We got increasingly frustrated by our small petrol (gas) outboards that we use very infrequently on our dinghies and Chat 18 catamaran. Never quite knowing whether they would start, or how long they would run. Usually because the small jets would clog up, a problem aggravated by the ethanol fuel now used in the UK, USA and elsewhere. So earlier this year we bit the bullet and bought a used Torqeedo 1103 electric outboard. It was on ebay, from "one careful lady owner" - actually the advert said "only used on a fresh water trout farm" which we hoped was much the same thing. And we have been very pleased with it this summer, using it on Sagitta's tender, sometimes for long distances, yet never seeing the charge drop below 80% So we then tried using it on our Chat 18. And immediately discovered two problems, probably common to other small daysailing boats. First, the battery was much larger than the integral petrol fuel tank. So, when tilted up on the swingdown bracket, the Torqeedo hit the tillerbar. That meant we had to use the transom mount, which in turn meant the leg had to be angled back in use to clear the immersed rudder blade. Very inefficient and too close to the surface. And second, when tilted up and turned sideways the tiller control arm would detach - something that doesn't happen with a petrol outboard. So we had to remove it, and then reattach it whenever we wanted to motor. Fortunately Torqeedo has realised that many people have these problems and so supply reasonably priced, extra long cables, not just for the battery but also for the tiller arm. Accordingly we bought a 1.5m (5ft) battery cable and a 5m (16ft) tiller cable. This video shows the results of the first motor, one calm winter evening. I still have to re-route the cables through the back of the cockpit and more permanently mount the tiller arm. The deeper propellor is more efficient and there is no aeration when cornering or in waves. Top speed was very close to 5 knots, about hull speed on an 18ft boat. In reverse speed was about 3 knots. Although it's more awkward to lift the outboard leg without the battery in place it does now fit comfortably below the tillerbar when raised for sailing. So we're very happy so far! For once there is audio on this short video. But even if you turn the volume to high you won't hear the outboard - another bonus! More on the Chat 18 here https://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/2-catamarans-under-25ft/475-chat-18-daysailing-catamaran And Torqeedo here https://nestawayboats.com/

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Bundling up against the brisk sea breeze! Watching the different ways people brave the chilly weather on this scenic coastal path. #CoastalWalk #ChillyWeather #OutdoorLife #Seaside

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Follow along as Skipper Joe makes great food, fun and friends with only two burners, a tiny oven, a dorm sized fridge and the truth.

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Using markings to assist in sail trim. Learn to sail tutorials available to view at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3r4tVOxSfwLIBRJrX1iqw Full video: https://youtu.be/x6XOKA_DkOw

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Falmouth, Cornwall | The West Country of England is a sailor’s dream. Small, picturesque and historic ports and harbours pepper the coast, many with deep water berths, long navigable rivers and excellent pubs. Falmouth in Cornwall is one of our favourites, where we stopped off for a few days to visit a good friend. This was one of the major ports for Britain’s shipping trade from the 18th to the early 20thCentury, with ships from all around the world anchoring in the harbour to await instructions from their agents as to which port in the British Isles had the best market at that moment. It was also a major fishing port, especially for Pilchards. As a consequence, the town has a rich maritime heritage which lives on to this day, with serious racing for the fine historic Falmouth work boats (with their distinctive coloured tops’ls) and six sailing clubs throughout the Falmouth Estuary. It is also a popular cruise ship destination. The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth is a gem, with exhibits ranging from the first Mirror Dinghy, to a workshop demonstrating traditional boatbuilding and a 1.68m long ‘boat’ called Fathers’ Day that crossed the Atlantic in 1993! There was even a surf exhibition when we visited, as this part of the UK has a strong surf culture, borne of the Atlantic rollers and swell that land on the exposed Cornish and Devon coasts. The shanty-style music that accompanies this video is called ‘The Wellerman’ and has its origins in the whaling industry in Otago, New Zealand.

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