Try astern
All Jon Mendez’s tips for turning in a tight space apply to all vessels (PBO, September 2023) but I have an extra tip for sailing boats if the main problem is when going astern.
It’s worth practising going astern in open water to understand exactly how your vessel behaves. When entering a windy, narrow passage seeking a mooring, it is then worth considering going in astern. This has two advantages. Firstly, it gives you a greater chance of exiting without hitting anything, and secondly, it increases your confidence in going on to a pontoon astern, especially if the weather forecast is wind and or rain ‘on the nose’.
Andrew Sabourin
Engine corrosion
I was interested to read about Barry Pickthall’s experience with his 'yellow' engine intercooler corrosion (, September 2023). I had exactly the same problem on the port Vetus M2.C5 engine on our Catalac berthed at River Brede Moorings in Rye at only
