Leaderboard

Slightly over eagar start to get out this morning, took one look at the breakers at the end of the channel and went back into the Harbour for an hour. Even after the wait there was only 2 foot 6 inches outside the last channel markers, had to quickly lift the engine more and coast over the realy shallow bit. No fun at all, on the way in the breakers were quiet lively and still only 3 foot 6 inches at the end channel and no end markers have been positioned. Went down to Milford to try for a plaice or two, no luck with the plaice but I did manage 4 nice thorneys in 40mins, tons of baby dogs and a pout. Moved back to Christchurch and had 3 small eyed rays in 20 minutes and then the dogs moved in. Back home for for 3.30pm and a wash down, first trip without any hiccups always a good start to the season.

Well the first of two days planned for fishing the Shambles banks ended just past St Albans head when for the second time this year the boat over heated 😥 After letting her cool down topped up the water and headed back and spent the day on the Ray bank, fishing was not that good but did get a small Turbot, a couple of Ray's, smoothounds and lots of dogs. Hoping tomorrow's trip is more successful with Allan on Fisheagle.

Good advice not to move any pads fitted by the boatyard team. Over many years I have looked at this at work. In my personal experience two coats rolled on over the majority of the hull gives a decent coating. when lifted prior to launching I brush on paint in the pad areas which gives a similar thickness. even though this sometimes only dries for a few minutes I do not see and extra barnacles or other growth on these areas when the boat comes out next. So no need to take risks moving supports

Hi All, I'm back on the water this week end after a very long lay off. Been in hospital for surgery on mans bits (not to be recommended) Well on the mend now but I have to take it easy from now on (getting old) The rectifier issue turned out to be a faulty battery. No other issues found and no corrosion of terminals etc. Replacing the battery, rectifier and some of outboard motor wiring turned out to be an expensive repair. 14.43 volts now on both batteries under load with the motor running in a test tank. Only sea trials will tell so only pottering about in thee harbour this week end. I'll let you know how it goes Mikey B

Great work Ray, bet you saved a few quid also ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The boat was a fin-keeled fibreglass Westerly GK29, 29' long, around 3-4 tons in weight. They've been around since the 70s. A yacht like that should be stored ashore resting on it's keel in an adjustable steel cradle giving secure support under and around the hull to stop movement. Additional props would be needed bow and stern to keep it absolutely secure, and braced like that, it should be able to survive winds of 100 mph plus, even with the mast up, and genoa furled, as in this case. The fact the owner was present when it moved suggests he was working on the boat, perhaps antifouling, and may have accidentally or deliberately moved one of the supports (something that is banned in most boatyards). I'm sure an investigation will show if it's a failure of the supporting cradle, or the owner's activities that caused the tragedy. While my heart goes out to the deceased and family at this time, for club members working on boats still, please DON'T move any supports for maintenance. Leave it to the professionals, or wait until launching time for a last minute touch-up of the "patches".