Boating chit chat thread.

Stheno

Asked Fergalb why there was no such concept, and he encouraged me to start such a thread so here we go

I'd intend it (with the support of the mods) to be for random questions observations that maybe don't need an entire thread but a few posts might answer queries.

So I'll start it off as I'm a fair newbie.

I was reading the daily mail (I know!!!!) about the Costa Concordia being salvaged, and costing €500 million to do so, and then going for scrap.

Is there a rule/sailing/boating regulation that says you are responsible for the salvage of a boat in any/certain circumstances?

I'm curious as to how the company are spending this money to salvage the boat, and imagining it has to be due to regulation?

Steve

Kudos for this.. off topic and randomness are good

According to internet forum norms, it may also lead to comradery and beer.. also good.. :cool:


Up with this sort of thing...

Stheno

Steve wrote: »

Kudos for this.. off topic and randomness are good

According to internet forum norms, it may also lead to comradery and beer.. also good.. :cool:


Up with this sort of thing...

Hmmmmm, on the subject of beer, might beer lead to people discovering opportunities to crew/find crew? As non member crew, I find people don't respond to ads and it's about who you get to know, and I've been fortunate to get to know people, and to crew with missnostarrs on here who is probably the best instructor I have come across, I have learned more from her on pure sailing technique than anyone else.

I'm doing basic skills this weekend, but the wind forecast for sunday is rubbish for people learning in a topaz, so I suspect that will be cancelled

I'll then end up whitesailing on Sunday which will be fun (Not as much as on missnostarrs squib) but fun.

I realised recently that I love sailing when I went out in heavy winds and went wooohoooo rather than feeling I was going to die.

I'm addictted, but what about that salvage?


Are they obliged to do it?

Stheno

And are there enough of us in Dublin for an initial meet up? And would you be on for it?

davlacey

id say it was joint insurance / owners agreement to get it out of there as its so close to shore

ValerieR

Good idea on the "chit chat" thread :-)

Re. the Concordia wreck .... it seems that it must be removed (logically) if a threat to navigation or/and environment. There seems to be a Convention in existence. I found this on the www : http://www.steamshipmutual.com/publications/Articles/Wreck1007.html

Will they bring it to shore somewhere to be dismantled or will they just sink it somewhere, away from this small picturesque/touristic island, though?

fergal.b

Chit chat about boats that will never work for me, Chit chat about boats in a pub now your just asking for trouble
I hope to do the first test run of the new boat next friday at wineport on lough Ree "about an hour from Dublin" if anyone is around your more than welcome to join me for a pint in-between testing or to help me drown my sorrows if everything goes pear shaped :eek:




.

neris

ValerieR wrote: »

Good idea on the "chit chat" thread :-)

Re. the Concordia wreck .... it seems that it must be removed (logically) if a threat to navigation or/and environment. There seems to be a Convention in existence. I found this on the www : http://www.steamshipmutual.com/publications/Articles/Wreck1007.html

Will they bring it to shore somewhere to be dismantled or will they just sink it somewhere, away from this small picturesque/touristic island, though?

Its been broken up on site. Cut into pieces slowly being taken apart.

neris

Is there an autumn series going on dun laoghaire over the next few weeks? Having a look at hyc autumn league entry list theres only a few boats from dun lsoghaire entered. I realise that very few boats go the other way when theres events in dl.

coleria

neris wrote: »

Its been broken up on site. Cut into pieces slowly being taken apart.

no, its not,

http://www.shipwrecklog.com/log/category/grounding/costa-concordia/

its being pulled upright then re floated with containers attached to the side, then towed to a near by ship yard

Stheno

neris wrote: »

Is there an autumn series going on dun laoghaire over the next few weeks? Having a look at hyc autumn league entry list theres only a few boats from dun lsoghaire entered. I realise that very few boats go the other way when theres events in dl.

I think the summer series for DL goes on for a few more weeks, so that's possibly why

HeidiHeidi

There's two more Saturdays left in the DBSC series, but the DMYC September Series is under way http://dmyc.ie/afloat/september-series/.

