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Without your support the website wouldn't be what it is today.
Please consider donating towards these fees to help keep us afloat.
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All donations are securely managed through PayPal. Amounts donated are not published online.
Many thanks for your kind support
Warrant Officer)
Commodore)
Fleet Admiral)
Petty Officer 1st Class)
Admiral)
Liked Guestbook 6 days ago
United Kingdom
Recent Posts
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
1 hour ago by Fireboat (
Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
7th Dec: The pipes that run along the keel of a boat to provide cooling for the engine are called what?
A. Keel Coolers (81%) - Correct Answer
B. Underside Duct (5%)
C. Chilly Bottom (2%)
D. Thermal Bypass (12%)
A keel cooler is a closed-circuit cooling system mounted externally on the vessel's hull below the waterline. The concept of keel cooling is similar to the application of a radiator on a car. Engine coolant is circulated through the keel cooler, which transfers heat from the coolant before it returns to the engine.
Most people got it correct 👍
Stephen
A. Keel Coolers (81%) - Correct Answer
B. Underside Duct (5%)
C. Chilly Bottom (2%)
D. Thermal Bypass (12%)
A keel cooler is a closed-circuit cooling system mounted externally on the vessel's hull below the waterline. The concept of keel cooling is similar to the application of a radiator on a car. Engine coolant is circulated through the keel cooler, which transfers heat from the coolant before it returns to the engine.
Most people got it correct 👍
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 5 Views
📝 How to contribute but not through Paypal
22 hours ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi Ron,
PayPal is the preference, from a convenience and security point of view. Although they do take a cut, using them as a payment provider means they handle all the difficult and secure stuff. The website is immediately informed of any contributions and your membership gets updated automatically.
The alternative would be a bank transfer. I've published the international bank account number on the Membership page. Please use the reference numbers shown there so I can identify where contributions have come from. These are unique to your account. It'll be DON and a number, for one off donations, or SUB and a number, for regular contributions.
Thanks,
Stephen
PayPal is the preference, from a convenience and security point of view. Although they do take a cut, using them as a payment provider means they handle all the difficult and secure stuff. The website is immediately informed of any contributions and your membership gets updated automatically.
The alternative would be a bank transfer. I've published the international bank account number on the Membership page. Please use the reference numbers shown there so I can identify where contributions have come from. These are unique to your account. It'll be DON and a number, for one off donations, or SUB and a number, for regular contributions.
Thanks,
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 41 Views
1
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
1 day ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
6th Dec: Which is the fastest direction to sail around the world?
A. Northward (2%)
B. Eastward (48%) - Correct Answer
C. Southward (23%)
D. Westward (27%)
Most world-record contenders choose to sail eastward due to the stronger and more predictable winds and currents that push eastward in the Southern Hemisphere.
Majority got it right, even if there was some Googling and it could be open to discussion 😁
On to engine cooling today!
Stephen
A. Northward (2%)
B. Eastward (48%) - Correct Answer
C. Southward (23%)
D. Westward (27%)
Most world-record contenders choose to sail eastward due to the stronger and more predictable winds and currents that push eastward in the Southern Hemisphere.
Majority got it right, even if there was some Googling and it could be open to discussion 😁
On to engine cooling today!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 32 Views
1
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
2 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
5th Dec: Pirates used to wear eye patches for what reason?
A. To see below deck (38%) - Correct Answer
B. To look more threatening (12%)
C. To hide battle wounds (49%)
D. To identify the captain (1%)
If you thought that pirates wear eye patches because they’re missing an eye then you are mistaken!
Pirates actually wore eye patches to help them see better in the dark!
Our eyes take quite a while to adjust properly from light to dark – up to 25 minutes in fact, so pirates kept an eye patch over one eye at all times so they were already adjusted.
Whenever a pirate went below deck, they would just change their eye patch over and voila! They could see in the dark!
Lots of people getting that one wrong.
Good luck for today's question! 🤞
Stephen
A. To see below deck (38%) - Correct Answer
B. To look more threatening (12%)
C. To hide battle wounds (49%)
D. To identify the captain (1%)
If you thought that pirates wear eye patches because they’re missing an eye then you are mistaken!
Pirates actually wore eye patches to help them see better in the dark!
