Table of contents for April 2024 in Practical Boat Owner

WITH THE EDITOR Treasure the moment Many of us are now thinking about where to cruise this year. Like James Crickmere, I’ve always wanted to explore more of the UK coastline but have never had the time to sail around Britain as he has (see page 26). Working full-time means I am time poor; I have financial commitments which means a voyage of this scale will probably have to wait until later. But there are still plenty of lessons to take away from his experience which I and others can apply to our own cruising. PBO’s readers have always been generous with sharing the highs and lows of a voyage (like Frank Sibly on page 80), and much pleasure can be taken in the preparation and work it takes before…

Cliff Norbury, mastmaker, world champion sailor and Olympic team manager, has died at the age of 93. A big name in dinghy and keelboat racing in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Cliff sailed Finns, Merlins, Fireflies and Ospreys and was a champion National 12 helm. He was twice Tempest world champion, British Olympic team manager and held voluntary roles within the Royal Yachting Association and International Sailing Federation (ISAF – now World Sailing). After his master’s degree in aeronautics Cliff was forging a career in the aerospace industry when he was lured away by his friend Ian Proctor to apply his knowledge to aluminium masts. They experimented with chemicals and design factors to produce lighter, stronger, aerodynamic spars. For decades Proctors was the biggest mast maker in the world, with…

SOUTH COAST & CHANNEL ISLANDS Pontoon upgrade Work has started on the £1.4million project to replace two pontoons at Guernsey’s Queen Elizabeth II Marina. Much of the current infrastructure, including pontoons D and E, dates back to its 1980s construction and has passed the end of its design life. Further investment is planned, including the replacement of the current gates that impound water within the marina. The 130 affected mooring holders have either been relocated to another Guernsey Ports’ marina berth, or had their boats lifted out and stored while the work is completed. Guernsey Ports has proposed above-inflation increases to current fees and charges for 2024, including passengers, freight, landing fees, hydrocarbon imports and mooring fees to help fund investment in the ports’ ageing infrastructure. Flagship fundraiser A crowdfunding…

Naysayers, sceptics and cynics are cruelly and unnecessarily disparaging about Stuart Turners, but I won’t hear a word said against them. First though, for the benefit of South Coast sailors, and in fact sailors in general, as well as anyone born after the relief of Mafeking and still living I should explain what a Stuart Turner is, and what it does. In lay-folk terms, and without being overly technical, Stuart Turners were what they used to install in yachts in the olden days before boatbuilders realised you could put engines in the void under the cockpit. And when I bought my 1953 Blackwater Sloop it too came with a Stuart Turner. Better yet, it was installed not in the boat but in a garden shed in Brightlingsea, thus allowing me…

Three things often said to be unnecessary in a small boat are an umbrella, a wheelbarrow and a naval officer. The latter may be a tad unfair but my chum at the sailing club, a retired captain in the Royal Navy, would be the first to admit he struggled with little boats. To be fair his responsibilities in the Navy had little direct involvement with boats. He seemed to be able to put up with leaking centreboard cases and as time passed, in my quest to try out all boats, I ended up owning his leaky boats. One of these was a delightful Avon Scow. I am talking about the South Coast variety, little 11ft lug sail boats with a heavy galvanised steel centreplate. Scows come in a variety of…

Spring is just around the corner and you’re probably starting to think about your boat’s launch date; which last jobs need doing and when. The RNLI’s top call-out at this time of the year is due to machinery and equipment failure. “We would encourage boat owners to be prepared by making sure you have your engine and equipment serviced regularly,” advises the RNLI’s water safety manager, Sam Hughes. “Before heading out, check your belts, oil, filters, bilges, coolant, strainers, air filters and seacocks. It’s important to make sure you check your fuel too – often we see people who have run out of fuel or have contaminated fuel. Ideally, carry spares and tools for small repairs you can carry out yourself.” Hopefully, by now, you’ve done the big jobs –…

Travelling south through the French canal system is highly recommended. There are numerous routes, many of which include quite fast-flowing rivers such as the Seine and Rhone, which not only require careful navigation but also the right type of boat. The most important considerations when planning to navigate inland waterways are hull and air draught. Depending on the route and how far south you wish to go, the theoretical maximum hull draught should be no more than 1.5m. However, there are places where this often reduces to 1.0m in summer, when there is less water, plus there are channels to keep to and sandbanks to avoid. Sailing yachts obviously have to drop their masts to clear bridges and tunnels, and motor yachts with fixed flybridges are a definite no-no on…

