Search found 335 matches

by BlowingOldBoots
Wed Oct 14, 2026 12:28 pm
Forum: Around the Scottish Coast
Topic: A83 At Rest and Be Thankful To Be Closed For 4 Years
Replies: 0
Views: 12

A83 At Rest and Be Thankful To Be Closed For 4 Years

If you drive one the A83 to get to your boat via the Rest and Be Thankful, there is a plan to close it for 4 years while they build a roof over the road to protect against avalanches. There is an uproar from local MPs, businesses and residents. The alternative rout will be a 24/7 convoy system on th...
by BlowingOldBoots
Tue Oct 13, 2026 12:13 pm
Forum: Passages and Places
Topic: MCA Advises To Be Prepared …
Replies: 0
Views: 15

MCA Advises To Be Prepared …

… for GPS outage. Yes, I know that GPS is just one system for satellite derived positions. Summary This Marine Guidance Note highlights the increasing risk of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) service degradation or denial and the potential impacts on maritime safety and operations. As vess...
by BlowingOldBoots
Mon Oct 12, 2026 6:51 pm
Forum: Shooting the breeze
Topic: UKHO Survey - Paper Chart Pricing
Replies: 0
Views: 19

UKHO Survey - Paper Chart Pricing

If you would like to share your views, please complete the ADMIRALTY paper chart pricing survey by Saturday 31 October 2026 accessed via the RYA link below. I can't post the UKHO link as it is a Survey Monkey website and I have already performed the survey and it disables the link, post survey. Pric...
by BlowingOldBoots
Thu Oct 08, 2026 10:38 pm
Forum: Gear and Gadgets
Topic: Engine Stopped - Query
Replies: 4
Views: 57

Re: Engine Stopped - Query

Thanks, I’ll add that to my checks.
by BlowingOldBoots
Wed Oct 07, 2026 1:29 pm
Forum: Gear and Gadgets
Topic: Engine Stopped - Query
Replies: 4
Views: 57

Re: Engine Stopped - Query

Thanks for the advice. I am wondering if it is something like a hose stripping, or chunking internally bits of rubber. I'll inspect first and if I need the compressor I'll contact you and take you up on the kind offer.
by BlowingOldBoots
Tue Oct 06, 2026 1:58 pm
Forum: Gear and Gadgets
Topic: Engine Stopped - Query
Replies: 4
Views: 57

Engine Stopped - Query

My engine stopped the other day when at sea. It’s a Perkins 4236 and has been 100% reliable, until this even,t in my 16 years of ownership. It sounded like fuel starvation or air in the system. After bleeding the engine it started and ran for 5 minutes. Drifted into the anchorage and changed filter ...
by BlowingOldBoots
Thu Oct 01, 2026 3:13 pm
Forum: Shooting the breeze
Topic: Webby is still out there!
Replies: 2
Views: 61

Re: Webby is still out there!

He is living the dream: sailing, staying active, adventures, companionship, community and having fun. All the requirements for a fine life in old age. He does appear un phased by it all and has a full head of hair to boot.
by BlowingOldBoots
Mon Sep 14, 2026 4:18 pm
Forum: Shooting the breeze
Topic: Winter Storage and Super El Niño Impact
Replies: 6
Views: 272

Re: Winter Storage and Super El Niño Impact

But there's been no named hurricanes in the Atlantic so far this season. Which is apparently a record. And seems at odds with expectations of a warm, wet, windy autumn? You may be right as other climate scientists have stated that statistically these conditions have only been measured a few times, ...
by BlowingOldBoots
Mon Aug 31, 2026 11:56 am
Forum: Around the Scottish Coast
Topic: Glenelg / Skye Ferry Petition
Replies: 2
Views: 106

Glenelg / Skye Ferry Petition

The private, turntable ferry to Skye or Glenelg has to pay a fee to a landowner of 5% of its annual income, not profit, income or turnover, it also has to be equal to, or more than the previous years payment. It's an ancient money grab, serf crushing rule, that our betters, the estate owners have be...
by BlowingOldBoots
Fri Aug 07, 2026 10:55 am
Forum: Shooting the breeze
Topic: Winter Storage and Super El Niño Impact
Replies: 6
Views: 272

Winter Storage and Super El Niño Impact

This summer a so called "super El Niño" has been developing in the South Pacific. An El Niño forms when the warm water in the west Pacific, that has been pushed from east to west by prevailing winds, rushes back towards South America. It messes up the heat distribution and impacts the jet ...
by BlowingOldBoots
Thu Jul 16, 2026 3:36 pm
Forum: Gear and Gadgets
Topic: Hot Weather and Spray Hood Windows
Replies: 3
Views: 244

Hot Weather and Spray Hood Windows

Who folding down the spray hood be careful if there are any items that could press against the collapsed window. I lowered my spray hood onto the power cable socket and it has left a permanent indentation on the window material and stretched the plastic. I assume because the hot weather has softened...
by BlowingOldBoots
Thu Jul 16, 2026 3:33 pm
Forum: Around the Scottish Coast
Topic: Glory Be!
Replies: 0
Views: 207

Glory Be!

My decks are too hot to stand on barefoot during the day and at night the temperature cools right down so that with hatches open, it is pleasant nights sleep. Unfortunately, no sailing, just a quick visit over a couple of nights to check on the boat as other matters are taking up all my time. But su...
by BlowingOldBoots
Thu Jul 09, 2026 2:57 pm
Forum: Around the Scottish Coast
Topic: Anchor Rode
Replies: 3
Views: 230

Re: Anchor Rode

Many of us might have learned decades ago the rules of thumb, 3 x chain, 6 x times warp, or mixed rode. It worked then, even using CQRs. Today, it is usually 4 x for chain and 7 x for mixed rode with massively improved anchor reliability, so I don't understand the need to go for more rode length. Ev...
by BlowingOldBoots
Mon Jul 06, 2026 11:44 am
Forum: Around the Scottish Coast
Topic: Castlebay Marina Damage
Replies: 0
Views: 164

Castlebay Marina Damage

NTM from April describing damage to the outer breakwater pontoons. https://www.castlebaymarina.com/post/season-2026-for-castlebay-marina The pontoons section of Castlebay Marina is now open. Unfortunately, due to some damage sustained during the winter the outer section will remain closed until furt...