BigMac Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 We were going to fish for plaice but after reading recent reports and spending all day thursday avoiding nets off southbourne without a bite, we decided to target blonde rays on the banks 10 miles south of the needles. Arriving on the banks at 9.00 a.m. the tide was just finishing the flood so we anchored ready for the ebb in an hours time. After spending too much time in the wheel house fiddling with the electronics I needed to lie down for an hour and sweat profusely!! Rupert didn't have a bite and the tide was in an hour into the flood by the time I came to. Rupe's uptider nodded and he quickly brought a 14lb blonde to the side of the boat, nicely lip hooked and barely lifted out the water before swimming free. My uptider does the same and I play what feels like a good blonde before losing it on the surface at the last moment 3 1/2 hours later and we haven't had a touch, we decide to move and steam down to the banks south of Atherfield and anchor between two lovely banks, rising 30 feet in 100 feet of water. Rupe has a 9lb small eyed first cast. Unfortunayely thats it!!! No more action and we leave for home. Back at Mudeford at 5.15 and only touched bottom, briefly, once. Not the greatest days fishing, but we did get to zapp the boat over 60 miles on the day and it was brilliant to be out!! Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 everythings relative - sounds a really great day to me............ thnaks for writing it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 a cracking blond. whats the sort of fuel consumption like on a boat of that size, covering that sort of distance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Nice one Al - how is the boat - pleased with it? Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac Posted April 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Got to say, we couldn't be more pleased with the boat, she flies. At 2800 revs she does 30mph and rode everything we drove over without slamming at all and we reckon the 60 miles cost about a tenner in diesel. I would really like to fit trim tabs to level off the ride and get her on the plane quicker, (especially when we put the livebait tank on the swim platform) , but I'm not sure whether smart tabs are up to it or whether I'll have to resort to hydraulic tabs. When she was craned out last week, she wieghed just over 3 tonne on the crane. Not sure what that is pounds, but if 80lb actuators are suitable for a warrior, I would imagine I probably need something more substantial? Any ideas?  Cheers  Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Al, Â I reckon you are correct - I think the smart tabs are rates up to 2 ton (ish) and 25' - your Ok there.... Â Bennet Trim Tabs are the way to go IMHO for an Aquafish. Hydraulic and adjustable they would make a big difference - speak to Tom, Im sure he has just had a set fitted to his 25' Jenneau. Â Must admit was so tempted by an Aquafish or similar this year - in the end just couldnt make my mind up and justify it - so am sticking with what I have - main reason is to be mobile and fish different ports. Â Would love a trip out sometime though....(subtle hint!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 jeepers - 60 miles from 30 litres of fuel at 30 mph and the boats 3 tons; reckon even Tom could sell a few of them...................... Â where can I get one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Dont know if they are big enough but Smart Tabs do ones called "SMart Tabs II" which have twin actuators fitted - presumably for the larger boat. Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Go and ask NautiJohn, he makes the tabs. He will tell you like it is, won't sell (well he doesn't sell them himself) you anything not suitable for your use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 jeepers - 60 miles from 30 litres of fuel at 30 mph and the boats 3 tons; reckon even Tom could sell a few of them......................  where can I get one? Duncan  I am first in the queue!  27kts, no slamming and 60miles on a tenner.  I'll take..... .....about 60 a year as they'll sell like hot cakes.   In seriousness though, Bennett Tabs are the way forward. Having them fitted to mine Thursday. Don't go for the size that Bennett recommend as you will dive faster than a submarine with them in the Bow Down position.  My prospective father in law is helping fit them to mine. He runs Meridian Yachts (marine engineers and fitters) on the river Hamble, but lives over near Lymington so will be able to help with yours if you wanted.  They'll increase performance and decrease (even further!!!) fuel consumption if used correctly along with give a smoother (even smother) ride.  You can even have pretty LED guauges to help show where the tabs are positioned if you can't go from "feel" alone.  Call Nick Trainer of Meridian Yachts on 07880550900 or pop down Salterns today or Thursday where he is working with me.  Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 pretty led lights? Â wus - go the whole hog and get the Benett NMEA2000 bus. link it to a modern Lowrance unit and get an on screen display window showing the positon of the tabs as a virtual display............ Â Â who says you need fish to have fun out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac Posted April 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 Thanks forn the advice guys.  Adam, your welcome anytime for a trip. Perhaps when the plaice are on the shambles in better numbers we could sail down there and give em hell!! Only ever fished from charter boats on the bank. Mind you, aint long before the livebait tank comes into play and thoughts turn to silver spikes   Tom,  I'll try and get down this afternoon if I can. If you see a fat bloke walking round, looking lost, that will be me,  Thanks again,  Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 Allan  Nick isn't here, but a couple of his guys are, who should have reasonable knowledge on tabs. Nick will deffo be here on Thursday as he is doing my own boats Tabs then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 lectra tabs easy to fit no messy hydraulic oil to worry about and they are reasonablyu priced (as fitted to tiger lily) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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