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10 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com JANUARY 2016Instant deck saloon
I have a 28ft Twister, so I was interested in your article (Oct15) about the Hegri,
editor’s new cockpit cover. However, I am very happy with my much cheaper option, the small version of the
Habitent for £378.95 including VAT and delivery.isn’t bad. It has enough straps It isn’t a perfect fit but it
to make you think it will take all evening to fit, but I only fit three on the front and three on the back, the frame jams
in nicely, and it takes about 10 minutes. It has withstood some reasonable winds and I have a choice of window, mosquito
net or curtains. I realised it will also fit over the rolled-up dinghy so no need to move that, as we did in Arklow.
Not a custom fit but cheaper, and only 10 minutes to put up Richard LawnPHOTO: RicHaRd Lawn
Hot spotBen Sutcliffe’s tale of a badly-fitted heater (Nov 15) reminded me of when we bought a
new 46ft yacht built on the South Coast. We ordered a heater, which was installed in a lazarette. On receipt of the boat, I tested out
the heater and left it on while I went ashore. interior of the boat was cold but the lazarette was red hot, to the extent that the gas strut On return a couple of hours later, the
had melted out of the lazarette lid. The heater had been installed backwards – who knows what would have happened if we had tried it at sea! Even big companies make mistakes.
John NealeCome to SwedenAs a Swedish sailor from Gothenburg on the west coast, I read YM with great pleasure. I
must say I admire you sailors of Great Britain with all your open waters, tides and currents and drying out.
narrow passages, inexpensive guest harbours and lot of rocks and cliffs to tie the boat up to. The archipelago is amazing. If any Brits We have no tides, but plenty of rocks,Gothenburg’s archipelago is a sensational place
to go cruising – just ask Lars!PHOTO: GRaHam SnOOk/Ymare looking for a new sailing adventure and want to experience it, I would be happy to offer advice. Meanwhile, please teach us more
about drying out techniques!Lars Persson, Gothenburg, SwedenIf you want to contact Lars about cruising
the Gothenburg archipelago, email [email protected] with ‘Lars Persson’ in the subject line and we will put you in touch.Genetic melanomaThere is an important additional point for the YM article on skin care and awareness
(Summer issue, 2015): 40% of melanoma are genetic. This means that they can happen anywhere on the body. We find that because skin campaigns focus on sun exposure, people
ignore melanotic lesions on skin areas that never see daylight.Dr John Marley, New South Wales, Australia
Save your seacocksIf your boat is ashore for the winter and her seacocks have ball valves, they should be in
a 45° open position, to allow the water/ice to expand without breaking the ball valve housing when the real frost starts. It costs nothing and will save a lot of frustration.
John Awater For more midwinter boat care tips, turn to p