Rule 1100 Bilge Pump Test
The Rule 1100gph Bilge Pump claims to shift 1100 gallons per hour. “Gallons per hour” is an odd choice of unit, and since an hour is a long time to be pumping, I prefer to express this as 1.4 litres […]
Removing old headliner
Many boats made in the 1970’s came with foam-backed vinyl material covering the interior walls and roof. The material provides some insulation and covers up all the nuts and other hardware. After a few decades, the material starts to degrade. […]
Riveting in a deep channel
Riveting using pop rivets is straightforward. But if you need to put a rivet at the bottom of a channel, such as you might find on a yacht mast, things get a bit more complex. Most rivet tools have a […]
Epoxy wood repairs
Epoxies are one of the wonder materials of modern boating – strong and stable even in the harsh marine environment. Today we’re using epoxy to repair a broken strip of Iroko wood that came from a boat cockpit side. Epoxy […]
Gibb Winch repairs
We’re going to tear down an old yacht winch, identified only by the words “Gibb England” stamped on the top. The Gibb company that made them has long since vanished, possibly acquired by Lewmar at some point. But the winches […]
Wood screws and their screwy sizes
Anywhere you see wood inside a yacht, you’ll find screws holding it together. These screws don’t have an easy life – the moist, salty conditions would quickly turn a plain steel screw into a pile of rust. But getting the right screws….