Innehållsförteckning för June 2023 från Practical Boat Owner

When taking on a boat project I’m sure I’m not the only one who has bitten off more than they can chew. I have never tackled a full refit, but there was plenty of maintenance to be done on our ageing S&S 34 – and what started as a small job often ended up being far bigger. But after we’d sweated and scratched our heads and consulted our reference books, we’d usually get the problem solved, and along the way we got to know our yacht a whole lot better. Rupert Holmes has plenty of experience getting boats back on the water again and shares some sage advice to avoid the many pitfalls associated with owning a fixer-upper (page 20). As custodian of the PBO Project Boat for the last…

Whitbread Round-the-World Race classics Maiden, Pen Duick VI and L’Esprit d’Equipe will be competing in the Ocean Globe Race (OGR) Flyer class. This September’s OGR marks the 50th anniversary of the first fully crewed yacht race around the world, enabling ordinary sailors to take on a 27,000-mile sprint around the globe, spread across four legs, taking in the Southern Ocean and the three Great Capes. Race criteria is for oceangoing GRP production yachts designed before 1988. Maiden first entered the 1981 Whitbread as Disque d’Or III with skipper Pierre Fehlmann. Trailblazing yachtswoman Tracy Edwards undertook the ‘85-86 edition as a cook on Atlantic Privateer, one of five women in the 200 crew participation. She was determined to change that. In 1989 Maiden, Edwards and Great Britain made history with the…

A new study has demonstrated, for the first time, the ‘restricted growth’ caused by exposing juvenile mussels to polyester and cotton microfibres at environmentally relevant concentrations over a prolonged timescale. The concern is that this could have compounding effects throughout the marine ecosystem, as well as potential commercial implications. Scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, University of East Anglia and University of Plymouth exposed juveniles of the mussel species Mytilus to three treatments of microfibre, which reflects both current and predicted concentrations of polyester and cotton microfibres in the natural environment. Studies suggest that 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic enters the global ocean every year and this is expected to rise as plastic manufacturing rates increase. Fibres are one of the most common forms of microplastic identified in…

The second SBS BoatLife attracted 14,000 visitors over four days to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in February, putting the Midlands show on the map. After the success of the inaugural event in 2022, organisers added popular new features; 200 visitors enjoyed have-a-go sessions on the activity pool, 10 demonstrations were carried out, and 40 speakers appeared across the main stage and angling zone. There were 200-plus boats on display and 175 exhibitors. Richard Dove, of BoatLife Events Ltd said: “What has struck me is the definite beginnings of the community that we always wanted to create. To see this coming together in only year two is extremely positive.” The 2024 schedule is 15-18 February at NEC, Birmingham.…

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 & CHANNEL ISLANDS Star attraction The world’s largest oceangoing wooden sailing ship, Götheborg of Sweden, will be welcoming visitors aboard at this year’s Barclays Jersey Boat Show, which runs from 29 April to 1 May. It is the first time the ship has visited Jersey. The replica of an 18th century Swedish East India Company merchant ship, which sank off Gothenburg in 1745, was launched 20 years ago after a 10-year build. Paying deckhands (priced at €990) can join the voyage leg, which departs from Jersey on 1 May, sailing to Rotterdam. Jersey’s Harbour Master, Captain Bill Sadler, said: “The show regularly attracts…

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. Hull gleaming white, Karima was back in the water at last, wood trim re-Woodskinned, rudder steering straight, stopcocks working. Her mast went up at lift-in, and I had a happy day in the marina messing about with rake. Then it was time to get Philip, my nonsailing spouse, to help get the sails on. It’s a two-person job, even on the calmest of days – the only way to get the battens in is to lay the mainsail out on the pontoon. He’s very willing to help – he’s seen me fretting, boatless, all winter – but while I’ll potter for hours…

There’s an adage that has kept me sailing safely for 10 years. It’s simple: “Keep the people in and the water out”. So when Jasmine Harrison asked me to skipper her Bavaria 38 Crews Control while she swam alongside it, the idea immediately went against all my usual sailing instincts. In 2020, 21-year-old Jasmine broke the record for the youngest woman to row solo across the Atlantic, competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Now she was planning to be the first woman to swim the length of the UK, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. I was to skipper her support yacht for the first two weeks. If all went to plan, she’d be done in around 90 days. But, as with all pioneering adventures, a lot about this…

