14/11/2025 Topic: Electronic Navigation Systems V2 Alan Leslie	This new publication from the Royal Instuitute of Navigation is excellent and should be on the reading list of every amateur skipper and navigator. Free download : https://rin.org.uk/page/ENav
18/07/2026 Topic: sail cloth choice Alan Leslie	Hi Dick, I would echo most of what you say here.... We have had Hydranet sails on Elyse for 13 years now, and apart from a few stitching issues, they have been perfect. Hydranet keeps its shape so well because it doesn't stretch, so all the load is taken by the stitching, and it is therefore inevitable that eventually a Hydranet sail will need restitching in places. We have had to do this in some remote places but it's no big deal to restitch a few seams and then take the sail to a sailmaker for professional repair - when we find one. Because Hydranet is so slippery, it stays clean. Our sails look like new ! The only downside of this is that I can't "stick" a sail number on...never mind, we can travel incognito ! Cheers Alan - SV Elyse
18/07/2026 Topic: Windvane vs. 2nd Below deck autopilot Alan Leslie	Hi All, My previous boat was a 40ft IOR sloop. We had a hydraulic Raytheon Autopilot and a Fleming wind vane on the stern. We sailed all around the South Pacific for years using Mr Fleming 95% of the time....it was fantastic and fascinating at the same time - the ingenuity of wind vanes has always intrigued me. We only used the Raytheon unit when motoring...sailing, always Mr Fleming. It's a learning curve to get the best out of them. The boat needs to be well balanced under sail...she should be just about be sailing by herself without touching the tiller (or wheel) before you engage the windvane....then it doesn't need to work too hard.... the same should be said about using an autopilot under sail to minimise amp draw. I would never consider a wheel pilot for sailing offshore...the autopilot and all it's workings, mechanical and electric should be below decks, protected for the sea and weather. A backup pilot, or at least spares for the one you have are essential if you stick with that concept. An advantage of the windvane is its complete independence of electricity, should you have battery issues, lightning strike or anything that could cause havoc, the boat can still self steer...and if you've ever hand steered for long periods in tough weather, you will appreciate that advantage. Good luck Cheers Alan SV Elyse

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