Then once that finishes, the Turkey Shoot gets going in mid-October I think - Sunday mornings until mid-December. Great fun!

ETA - just looked at the September Series results - there ain't a whole lot of boats in it this year! So I doubt that's the reason for low entries in Howth.....

miss no stars

neris wrote: »

Is there an autumn series going on dun laoghaire over the next few weeks? Having a look at hyc autumn league entry list theres only a few boats from dun lsoghaire entered. I realise that very few boats go the other way when theres events in dl.

Might be something to do with what's the point of moving the boat and not having it at their convenience all week (or sailing over and back every week) just to do a 45 minute race...

ValerieR

Actually ... the raising of the Costa Concordia can be followed live from http://live.reuters.com/Event/Raising_the_Costa_Concordia/89428066?ss=1

Gigantic undertaking !

Pete67

I couldn't get the Reuters link to work, but Channel 4 have it live too

Link here

ValerieR

Pete67 wrote: »

I couldn't get the Reuters link to work, but Channel 4 have it live too

Link here

Thank you for the new link Pete67 - The Reuters link stopped working when it got dark.

PS - Time lapse of this afternoon's progress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVbqzOUuxw

Stheno

Jeez I'd a great sailing week this week, got out training on a squib and the evil skipper forced me to take the help, and I think I did ok (well, we didn't capsize )

Stheno

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/costa-concordia-upright-after-19-hour-operation-1.1529834

They have raised the Costa Concordia

Vexorg

Hi

Just started sailing (crewing) this year and having a blast. Collected the boat in Southampton in March and have been sailing in the dbsc white sails Saturday series, a couple of regettas in Dublin Bay, and most recently Greystones. We plan to sail over the winter in whitesails and may move to cruisers 1 next year. We need more crew but then who doesn't:-)

There is an informal get together in the NYC after racing this Saturday. Anyone else going along or even racing?

Anyone doing the race around Kish Lighthouse on Sunday?

Beer sounds good, and even better if we got some crew from it, even though it sounds like shanghaiing. As a new boat and crew the opportunity to meet and talk about sailing, rig setup, tactics etc would be great.

miss no stars

Vexorg wrote: »

Hi

Just started sailing (crewing) this year and having a blast. Collected the boat in Southampton in March and have been sailing in the dbsc white sails Saturday series, a couple of regettas in Dublin Bay, and most recently Greystones. We plan to sail over the winter in whitesails and may move to cruisers 1 next year. We need more crew but then who doesn't:-)

There is an informal get together in the NYC after racing this Saturday. Anyone else going along or even racing?

Anyone doing the race around Kish Lighthouse on Sunday?

Beer sounds good, and even better if we got some crew from it, even though it sounds like shanghaiing. As a new boat and crew the opportunity to meet and talk about sailing, rig setup, tactics etc would be great.

Hi,

is the boat yours or a friend's? I'm not doing any of the above events (I sail out of Howth) but it's great to hear of people getting into it and enjoying it. Trying to move to IRC1 is a great plan, gives something to work towards.

Vexorg

miss no stars wrote: »

Hi,

is the boat yours or a friend's? I'm not doing any of the above events (I sail out of Howth) but it's great to hear of people getting into it and enjoying it. Trying to move to IRC1 is a great plan, gives something to work towards.

It is my brothers boat, and this year has been a huge learning experience for me. I want to do some more training in smaller boats, to get a better feel for sailing and just to understand the process a little better.

I kind of wish I had started sailing years ago.

Stheno

Vexorg wrote: »

It is my brothers boat, and this year has been a huge learning experience for me. I want to do some more training in smaller boats, to get a better feel for sailing and just to understand the process a little better.

I kind of wish I had started sailing years ago.

Ha, meet your sister I wish I'd started it years ago too!