Designed as a coastal and cross-Channel family cruiser, the Sabre 27 is renowned for its solid construction, high ballast ratio and good sailing ability. Consequently, with a little modification, it can become a seaworthy and economical offshore or even bluewater yacht. Compared to modern designs the freeboard is low which means the cabin windows could be vulnerable to a breaking wave. When I first started sailing my Sabre Tabitha offshore I fixed 6mm perspex over the insides of the windows to give a second line of defence while preserving the attractive external appearance. However, before embarking on a trip to the Azores, I decided the best solution would be to reduce the size of the windows by fitting portholes instead. This might seem a little niche but older boats often…

Look around your boatyard at the different ways in which props have been secured to their shafts. You’ll see one or two nuts, maybe a split pin and even a shaft anode thrown in for good measure. With a two-nut fitting, one is probably larger than the other and logic may well tell you the larger should be fitted first with the smaller behind to lock it off. But is this the correct way? No, it isn’t. The smaller nut should be screwed on first with the larger one behind. Really? Yes. Sound engineering reasoning dictates small first, large last. The thread on the end of a prop shaft is one long spiralling groove. The groove has a peak and a trough, creating a V shape. The sides of the…

Miniaturisation is just as much of a trend in deck hardware as it is in the field of electronics. There’s an increasing choice of compact, lightweight and low friction hardware that can replace older systems with larger lines than necessary and big, low grade blocks that are unlikely to be working at their best after many decades of use. This compact 20mm double block from Allen Brothers was designed originally for the kicking strap of ILCA (formerly Laser) dinghies, but with a safe working load of a whopping 600kg clearly has many potential uses on larger vessels. It’s available with or without a becket. ALLEN Price: Allen 20mm XHL double blocks from £130 Contact: allenbrothers.co.uk…

Your great ideas and tips Email your projects and tips to pbo@futurenet.com including high resolution photos where possible. We pay at least £30 for each one published I believe that all of us, including the yacht designers, consider that a hatch is not just for ventilation, but also a means of escape both in an emergency and as a convenience – a fire being the most serious scenario. Last year, I handed over the aft master suite of my boat to my son and his partner. My son had previously enjoyed bouncing out of the front cabin quarters through the hatch using the well placed ledge half way up the main bulkhead as designed by Moody. He looked around the aft cabin and said: “Where’s the step for getting out…

1 Try to warn the crew about any sudden manoeuvres – especially if they’re climbing, cooking or using the loo! 2 Some skippers rig extra lifelines at sea, to give the crew a handhold. 3 Also, a simple line across the companionway might prevent a nasty fall. 4 Even on a small motorboat, it’s quite a long way up out of the cockpit. So some form of step makes sense. 5 A good compromise is to make a combined step/locker/seat and paint the back end with non-slip paint. 6 Hold on tight! Every step needs a strong handhold to go with it. Use through-bolts with big washers and backing pads to secure them, rather than just screws. 7 For the less agile, a bathing platform and transom gate makes boarding…

Four years’ of slowly circumnavigating Great Britain, visiting 250 harbours and meeting 210 harbour masters, has now created an interactive resource for sailors. Top tips and interesting finds from Mark Ashley-Miller’s 6,500-mile mission, recorded in photos, interviews and by sailing into nearly every harbour large and small, can now be found at harbourmastersailingchallenge.co.uk The new website allows you to navigate around Great Britain, sharing the ports’ histories: how industries such as coal mining, the slave trade and fishing have influenced so many harbours; why north-east Scotland has the most harbours per mile; how East Coast ports are now booming due to renewable energy. Mark offers tips on how to enter the harbours with useful photos for reference. His own preference is for harbours hidden far up interesting rivers, Sharpness, Perth,…

Lymington Town Sailing Club (LTSC) in Hampshire on the south coast of England is the new Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Club of the Year. The prestigious award recognises the outstanding achievements of UK sailing clubs and the dedicated efforts from their club members. After judges on the RYA Awards Panel narrowed down the nominations to 12 finalists, public vote decided the winner. Rob Clark, RYA director of sport development, said: “Congratulations to Lymington Town Sailing Club. This year we had the largest number of sailing club nominations, so even choosing the 12 finalists was a very difficult task. “The club has really shown not only their commitment for what they are trying to do to develop the club and members, but also their ability to rally together.” Also on the…