Got a question? Email pbo@futurenet.com FUEL ISSUES Can diesel bug fuel treatments work together? Q The article in the November edition of PBO on looking after diesel fuel was both interesting and very helpful. However, I’d like to ask a couple of extra questions. It’s often very hard not to end up keeping diesel for many months, so will it help to add a bug treatment at regular intervals or is one application enough? The article mentions dispersants and additives that claim to remove water and should be avoided but unfortunately doesn’t name any of them! I have used Soltron for years and it seems to have been really successful in keeping my fuel clean so far. Recently I have also used Marine 16 products. Does it matter if these…

There are more than 280 harbours listed in the Reeds Nautical Almanac, of which we have visited about 100 in our trailer-sailer over the last 20 years. Our Etap 22i is a 20 footer, with a lifting keel which greatly extends the number of interesting harbours to visit. There are fitting points for yacht legs, as the keel does not fully retract. A down-side of a micro-yacht is that life aboard is only tolerable for a few days, before the lack of space and washing facilities forces a retreat home (there are no through-hull fittings, so the toilet is a Porta Potti). Slipway criteria A big challenge for a trailer sailor is to find slipways big enough, yet not too crowded, for a 1½ ton mini yacht to be assembled…

All are welcome to attend an evening of cruising advice with the Cruising Association’s Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS). Taking place at 7pm on Thursday 21 March, in-person at CA House, London or virtually via Zoom, topics will cover: ◼ Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, which could be an eco-friendly replacement for diesel, weighing the pros and cons and exploring regulatory obstacles. ◼ Insights into ongoing orca interactions off the coasts of Portugal and Spain, discussing avoidance tactics. ◼ EU visas and permits challenges posed by the 90/180-day rule for UK citizens visiting Schengen countries, with positive updates. ◼ The latest on conformity marking of vessels brought into service from outside the UK and the EU and exploring the impact of the UK Government’s decision on CE marking. ◼ Plus! End-of-life…

As this issue hits the shops, BoatLife 2024 – Powered by Suzuki will be opening its doors from 15 to 18 February at the NEC Birmingham. Now in its third year, the event will feature more than 210 boats and exhibitors across specialist zones covering inland, angling and watersports, all showcasing design, technology, equipment and advice, plus ‘have-a-go’ opportunities on the pool. Visitors can expect themed days on innovation, wellness, discovery and sustainability, more powerboats and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) than before – most in the sub-40ft market and easily trailerable – plus more than a dozen river cruisers, narrowboats and other inland waterways craft. The Live Stage guest speaker line-up will include Conrad Humphreys, Ken Fowler and Jasmine Harrison, plus cooking demonstrations by The Rustic Chef and a fashion…

Correspondence suggests that I have wounded a reader’s feelings by making rude remarks about bow thrusters. This reader believes that casting such nasturtiums will discourage people in the early stages of their boating careers. The editor has suggested that in the interests of balance I should reveal facts regarding docking disasters of my own, perpetrated when I was a beginner. It is kind of Katy to consider that such disasters are confined to my early sailing life. Boats, breeze and tide make a powerful cocktail. Hurtling out of the Port-Rhu, Douarnenez gates in the brig Phoenix, free flow, 80 tons, full sail, crosswind, strong ebb, I heard my friend George, who was at the helm, murmur something under his breath. ‘What?’ I said. ‘Better not wrap up now,’ muttered George…

The Dufour 37, introduced to the market at the end of 2022, is an excellent example of how modern yacht design has progressed. This Dufour has a long waterline length of 9.31m/30ft 7on on a hull length of 9.99m/32ft 9in (excluding bowsprit). Yet thanks to her modern hull shape and distinct hull chines, she offers all the space and comfort of a much larger yacht without sacrificing any of the performance or handling qualities. When Michel Dufour set up his business in the 1960s, I recall seeing his first production yacht – the 22ft Sylphe that he designed in 1964 – lurking in the Pembroke Hall extension at the back of the Earls Court Boat Show. Its wide beam, bulbed fin keel, skeg-hung rudder and spacious accommodation for a boat of…

Whether you own your boat or not, chartering offers the chance to explore new cruising grounds and sail different boats, usually catamarans. But choosing a sailing holiday can sometimes be bewildering, with the endless choice of locations and companies, and for some, a charter can become a stressful week (or two) away, rather than relaxing, especially if you’re not confident about handling a different boat’s systems, different mooring techniques (stern-to is very common in the Mediterranean) or you are holidaying with family who may not be natural crew. However, with some planning, your charter can deliver more than any luxury beach holiday and can leave you with some treasured memories. Where to charter in Europe? Chartering in Europe, particularly the Mediterranean, is the easiest way to experience sailing in the…