I know you are sailing on a big boat, but I've found I've learned most, and gotten most confidence from doing dinghy courses, I did basic skills last week, and at the end of day 1 (still have a day to go) in a topaz, because it was up to me to anticipate the wind,, and my movements, I was so much more confident, and we'd a few races to end the day and I enjoyed them. And theory wise, it all just made so much more sense!

I'd recommend a course in a dinghy for that reason

Great to hear you are enjoying it

pedroeibar1

Stheno wrote: »

I'd recommend a course in a dinghy for that reason

I’m not at all in favour of this dinghy stuff as a precursor to big boat sailing. Firstly, little boats require you to get your feet wet because they have to be manhandled down a slanty bit of slippy concrete. On a keelboat you simply step aboard, the boatman having brought you there and announcing 'Here we ar, sir.' Secondly, on a dinghy there is nowhere comfortable to sit down, nor even a place to lean against. Keelboats have cushions, cockpits and even backrests. Thirdly, little boats handle differently, lean over far too much (and can even topple over) and sometimes require uncouth acrobatic antics such as looking at the helmsman while standing outside the boat supported by a length of wire. Finally, on a dinghy there is nowhere to keep ones bottle of gin and even if you bring a readymix with you there is absolutely not one single flat surface upon which to place one’s glass. Personally, I’m an advocate of big boats, the bigger the better and now I will not put a foot aboard any craft that does not have the onboard facility of producing icecubes. Dinghies, forsooth.;)

murphym7

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

I’m not at all in favour of this dinghy stuff as a precursor to big boat sailing. Firstly, little boats require you to get your feet wet because they have to be manhandled down a slanty bit of slippy concrete. On a keelboat you simply step aboard, the boatman having brought you there and announcing 'Here we ar, sir.' Secondly, on a dinghy there is nowhere comfortable to sit down, nor even a place to lean against. Keelboats have cushions, cockpits and even backrests. Thirdly, little boats handle differently, lean over far too much (and can even topple over) and sometimes require uncouth acrobatic antics such as looking at the helmsman while standing outside the boat supported by a length of wire. Finally, on a dinghy there is nowhere to keep ones bottle of gin and even if you bring a readymix with you there is absolutely not one single flat surface upon which to place one’s glass. Personally, I’m an advocate of big boats, the bigger the better and now I will not put a foot aboard any craft that does not have the onboard facility of producing icecubes. Dinghies, forsooth.;)

I raced in a Cork week a few years ago in white sail and we had our own chef on board from a city centre restaurant rustling up canapés and serving them along with champagne at critical points like just after a mark rounding(true story).

It’s really the only civilised way to race: Spinnakers pfft, sandwiches and tea pfft. I echo your thoughts completely!

PhoenixParker

some of us like all that manhandling, getting our feet wet and the constant threat of imminent immersion
(and I have a most convenient little dry bag for storing the essentials like gin and jelly sweets)

If you don't want to go to the extreme of dinghy sailing (and I can understand why you might not want to, especially in winter in Ireland), then I'd recommend a few sessions in the smallest keelboat you can get your hands on.

The smaller the boat and the fewer the crew, the more you'll get a feel for what's really going on. A small keelboat will give you much of the dinghy experience without the discomfort and risk. 1720s are a particular favourite of mine, though I don't have much experience in boats around that size.

That said, when I first started (in a 1720) I thought the dinghy sailors were bat**** crazy and was very enthusiastic about crewing for larger boats at every opportunity. Now, given a choice, I'll take a dinghy any day of the week.

miss no stars

murphym7 wrote: »

It’s really the only civilised way to race: Spinnakers pfft, sandwiches and tea pfft. I echo your thoughts completely!

But spinnakers make a lovely backdrop to the photos of the outing. Just cut to the chase and bring some paid crew to sail the boat for you and be done with all that pulling and winching business.

