DrWatson

Worked out pretty well, actually. Got six panels (1500W) on the roof out of 8 - ran out of time for the last few as needed extra mounting equipment. Had far too many things to take care of in the 4 weeks we were home. The charge controller and inverter from Victron are nice bits of kit, very happy with them. Running a few lights in the evening, the freezer all night and a 24V waterpump for the dunny + misc electronics (laptop uses 85W!!), the charger dumps power into the batteries for about 30 min in the morning then floats off. I think with 2000 Watts on the roof (even with 15

I think I'd spend the money in this order: New antifoul and make sure my underwater surfaces are smooth and fair. Folding prop if I didn't have one. New sails, incl. massive drifter on furler with prod, perfect mainsail, maybe new and bigger rig. Anchor, Guitar, bottles of rum. Sail for a few years, After the above mentioned few years Buy electric outboard and 500Ah Li batteries + solar charge system + 2kW genset.

One of the appreciable bonuses of circumnavigating in a 3knt steel drum - low impact speeds and a ductile hull...

So you're finally putting to sea? Cool

You'll have to come to Belgium... But really? No one else has a good reason to go for a ride on an ocean sled?

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1998/Open-60-1827113/Belgium/Belgium#.Vt7_w5MrIUF Mostly, people look for reasons not to do something regarding boats. That's kinda negative and there's plenty of negative in the world. Let's look at the flip side. What would be the reasons to do something like this?

Fun, but I'm not sure a tunnel is the place to let of an incendiary device... choke

In the article there is reference to a French Sailor who also failed to declare goods. I'm interested to see that cooked preserved meat products are also mentioned. Does anyone know what meat products are allowed to be imported?

Of course I would not, but I'd prefer some adherence to local rules in enclosed spaces - especially where speed limits have been established for valid environmental reasons. My main comment is, why, in a time of peace, should military ships not adhere to civilian laws (especially as we're the ones paying their salaries!) Just like cops should drive at the speed limit unless there are extenuating circumstances, and foreign security agents (i.e. FBI) should not bear arms or have any power in NZ.

Wait, the French have tanks? It's not a relevant comparison. The Navy operate in the same three (four) dimensions as civil craft - the effects of their actions can not be as easily separated from the public as can training exercise in Waiouru, for example. One is an open public space, the other is a closed space.

I can understand that regarding the Navy of the country you are in... but a visiting ship? I guess a visiting warship has to seek clearance from the territory to enter otherwise it could be considered an act of aggression...

Speeding in the Marlborough Sounds. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/77229322/australian-frigate-hmas-warramunga-reported-speeding-in-marlborough-sounds Question is: Does a foreign military ship not have to obey the rules of a nation it visits? Surely it should have no more rights than any other ship when outside it's sovereign territory and inside the territory of a different sovereign nation? International waters may be different. Unless war were declared, shouldn't all ships, civilian and military, have to obey international, and local laws? Does that mean they can also d

BP, what 's the source on that article? R

Notice the relative dip in ship wrecks after the mid 90s or so? I know it's only 20 years or thereabouts and so the pattern should not be extrapolated, but it seems the greatest advancement in safety at sea was not steam or fossil fuel power, but perhaps navigational advances ie gps?

Ok so it wasn't this weekend... finally signed on a committed bow(wo)man for the boat

OK, that was very friggin cool. Almost as cool as the gravity waves article. Seriously it's an amazing world and universe we live in.

So, Copper Coat boast 10y protection... I'm wondering if that's in "racing condition" or just "no worms eating your keel planking". From reading their promo material, it's basically copper plating the bottom of your boat in a "better" way. If you have copper coat, when you sail to the BOI from AKL, do you still need to prove you hauled and painted less than 12 (?) months ago?

OMG, can you give Santa's sailmaking reps my address? Also tell them I've been a really good boy but I am totally down on my luck..."

Reading the article, I was pleased to see Senior Constable Pickering pointing out that: "Life jackets should be worn in adverse weather" Rather than the standard "wear your life jacket at all times when within 30km of water" line that is often repeated. There is no indication on the time of day that this incident occurred. Night time or day? I was also, disappointed to see the article included reference to "Boozed yachties" without any indication of the actual level of intoxication. "They had been drinking" can mean anything from, "They were blind" to "It's Sunday and I'd

Who was the lucky punk who just picked up the good condition Townson 2.4 on trademe for 250 bucks?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=997877845

I think that in a place like Waitemata, against the backdrop of the city lights, lower lights are more effective. The Masthead would be my choice for anything and anywhere with a bit more space. Gives ships much more time to see you through increased horizons. I'm not sure you can really get around having the separate pulpit lights if you want the option of lowers as well ass masthead. Pulpit lights kinda get busted and trashed though. On the cabin side, they always relect off your genoa. Where would other people optimally position side lights for protection, visibility and m

i have an amazon from IT. it's a beauty!

Diesel. Concealed diesel burners heating under the glass plate. fan forced draws a small current load. 20mm diameter exhaust exiting above the waterline. they use relatively little fuel and apparently the ovens are Awesome for baking and cooking.

Romany, I think I found out +3K EURO for an oven and Hob. So they are pretty pricey, but they are very nice and pretty lightweight compared to all other diesel stoves. Some Canadian prices: http://www.wallas.ca/uploads/2015_85_nordic_series_retail_price_list.pdf OUCH! Some Austrian Prices here: http://www.bukh-bremen.de/files/346/upload/2015/Wallas%20Verkaufspreisliste%202015_web.pdf Can't find any Aussie/NZ prices. Sorry for the thread drift...

Buy a Wallas stove. much nicer... http://www.wallas.fi/index.php?id=58