El Toro

Am starting to think about the winter program for my barge. (No smart arse comments from you please Bad Kitty...) I carry about 350lt of diesel in my two tanks. The question is, at what level should I keep the tanks at over winter? Ive always kept them about 95% full over the winter months, but am interested to hear other peoples thoughts on the best level for over winter. Cheers

My ole man owned Kahurangi for about 20 years. Came home one day in the 80s and said they had this wonderful suitcase sized thing that could pin point you position to within 400m twice day! She was wrecked in the Caribbean and the late John Olsen restored her I believe. He said every town they pulled in to would welcome them with open arms, marveling at her beautiful lines, and constant guitar playing. I believe she is on the hard somewhere in the Med. John thought about bringing her home, but also owned Okere so elected to leave it in the north

Raz88, yes def noticed the change, believe it is the parore that eat parts of the worm casing, but were gobbled up by the apex predator that has no place in a marina

ER hit a rock but was professionally rebuilt. Id have no concerns over her keel structure if I was looking at her.

ER has been rebuilt to top standard. Woody knows what hes doing

Crap seastate is no place for a 10.5. They made the right call

Long shot, but anyone heading to Tapakanga this weekend? Be careful on that beach, its a nightmare... plan your day night to leave on high tide

I have a mate selling a Clipper https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/auction-1925796811.htm?rsqid=61d8750dbf7d45ebba4ec1a2c255cc23

The more space you have, I guarantee your wife will fill with sh*t you dont need.....

Jesus, your entry almost drags me out of retirement Adrian.... almost

Great thanks all!

Anyone have any suggestions on where I can buy/have made a wooden flag pole for an Ensign to hang off the back of the raft? Cheers

Rubber doesnt last, I ended up after several lots of rubber going to off the shelf anotised alloy...was lighter and worked a treat

Fish I used one once few years back when the AKL-Noumea race started around same time as the squaddie winter series race. The race started in fog, which then cleared, but we when were coming back to Westhaven the fog was so thick I could barely see the bowman. In fact I dont think Ive ever seen fog like it. We used it coming passed ferry building as they were blowing theirs to, and also in the entrance by the tank farm as we literally couldnt see a thing but could hear other horns I doubt Ill ever use it again though Also used a monster one on Kailua 30 years ago to blow Bob Fife 70

On the ramp now with some fulla working on the hull

Sailed with the frogs daughter over the weekend in Round Rangi race Two of them left on Blue Dude, with no autohelm, broke rudder in storm off North Cape, returned, fixed it and then both sailed up to Noumea. So was two of them on board.... though I specifically remember him leaving with only one on board, unless the crew was downstairs...we thought he was nuts. Was first time either had done the trip. He then sold Blue Dude and bough Positive Touch, and did the same thing. He now owns the Shaw canter Keel Bill

No the engine (1993) blew a sandshoe and spat the dipstick clean out of the engine and into the bilge. Bad Kitty has longer go go gadget arms than me. I believe BK was relieving a sore head in front of me by sucking on a cold one when he saw smoke pouring out of my cabin....which in itself is a fantastic way to freak out the wife and kids btw. The French didnt put much thought into space in the engine bays back then by the look of it....now most have hatches halfway up the stairs meaning engines are alot easier to attack when you need...good advancement in thinking

Ive gone through 3 Yanmar 30s over the years, cheers for retrieving my dipstick in Nagels Bad Kitty........ hard to change engines when it means you also have to change the legs to match some other brands. Its added cost and makes changing away cost prohibitive

No it wasnt lost, but the guy was a complete nutter. That boat had almost no weight on the keel, he loaded it up to the gunnels with stuff then set off single handed with no auto pilot. We thought we was crazy. He got as far as North Cape before the rudder broke. He limped back, fixed it, and then sailed away again. We seriously didnt think he would make it, but he did. I went looking for it when I did Groupama few months back but couldnt find it, but the Frenchies said it was still around

No, now I think about it I think we were slightly ahead and then CU blew its rudder or prod and went in to Whangarei

We raced neck and neck back 2003 with her on RnB till we managed to pull away past Kawau, There was a third boat that was sniffing around but I cant recall its name nor if we managed to roll it..Drinks Trolley maybe? I think this was taken on our way to the double line and handicap...and a massive dent in the skippers bank card in Russell....

Yes Clockwork

Fish yes that is true, but we beat Georgia One and Titanium, so you still had to choose your lane out of harbour, around the Hen and Chicks and into the Bay. It was more tactical than many probably expected. But a lottery is most def wasnt

Def a lot colder sitting on starboard rail!, but not as sunburnt. Finished at 0230 and was very pleased to before the change of the tide. Good to have a different kind of coastal I guess, and good having lots of boats to play with the whole way to the finish rather than absolutely noone within sight. Bowman was def getting bored though the middle stages

The 1050s tend to hold their prices more than most