Our eyes take quite a while to adjust properly from light to dark – up to 25 minutes in fact, so pirates kept an eye patch over one eye at all times so they were already adjusted.
Whenever a pirate went below deck, they would just change their eye patch over and voila! They could see in the dark!
Lots of people getting that one wrong.
Good luck for today's question! 🤞
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 50 Views
3
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
3 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi Gary,
I've taken a look and this should be working correctly now.
Thanks for pointing it out 👍
Stephen
I've taken a look and this should be working correctly now.
Thanks for pointing it out 👍
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 60 Views
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
3 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
4th Dec: The largest container ship in the world 'Evergreen Ever Alot' can carry how many shipping containers?
A. 18,782 (1%)
B. 24,004 (76%) - Correct Answer
C. 30,012 (11%)
D. 36,905 (12%)
The Ever Alot vessel has a carrying capacity of 24,004 TEU and measures 400 metres long by 61.5 metres wide, with a draft of 17 metres.
The giant ship has snatched the world’s largest container ship record from Ever Ace, another Evergreen-flagged vessel. The Ever Alot is the seventh vessel in the Evergreen A class and the first ship in the class, and the world, to surpass the 24,000 TEU mark. It serves trade routes between Europe and the Far East.
It only came into service this year.
We're up to the 5th question, a total of 494 entries now (367 correct, 127 incorrect). Seems like this pirate eye patch one is catching a few out mind! Results tomorrow 😁
Stephen
A. 18,782 (1%)
B. 24,004 (76%) - Correct Answer
C. 30,012 (11%)
D. 36,905 (12%)
The Ever Alot vessel has a carrying capacity of 24,004 TEU and measures 400 metres long by 61.5 metres wide, with a draft of 17 metres.
The giant ship has snatched the world’s largest container ship record from Ever Ace, another Evergreen-flagged vessel. The Ever Alot is the seventh vessel in the Evergreen A class and the first ship in the class, and the world, to surpass the 24,000 TEU mark. It serves trade routes between Europe and the Far East.
It only came into service this year.
We're up to the 5th question, a total of 494 entries now (367 correct, 127 incorrect). Seems like this pirate eye patch one is catching a few out mind! Results tomorrow 😁
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 61 Views
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
4 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
3rd Dec: The tendency of a sailboat to turn away from the wind while under sail is called what?
A. Lee helm (59%) - Correct Answer
B. Lee side (4%)
C. Leeward (35%)
D. Lee back (2%)
Lee helm is the tendency of a sailboat to turn away from the wind while under sail. It is the opposite of weather helm (which is the tendency of a sailboat to "round up" into the wind).
Leeward describes an area or side of a boat that's facing away from the wind, but not the action itself of turning away. Maybe an evil question!
Stephen
A. Lee helm (59%) - Correct Answer
B. Lee side (4%)
C. Leeward (35%)
D. Lee back (2%)
Lee helm is the tendency of a sailboat to turn away from the wind while under sail. It is the opposite of weather helm (which is the tendency of a sailboat to "round up" into the wind).
Leeward describes an area or side of a boat that's facing away from the wind, but not the action itself of turning away. Maybe an evil question!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 67 Views
3
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
5 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
2nd Dec: Which ocean is the deepest?
A. Atlantic Ocean (4%)
B. Pacific Ocean (90%) - Correct Answer
C. Indian Ocean (4%)
D. Arctic Ocean (2%)
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. 'Challenger Deep' in the Mariana Trench, located in the western north Pacific, is the deepest point in the world, reaching a depth of 10,928 meters (35,853 feet ~ 6.8 miles). The Pacific also contains the deepest point in the Southern Hemisphere, the Horizon Deep in the Tonga Trench, at 10,823 meters (35,509 feet ~ 6.7 miles).
109 entries in total.
Good luck once again for today!
Stephen
A. Atlantic Ocean (4%)
B. Pacific Ocean (90%) - Correct Answer
C. Indian Ocean (4%)
D. Arctic Ocean (2%)
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. 'Challenger Deep' in the Mariana Trench, located in the western north Pacific, is the deepest point in the world, reaching a depth of 10,928 meters (35,853 feet ~ 6.8 miles). The Pacific also contains the deepest point in the Southern Hemisphere, the Horizon Deep in the Tonga Trench, at 10,823 meters (35,509 feet ~ 6.7 miles).