Stheno

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

I’m not at all in favour of this dinghy stuff as a precursor to big boat sailing. Firstly, little boats require you to get your feet wet because they have to be manhandled down a slanty bit of slippy concrete. On a keelboat you simply step aboard, the boatman having brought you there and announcing 'Here we ar, sir.' Secondly, on a dinghy there is nowhere comfortable to sit down, nor even a place to lean against. Keelboats have cushions, cockpits and even backrests. Thirdly, little boats handle differently, lean over far too much (and can even topple over) and sometimes require uncouth acrobatic antics such as looking at the helmsman while standing outside the boat supported by a length of wire. Finally, on a dinghy there is nowhere to keep ones bottle of gin and even if you bring a readymix with you there is absolutely not one single flat surface upon which to place one’s glass. Personally, I’m an advocate of big boats, the bigger the better and now I will not put a foot aboard any craft that does not have the onboard facility of producing icecubes. Dinghies, forsooth.;)

Have you ever tried a catamaran

And what about drysails? :eek:

pedroeibar1

Stheno wrote: »

Have you ever tried a catamaran

Yes, I sailed a Hobie a few times on my own when on my honeymoon. Great fun and on the first really windy day one of the Hobie rental staff offered to crew if I wanted to go out. It was exhilarating, but I could not repeat the exercise as she was extremely pretty and went topless.

pedroeibar1

miss no stars wrote: »

But spinnakers make a lovely backdrop to the photos of the outing. Just cut to the chase and bring some paid crew to sail the boat for you and be done with all that pulling and winching business.

Quite. Which was the reason why the Royal Alfred YC was founded and why that DBSC and waterfront clubs had (have?) a rule that not more than one paid hand was allowed onboard.

Steve

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

...and why that DBSC and waterfront clubs had (have?) a rule that not more than one paid hand was allowed onboard.

That's an ISAF racing rule more than anything else. Rule 79. Most amateur events limit sailors above Cat 1 in all classes except zero / super zero.

pedroeibar1

Steve wrote: »

That's an ISAF racing rule more than anything else. Rule 79. Most amateur events limit sailors above Cat 1 in all classes except zero / super zero.

Thanks Steve. Had a look at that, nightmare stuff, terrible what money does to a sport. My last racing (as a helm) was under IYRU and back then a protest in Cruisers I or II in Dublin Bay was really unusual and only for the most serious of occurrences. The offender usually resigned rather than put everyone through the hassle of a meeting.

Stheno

Right lads, my anniversary with the OH is coming up, and I'm requesting knee pads and an auto inflating lifejacket as gifts.

I was out with someone yesterday who had said jacket which had a light on it that indicated if the battery was charged, anyone know what I am talking about?

Conchir

Unfortunately I can't help, but that does sound cool.

I found a hole in my boat today, below the water line Fun Winter ahead.

miss no stars

Stheno wrote: »

Right lads, my anniversary with the OH is coming up, and I'm requesting knee pads and an auto inflating lifejacket as gifts.

I was out with someone yesterday who had said jacket which had a light on it that indicated if the battery was charged, anyone know what I am talking about?

Mine has a sort of locator light to make you easier to see in the water but I haven't heard of what you've described. I've only ever used auto inflators that are mechanically triggered.. They usially have brightlu coloured plastic attachments to show that they havent been fired. I've never come across an electronically triggered jacket yet, is there anything else identifiable on it?

One thing I would advise about them is to avoid jackets with folded corners - they wear through at fold points very quickly. Go for something rounded the whole way around.

pedroeibar1

Stheno wrote: »

Right lads, my anniversary with the OH is coming up, and I'm requesting knee pads and an auto inflating lifejacket as gifts.

I was out with someone yesterday who had said jacket which had a light on it that indicated if the battery was charged, anyone know what I am talking about?

I think you have confused a couple of issues here - the jackets with a light have the latter as a location indicator at night. AFAIK they do not have a battery but have a wetcell unit that is activated when immersed in salt water. I would not bother with a light unless I would be doing night-time offshore stuff.

There are different 'triggers' for auto-inflate but the key thing is to change the compressed air cylinder every season. I'm not a big fan of them (having once had a bad and very wet experience with one) and prefer those that inflate with a toggle. Some have a plastic clip indicator to show the bottle has not been used - a visual inspection is better and almost as easy.)

