Two recurring themes have been put to me as Technical Advisor over the years.

The first is in regard to inflatable rollers to enable one to launch a dinghy down a rough beach. I have been able to name suppliers from time to time, but almost as soon as I named them they went out of business. However a member, John Kuyser, gave valuable assistance to some members at a recent rally using rollers which earlier had acted as giant fenders for a drinks 'raft-up'. They have the advantage of folding completely flat when deflated, and are supposed to take a load of 600 kilos. They are available from:

MGA Watersports, 634 Halifax Road, Rochdale, Lancs 0116 2SQ - tel: 01706 379669 - The Z1084 Launching Roller @ £56.00 each plus about £5 postage & packing.

I have since made further enquiries and a smaller one which also folds flat, supposed to take a load of 200 kilos is available from:

Force 4 Chandlery, 30 Bressenden Place, Buckingham Palace Roads, London SW1 5DB tel: 0171828 3900. Force 4 have two other branches but it appears only the London one stocks them. They are £12.95 each + £1.95 postage and packing.

It would be advisable to confirm their availability by telephone, before writing with cheque.

The second problem to which I have been 'privy', is that of a bucket which can be sealed.

There is one available at camping shops, complete with loo seat but the sealing lid is somewhat difficult to operate without strong fingers. A dash of Elsan would keep the contents bearable. The price varies around £15.

I recently had cause to research Porta Pottis in order to find one small enough to fit under the forward thwart of my motor dinghy. I have found one which is marketed by Elsan. It is very sophisticated having rinse water pump and reservoir, as well as sealed holding tank below (removable for emptying). Their version is called the Visa Potty and the smallest model is the 238. Its dimensions are: height 12.4", depth 14.5", width 13.5". I paid £87.99 for mine, and on a short acquaintance seems worth every penny. It leaked nary a drop when subjected to a battering on the Chichester Harbour bar the other day. Post breakfast meditation has never been so comfortable.