We've had a few sailors report trouble with their moorings lines and or dragging their anchors.  This can be very stressful, not to mention dangerous to your boat and other peoples.  Here are some tips to help:

• Before committing to a mooring, check it is suitable:
• Is it deep enough.
• Can you easily pick up the buoy.
• Is it too closely situated to other buoys.
• Is it sheltered.
• Can you get to it easily on a rib.
• Will it be suitable for all round berthing.
• Is it solely yours or shared.

It is not a good idea to raft up and leave boats unattended, They move about with the wash from passing vessels, tidal changes and wind. This can cause rope slippage, anchor dragging and potential damage to both vessels.  Sharing a mooring over night with friends is acceptable as you are present and able to check things.

Check the depth at the lowest astronomical tide to make sure you will still float.  The draft of your vessel needs to taken into account when mooring up.

If there is a catamaran nearby they move very differently on moorings and may not swing into the wind.  Check they are far enough away that they will not entangle with you.

Tidal flow could effect how you board the boat and pick up buoys.

Be safety and surroundings aware.

#boat#berth#safety#jet#washing#dry#dock#paintmyboat#maintenance#turks#goodbudget#washoff#hull#chatham#medway#swale#faversham#kent#anodes#survey#swing#mooring#

A hot day for Hauling Up the main sail.  Muscle power and a few breaks, the mast slowly rises up and slots into place.

Richard is proud owner of The Chieftain, Ex RNLI Lifeboat.  Built in 1948, served until 1982.  She saved 132 lives.
They will be running trip services from Whitstable.

You can find out more about trips on FACEBOOK: Whitstable Vintage Lifeboats.

She was stored here whilst Richard carried out repairs and maintenance, and re-did her paintwork.  She looks stunning and is a wonderful example of restoration.


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#historic#lifeboats#The#Chieftain#savinglives#RNLI#Whitstable#Vintage#boat#maintenance#coast#guards#faversham#creek#boatyard#DIY#storage#painting#repairs#knotfinnishedyet#tallyho#craning#liftout#sealife#watermen#barge#thames#sailing#KSA#swale#marina#sailing#dinghy#boatsforsale#

​#historic#lifeboats#The#Chieftain#savinglives#RNLI#Whitstable#Vintage#boat#maintenance#coast#guards#faversham#creek#boatyard#DIY#storage#painting#repairs#knotfinnishedyet#tallyho#craning#liftout#sealife#watermen#barge#thames#sailing#KSA#swale#marina#sailing#dinghy#boatsforsale#

Now the Lockdown is easing, Ironsides can get ready for sailing.  Setting up the Mizzen is part of this process.  Here it is being refitted, having been had its winter refurbishment.
#mizzen#fitting#crane#launch#boat#mast#maintenance#dry#dock#faverhsam#swale#creek#sailing#barge#thames#medway#marina#lockdowneased#Covid#yard#inthewater#sailaway#sail#rigging#re#yacht#trawler#haul#thamesbarge#

Many of Iron Wharf visitors are competent sailors, with a huge wealth of knowledge.  And phrases are used with the assumption we all know what they mean!

Two such phrases are Knots and Nautical Miles.

1 Nautical mile per hour is the equipment to 1 knot.  Strickly speaking 1 knot = 1.15 miles.
In the 17th Century there was still a need to measure speed, and sailors used 'a common log' to do this.
A common log was a length of rope with a piece of triangular wood attached the one end and knots tied along the length at uniform intervals.
The line was thrown overboard, and allowed to pay out from a coil, on its own.  After a set amount of time the line was hauled in and the number of knots that had payed out was counted.  This gave the speed of the vessel, ie. 20 knots.

#nauticalterms#common#log#knot#speed#measure#boat#faversham#boatyard#

Here at Ironwharf Boatyard we have a wealth of knowledge with regards to engines.  Kelvin, Gardiner, Stuart, large and small.  If you need some help and advice please do get in touch.  We can crane engines in and out for maintenance and or refit.
​#crane#engine#fixmyboat#enginefailure#boat#diesel#gardiner#stuart#kelvin#

At Iron Wharf boatyard it's a 24/7 environment, to ensure boats, property and people are safe.  Our owner Alan Reekie, and Manager Toby Lester were up at the wee small hours checking everything was secure, and then during the day Jim and Finn carried out repairs from storm damage, and still managed a craning.

The tide on Monday 10th February 2020 was particularly high, and breached the quay briefly.  Ropes had to slackened and tweaked and even our resident Husky Codie had her dog bowl rescued.  

We are lucky to have such a good team who go the extra inch, or paddle the extra puddle to help.
#storm#ciara#faversha#kent#quay#water#flood#

EPIRB - Safety is priority in the boating world, second to safety !

EPIRB is an abbreviation for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon - This device is a small, continuously transmitting radio, transmitting on a standard distress frequency.  They are used to alert authorities of a distress situation and will guide rescuers to the vessel.

This bit of kit has saved many lives, and whilst it might seem like an expense you can't beat peace of mind.

Responsible sailing protects your boat, you and your crew.

#boat#yard#faversham#craning#storage#berth#safety#dry#dock#maintenance#towing#lift#repair#restore#barn#ship#yacht#

We have a new member joining the team helping out around the yard and he has a project of his own going on.  Finn will be doing various jobs, and when he's not on duty he'll be working hard on restoring his own boat, a 41ft ferro oyster smack.  This means he understands the pit falls and joys of boat restoration! 
Finn is sharing his restoration project to inspire others and his photos and journey can be found on Instagram 'knotFINNishedYet.  Well worth a look.