Winter project to rebuild my 1960 Merc 300 for Thunderbolt III, but nowadays having knackered shoulders want to fit an electric starter. Don't need full charging kit, so I'm looking for a 300E toothed flywheel (p/n A-211-1414A7), starter motor (Delco Remy A-25942 or A-50-29105) and a solenoid (A-324...

I have the distinction of playing cricket on the Brambles which completely dries out at certain tides! Penny and I were members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club for many years and this match is an annual event between the RSrnYc and the Island Sailing Club. The winning result alternates between the ...

Blimey, I bet the shark was a mess!

Very nostalgic day for me, taking my own Fairey into the yard where I started my career, plus having my lifelong mate John Ramseyer along as my crew for the day. We used to visit the yard as nippers in the mid sixties to go out on his dad's Huntsman 28 'Jane'. Diesel at the yard pumps was £5 for 100...

Hi Andre, just been out to the garage and my 'spares' 350 still has the choke assembly all complete - well, it makes the correct clunking noise but the motor is a bit buried at the mo' - are you in a panic for it, as I'm away most of this week so won't get around to digging it out until next Saturda...

Hi Andre, I've got a complete engine I keep robbing bits off for my 'good' 350, the one I've got on Thunderbolt at the moment. It's a '66 Merc 350M sort shaft, and did run up when I got it, but I couldn't separate the lower unit from the powerhead - it was a salt water motor, so didn't bother to go ...

After a short but successful racing career, several owners, several engines, years of neglect, rescue from bulldozers, two rebuilds by me, two sinkings (by me), one capsizing (by me), general fun and lots of ridicule from fellow members, I have reluctantly decided to pass Thunderbolt on. Admittedly ...

could always drop a Viagra tab into the fuel I suppose?

might be 'stating the bleedin' obvious' but do ensure the pipe won't have opportunity to droop along its run, therefore creating an air lock if fuel gets in it!

NB my code of practice for construction of small craft states "ventilation pipes should be a minimum of 7/16" bore but in no case less than double the internal diameter of the fuel feed to the engine" also "the pipe must be extended to atmosphere outside of the hull and terminate in a suitable flame...