109 entries in total.
Good luck once again for today!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 79 Views
2
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
6 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi Peejay, the quiz is on the homepage (not here on the forum), so please answer on the homepage 😁
New questions will appear at midnight GMT (UK time).
Stephen
New questions will appear at midnight GMT (UK time).
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 83 Views
1
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
6 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
1st Dec: What is a stuffing box?
A. Waste Compactor (1%)
B. Smoke Room (1%)
C. Propshaft Seal (98%) - Correct Answer
D. Lookout Post (0%)
If a boat has inboard power, odds are it is fitted with a stuffing box to provide a watertight seal for the propeller shaft. Stuffing boxes are also used to seal rudder stocks that penetrate the hull below the waterline. In principle a stuffing box is identical to the packing nut on a common tap.
We had 103 entries yesterday.
Good luck all with todays question!
Stephen
A. Waste Compactor (1%)
B. Smoke Room (1%)
C. Propshaft Seal (98%) - Correct Answer
D. Lookout Post (0%)
If a boat has inboard power, odds are it is fitted with a stuffing box to provide a watertight seal for the propeller shaft. Stuffing boxes are also used to seal rudder stocks that penetrate the hull below the waterline. In principle a stuffing box is identical to the packing nut on a common tap.
We had 103 entries yesterday.
Good luck all with todays question!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 89 Views
3
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
8 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Quiz is all ready to launch tomorrow! They'll be a new question at midnight UK time every day.
It is a competition quiz, but I have no idea yet what the prize(s) will be. Last year we had quite a few donated gifts from members. If anyone has sensible post-able gifts to put forward, please let me know. Although it doesn't make it any more likely you'll win if you do put forward gifts!
The more right answers in the month, the greater the chance of winning.
All winner(s) will be announced Jan 1st. Last year we had about 10 winners, but it all depends on the prize fund.
Thank you all who have put forward question ideas too. I haven't integrated all of them, but I've done my best.
Hope you all enjoy the fun throughout December and please don't give away answers on the forum (until the following day at least 😉).
Thanks!
Stephen
It is a competition quiz, but I have no idea yet what the prize(s) will be. Last year we had quite a few donated gifts from members. If anyone has sensible post-able gifts to put forward, please let me know. Although it doesn't make it any more likely you'll win if you do put forward gifts!
The more right answers in the month, the greater the chance of winning.
All winner(s) will be announced Jan 1st. Last year we had about 10 winners, but it all depends on the prize fund.
Thank you all who have put forward question ideas too. I haven't integrated all of them, but I've done my best.
Hope you all enjoy the fun throughout December and please don't give away answers on the forum (until the following day at least 😉).
Thanks!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 94 Views
3
📝 Free Christmas Prize Draw!
15 days ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi All,
Like last year, I’m looking to run a daily quiz for all members to join in with during December.
31 questions in total. Each with four possible answers.
Although I’ve put together some questions already, if any members out there want to help, it’d be greatly appreciated! All Q’s need to be related to boating, yachting, shipping, subs, general nauticalness.
Please pop me a private message if you have any questions and answer ideas 👨🎓
Thanks!
Stephen
Like last year, I’m looking to run a daily quiz for all members to join in with during December.
31 questions in total. Each with four possible answers.
Although I’ve put together some questions already, if any members out there want to help, it’d be greatly appreciated! All Q’s need to be related to boating, yachting, shipping, subs, general nauticalness.
Please pop me a private message if you have any questions and answer ideas 👨🎓
Thanks!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 117 Views
13
📝 Grounds for multiple voltages
2 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
If you’ve two batteries, 24v and 12v, then there is absolutely no harm in connecting the grounds of both together. If the 24v is 2x 12v in series, then obviously those two batteries are kept in series to make the 24v, making a common ground here would create a short.
Depending on what you’re powering though, it may be best to only have one main battery (going with the voltage of highest power device, eg the motor) then regulate up or down for the ancillary devices (like lighting, water pump, whatever is on the other voltage).
Stephen
Depending on what you’re powering though, it may be best to only have one main battery (going with the voltage of highest power device, eg the motor) then regulate up or down for the ancillary devices (like lighting, water pump, whatever is on the other voltage).