The team behind the first evidence of fibreglass boats’ impact on aquatic organisms (PBO, September 2022) is appealing for volunteers to assist with a new study. University of Brighton researchers need ‘Citizen Scientists’ to help with “evidencing pollution in Chichester and Langstone harbours.” Dr Corina Ciocan, principal lecturer in marine biology at the university, said: “We are especially interested in documenting water quality and evidencing incidences of end-of-life and abandoned boats in these spaces. Our research is exploring the leaching of Glass Reinforced Particles (GRPS) from these ageing fibreglass boats and its impacts on aquatic life.” The project is running until July, with training workshops this April on water sampling; photo documentation; and blog writing. ■ pbo.co.uk/grp…

Mad about the boat Dave Selby is the proud owner of a 5.48m (18ft) Sailfish, which he keeps on a swinging mooring on the picturesque Blackwater estuary in Essex Peak intensity of my armchair sailing season is being reached with the retro Golden Globe Race coming to its climax. While some competitors battle with barnacle growth my winter log pile is running perilously low. That’s according to the latest press release, which doesn’t even mention my looming log crisis. With that in mind, you’d think those troubled with these pesky crustaceans would simply jump overboard to scrape off the speed-sapping blighters, but no: “Alas, the residual swells and sightings of sharks do not provide optimal conditions for diving.” Plus, at this time year the southern Atlantic is a mite on…

The idea of a project boat can be enormously appealing. It’s hugely satisfying to give a vessel a new lease of life and it can be a route to a better boat for a restricted budget. There’s also a benefit in terms of ongoing maintenance, repairs and fault-finding if you know every aspect of your vessel intimately. However, for every successful project there are at least as many that never come to fruition. Before I took her over this had been the case with Minestrone, the Extension 24 Quarter Tonner I renovated in 2008-9 and documented in PBO – even some of the most talented and enthusiastic boatbuilders can get bogged down. These can represent dashed dreams as well as significant financial losses. A cold, analytical approach is therefore critical…

Perhaps it is inevitable in my long and eventful sailing life that I’ve faced a number of emergency situations. In every case I was able to deal with them successfully. People ask how I managed to complete all these thousands of miles and end up without any serious problems. The easiest answer would be to say that I have been lucky, but I must admit that I have been well prepared and also cautious. Fitting out the 36ft van de Stadt-designed Aventura myself taught me the importance of being self-sufficient, and ever since then I have attempted to do all that is necessary to be prepared for the worst. One golden rule I have learned is not to panic. It is indeed crucial in an emergency situation to keep calm,…

The one downside to real teak is keeping it clean. To maintain that just-fitted look takes a lot of work, ideally with a weekly hose-down or a bucket of sea water and a gentle wash and squeegee off. However, for most of us that frequency just isn’t possible so a deep clean at the beginning and end of each season becomes even more important. There are two golden rules when it comes to cleaning teak: first, never use a pressure washer as the power will strip out any softer wood; second, never scrub along the direction of the grain or you’ll wear away the surface and leave the black caulking strips proud of the worn wood. Traditionally, thick teak decks were cleaned with a flat stone and a bucket of…

Any time you anchor it’s important to know how much rode has been paid out. Yet figuring this out has vexed mariners for more than half a millennium. In the days of sail the Royal Navy used red, yellow, blue, white and green markings, often at 90ft intervals, and had the benefit of an army of personnel to constantly maintain them. In smaller boats we need markers spaced closer together, but for many of us the maintenance factor is a frustrating challenge. Paint wears off surprisingly quickly and cable ties don’t stay put for ever. Chain counters work, of course, ideally with a repeater in the cockpit or at the helm, and are neat devices for boats with an electric windlass. However, it would also be reassuring to have an…

When Denny Desoutter and his team dropped PBO issue No. 1 onto the news stands in January 1967, I was already planning an ocean voyage in a small yacht. As is the wont of foolish dreamers at the age of 21. So I bought a copy. It cost 3 shillings and 6 pence, or 18p in new money. Times have changed! There were 124 pages… what’s more the first 27 pages were 100% adverts apart from a half page listing the contents, the editor and assistant editor’s names and PBO’s London address. There was no sign of a phone number either at the front or on the Classified Ads order form at the back. Maybe this was normal 56 years ago? At the time I did not have a boat…

