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There's lots of great advice here about sailing to the IOS from the south coast, but I can't find any discussion of direct routes from the Bristol Channel. We'll shortly be proceeding down the Bristol Channel on the Somerset/Devon/Cornwall side. Firstly, is it (for some reason) better to round...

A bit of a gush, but our first visit to Bristol was just spectacular - it's a really great sail from Portishead to the floating harbour - the gorge, the suspension bridge - the harbour is full of interest and the pontoons outside the Arnolfini excellent. If you're happy with a lively location...

Was every yachtie given a pressure washer for Xmas? Have Temu been giving one away free? The sound of the marinas isn't tinkling halyards, seagulls or the singing of drunken sailors - it's pressure washers from dusk to dawn. Can no-one wield the humble deck brush any more? On a denizen of...

Possibly a super dense question, but which way round are the locks at Cardiff numbered? I'm exiting early tomorrow and cannot for the life of me remember if lock 1 is to port or starboard. Thanks as ever.

Hi all, I have a Rutland wind charger & solar panel into a Marlec HRDi controller. One of the two batteries has died. After covering the solar panel and switching the wind generator to "stop" & securing it, can I just hoick the dead battery out and replace it? Does it matter if the dead battery...

Some comments on another thread led me to thinking about our own watch keeping habits. We're coastal cruisers, although do the Orkney/ Shetland/ Ireland / Bass Strait type of passages. We travel 2 up and always have one person on watch - obviously shipping is a major concern, but there's a lot...

We are planning to overwinter in Portishead this year - we're nearly there, but Agnes is keeping us at Milford Haven! We are new to the area and wondered if anyone can recommend a fuel polisher & a person to do antifouling in Portishead marina? Any "Fred Drift" comments on things that are good...

So, we're at Greystones, south of Dublin Bay and intend to sail up to Howth (to finish or circumnavigation) and then down to Dun Laoghaire. It seems to me that the Northwards passage is best achieved bypassing East of the Burford Bank and thus avoiding all the complexities of Dublin Bay...

Many pilot guides use this expression, "anchor clear of the moorings in such & such depth". How do you decide how far this "clear" distance is? I'm not much of an expert in the different types of mooring - I just give 'em a fair distance (whatever that is) and avoid going between moorings that...

We are planning our first trip around Malin Head, departing Portrush. The Irish Cruising Club guide suggests arriving at Malin Head at Belfast +0235, but the tidal stream charts indicate overfalls at the head at that time together with less favourable tide once the head is rounded, making the...

It just shows that it's worth checking. After the death of our Stowe / Robertson wind instrument a while ago, the on deck speed head went phut. Now, the databox & log were ok as the data was displayed at the chart table. Sigh. Then, a brand new, in the box - probably from 1995 odd - display...

So, coming into Ardglass Harbour last night - a bit late/tired/dark - and the Admiral had, unusually, been seasick. Anyway, despite having been there before and following the buoyage, we "bumped" a rock*. We were at tick over (less than 2knots) and sort of bumped across a bit - easy reverse off...

So, recommissioning the yacht (Sadler 29) after winter. The mast has been off & reinstalled by the yard. The spinnaker pole uphaul, which enters the mast at a sheave at the base and exits at a sheave just above the spreaders, is stuck firmly within the mast - just to be clear, both ends are...

I've just fitted an automatic pump. Whilst noodling around, I found an interesting professional site suggesting that you forget the 3 way switch (£35 odd) and simply wire the automatic circuit direct to the battery and the manual to a switch of your choice. The reasoning is that you then can't...

I'm sitting here in Ardfern feeling quite glad that we've finished our cruise - for the second time in less than a week the inshore forecast is warning of possible force 10 - I'm not sure I've even seen that before. It's a bit squeaky when the wind is S. and we're blown on, but pretty comfy...

Does anyone know why the Shetland inshore Waters forecast follows a different format to all the rest? All of the other inshore areas give the 24 hr forecast, inc strong wind warning, then the outlook for the following 24 hours. At the head of all these forecasts is the UK general situation...

Well, we've crossed the Pentland Firth & are now in Scapa Flow. Hooray. Any top tips from experienced types as to the best weather conditions/ patterns to look for to achieve a hassle free crossing (and back) to Shetland. Any other hints gratefully received - we do have just about every pilot...

Has anyone sailed up the Tay to Perth recently - I can't find any detail in my pilot guides and the FYCA Pilot appears well out of print. We will be in Tayport tomorrow and either a day trip or an over night stop in Perth seemed a nice idea. I'm just looking for the usual, is it worthwhile, a...

Good afternoon all - just sailing across Berwick Bay. Last night in Holy Island whilst at anchor, another yacht (around 30' and drifting in the current) managed to wack into us (don't ask!). Their pulpit "bounced off" the port cap shroud as it passed. A quick inspection (by binoculars for the...

We've been carrying this as our "touch up", but have changed antifoul systems. The tin has been opened but is nearly full. Colour : Navy Available for pickup from Royal Quays Marina, North Shields for the next week or so. Thereafter wherever we get to heading North. A donation to either the...