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Thanks, and Grandpa came from Plaistow, that's Plarstow not Playstow. BBC please note.

My S/S stanchions became bent inwards from years of people pushing on the top. I have turned the whole lot round so that they now splay slightly out. No detrimental effects so far.

Grandpa used to take us on a day trip on the Royal Sovereign or Daffodil in the 1950s. It was always Ramsgit or Margit.

I have two, one from a 1937 Stuart and one from 1963. Identical design. Both magnetos still spark but the Stuart Bastards long since gone thank goodness!

I always keep a bit of lodestone handy. You can't be sure that the masters won't switch the electrickery off.

Well done to all concerned. This service is of great benefit to many yachties and is much appreciated.

When I do offer to help it's usually to more senior people on large high sides boats that they can't easily jump off. Then I think the best action to to take a line, pass it round a cleat and throw it back. Then they still have control. The last thing they want is lots of experts shouting advice...

I had a problem bleeding my Beta 20 last year, eventually tracked the problem to a faulty lift pump. I fitted a rubber bulb as a temporary fix although I didn't really like the idea. I worried that the diesel might attack the rubber but it's fine and I've left it in line.

There was a boat in my yard called The Office. Handy for phone calls. "Sorry I can't make the meeting, I'm in the office all week"

A bit of weather lore from a friend in Exmouth. If you can see Berry Head it's going to rain soon. If you can't see it, it is raining.

I agree, I believe there is much to be said for kids and olds to mix socially and boats are an excellent way to do it. Much to be learned in both directions> However nowadays we have to recognise the fear of peadophilia rampant in current society. I sometimes take parties of beginner sailors...

That's what I've used. Very hard wearing and easy to re-coat when the time comes. Quick drying and low odour. Bona Mega has also been recommended. .

All the places mentioned are good but with 8 weeks aim for Ijsselmeer and Friesland. It's magic! If you have Marine Traffic or other AIS tracker, have a look at the Dutch waterways today. King's Birthday, it's chock a block.

I've only done the night convoy route once when drought prevented them opening Spaarndam lock. An interesting experience but not one I would want to repeat very often. That route also by-passes Haarlem which I always enjoy visiting.

Actually not all stroppy, not all lads. I like to speculate on their futures. 13 Yr old girl, quiet, watches, listens and remembers. Barrister. 16 Yr old lad. Knows everything, loud, not his fault when proved wrong. Politician. 20 Yr old girl confident, good all rounder. Could do anything. 20 Yr...

Lots of people have asked this question about the Simrad RD68. There doesn't seem to be a solution. Good business tactic, build in a non repairable component, make the mugs buy a new radio.

Trouble is it's my boat and I let the bunch of stroppy teenage kids sail it. They of course know everything about everything, while I've only been doing it for 60 years. It keeps me on my toes though!

Excuse a bit of thread drift, bit I wonder what the percentages are for MOBS at sea compared to people falling out of dinghies on way back from pub. 2 examples I remember. 1/A story on Yachting Monthly, a quiet evening on board and skipper hears a faint, polite "excuse me". Finds a swimmer...

One of my many failings is that I'm not good at delegating. I find it easier to do than explain. Crew found it difficult to grasp the difference between sheet and guy, not something they experience on asymmetric dinghies. We're working on it! I could try and get one of the photos but I avoid...

I was out racing yesterday with a crew of 4 sub 20yr olds, all good dinghy sailors but limited experience on cruisers. There's me at plus 70 tottering about doing foredeck. Halfway through a spinnaker gybe I accidentally activate my lifejacket. So now I'm struggling to latch the pole on with...