Recent content by doug748

There have been a number of threads about cut price Chinese outboards, how good and reliable they are, etc. I usually think about the internal engine components. However here is an interesting piece of video that some people may not have seen, to add to our knowledge: 😲 .

Busted, I eyeballed the length of the course conservatively, I admit, but neither is it 60 miles, it is nominally 50 miles. Top professional helm, top crew, top boat, fast conditions = 8.3 kts. Middle of the fleet more like 6 kts. Not the huge speed advantage advertised. The conditions...

No. However, the central point is that the average speed, for the very best lightweight multihull, was c4.5 kts around a mixed course, in 25kts of wind. Somewhat less than the OP's slow trip to Studland Bay and lot less than that promised by some dreamers. .

Nope. Now that's cherry picking - taking the fastest boat as your exemplar. Very similar error to billboarding snapshot fast speeds. If you like, compare it with the Contessa 32 group (which you have stated elsewhere that you think is "slow" ) , similar waterline length to the smaller...

Problem with boats is we see an extravagant speed on the dial and then choose to think that optimistic delusion is what you get. It never is. Curious, I looked at this year's RIR results first for hot shot small multies, where I guess the median time was about 7.5 hours. then for a random...

Yes, I think so impossible. Problem with the small inshore daysailers/weekender trimarans is that it would cut right across your comfort threshold, curtail your cruising, and bust your budget into the bargain. They are less than easy to single/short hand and would not cruise at the required...

This is a point I have been thinking about, every time I hear someone say overpriced. You have more of less nailed it. The second example of the common usage is just a bit of humbug, another way of saying: "I would not pay that, it's too expensive" or "I can't afford it" both of which are...

Sadly, probably not even that, no would be racer would touch the timber deck

He would probably do ok if a buyer can be found at that price, which is doubtful. Always a dodgy move to go too wild with a one design class. He maybe paid in the region of £150 thousand for the boat, to build it now certainly £300,000 + .

St Helier is great value if you stay a month, couple of years ago I stayed 4 weeks for the price of 1 in Lymington. This year a 10m boat would cost c£570 for the month

If you are inside the Vilaine I would not worry too much at all. The buoy and riser help a great deal with snatch and you have no worries about swell and frequent fast moving large traffic. No cyclical tidal flow also helps but I would still use a swivel above the buoy, at least at first...

I needed a new Preavis form to leave Roscoff once, not sure why. I always seem to end up in the wrong despite my best efforts, there is a species of minor bureaucrat who likes to demonstrate that you are wrong whatever the circumstances, others are charming of course.

The various products branded Cetol are available at about half the price of Woodskin. I did an experiment a few years ago and found little difference in how they performed. However I like the colour of Woodskin much better for teak and will be sticking to that in future. The bonus is you...

Looks like the plotter is in the cockpit, you will love it esp if singlehanded. I have two, one I use with 12 year old charts and one I keep as backup with 20 year old charts. Fear not as I also have paper charts but they are probably 30 years old :confused: In fact there are few...

On the theme of bilge keels, these are good value: https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/boat/1974-hurley-24-70-9183399/ You would want a good reliable engine and not expect to rocket upwind without it. .