃȊŋêŚŠŋĥȊŚŋĉňȊĬÿȊŚŷĬȊąĬŠŋŒǡȊ
and sailed seamlessly on. fŶêŋÃĞĞȊFȊŒÃĉĞêåȊƓƖǡƘƖěĤǢȊÃĥåȊÃŶêŋÃĀêåȊ
ÃÞĬŠŚȊƕȊěĥĬŚŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊŷÃŽȊÞÃßěǤȊĥĬŚȊÞÃåȊÿĬŋȊ
Near misses ÃȊƒƑÿŚǢȊƕƙǸŽêÃŋǸĬĞåȊåĉĥĀąŽǦȊ
Downstream of Battersea I had a touch
ÃĥåȊĀĬȊĤĬĤêĥŚȊŷĉŚąȊÃĥȊšÞêŋȊĬÃŚǡȊ”ąêȊ
river police were there and told me that We pay for any cruising stories
they spoke to the boat on VHF. My and harbour updates that we publish
experience with the Cockney Sparrow Email yours to pbo@futurenet.com

92 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk

 CRUISING NOTES

BĬŷȊŚĬȊŒÃĉĞȊŚąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊÃÞĬŶêȊ”ĬŷêŋȊŋĉåĀê
‚ĉĞĬŚÃĀê Joy on the beach outside the
QȊȊFĤŋÃŽȊßąÃŋŚȊƓȊßĬŶêŋŒȊŚąĉŒȊŒŚŋêŚßąȊĬÿȊ National Theatre, with St Paul’s
Cathedral and the city in
ŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊĉĥȊŒêߌĉĬĥŒǡȊ”ąêȊ‚ĬŋŚȊĬÿȊ background
London Authority (PLA) website
(www.pla.co.uk) and the Active
”ąÃĤêŒȊĀŠĉåêȊDzactivethames.co.uk)
ÃŋêȊĀĬĬåȊŒŚÃŋŚĉĥĀȊňĬĉĥŚŒǡȊ”ąêȊ‚X
Ȋ
Bridge Guide is very helpful.
QȊȊ”ąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊ”ĉåêŷÃŽȊĬåêȊÃåŶĉßêȊ
for rowers has useful information for
ŒÃĉĞĬŋŒǡȊ”ąêȊ‚X
Ȋ‚ĬŋŚȊFĥÿĬŋĤÃŚĉĬĥȊ
Guide, General Directions for
navigation and Notice to Mariners
should also be checked. Get the PLA
ÃňňȊÃĥåȊŚąĉŒȊĉŒȊÃĞĞȊÃŚȊŽĬŠŋȊƌĥĀêŋŚĉňŒǡ
QȊȊąêßěȊŚąêȊ(ÞÞȊ”ĉåêȊ°ÃŋĥĉĥĀȊ<ĞÃĀȊ
–warning rowers in particular of the
ŋĉŒěŒȊĬÿȊŒŚŋĬĥĀȊŋĉŶêŋȊÃĥåȊŚĉåÃĞȊƍĬŷŒȊ
– but applicable to all.

ßßꌌȊňĬĉĥŚŒ
”ąêŋêȊÃŋêȊŶÃŋĉĬŠŒȊŒĞĉňŷÃŽŒȊĬĥȊŚĬȊŚąêȊ
”ąÃĤêŒȊǺȊ=ĬĬĀĞêȊĬŋȊŒĉĤňĞŽȊŷÃĞěĉĥĀȊ
along the river is a good way of
ƌĥåĉĥĀȊŚąêĤȊÃĥåȊŒĬȊÃŋêȊ LEFT Carefully cutting up of the Imray
Thames chart meant Timothy got the whole
activethames.co.uk/thames-map stretch from Putney to The Prospect of
and www.boatlaunch.co.uk. Many Whitby all visible in the map case!
aren’t suitable because of limited
parking, or tidal range. An channel. If you are going against the
advance visit is advisable. tide, then at bends and bridges you have
I’ve used Putney Embankment an obligation to give way to vessels with
where the rowing slipway is large the tide. After all, you can stop; they
and easy to launch by hand ßÃĥȃŚǦȊŒêêȊŚąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊÞŽêĞÃŷŒȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ
throughout the tidal range with PLA website.
reasonable parking. It gets busy VHF is not required but it is useful to
ŷĉŚąȊŋĬŷêŋŒȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊŋĬÃåȊƍĬĬåŒǡȊ ĤĬĥĉŚĬŋȊXĬĥåĬĥȊ¯”ŒȊąƒƕǡȊ¶ĬŠȊĤŠŒŚȊŚêĞĞȊ
”ąêŋêȊĉŒȊŋĉŶêŋȊÃßßꌌȊÞŽȊŚąêȊŒąĉňȊ XĬĥåĬĥȊ¯”ŒȊĉÿȊŽĬŠȊÃŋêȊĀĬĉĥĀȊÞêĞĬŷȊ
at Mortlake – it is pebbles and Vauxhall Bridge –either by VHF or
mud again so hand launch one mobile. Learn the sound signals – power
or two hours either side of high tide. and you’ll struggle to make headway boats must sound them before turning.
I’ve also launched from Ditton Reach against it. It is also worth having something to
above Kingston – an easy slip with An anchor is therefore essential safety ĤÃěêȊĥĬĉŒêȊǺȊFȊßÃŋŋĉêåȊÃȊșƕǡƖƑȊÿĬĀȊąĬŋĥȊ
ŋêÃŒĬĥÃÞĞêȊňÃŋěĉĥĀȊĉĥȊƓƑƓƔȊŷąêĥȊFȊŷÃŒȊ equipment – allowing you to hold position trumpet from Fox’s Chandlery.
last there. until the tide turns. Landing – there are
limited beaching points; at low tide, the ŒÃĉĞĉĥĀȊĬňŚĉĬĥŒ
=êŚŚĉĥĀȊĬÿÿȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋ exposed bank might be soft mud but even Essentially you have three options; a few
fĥßêȊĬĥȊŚąêȊ”ąÃĤêŒȊŽĬŠȃŋêȊßĬĤĤĉŚŚêåȊ if pebble there will be walls or steep hours before high tide, or over a low tide
due to tide and limited access points. embankments without steps. Be careful or over a high tide – in that order of
”ąêȊŚĉåêȊǺȊêŒňêßĉÃĞĞŽȊŚąêȊêÞÞȊǸȊĉŒȊŒŚŋĬĥĀȊ of obstructions too. At high tide you won’t åĉÿƌßŠĞŚŽǡȊĞĬŒêȊŚĬȊąĉĀąȊŚĉåêȊŽĬŠȊŷĬĥȃŚȊ
even have a beach. Investigating your get under bridges without lowering
Big Ben and options and having a plan is essential. masts, but some reaches give large
Westminster Bridge
sailing areas. Clubs often sail a few
ŠĞêŒȊÃĥåȊŋêĀŠĞÃŚĉĬĥŒ hours before high tide and come off the
”ąêȊ‚X
ȊąÃŒȊĘŠŋĉŒåĉߌĉĬĥȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŋĉŶêŋȊÞêĞĬŷȊ ŷÃŚêŋȊÃŚȊĬŋȊŒąĬŋŚĞŽȊÃÿŚêŋȊąĉĀąȊŚĉåêǡȊ”ąĉŒȊĉŒȊ
”êååĉĥĀŚĬĥȊXĬßěȊÃĥåȊŚąêȊ(ĥŶĉŋĬĥĤêĥŚȊ because the ebb runs fast – and even

