On Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:58:54 +0100, Paul Martin wrote:

A substantial part of the tides are caused by the sun's gravity.
Without the moon, we would still have tides - about a quarter of
the height, I believe.

Other way round. The moon has the largest effect, and the sun the
lesser effect.

I believe that's what he said... 1/4 sun, 3/4 moon.