Stephen
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📝 Reply
👀 58 Views
5
📝 Cannot load pictures 16:38 12/10/2022
2 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 27 Views
📝 Loss of Pictures on this site
3 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
We're back!
Couldn't fix it until now, thanks everyone for being patient. Nothing has been lost, it was only the displaying of the images that was faulty.
If you're still seeing pictures missing, refresh the website or re-load the app.
Thanks all!
Stephen
Couldn't fix it until now, thanks everyone for being patient. Nothing has been lost, it was only the displaying of the images that was faulty.
If you're still seeing pictures missing, refresh the website or re-load the app.
Thanks all!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 45 Views
2
📝 D class Dog Boat
3 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi All,
I’m still on my day job, but I’ll get this fixed asap.
Pictures are not lost anyway. So don’t worry there. It’ll all come back.
Just ask for all your patience’s 😁
Thanks,
Stephen
I’m still on my day job, but I’ll get this fixed asap.
Pictures are not lost anyway. So don’t worry there. It’ll all come back.
Just ask for all your patience’s 😁
Thanks,
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 53 Views
4
📝 Loading photos
6 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Yep, it’s all storage related. Also the fact I’m without a laptop at the moment!… it’s in for repair.
I’ve done my best to fix things on my phone. So photos will upload again. For the blank photos in posts, if you edit your post, you should be able to delete the blanks and re-upload your photos again. This time they’ll show up!
Thanks
Stephen
I’ve done my best to fix things on my phone. So photos will upload again. For the blank photos in posts, if you edit your post, you should be able to delete the blanks and re-upload your photos again. This time they’ll show up!
Thanks
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 49 Views
4
📝 Recent site issues
8 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi All,
Just a quick update on some recent issues and fixes.
Push notifications on iOS - the certificate expired, so we had about a week of no notifications going out. This is fixed now!
Email notifications & file uploads - the server again reached its file capacity which has caused issues recently. Although I can't increase the file capacity (wish I could!) I have stopped the site generating some useless log files which appear to be bunging everything up every so often.
So we're now back afloat! If you see anything unusual still, let me know.
Thanks,
Stephen
Just a quick update on some recent issues and fixes.
Push notifications on iOS - the certificate expired, so we had about a week of no notifications going out. This is fixed now!
Email notifications & file uploads - the server again reached its file capacity which has caused issues recently. Although I can't increase the file capacity (wish I could!) I have stopped the site generating some useless log files which appear to be bunging everything up every so often.
So we're now back afloat! If you see anything unusual still, let me know.
Thanks,
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 64 Views
7
📝 Laser Cutting
10 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I think the bottom line is; don't do it yourself. It's better to get a company who has the proper laser cutting equipment to do the work... certainly for a hobbyist it goes against the grain a little, as I prefer having that whole end to end involvement on the creation of a part. But given the cost, safety and practicalities, it's just not sensible.
It does mean however, there's a lot more pressure on the design being right first time. So my CAD'ing skills will be put to the test!
Thanks all 😎
Stephen
It does mean however, there's a lot more pressure on the design being right first time. So my CAD'ing skills will be put to the test!
Thanks all 😎
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 63 Views
3
📝 Laser Cutting
10 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi all, I’ve a project going at the moment where I’m considering having some plywood laser cut.
Wondering what experience members here have had with laser cutting wood, whether you’ve bought a machine yourself to do it, or have sent a design off to another company. What is the better option?
Just curious. Happy to take onboard any advice.
Stephen
Wondering what experience members here have had with laser cutting wood, whether you’ve bought a machine yourself to do it, or have sent a design off to another company. What is the better option?
Just curious. Happy to take onboard any advice.
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 92 Views
3
📝 Lack of email notifications
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi Nerys,
Looking at the database, it says emails are going out successfully, you should have had 5 in the last 24 hours;
- 2 trending topics
- 2 new likes
- 1 reply
Is anyone else not receiving emails?
Stephen
Looking at the database, it says emails are going out successfully, you should have had 5 in the last 24 hours;
- 2 trending topics
- 2 new likes
- 1 reply
Is anyone else not receiving emails?