HeidiHeidi

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

I think you have confused a couple of issues here - the jackets with a light have the latter as a location indicator at night. AFAIK they do not have a battery but have a wetcell unit that is activated when immersed in salt water. I would not bother with a light unless I would be doing night-time offshore stuff.

There are different 'triggers' for auto-inflate but the key thing is to change the compressed air cylinder every season. I'm not a big fan of them (having once had a bad and very wet experience with one) and prefer those that inflate with a toggle. Some have a plastic clip indicator to show the bottle has not been used - a visual inspection is better and almost as easy.)

Agree that the "all ok" (I'm sure there's a proper name for it!) indicator is unlikely to be lit. And that you don't really need a light unless you're doing night sailing/racing.

Not sure it's necessary to actually change the gas cylinder every year? You can detach it, examine it, weigh it (the weight is stamped on it) to make sure it hasn't leaked any of its contents, and reattach it making sure it's firmly screwed in.

You should really get a lifejacet serviced every year, or else learn how to do it yourself.

There are a number of different firing mechanisms, and I think they all have good/bad points - I recently bought a new liftjacket (which I hate, so I won't share details!) and Viking were very helpful in describing each. Any decent chandlers will be a good source of advice about this. But I would also agree that you need to have a manual toggle as well - just to be sure to be sure!

And the last thing - bet you never knew lifejackets could be so complicated! - is get one with a crotch strap - or fit one to the one you do get. This is a big bugbear of mine, having done a sea survival course and having been in the water with an inflated lifejacket - if it's not strapped snug around the chest, and with a crotch strap secure, then it will more than likely assist in drowning you.

There endeth the lecture.

miss no stars

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Agree that the "all ok" (I'm sure there's a proper name for it!) indicator is unlikely to be lit. And that you don't really need a light unless you're doing night sailing/racing.

Not sure it's necessary to actually change the gas cylinder every year? You can detach it, examine it, weigh it (the weight is stamped on it) to make sure it hasn't leaked any of its contents, and reattach it making sure it's firmly screwed in.

You should really get a lifejacet serviced every year, or else learn how to do it yourself.

There are a number of different firing mechanisms, and I think they all have good/bad points - I recently bought a new liftjacket (which I hate, so I won't share details!) and Viking were very helpful in describing each. Any decent chandlers will be a good source of advice about this. But I would also agree that you need to have a manual toggle as well - just to be sure to be sure!

And the last thing - bet you never knew lifejackets could be so complicated! - is get one with a crotch strap - or fit one to the one you do get. This is a big bugbear of mine, having done a sea survival course and having been in the water with an inflated lifejacket - if it's not strapped snug around the chest, and with a crotch strap secure, then it will more than likely assist in drowning you.

There endeth the lecture.

And make sure the crotch/thigh straps are comfy and don't affect movement. Should be able to run around and get up and down steps unimpeded.

Might not be a bad idea to have a dedicated lifejacket thread for sharing wisdom and reviews.

fergal.b

I did hear of a new electric triggering lifejacket called an EBBS that allows a person to fall into the water without it going off giving the person a chance to swim back to the boat it will only go off if the person sinks to a preset depth, I'm not sure it's on the market yet and think it only had a short battery life.




.

Stheno

miss no stars wrote: »

Mine has a sort of locator light to make you easier to see in the water but I haven't heard of what you've described. I've only ever used auto inflators that are mechanically triggered.. They usially have brightlu coloured plastic attachments to show that they havent been fired. I've never come across an electronically triggered jacket yet, is there anything else identifiable on it?

One thing I would advise about them is to avoid jackets with folded corners - they wear through at fold points very quickly. Go for something rounded the whole way around.

