Flyboy

I'd go for Hexagrip board as 1st choice and Buffalo board as 2nd choice. Hexagrip is better quality imo.

I put a windlass handle through the pin eye up to the 90 degree bend. Holding the two bits forming a "V", twist and pull and the pin will easily come out. The twisting of the pin is the key to releasing from the ground. Works for me every time.

I don't think St Elmo's floats about, the ball stuff is something to do with plasma I'm told.

I've seen ball lightning over a house and the ball went slowly down the chimney pot, no bang and the house didn't seem to suffer any damage. A friend of mine who was a senior BA training captain told me once that he had ball lightning appear in the cockpit whilst flying. The plasma ball floated around for about 15 seconds then disappeared, no damage was caused.

Hi Winegumm, the output shafts are the same for all ratios. Part no.MT 8089. The input shafts are different. https://www.prm-newage.com/media/File/PRM120.pdf

This is a common problem with VDO tachometers that most boats will have. It's caused by the connection of the ribbon cable where it is bonded to the LCD display. Damp around this connection is a major factor. You can sometimes get it working by heating with a hair drier. The hours will still be recorded even when the hours display is playing up so it will display correctly if it decides to work after drying out. This repair might be applicable. Repair of Yanmar Tach updated.pdf If you don't fancy repairing your hours counter you could get one of these. Remotely mount it inside the boat and power it from one of the panel illumination lights. https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/counters/8966970

Anyone used this technique before ? Looks a bit dangerous to me.

Have you taken the rocker cover off to see if any of the valves are stuck open or not closing fully ? An engine that has been left unrun for a long period may have rusty valve seats where the valves have been open.