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 41 Views
📝 Christmas Cards & Free Prize Draw
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hopefully it’ll get there in the end Doug! I can assure you it was sent out at the same time as the other internationals 😊
Stephen
Stephen
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📝 Reply
👀 60 Views
2
📝 Pictures
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Hi Rick, Ed - We should be back to normal now 👍
The error came with the code written to remove duplicate uploaded files, it just didn't quite update the file references correctly at first.
Still let me know if you spot anything else unusual.
Thanks,
Stephen
The error came with the code written to remove duplicate uploaded files, it just didn't quite update the file references correctly at first.
Still let me know if you spot anything else unusual.
Thanks,
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 72 Views
2
📝 Pictures
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
My fault. Don’t do anything. I’ll restore them. Just give me time.
This goes for all members harbours.
If you see pictures vanishing anywhere else, let me know.
Stephen
This goes for all members harbours.
If you see pictures vanishing anywhere else, let me know.
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 74 Views
📝 Unable to post photos
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
It's an easy-ish fix. You should be able to upload photos again 😊
The issue is with how many files we now have on the server. The file limit was reached. I've cleared some cache folders, but also going to write some code to keep things tidy. It's possible we have some files which were uploaded but never posted, or duplicates. I'll see what I can do to avoid this happening.
If you've posted photos already which have come up blank, you'll need to edit the post and add them again.
Thanks,
Stephen
The issue is with how many files we now have on the server. The file limit was reached. I've cleared some cache folders, but also going to write some code to keep things tidy. It's possible we have some files which were uploaded but never posted, or duplicates. I'll see what I can do to avoid this happening.
If you've posted photos already which have come up blank, you'll need to edit the post and add them again.
Thanks,
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 57 Views
3
📝 Christmas Cards & Free Prize Draw
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 127 Views
10
📝 Christmas Cards & Free Prize Draw
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
There's not really a finishing position, as it's names out of the hat.
The list of the 20 winners below was just put alphabetically. Some joined half way through, but you only need one correct answer to have a chance of winning. The more correct answers, the higher the chances were. On average people answered 12 of the 31 questions and were correct 93.86% of the time.
Some rough odds based on the 5965 correct entries & 20 winners;
If you got 1 question right: 1/5965*20*100 = 0.34% chance
If you got 31 questions right: 31/5965*20*100 = 10.39% chance
Stephen
The list of the 20 winners below was just put alphabetically. Some joined half way through, but you only need one correct answer to have a chance of winning. The more correct answers, the higher the chances were. On average people answered 12 of the 31 questions and were correct 93.86% of the time.
Some rough odds based on the 5965 correct entries & 20 winners;
If you got 1 question right: 1/5965*20*100 = 0.34% chance
If you got 31 questions right: 31/5965*20*100 = 10.39% chance
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 143 Views
6
📝 Christmas Cards & Free Prize Draw
11 months ago by Fireboat ( Lieutenant)
Lieutenant)
Okay, so here we go, the final results and winners! There are 20 winners. Prizes will be spread out across the winners, you'll not know what you've won until it turns up! 😁
1. cormorant
2. Colin H
3. DamonH
4. GARTH
5. GaryLC
6. georgeo5664
7. Glyn
8. jbkiwi
9. Jimba
10. modelship
11. MouldBuilder
12. muddy
13. navyveteran
14. Nerys
15. Newby7
16. Rex3644
17. RNinMunich
18. Rookysailor
19. Scratchbuilder
20. Seaspray
Some of you I do have an address for already, but for the most I don't, so I'll be in touch via email.
Thanks to all who participated. I'm sorry if you were not a winner this time, but we'll look to do this again in the future, so fingers crossed for next time!
Stephen
1. cormorant
2. Colin H
3. DamonH
4. GARTH
5. GaryLC
6. georgeo5664
7. Glyn
8. jbkiwi
9. Jimba
10. modelship
11. MouldBuilder
12. muddy
13. navyveteran
14. Nerys
15. Newby7
16. Rex3644
17. RNinMunich
18. Rookysailor
19. Scratchbuilder
20. Seaspray
Some of you I do have an address for already, but for the most I don't, so I'll be in touch via email.
Thanks to all who participated. I'm sorry if you were not a winner this time, but we'll look to do this again in the future, so fingers crossed for next time!
Stephen
👍 Like
📝 Reply
👀 159 Views
12