I think it might have been like this, which is advertised as having a viewing window to see the mechanism state, and looks like the one I saw irl. It also has a toggle for manual inflation

http://www.marineparts.ie/safety/lifejackets/lifejackets-en/seago-180n-auto-lifejacket-with-hood-light-harness-and-strap.html

Yeah I've noticed the ones with triangular folds tend to wear very quickly.

Am definitely getting one with crotch straps, and going to spend time trimming it so I don't have excess bits of straps going everywhere, given that they are designed to fit most sizes, I find I've metres of excess strap hanging about!

miss no stars

Looks like a good lifejacket. Has the essentials for daytime coastal stuff (it is a lifejacket and has a crotch strap) and then has the nice to have/essential items for all other conditions such as the harness, spray hood and light. All of them should have a manual inflation trigger plus a top up valve.

On a side note, I'd be inclined to not trim the ends - they're easily dealt with by folding them up and putting an elastic band around or just tucking them in. Trimming and then keeping the ends sealed and secure would just be another thing to maintain. There's also the issue of being a different size in summer vs winter (or even in summer during night vs day). As an example, during the day I might have trousers, tshirt and fleece on with salopettes and cag/offshore jacket on; at night I might have trousers, tracksuit bottoms and salopettes on bottom, then 2 tshirts, base layer fleece, second fleece, snug jacket plus offshore jacket on top (can you tell that I feel the cold?!). When you're that bulked up you'll a) need more eh, scope, in the straps all round than during the day and b ) need another little extra bit as you're a bit michelin man by that point and actually getting stuff on and adjusting it requires a little bit more length in the straps.

Stheno

miss no stars wrote: »

Looks like a good lifejacket. Has the essentials for daytime coastal stuff (it is a lifejacket and has a crotch strap) and then has the nice to have/essential items for all other conditions such as the harness, spray hood and light. All of them should have a manual inflation trigger plus a top up valve.

On a side note, I'd be inclined to not trim the ends - they're easily dealt with by folding them up and putting an elastic band around or just tucking them in. Trimming and then keeping the ends sealed and secure would just be another thing to maintain. There's also the issue of being a different size in summer vs winter (or even in summer during night vs day). As an example, during the day I might have trousers, tshirt and fleece on with salopettes and cag/offshore jacket on; at night I might have trousers, tracksuit bottoms and salopettes on bottom, then 2 tshirts, base layer fleece, second fleece, snug jacket plus offshore jacket on top (can you tell that I feel the cold?!). When you're that bulked up you'll a) need more eh, scope, in the straps all round than during the day and b ) need another little extra bit as you're a bit michelin man by that point and actually getting stuff on and adjusting it requires a little bit more length in the straps.

Good points, thanks for taking the time to post that. You are dead right too, I've been using borrowed automatics up till now so never thought of elastics etc

I too am a feeler of the cold, can't abide being cold

HeidiHeidi

miss no stars wrote: »

Looks like a good lifejacket. Has the essentials for daytime coastal stuff (it is a lifejacket and has a crotch strap) and then has the nice to have/essential items for all other conditions such as the harness, spray hood and light. All of them should have a manual inflation trigger plus a top up valve.

On a side note, I'd be inclined to not trim the ends - they're easily dealt with by folding them up and putting an elastic band around or just tucking them in. Trimming and then keeping the ends sealed and secure would just be another thing to maintain. There's also the issue of being a different size in summer vs winter (or even in summer during night vs day). As an example, during the day I might have trousers, tshirt and fleece on with salopettes and cag/offshore jacket on; at night I might have trousers, tracksuit bottoms and salopettes on bottom, then 2 tshirts, base layer fleece, second fleece, snug jacket plus offshore jacket on top (can you tell that I feel the cold?!). When you're that bulked up you'll a) need more eh, scope, in the straps all round than during the day and b ) need another little extra bit as you're a bit michelin man by that point and actually getting stuff on and adjusting it requires a little bit more length in the straps.

+1 to all of the above! With bells (and thermals, and multiple fleeces) on!!

