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For reasons that I won't go into now, I am examining the possibility of moving the cap shroud chainplates closer to the mast. At the same time the chainplates would be raised to be at the same level as the foot of the mast, moving them from their position on the deck to the side of the cabin...

I have a Westerly Longbow with furling genoa and slab reefing mainsail. I have had her for 10 years. In all that time I have never been able to do any better than a 100 degree tacking angle, tack to tack based on the true wind. I have sailed other boats, Moody 31, Cobra 850 and Bavaria 31, on...

I will fly out to the Netherlands next week in order to recommission my boat with the intention of returning it to the UK. I sail alone so the intention is to port hop down to Dunkerque East, and from there cross to Ramsgate. I am assuming that by the time I set sail the 14 day quarantine will...

My insurance is due for renewal shortly so have received a quote assuming that there is going to be a normal season. My view is that the sailing season will probably not happen until July, if at all this year. I have replied suggesting a quote for the boat remaining in storage with the option...

I have a 31ft sailing yacht with a fin keel drawing 1.4 meters which I have kept in Holland for the last eight years. With the effects of Brexit nearly upon us, especially the ' 90 days in 180 days ' rule, I plan to return the boat to the UK this year. Before going to Holland I was based in...

I just want make sure that I'm reading things correctly. Like some on here, I am a summer liveaboard and up to now was planning to bring the boat back to the UK this summer because of the 90 in 180 day rule. Now, with the extension, the possibility of a WTO Brexit is remote until the end of...

I am moored in a harbour in The Netherlands where, in a day or two, the Dutch King and Queen will pass through the harbour in a local boat. I will be still moored in the harbour in plain sight. My boat is UK registered and flies the Red Ensign. Should I dip the Ensign as the royal party goes...

Can anyone tell me ( or point to a source of information ) what the current rules are about which antifouling paint is permitted in the Netherlands. I did google it but could only find that a ban of some type was instituted but later overturned by an EU ruling. Many thanks, Andy

Re radio; I have replied twice via PM but can find no trace that they were sent. Could you please PM me with a contact number and confirm on here that you've sent it. ( just in case I can't receive PMs either ) Thanks, Andy

I have a Westerly Longbow ( 31 ft) which I sail single-handed. Being in my early sixties, and with an eye to the future when I might not be as able-bodied, I was considering replacing the present, original, mast with in mast reefing. I am aware that there might be a performance penalty but...

I'm about to spend the summer ( hopefully there will be one! ) sailing to Sweden and back I will be visiting France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Denmark. Can anyone tell me what connections, apart from the UK one I already have, I will need to connect my cable to any marina supply that may...

If all goes to plan I shall be spending two months or so sailing in Denmark and Sweden this coming summer. The usual mooring in the marinas appears to be bows to with stern lines out to two buoys. The problem for me is that I will be sailing singlehanded which I can see causing severe...

I am planning a trip next year to Sweden and return. Given the Belgian and Dutch views on red diesel in yachts, it seems to me that I would be well advised to drain and clean my entire fuel system and refill with white diesel The question is, how does one clean out the fuel system? Is it as...

My Westerly 31 is fitted with a Volvo MD11c which is running well at the moment. However, since it is 34 years old, the possibility of having to replace it, due to scarce and expensive parts, is quite high. In that event, I would want to fit the smallest, lightest diesel engine that I can get...

I am putting this before the honorable members of this forum as a reality check. For the last 18 years, my two ring gas stove has been one of those with a Camping Gaz bottle screwed directly under the stove. The whole thing is mounted firmly, not gimballed, in an open topped box in the galley...

I'm hoping that there is some-one here who is familiar with the River Exe and can offer some advice and guidance. I have a 31' Westerly Longbow which will be launched on Tuesday AM at Topsham. The plan is to pick up a mooring at Turf Lock and, during the rest of the day, bend on the sails and...

I'm thinking about taking a berth at Southdown Marina near Millbrook, Plymouth ( operated by the same people who run Torpoint Marina ). I would appreciate any comments about Southdown that anyone might care to make. Regards, Andy

This isn't a wind up! I am refurbishing a 25 ft yacht. The stanchions and bases are knackered and the fibreglass underneath the bases is cracked. Obviously I've got to repair the fibreglass but it occurred to me that replacing the stanchions and wires is possibly a waste of time. After all...

I am in the process of refurbishing an old Westerly which has a teak rubbing strip all the way round the deck to hull join.The teak has cracked and split in places.I've tried letting in a new piece in one spot but there are three more areas that need replacing and I think the overall effect...

I have just returned from a two week flotilla holiday in Greece which was very enjoyable with the exception of one small niggle. The yacht was fitted with in mast furling which I found very difficult to operate without jamming. It was my first experience with such a system and I concede that...