As a specialist in submerged electric drives, ePropulsion launched its three new X Series outboards to the marine trade in Amsterdam recently. The new motors have been aimed at the mid-range sector, one that has proved the most challenging in terms of performance and range. Currently, you can either go fast or far – but not both – unless you mount the boat on foils. Batteries simply get prohibitively expensive the more you push the performance envelope, whereas a combustion engine simply needs a bigger tank. ePropulsion has addressed these issues with its own batteries, advanced energy management software, plug and play connections and a new electric steering system, helping to close the gap. Three outputs The three new motors are the X12, X20 and X40. The numbers refer to…

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Plywood-epoxy construction is a modern boatbuilding method that allows you to build a boat quicker than traditionally built boats. But epoxy requires UV protection to stop it from breaking down and yellowing over time, so applying a finish is both practical and cosmetic. Preparing for paint and/or varnish The most important part of the finishing of your plywood-epoxy boat is the preparation before you add paint or varnish. Spending extra time and effort at this stage will mean you get a better result. The finish is what people will notice, so it’s worth putting the time in. The preparation for paint and varnish is the same. After you have completed laying the glassfibre and applied the fill coat which is used to fill the weave of the glass, you’ll need…

Q I have an elderly Hardy Navigator with blue gel coat. The gel coat had faded badly when I bought it, so last spring I cut it back hard with a power mop and Farecla cutting compound, followed by two coats of UV wax polish. She looked a treat when I’d finished, but by the time I got around to taking her out the finish was nearly as bad as it was previously. I intend to cut it again this spring, but am wondering whether there’s anything more effective than the polish that I could apply to preserve the finish and prevent the same thing from happening next season. I’m reluctant to paint over the gel coat, since it’s in quite good condition considering its age (1986), but don’t want…

Boat The Etap 22i with a breakback trailer is about the largest boat that can be trailed, and launched, and is the most seaworthy in its class. The only slight downside is that its keel does not fully retract for drying out. Where to launch After some unpleasant experiences, I only use bigger concrete slipways, preferably with a place to moor up within 20m. www.boatlaunch.co.uk is useful, but only about 10% of the slipways listed are suitable for a large heavy boat, and looking at the slipway on Google Earth and Streetview is recommended. I used to launch and retrieve from the same slipway, but this meant retracing my steps, so I prefer to retrieve at journey’s end. Getting back to the car and trailer by bus is easy with…

As the use of shore power increases at this time of year for heating and dehumidifiers, boat owners are being urged to stay vigilant against wet wiring. Keith Lovett, senior under-writer at Stoneways Marine Insurance has shared a cautionary tale to emphasise that electricity and water do not mix. He said: “With many hooking up to shore power specifically for heaters, oil radiators and dehumidifiers extra care should be taken to ensure that wiring is placed where it will remain dry, that marine grade installations are used and regular checks made. Corrosion risk “Water can easily run along cables, exactly what has happened in the case of one of our clients. Fortunately, a circuit breaker was fitted, however water shorted the entire unit with damage limited to the plugs and…

Golden Globe Race (GGR) history maker Kirsten Neuschäfer has been named 2023 Blue Water Medal winner at The Cruising Club of America (CCA) awards. The prestigious awards for adventurous use of the seas date back to 1923. Neuschäfer, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was recognised for the tremendous effort and skill she exhibited during her 235-day solo circumnavigation in Minnehaha, her Cape George 36. Out of 17 starters, she was first among only five finishers of the GGR – a single-handed race around the world that limits sailors to using yachts and technology available when the first race was held, in 1968. An example of her determination is while crossing the Southern Ocean, Kirsten spent several hours in the water below her boat, scraping sharp, speed-robbing barnacles off the bottom.…

Aith is the UK’s most northerly lifeboat station, and every spring there’s a simple reminder of the tragedy that brought the lifeboat to Aith: a wreath of holly on a grave in Sandness, at the western corner of Shetland, looking out towards the notorious Vee skerries. In March 1930, the Aberdeen trawler Ben Doran was wrecked on the Vee Skerries, with the loss of all nine men aboard. It was thought the man steering on that Friday evening had been blinded by the gutting lights; the trawler came right through the first rocks in the dusk and was trapped in the middle of them. She had no radio aboard, and wasn’t seen until the next day, when another trawler, Bracken Bush, spotted her plight, and headed north for Hillswick where…

