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Thanks for those kind and very encouraging words. I apologise to Wansworth for once again hijacking his thread, but I reckon he and I (and possibly others) share something in respect of boat-owning - a deep doubt about whether owning the boats we hope we'd enjoy, is worth the money and effort...

I do like some bits of that Hunter (seen months ago on Apollo Duck), especially the bilge keels. Difficult decision - is a separate wheelhouse that lets the lower saloon keep the lights on after dark, better than a multi-purpose deck saloon that provides a great view from the place we mostly...

Konsort Duo is the sub-30-footer I'm too tightfisted to buy, even though it's the only boat I know that I would gladly move on board today and not want to start making changes. It's a rare bit of design - Westerly made it comfortable for a couple instead of assuming a usual crew of five or...

Strange coincidence. I was thinking the other day, it couldn't be that difficult to construct a plain-looking oar with a plastic propeller that folds discreetly into the flat surfaces of the blade, driven by an internal modern high-output motor, and powered by lithium-ion cells inside the oar...

Discretion, Mr Ming! 🤫 It's deplorable that I haven't moved on the idea in...good grief, two years since we discussed it briefly, but the flame still burns. ;)

Surely the difference in density (less than 3%) doesn't create distinct layers of fresh over salt water? I'd expect them to mix pretty thoroughly.

These points are both spot-on, thank you. The Achilles 24 isn't a bad design on paper, but it felt like a three-quarter-scale version of a 32ft sloop of the period. So everything is undersized. There's at least one excellent sub-30-footer that would be all I could ask, but I'm too tight-fisted...

Daydream had me a bit confused too, for a moment there!

He sounds a complete arse, you did well to be ostracised. Where is/was Arjun? Google Maps is not finding it.

I wish it was that easy. Five years back, I only had the dinghy; fun, but arduous and rarely relaxing. Hence I bought the Achilles 24 in March 2019... ...it was five times more money than the dinghy, to buy and to berth. It was horribly cramped, comfortless in the wet, unusable in winter and I...

Hmm. On the basis that one can benefit primarily from remembering or planning one's sailing trips, I claim first prize for getting more benefit since selling my boat, than I enjoyed while I owned it! If I buy another, I want to use it, and often, not just enjoy thinking about using it while I...

I...I actually can't tell if that's heavily ironic, or just an accurate view of the warped reasoning for having or wanting to have a boat. 😄

That is as wise a post as I've read on the forum, for months. (y) And I don't much like RIBs. I've driven a club safety RIB, wasn't excited by the speed and felt it was curiously dull (not that quick beside ably-sailed dinghies), and limited by being an open boat, but undeniably practical...

In the UK, I've found those finely crafted dream-sails are far better than 95% of the reality. I've said it before and I still think, you're smart not buying a boat for as long as you're in doubt. ;)

I'd more happily be afloat in a displacement motorboat (or ideally, a sailing yacht of indifferent performance, adroitly set up for quiet motoring from a steering shelter) with no requirement to make best use of fleeting periods of good weather or favourable winds. Actual sailing, at its best...

Sure, a pleasant motivation for you...but you retain the option to steer in comfort as the rain slams your windscreen. You made a smart choice. (y) I'm sure most cruising yachtsmen believe they prefer to be sailing, in part because when they motor instead, they still have to sit out in the...

Bouba makes a very strong point. Any boat you'll use without doubting or worrying, is better than any that limits your use, whatever the reason. I admire Super Seals, Cornish Crabbers and Hunters very much, but the UK weather doesn't justify 12 months' berthing for a summer fun boat. I now...

Is this the jetty we mean? Admittedly the view is nearly three years ago.

Thanks for all that. I'll photograph my progress. :)

I don't think I ever actually used my Force 4 fender-valve-bung/adapter kit...despite buying it, I had the chap there inflate my fenders himself. Strangely enough, the picture of the F4 'kit' linked in Plum's reply above, doesn't include the two brassy items I found tonight, in mine, one of...