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Many years ago I would always use cascamite for working on wooden boats. But one or two comments suggest that the formulation has changed and it isn't the glue it used to be. Is it still the best adhesive for the job or has it changed? What would you use today for (above the waterline) marine...

My tiller, which was beginning to get rather tired anyway has really suffered in the recent hot weather. It seems to have dried out totally and shrunk so it is now loose in the stainless steel fitted where previously it had been so tight it was impossible to remove. And it also seems very dry...

For years I have relied on the Admiralty Solent Folio - getting a new set every few years. Now they have ceased publication what charts do we need to replace it? A long time ago I had the Stanford equivalent but I think that has not been available for some time - has anyone tried the Imray...

Anyone got any recommendations for yacht clubs on the South Coast (or maybe even the East Coast)? Thinking of somewhere with at least basic shore side facilities - maybe that has winter hard standing - and has deep water moorings available (either their own or another operator).

Any suggestions as to the best source for a new tiller for Bedouin (Centurion 32) ? Either a custom build or an off-the-shelf blank I can shape / fit myself. This is for a 32' boat and is straight and would ideally be laminated.

The boat has finally been re-launched today - yippeeee. But I had trouble starting the engine - at first it seemed dead and the starter wouldn't turn at all. Then when I connected a multimeter (on Volts) between the solenoid supply and earth (to check the supply voltage) that connection alone...

There have been threads before bemoaning the apparent demise of the cruiser/racer. These days most new boats seem to be focussed at either family cruising (high volume and slow) or racing (small and need a large crew). Where should I look for a boat with good performance that can still be...

I haven't had a look round for a while but browsing the Ads now it seems that 2nd hand prices are somewhat lower than they were a few years ago with few if any exceptions (looking mostly at sailing boats in the 35-45' range). If this is true then is are they going to stabilise at this level...

I haven't yet got round to connecting the VHF to the Chartplotter but I intend to do so primarily to allow the display of AIS information. When I do so will I get positions from DSC alerts (e.g. MOB) displayed automatically? I am wondering again about the PLB/AIS Beacon?HH VHF dilemma as an...

It's a long time since I've been to see the Cowes fireworks from the water but given that I plan to be around the Solent anyway this weekend I thought I might have a look this year. I seem to think there have been a number of changes since we last did this. Can anyone suggest a good place to...

What is the current recommendation for the tail connecting the (Gimballed) gas hob to the copper pipe from the gas cylinder? Last time I replaced it the recommendation was armoured flexible hose but I had an idea that armoured hose was now out of fashion because it is difficult to inspect the...

My old HH VHF(Garmin) is coming to end of life and I am considering a replacement. Anyone got any recommendations? Cobra and Standard Horizon both look good value. Is there any real point in having DSC in a handheld given it adds significantly to the cost?

Anyone know why does the Rule Eco Bilge comes in 12V and 24V versions? I assumed it was a purely mechanical device.

We have a small but annoying leak into the cabin. Particularly annoying as it drips onto the chart table and can find its way into the drawer where the charts are stored. It is particularly difficult to track this down as the headlining is itself moulded GRP with a small gap to the deck -...

I am ashamed to say that I am hopeless at using self amalgamating tape. It is a wonderful invention and when others use it it seems to give good results. However when I try it I find that the very first part of the tape does not get stretched and so remains thick and does not fuse properly and...

I am just upgrading the electronics and this will involve running transducer / network cables through various tight spaces. Doing this with ready terminated cables would be very difficult so I intend to cut the cables - run the cut ends to a central point and then rejoin them. I have used...

Most of our lifejackets are several years old - I check them over every couple of years, inflating them and replacing CO2 if corroded. Is there a realistic working life for these?. I am thinking about buying a new lifejacket but since I last looked in detail there has been a proliferation of...

Unbelievably nav lights from one big name supplier seem to be rated as IP54. That must be chocolate teapot territory.

This seems to get harder and harder every year. I can't even see any details of any "flare amnesties" this year. Does anyone know how to get rid of my collection of TEPs? I am seriously considering not replacing them - just too much trouble

I of course have a set of branded "Ocean" oilies. They keep me dry but are very cumbersome. I also have an older, much cheaper, set. These are much more comfortable to wear and pretty good at keeping the water out. Unless the weather is very bad I prefer the lighter set. These now need...