When someone says they are planning to sail round Britain, the first question you ask them is ‘Which way round?’ A happy debate then ensues about prevailing winds that don’t prevail any more and the likelihood of headwinds whichever way you go. There are those who swear either clockwise or anticlockwise is the only way, but whichever you choose the only certainty, especially in these times of changing weather patterns, is that conditions will be challenging at times. The discussion then moves on to the scarcity of deep water harbours on the East Coast and the perils of tides, rocks, sandbanks, wind farms, lobster pots and headlands. You conclude that if you can sail round Britain you can sail anywhere. There’s certainly plenty of contrast and it’s enjoyable as well…

Pre-start checks 1. Bilge blower: if you have a bilge blower or engine room extractor fan, run it for a few minutes before starting the engine. 2. Visual check: check belts and hoses for cuts, splits or fraying, and look out for oil or coolant leaks. 3. Fuel: make sure you have enough for your intended trip, plus a reserve of about 20% of the tank’s capacity, and make sure the fuel tap is open. 4. Fuel filter: some boats have a transparent water separator/filter in the fuel line. Inspect the bowl for water or dirt, and drain off any visible contamination. 5. Engine oil: check the engine oil level with the dipstick, and top up if necessary to keep the level between the ‘max’ and ‘min’ marks. 6. Gearbox…

As travellers seek to book the perfect Mediterranean or European escape, we asked yacht charter company Sunsail for a few insider tips on how to get the best package, price and value when booking a yacht charter in 2024. Book early: a top tip is to book in advance to access early bird discounts or off-season deals when demand is lower. Early birds often get a wider choice of yachts, and destinations to suit their budget and holiday needs, so it really does pay to get in early. Get inspired: check out yacht charter blogs for inspiration on the right destination for holiday crews, with tips on sailing grounds and best places to eat. Stay connected: following social media or subscribing to newsletters can give early access to exclusive deals…

There’s no smell of fuel and no chance of spilling fuel on me, in my dinghy, down my topsides or into the sea. It starts instantly. There are few servicing requirements… and no need to carry spare plugs, tools, fuel, oil, funnel and all the other accoutrements associated with our familiar 2- and 4-stroke petrol workhorses. I like my electric outboard a lot. There’s no shaft grease to get spread over everything when handling it from car to slipway, slipway to dinghy, dinghy to aft deck… and back again. There’s no expansion of fuel tank problems in hot weather splitting the tank. There’s no mixing of fuel and oil if you are still using a 2-stroke. No problems of the modern eco fuel eating your seals and no stress of…

There are good deals to be had on outboard engines if you know what you’re looking for, but first it’s worth checking if there’s still life in the old one and, if not, whether you want to go for a new or used engine. Brothers Ashley and Barnaby Isard run Ash Marine in Devon, covering everything from boat brokerage to outboard care and sales. They sell new and used outboards, and offer servicing and refurbishment. New or secondhand? The main advantage of buying new is having the manufacturer’s warranty, which can be five or six years. “If you keep your books stamped up, the maintenance and fuel issues on a new engine will be much less, even though the initial outlay is so much more,” says Barnaby. “On a second-hand…

Winter… Nothing happens in the winter. How wrong could we be! We own a Jersey 36 motorboat which we keep on the Norfolk Broads. She is a very seaworthy, sturdy vessel, fully equipped for use at sea, and we often cruise along the coast. So far, we’ve travelled as far as St Katharine Docks, London, but we also enjoy using her all over the Broads. The Norfolk Broads is an amazingly friendly National Park with more than 200km of waterways to explore. In the summer it’s perfect for gentle trips with the family where we enjoy canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and rowing, along with sailing our elderly Mirror dinghy. Yes, the Broads are lovely, but in the summer we also have copious amounts of visiting boats and hire craft which come…

Q The hot water calorifier on my yacht is made by the Italian company Quick and is a 20lt size from their BX range of water boilers. A minor long-standing leak between the immersion heater boss and the casing revealed itself when it became more serious and was leaking gallons of water into the bilges. Time to take it out and have it expertly welded for £50; much cheaper than the £500 replacement cost. Reinstallation went well until I came to fit the pressure relief valve (PRV) onto the calorifier’s lowest, ½in cold water inlet threaded stub. Among the parts I’d taken off the calorifier before it was welded were the spring and plunger you can see in the photo. This is not the pressure release mechanism which is still…