Also, just because it's rounded, doesn't mean that the lifejacket bladder won't develop a fault... I maintained my previous one (similar to the one you've posted) meticulously, and still found a leak in it at the start of this season - regular checks are a must, whether by you or by someone qualified/knowledgable about lifejackets.

Stheno

My beloved Oakleys went to their watery grave today

The one day that I'd no retainer band on them as mine broke, and I decided to take a chance.

Mental note:
1. Always keep ball of twine in car/bag.
2. Secure twine/retainer to suit/pfd/lifejacket.

miss no stars

Stheno wrote: »

My beloved Oakleys went to their watery grave today

The one day that I'd no retainer band on them as mine broke, and I decided to take a chance.

Mental note:
1. Always keep ball of twine in car/bag.
2. Secure twine/retainer to suit/pfd/lifejacket.

Story of my life. Cheap sunglasses ftw.

HeidiHeidi

miss no stars wrote: »

Story of my life. Cheap sunglasses ftw.

Somehow, and miraculously, I've never lost a pair of sunglasses overboard. Yet

Possibly because until it's practically nighttime, I just never take them off. I reckon if I dangled them off a string/retainer, I'd just smash them off something instead - they're far safer wrapped around my ears!!!

Speaking of cheapies - I fully agree! Lidl (and possibly Aldi) occasionally do proper, really nice, fully polarised sunnies for the grand sum of a fiver - last time they were there we bought a load of them and the boat is now stuffed with spare sunglasses! Well worth keeping an eye out for - if I see them again I'll post here and we can all stock up

pedroeibar1

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Somehow, and miraculously, I've never lost a pair of sunglasses overboard. Yet .......

Speaking of cheapies - I fully agree! Lidl (and possibly Aldi) occasionally do proper, really nice, fully polarised sunnies for the grand sum of a fiver -

The seabed in Dublin Bay is littered....my addition to the list - many pairs of sunglasses, one set of car keys, a v. good watch (strap pin broke), several hats, etc. A certain crew who shall remain nameless used to be greeted when coming on board with the comment 'Did you bring another winch handle?' such was his habit of dropping them over the side.

Agreed on the Lidl glasses, very serviceable, (as are their shackles) and good value but the warp they sell is total rubbish as are their sailing oilskins.

Steve

There's an old nautical saying...

"It doesn't matter how much you paid for it, it still makes the same noise when it goes over the side"

Very true, applies to watches, sunnies, gps's, winch handles, hats, you name it..

Tim the Enchanter

Serious amount of power here - crazy stuff really. Beautiful boat though.

http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20131007-the-lamborghini-powered-boat

fergal.b

Sweet Sweet music

Stheno

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Somehow, and miraculously, I've never lost a pair of sunglasses overboard. Yet

Possibly because until it's practically nighttime, I just never take them off. I reckon if I dangled them off a string/retainer, I'd just smash them off something instead - they're far safer wrapped around my ears!!!

Speaking of cheapies - I fully agree! Lidl (and possibly Aldi) occasionally do proper, really nice, fully polarised sunnies for the grand sum of a fiver - last time they were there we bought a load of them and the boat is now stuffed with spare sunglasses! Well worth keeping an eye out for - if I see them again I'll post here and we can all stock up

Went hunting for cheapies at the weekend and couldn't find anything that was polarised, so thanks a million for that, will keep an eye out

With my pale freckly skin they help

HeidiHeidi

Stheno wrote: »

Went hunting for cheapies at the weekend and couldn't find anything that was polarised, so thanks a million for that, will keep an eye out

With my pale freckly skin they help

Try TK Maxx - it's a long, random, and often fruitless exercise, but you can sometimes get real bargains there.

Despite my endorsement of cheapies above, I actually wear (until I sit on them sometime, as I assuredly will ) - Maui Jim's - a brand of which I'd never even heard, until a work colleague put me onto them.... they cost a fair bit, but are far and away the best sunglasses I've EVER had. The light (even in dim light or rain) is incredibly clear through them.

http://www.mauijim.com/ho-okipa.html