The Ballad Exchange

Bob, I agree with everything you've mentioned. But as far as gin goes, I stick to Hendrick's.

Nicholas

Several photos of Moments of Clarity taken during recent cruises.

Hi Bob: I'd probably leave them as is, i.e. without any inserts. Mine lean inboard too, but I think that's actually a good idea as the most likely force to be imposed on them is outboard, from someone about to fall overboard. Mind you, my guard wires are bar-taught, which actually places less strain...

Hi Bob: I use Sikaflex 291 which is similar to 3M 3200. 3M 5200 is a structural compound (some boat builders use it to join hulls to decks without further fastening) so I would stay away from that, just in case you want to remove the bases at some point in the future. Sikaflex 291--especially in its...

Hi to all: One of my boat's previous owners had replaced the original bolts on several of the stanchion bases. I don't know why, but what I DO know is that he chose inferior grade, stainless steel bolts (304, also known as A2) for the replacements. Furthermore, the bolts were all thread, rather than...

Hi to all: "Moments of Clarity" is the Ballad version with the aft-facing chart table, so I'm not sure that you'll find this posting very useful. For some reason, I prefer the aft-facing chart table; although there's less space, it's cosier and you can wedge yourself in the space better wh...

Hi to all: To add my two cents' worth to the anchor roller/platform subject, I'm posting a few photos of the arrangement on Moments of Clarity. It's a twin roller system because I often launch two anchors in a V formation. They are essentially two bow rollers made out of 4mm stainless steel welded t...

Hi to all: The following posting is about a rigid dodger which was designed and constructed by Mats Wik, owner of Taifun, Ballad #911. Mats left Sweden 8 years ago, found his way down to the Med via the canals and has been cruising the eastern Med ever since. He built his dodger before leaving Swede...

Hi Bob: I can't speak for the entire Med but in Greece you can anchor pretty much anywhere you want to. Obviously, this excludes bays that are adjacent to Naval bases or spots where they are underwater cables (there're signs to warn you off). There's no such thing as private property on the shorelin...

And, finally, part 4.