ĀêĥߎȊÃÞĬŶêȊĉŚǡȊ
ÞĬŶêȊ”êååĉĥĀŚĬĥȊŽĬŠȊ faster after rain. Sailing towards the end
need a license –you can pay daily on the of the ebb works – but you won’t get
åÃŽȊÿŋĬĤȊÃȊĞĬßěȊĬŋȊĀêŚȊÃȊƒƖǸåÃŽȊêżňĞĬŋêŋȊ home until the tide turns.
ÞŽȊňĬŒŚǡȊ”ąêȊĥĬŋĤÃĞȊßĬĞĞĉŒĉĬĥȊŋêĀŠĞÃŚĉĬĥŒȊ
ÃňňĞŽǢȊŷĉŚąȊĤĬåĉƌßÃŚĉĬĥŒǢȊĉĥßĞŠåĉĥĀȊÿĬŋȊÃȊ šŒêÿŠĞȊěĉŚ
power vessel and a sailing dinghy to keep Q A simple pool noodle, turned into a
ĬŠŚȊĬÿȊŚąêȊŷÃŽȊĬÿȊÃȊŶꌌêĞȊĬÿȊƓƑĤȊĬŋȊĤĬŋêȊ pretzel, makes a great device for
or a vessel under oars. resting wooden dinghies on when
Also if you are crossing the fairway (eg pulled up on a beach.
beating) then you may not obstruct QȊȊȊFȊŠŒêȊÃȊ=ÃŋĤĉĥȊê”ŋêżȊŒÃŚȊ_ÃŶȊŚĬȊ
anything in the fairway. Basically – keep provide log information, which has
out of the way – ideally to the edges of the proved to be cheap and versatile.

Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk 93

Dick Everitt on plastic pipework for tank vents

1 In rough weather, vent

pipes in low coamings
might let in sea water which
2
contaminates the fresh
water or fuel tanks. 3
1
2 If they need to be
vented overboard, try
to get the vent as high as
possible with a swan-neck.

3 Some boats vent water

tanks inboard, over the
sink or into the bilge.

6 7
8
4 5

4 I heard of one boat with tanks

that vented inside coaming
lockers – but unfortunately, the
5 So the engine will still run in big seas,
some fuel vent pipes have been taken
up high inside boom gallows legs.
8 If the water tank does get
ßĬĥŚÃĤĉĥÃŚêåǢȊƍŠŒąȊĉŚȊĬŠŚȊĉĥŚĬȊ
the bilge – bilge pumps will often
ĞĬßěêŋȊåŋÃĉĥŒȊÞĞĬßěêåȊÃĥåȊĉŚȊƌĞĞêåȊ shift the water more quickly than the
with seawater!
6 Others have been routed up inside
radar posts…
galley pump.

9 Some sort of inspection hatch

in the tank, for cleaning, is
7 … or even through pushpit legs or
stanchions.

ideal.

10 To check the contents, a

sight tube can sometimes
be plumbed in between the vent
9

pipe and the supply line.

10 11 12
11 However, it is often easier to
tee a sight tube into the
supply lineȊÃĥåȊƌżȊĉŚȊŚĬȊÃȊÞŠĞěąêÃå
– but the tube must be big enough
to cope with each suck of the pump.

13

14
13 Try not to let light get
into clear, food-grade
pipe because algae can grow.
12 If you have a
pressurised water
system, it is also worth
rigging up a manual pump in

14 If that happens and

you have to pull the
pipe out to clean it, tie a
case the electric pump packs
up or you lose power.

mousing line on the far end so

you can pull it back in later.

98 Practical Boat Owner • www.pbo.co.uk