Sparky

Current Met Sevice forecast indicates a '2' conditions for Mon 1st Feb. 0.1 meter swell, Easterly 15 knots easing to variable. With these condtions predicted how can they apply a 2 which indicates, dangerous boating conditions etc. not the the first time I have not been able to understand their condition forecast, and how they come up with it.

Update. The Airhead has been installed exactly as per instructions into Amitie II. Has been In use over the past two weeks. It is working perfectly to spec. This is one of those purchases where you just know that you have made the right choice. There is no smell, the whole system is easy to use and operate. The liquids tank is easily removed for emtying and with the inclusion of the raw sugar I could not detect any smell whatsovever. Totally recommend the unit. Took out 2 Sea Cock thru hull fittings, freed up the head of inlet and outlet hoses, which incidently I discovered were 60% clos

Happiness is owning a yacht and having a berth in Gulf Harbour Marina, 5 mintues to great cruising water just outside the heads, no security gates, just acces control cards for handy carpark, nice clean bathroom and toilet facilities. Friendly staff, from Management, Dockmasters and Security. Mostly on first name basis. As a solo sailor and always hoping to avoid an exciting berthing event, a call on the VHF at the outer markers will always have one of the security or dockmaster's at the berth waiting to take a line. Did I mention the cheapest Opex in NZ. Reading this thread has made m

Been putting off the whole holding tank issue for some time on my yacht. The composting toilet topic was interesting but could not quite get my 'head' (scuse pun here) around the whole idea. However on Tuesday I went from sceptic to a believer in a few short minutes after peering down the inner secrets of 'Island Time's' composting toilet. No smell here, simple to operate and install, no seacocks, pumps, vented loop's and associated plumbing paraphenalia etc. The matt...er was easily decided and I ordered one. At last I will have a legal yacht, now with a quick hull scrub and fresh antifo

Used to stick weld 400 gallon galv water tanks when apprentice and we used to just coat the welded corners with cold galv out of the tin. 2 years ago I happend to have a look at one of the tanks up at the Bealey, on the way to the West Coast SI, and the tank is still as good as new, and the cold galv paint shows no sign of rust etc. 50 odd years so far!!!! Oh and for the toxic affects of the galv fumes boss used to make us drink milk..

Have a look at Google Earlth imagery for Lyttelton, clearly taken on a good easterly day, (1.9.15 imagery) and shows accurately the sites mentioned in this thread where there is good shelter from the easter, particulary Diamond Harbour, (where Eric and Susan Hisock anchored for their stay in Lyttelton), Little Port Cooper and the anchorage in the lee of Ripapa Island, all sheltered from what looks like a good and typical easterly tracking down the harbour.

Little Port Cooper, just inside the heads is sheltered from the pesky easterlies, and little swell, nice beach and you can get in reasonably close at the head of the bay. Quite a good overnighter, or back to Purau, in the lee of Ripapa Island, close in. Cruise up the coast with a good forecast is a great sail, the long easterly swell is far more enjoyable than a wicked short chop on the southern lakes. Some great sailing to be had on Lyttelton Harbour. SW blows straight through Gebbies Pass, and accelerates down the harbour, but there is great shelter close in on the northern side of Quail

Went with the Aloft Alone kit, when you add up the equipment list, and compare buying items individually, the kit is excellent value. The instructions that come with the kit are clear and used in conjuction with the instructional videos are clear to follow. I now have a no hassle way of regularly climbing rig solo and safely.

Thanks Ed, and ID you have firmed up what I had sort of worked out what was required. Thanks.

I would need serious therapy, and still never recover if I had to drill enough holes in my wooden mast to accommodate steps to the top.

Had a minor issue that required a quick trip to the top. No one around to assist on the winch at the weekend. So thought need to get a system that I can climb up there on my own. Does anyone use climbing gear to go up the mast on your own. If so what equipment. Saw a few examples on Utube, so thought it would be a simple matter of aquiring the right hardware etc so off to the local outdoor adventure store this morning, but told by the two staff memebrs that they were not allowed to advise me on what equipment I required to ascend a static line or advise on its use??? If I came up with a

Island Time, will you be discussing the use of SatPhone's?

Soon. Just like to spend a lazy year between BOI and GB and Mercs. Hopefully from November this year.