TonyB

I use a deck level solar light but it’s a powerful one that lights up the deck and looks brighter than many that are wired in. I understand that the cheap dull ones are inadequate but it seems that a nice bright solar light is a good way to go?

It's a Yanmar 2GM20. I see the manual says the gearbox is constant mesh gear with servo cone clutch if that helps. Gaining another knot in speed sounds quite appealing.... That's got me thinking! But in the meantime, fixed prop remains a bit longer.

Several people I've sailed with tell me I should be putting my engine in reverse gear when sailing to stop the fixed prop from rotating (while in neutral) and creating unnecessary wear. Others say it makes no difference. I'm wondering of this is just over caution or if there is something to it. Any thoughts?

Has anyone got hold of any Corrosion X Max Wax lately? I'm keen to give it a go on my prop. I've been trying to track some down but it seems as scarce as hen's teeth.

Ouch! Thought that might be the case. The boat is in the Tamaki River now, at the Panmure end.

Photos attached: a couple of the compression post. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the fractured part as its under the floorboards and it was getting dark. Also a photo of the mast step showing it has compressed down. Used to be raised by about 4 - 5 cm above surrounding deck.

When I bought my Smith 30 (variation of a Easterly 30) a couple of months ago I knew it had some corrosion around the base of the compression post. I cleaned it up and gave it some serious poking and it looked like there was still plenty of wall thickness on the steel pipe. I painted some anti corrosion galvanised paint on and thought it all looked ok. On the recent trip from Opua down to Auckland we were off Whangarei Heads hard on the wind when a particularly strong gust laid the boat over and BANG! The rig shuddered hard and we got the sails down and motored into Urqurharts Bay. Strangely