Boats And Bits

03/01/2024

https://youtu.be/4bC9V2YXcp4

Finally got the hardware design finalized and PCBs made up properly. If you want to follow the more techy side of this project and future updates subscribe t...

06/10/2023

https://youtu.be/RtQFihaD_QQ

Just a wee on water trail with the hangkai outboard to whites island.

Welcome to my thrilling adventure on Lough Erne! Join me on my very first run with the budget-friendly Hangkai 4HP outboard motor as I navigate the picturesq...

26/09/2023

So i've went and bought a 4hp chinese aircooled outboard for my dinghy/tender/Tinker tramp wonder how this will go!

Welcome to Boats And Bits! In this video, I dive into the world of budget boating with the Hangkai 4HP outboard motor. Join me as I unbox, commission, and te...

15/07/2023

https://youtu.be/ougeW6LdNh0

You don't need to spend a fortune for AIS. The Socotran while advertised as a netfinder can be programmed to send out normal AIS information about your boat plus is portable so can attach to yourself rather than the boat for MOB situations. Also covered is an SDR AIS receiver running into Open CPN using Open source AIS Catcher.

Welcome to my latest tutorial on all things sailing! In this detailed guide, i'll show you how to establish an affordable yet effective AIS (Automatic Ident...

05/04/2023

https://youtu.be/OVNqxd1Z9FA

Calibrating and fixing an issue with the tiller pilot where it was not going into calibration mode following the Raymarine instructions. Before hand the auto pilot was about 10 degrees out (bought on ebay).

I had noticed that my autopilot was not following course very well , here I show the steps to calibrate including fixing an issue that shows itself as the au...

04/03/2023

Preview of my prototype Raymarine Seatalk1 ST1000 Autopilot remote (also controls the countdown timer on the speed instrument for race starts)

I rely quite a bit on my Ray marine autopilot when sailing solo and have the boat all kitted out in the older generation ST60 gear that I got cheap second ha...

19/01/2023

Following up my intial test on some cheap chinese alcohol stoves , a few safety upgrade ideas to avoid spillages and make it more like the rather more experience Origio spirit stoves.

Following on from the last video on cheap Chinese alcohol stoves and taking advice from some viewers on how to make these stoves spill proof . I tested out ...

30/12/2022

https://youtu.be/_5d7bgkTsqU
If youve got an Occulus or such check this out with them.

Could have been doing with a reef or two in the main , quite challenging conditions. Best viewed on VR headset Recorded on Lenovo Mirage at 4k VR180 Subscri...

12/12/2022

https://youtu.be/Rwj001ihc50

Some cheap aliexpress alcohol stoves , initial thoughts comparison with more expensive Origo 3000 on my other boat and thoughts on ways to make it more boat friendly pt1.

My Jaguar 21 didnt come with a stove . I plan to put it on the sea next year and would like to be able to cook some food. I see some sailors using the gas ca...

30/11/2022

It's cold here in the UK , some cheap usb warming ideas to keep you warm sailing over the winter. Includes power bank hand warmer, heated gloves, heated under wear and a heated vest.

I'm a sucker for cheap gadgets on Aliexpress, one problem I have is keeping warm on the boat in winter, in this video going over some of my most recent purch...

12/11/2022

Tearing down lithium ion pack from Aliexpress and upgrading wiring/bms

The pair of batteries I got from aliexpress had a minor issue with the wires heating up under load from the electric outboards nothing serious but will get m...

06/11/2022

Showing you how to create your own boat parts in tinker cad and 3d printing them out.

Video showing how I designed some parts of my own using a free and easy web tool called tinker cad.If you wish to edit or make a copy changes you can tinker ...

25/10/2022

Testing Elejoy 400w MPPT step up controller for overcharging on 48v LIION Battery used to run electric outboard on my sail boat. PLan is to have these batteries recharge without out taking the home but don't want them to be overcharged risking damage or explosion!

As per previous videos my goal is to have solar charging on the boat to top up the 48v LI-Ion batteries so I don't have to carry them home to charge when jus...

22/10/2022

3d Printing parts for sail boats

Part 1 of a series of videos on printing parts for you sail boat using an adventure 3 from Flashforge. This episode covers a simple end cap .Links Flashforg...

09/10/2022

Sundat funday !

23/09/2022

More work getting done on my boat , this time fitting a Raymarine tiller pilot . A must have for solo sailing!

