Romany

did the very same thing some weeks ago for the first time since I've owned a boat. I went over the side a few days later armed to the teeth, failed, and then another day returned with a vinyl layers hook knife - a 'Stanley' knife handle with changeable hook blades. You can get the tip of the blade right onto the shaft and hack away at the line. Mine is a Townson and if you have ever looked at one on the hard the prop shaft extends only a very short distance from the cutlass bearing so the line was wound in there really tightly. Hook blade did the trick in about 30 seconds, although

BP - that inflatable repairer guy... can you let me know his contact details? My SP RIB has 2 issues - all the stick on bits (thwart mountings/carry handles) are beginning to come off, and I have a leak from the one of the rivets that holds the transom bracket onto the floor - its a bit worse than it sounds, there is a 'tear' in the aluminum plate just in front of the rivet almost as if the bottom of the ocean suddenly went on attack mode and impacted the dinghy. I cannot recall running aground (or into anything of any consequence) at speed (I've only got a 2 hp OB). Took it to Souther

thanks for that. That looks like a cool place to be involved with. The plot thickens though.... the helicopter company has gone into liquidation. Men in suits and expensive cars showed up, young fella got the tap on the shoulder yesterday and as with everybody else told to "get your crap and bugger off". His old man founded it, sold it to the yanks and the facts of what else happened are now distant history. Sounds like a break could be best thing - he talked about having some negative effects from chemical exposure - sometimes tingling finger tips/light head etc and sounds like

Anybody know anybody who might want one? Middle daughters BF has been working in a helicopter business and he's looking for a change of scene. No idea if he is a wizard or not, just trying to help a guy out.

Small boat captain will be crapping his undies

Bravo Le Cleach.

I'm not sure I'd give it ago myself but I read that a NZ'er (Derek Watts??) has placed second in Virtual VG. I tried doing a SOL Volvo a few years ago and after I realized that the system would not allow me to T bone, or even call starboard on, my mates boat I lost interest . Also I think I may have been 29,787th on the 'water' when I found I had better things to do... Do these Virtual competitors get prizes or what?

I'd give glue guru a call . They may have something similar if not the real deal

an amazing race - 1st and 2nd still not clear , new distance record for Thompson, trials and triumph all the way down the course. I watched the video of Cape Horn rounding that Fabrice Amodeo filed today and found myself yelling back at the screen, the emotion in him was infectious.

Barfoot Thompson Real Estate plus private contributions according to earlier posts, (quoting The NZ Herald).

It sounds Sirius

and He is supposed to know everything. Oh. No - wait a mo, that's my wife

The book by Moitessier about the first of these races was fantastic - a really good read, and then I saw a movie called 'Deep Water' which was also a pretty good story - if somewhat bizarre. To be sure that's a very Moitessier like line, and IMO its quite a compliment to view the two of them in the same light. Thoroughly reasonable comparison too I think.

When u zoom in it looks pretty windy , maybe he is trying to dodge the big low dead in front of him (to the east). Hoping...

No outside advice puts a whole new view on it for me. Pretty amazing.

It is staggering but seems a bit of a lottery. It would be fascinating to know how much input the weather routers have - you'd have to believe its a lot Not tryin to take anything away from Thompson (as if I could!) but Le Cleac'h seemed to sail into the wall. Hugos turn now.

when will that possible outcome become a certainty?

what was the story with CQS? Wallowing around at the start like a bloody big whale. Early days for the campaign I guess but I'd be disappointed if I were them

yup. and bored with it. Its bollocks that a thinking human being should need to be told when to look after themselves. Commercially a different story - unfortunately regulations are required because in the pursuit of money things get 'forgotten', but if I want to go sailing on my own and not wear a life jacket or not clip on, or just generally risk it all - as long as no one else is put in jeopardy - then leave me be. I've always looked at the boom as my mortal enemy. Maybe Keith (nothing personal there bro but you did take the job on) and his mates could make us all wear helme

Its a slow day so .. and I know this brings nothing to the topic BUT - I found them... Keith... brings extensive leadership experience in a number of policy and operational and Gambling and Censorship Compliance and Enforcement You were right it was fun. Thank you.

Did Thompson replace the bung foil yet? I realise the wind gods have not smiled on him in the last week, but seems that 1st is just squeaking away little by little. Pretty amazing performance by all. Delightful to see the joy on the face of these guys in WebTV broadcast on Xmas day.

I'd wager he is gladder.

Bugger. Reminds me of that AC boat that folded up all those years ago -Aussie 1??

Yes - that's because he knew there was a littoral warfare unit nearby. Can't be too careful these days.

And u can't call that keeping a proper lookout. Apparently safety is accident in this case