Underwater Anodes These might be expensive, but don’t skimp on them – your underwater metals, from P-brackets to rudder bearings and seacocks, will thank you. As a general rule, you should replace any anode once it has reduced by about 50% in size. ■ Check the bonding wires to ensure a circuit is made. ■ Don’t forget the anode attached to the engine block – it might be out of view, but it’s extremely important. ■ Apply Loctite to the threads of your shaft anodes to stop them loosening. Silicone sealant applied to the recesses over the nut and bolt heads also helps. ■ Teardrop-shaped anodes bolted through the hull should be checked for any movement or leaks. Replace their bolts at the slightest hint of corrosion or wear. Remember,…

Associated British Ports (ABP) responds: ‘We were sorry to hear of the incident that occurred with our berthholder’s boat Kelpie during last summer and have communicated with the berthholder in this regard. ‘As a marina we do have access control measures in place and we do make use of CCTV surveillance systems to assist with security on site. However, it should be remembered that it is not a high security environment and it is possible for unauthorised persons to gain access to the marina by tailgating, for example. This type of incident is extremely rare and we regularly review our access control systems to prevent unwanted persons from gaining access, such as regularly changing access codes and challenging unknown persons in the marina. Our berth holders often have visitors/contractors to…

Leaving an alongside berth, especially on a smaller boat, can just be a case of pushing the boat far enough out to allow you to drive away. It’s usually easiest to push the bow out as it’s lighter and moves quicker than the stern. When leaving in forward gear be careful not to steer away from the dock too soon or the stern may swing in and hit the pontoon. Any additional wind or current will either help or hinder you. If these are pushing you away from the berth, it should be possible to just let go and let the elements take the boat away. However, if they are pushing you back onto the berth and making it much trickier to leave, what should you do? If possible, you…

Being accessible and inclusive to all young people with a cancer diagnosis in the UK and ensuring every young person experiences belonging and improved mental wellbeing is at the heart of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s new ambitions, launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur. The national charity takes eight- to 24-year-olds on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. Every day around 12 children, teenagers, and young adults under 24 are diagnosed with cancer. Survival rates are increasing but, of the 3,000 new young people the trust could work with every year, it can support less than 1 in 10. The trust’s ‘Bigger Impact, Brighter Futures – Our Ambitions 2023-2025’ - details how the charity plans to grow. Dame Ellen…

The 2022 YJA Yachtsman of the Year and YJA Young Sailor of the Year trophies, regarded as the most prestigious awards in British boating, were presented at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. Yachting Journalists’ Association representatives were joined on stage by Mike McIntyre, 1988 Olympic gold medallist in the Star class, as well as daughter Eilidh, gold medallist in the Women’s 470 class at the 2020 Olympics, to present the awards. Young Sailor of the Year was won by Charlie Dixon, 17, who dominated the Youth Worlds in the Hague in the iQFoil windsurfing discipline. The Yachtsman of the Year trophy, which was first awarded in 1955 and includes legends of the sport among its recipients, went to Hattie Rogers – the youngest-ever winner. Hattie, 22, a foiling sailor,…

Flotsam and jetsam Sam Llewellyn writes nautical thrillers, edits The Marine Quarterly, and is perpetually patching up a 30ft ketch: samllewellyn.com Well, here we are, time to launch again. Antifouling on, everything varnishable varnished, survey surveyed, tanks full, and away we go… Hang on a minute. Physically, the boat Dahlia is in terrific shape. But how about the, well, imponderables? Five years ago we changed her name with all due ceremony, clearing the deed with the ancient sea gods Neptune and Poseidon, who seemed to applaud our quiet good taste and the fact that shem is called after Bertie Wooster’s stout and sporting aunt. There was also considerable spilling of red wine, which the best authorities say is an acceptable substitute for the blood of sacrificial victims. She has got…