Video showing how I fitted a Raymarine ST1000+ to my Jaguar 21 with a demo of the finished article in both upwind and down wind conditions.Have tried fitting...

01/09/2022

Finally got my Jaguar 21 up and running . Took it out for a sail last night on the last of the summer evenings This video is showing the max 350 that i'd been using on a boat half the size!. (The Jaguar 21 is just over a ton) Also doubled the battery capacity using a battery balance box to that safely runs one motor from two batteries (can be different capacities as long as they are the same voltage range)

Finally got my Jaguar 21 in the water and all bits and bobs sorted (just in time for the end of summer!) . Here I am demonstrating the max 350 pushing a jag...

26/08/2022

Final video for now on the Baofeng range of VHF radios. Testing the IP67 rating of the UV9R Pro .

Last in the Baofeng series. The UV9R Pro is similar to UV9R Plus . Both claim IP67 . The UV9R Plus battery has played up since last test . Find out how the U...

14/08/2022

I bought these panels as they have quite good reviews and seemed to pack away quite small. Useful on a sail boat . Seem to work well in comparison with the 100W , they seem to be 4*80w in parallel.

Will provide further feedback in future videos.

Items In Video

Dokio 300w Solar Panel
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A0osP9

400w Step Up MPPT Solar Charger
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9J69N5

Renology 100W Solar Panel
https://ebay.us/1CgaWf

50Ah 48V Lithium Ion Battery
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ApLOVZ

13/08/2022

Basic tests on a few items . The Max 350 is a great motor for the money and if you don't need much more than 4hp then it and the battery work great. Sailing/Sail boat aux

3KW Outboard
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AoqskP

50ah 48v Battery (XT60 connector)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AZhQr5

Max350 (2kw) Outboard
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001863996132.html

12/08/2022

Baofeng UV9-R Programming for marine frequencies and testing waterproof (or lack of!)

Continuing from the previous video on the UV5-R , I test the UV-9R PLus. Not quite as waterproof as advertised.There is a UV-9R PRO which looks to be even mo...

05/08/2022

Create maps for Open CPN Free Chartplotter software using SASPlanet.

An overview on how to create maps on SAS Planet and import them into Open CPN.I am currently creating a sailing app that will allow data from the boat to be...

21/07/2022

Cheap £20 Marine VHF Radio?How to program a cheap chinese boafeng radio for marine frequencies.

VHF radios are quite expensive for marine use. WHile there are some draw backs with these cheap ones . (not floating for one!) but at the price they are usef...

18/07/2022

https://youtu.be/yZwoGBX50tE
Cleaning stains from hull using inexpensive chemical found in the more expensive branded cleaners.

A quick video showing preparation and initial test with a fairy liquid and oxalic acid solution . Most hull cleaners use oxalic acid as their primary active ...

05/06/2022

How does a cheap chinese electric outboard fair against a bit of a breeze?
https://youtu.be/Ife0lZvB2GQ

Another video of the Max 350 Chinese Outboard From Aliexpress. The wind was blowing from 17kt -30kt so F4/F5 roughly . It is demonstrated that we could go i...

28/05/2022

Upgrading 100w panel to folding 300W panel , charging my electric outboard battery faster!

Dokio 300w Solar Panel
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A0osP9

400w Step Up MPPT Solar Charger
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9J69N5
https://youtu.be/rsl-n7U4oEw?1

I bought these panels as they have quite good reviews and seemed to pack away quite small. Useful on a sail boat . Seem to work well in comparison with the ...

24/05/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8g2351I6d4&t=34s

In my previous video I demonstrated a couple of electric outboard motors I purchased on AliExpress. I was finding the taking them home a bit of a faff as the...

18/05/2022

A test of two electric outboards bought on aliexpress . 2kw + 3kw 48v .
Also a liion 48v 50ah battery

https://youtu.be/vF5CV4bh7JA

Basic tests on a few items . The Max 350 is a great motor for the money and if you don't need much more than 4hp then it and the battery work great.Max350 (2...

03/05/2022

First proper sail of 2022 Good run out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oaIa2O-yZo

Wet and windy day on the lough . First proper sail of 2022 and despite the damp conditions plenty of breeze and a good shake down.

11/04/2022

https://youtu.be/Ri0SMImf6Oc

Testing out my Samsung gear 360 as crew in the safety RIB . Very light winds.