When we acquired Maximus, our Maxi 84 Project Boat in the summer of 2021, the electrics were in a poor state. The cables were UV damaged, brittle and cracked, and the deck glands were corroded and leaking. “If they’re like that down here, then it’s going to be worse at the top of the mast,” said our electrician Adam McMenemy of ACM Marine. The 44-year-old mast was going to have to come down for a full rewire, but at least that meant we could also replace the nav lights with modern LED equivalents. When Adam and his colleague, Ciaran, got to work they were surprised to find the old cables for the tri-light, aerial and wind indicator ran down the inside of the Seldén mast, rather than either side of…

“This is what every cruiser needs,” says Kristina Damijanidis, as she picks up a Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl. A Speedy Stitcher? I know I have one of these hand tools somewhere in my ditty bag, but even if you offered me £50, I don’t think I could put my hand on it. Kristina and her partner, Giuseppe Della Volpe, are professional sailmakers who operate their Rolly Tasker sail loft in Gran Canaria, Spain. She recommends the Speedy Stitcher for quick fixes like adding patches while underway. “At sea, you have to find a needle, a palm. With this, everything is ready.” She hands it to me; the tool, with its wooden handle and diamond point needle hasn’t changed much in the last 100 years. “This is also very good for…

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Improvements in materials technology have seen the best foul-weather gear – the kit designed for extreme ocean sailing – become progressively lighter, more flexible and far more comfortable. Typhoon has now applied similar thinking to coastal gear. The TX3 Coast Jacket and Hi Fit trousers use a three-layer breathable fabric that’s surprisingly lightweight and doesn’t restrict movement. At the same time it packs into an extremely small bundle, making it ideal for anyone who travels to their boat by public transport and when flying to sailing holidays. It’s part of a wider range of new garments that also includes an offshore jacket and hi-fit trousers, plus a soft shell jacket and quick drying deck shorts. TYPHOON Price: Typhoon TX3 Coast Jacket and Hi Fit trousers £199.95 each Contact: typhoon-int.co.uk…

Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River was to be our destination and my wife and I were looking forward to taking our Channel Islands 22 motorboat for a visit. I’d checked the weather for the coming week and worked over the weekend ensuring we could keep Tuesday free, thus taking advantage of quieter visitor pontoons and attractions. Our boat, Kelpie, is kept at Town Quay Marina in Southampton. We’d not been out for a fortnight so were very cheerful swaying along the pontoons in the morning sun with a couple of bags of provisions. Sadly, this was the best point of the day and things were about to hit a new low… Our troubles started when my wife unzipped the bimini that fully encloses our cockpit. She turned to me…

During one of my earliest trips as a professional sailor a wise old skipper gave me some advice at watch change. “Watch the green ones, they’ll rush for the leeward rail and if they aren’t clipped on there’s a strong chance they’ll go over,” he said. “And what’s more, they won’t care if they do.” I gulped and looked at my crew. Their faces resembled a Farrow and Ball paint chart: lichen green, skimmed milk white and ash grey. We were en route to Cherbourg from the Solent. By the time we got to the shipping lanes I only had one crew member left on the deck, the rest were in their bunks. Inglorious and debilitating as it is, the green monster of seasickness strikes indiscriminately. I know several experienced…

For more expert advice, visit pbo.co.uk/expert-advice/expert-answers ENGINES Is the old dynastart a good charger? Q What size of batteries should I be using for the Volvo Penta MD2B engine in our Westerly Centaur? The boat is 50 years old and uses a dynastart which, I have been told a few times, isn’t nearly as good as an alternator and separate starter motor. The dynastart (which is 11A) is new and the present batteries are a 60Ah starter battery and an 80Ah domestic battery. I’d obviously like to use the most powerful batteries possible, especially for starting, but understand that if the Ah is too large, the dynastart will struggle to charge them. The domestic battery only runs the navigation lights and a couple of LED lights inside as well as…

Your cruising destinations, near and far For more adventures visit www.pbo.co.uk/cruising Having sailed down the fabulous Mozambique coast in my elderly 26ft Eventide on many an adventurous family trip, normally of about 700km distance, I wanted to do it again in 2022. But four kids, and one wife who expressed little interest made me feel I was wading through treacle. To cut to the chase, my sailing friend Anton, who has a high performance Farrier trimaran, Eclipse, was equally keen, and wished to introduce his Kariba friendly boat to genuine salt water. Dump the kids, let’s make it strictly adults. Competency an added advantage. Knowing a third person would add safety, we asked my good friend Renee along. Exciting planning followed and then, the end of August last summer found…