Freddie

It will drink fuel and @ current prices? Also, no cuddy so there will be no protection from wind and loads of spray for any passengers to get soaked as you fly along on an Easterly, so in my opinion, will not be so pleasant on a choppy day. Fast but that's about it. Stick to one engine if I were you.

Summer must be on the way! Pleased to read that the van still has wheels on it and no break-ins this winter. Look forward to seeing you, Jackie and family soon. Freddie and clan.

Happy birthday Grandad! You do not look so bad for your age, not a day over 60 even? Many happy returns for the day and we look forward to seeing you soon. Happy fishin'....

Once again I enjoyed your report/pics and seeing what equipment etc you have on board. The sail bit looks dodgy though, surely could capsize you. No? Look forward to meeting you in June when the whole family will be out and about fishing etc. Tite lines you Yakkers!

The cable gets compacted with salt even if you wash it all down v well and grease it. The only way is to replace the whole cable every few years. (about 10 in my case) My cable costs me about

Went out v early this morning in a rough SA sea (about force5/6 on the nose) and caught 25 crayfish and drank too many brandy and diet cokes. Now lighting up the barbie for a delicious Sunday lunch. Happy days..... Oh and just so you all know, it's stinking hot over here!!! (Eat your heart out Gas)

Here we are again Freddie and family in sunny/windy Gordon's Bay, Capetown, SA. Going spinning again for elf/shad off the harbour wall like last year when I hooked a large ray. Would not mind trying to beach one if the wind is not so bad. Boat trip tomorrow for crayfish and a delicious BBQ out at sea with some good mates. Hope not to get sea-sick like last time. Will post on anything that I snare in the next two weeks. Look forward to meeting some of you at Baiter or around the harbour in the summer, especially the 'Yakkers' Tot ziens and tight lines!

Thanks Martin. I did, especially as the Ryals won at Anfield the night before in the FA Cup and I was able to watch it on my brand new toy, a 46 inch flat screen HD TV. What mid-life crisis I hear you say? Cheaper than a divorce I reckon! Bye for now. `Square eyes`

Thanks for that John.

A very Merry Xmas to all from Maria, Derek and Freddie.

I once had an 11 foot Dory with a 25HP Mercury and that was plenty HP for that size of boat. Planed easily and I was able to mono ski behind it so I guess 40 HP would be ample on a 13 foot Dory. The only problem with a smaller Dory is that you will get wet when the sea picks up and when you ride against or across the tide. Be warned it can get unpleasant! Cheap and safe way to go though and easy to launch/retrieve.

And do NOT fight it, just let it float to the side of the slip and turn your trailer round and wind it on into the wind/tide. Just get the angle right and you will not have a `fight` on your hands. It will go on v easy if you do this and save you loads of time. (You will not have to re-float it at all if you get it right) You must however, stop the trailer going backwards off the slip as you will not get it back on with the boat on board, just remember to apply the handbrake or chock the wheels. Good luck tomorrow in that wind!

Craig, good luck with the move, just hope it will be safe & secure this winter. See you in Spring. Derek.

Thanks for the excellent write up & piccies, always a real pleasure to see what you guys have been up to. Meet you all soon I hope.

Great pics & good informative write up, keep them coming. You do carrry more equipment than me in my 16ft boat. As I said before, I will definitely look out for you next summer.

Got 'em all wrong & I am only 21!

I have used for over 20 years `Mardon` (Now Towergate Mardon) They have been reasonably priced & efficient/professional. I have to say though, that I have not had to claim but I'm sure they would be fine if you have followed the terms of their policy, ie: wheel clamp on the trailer & engine locked to the transom.

It's Dorset or divorce next year Craig! I want a slice of the action you have been getting. Look forward to you teaching me a thing or two about rays etc....

Too late... I'm in trouble now!

Once again a good read with great pics/fish. Please you had some batteries this time. We are just back from the Algarve though I wish I had been in Poole but the wife `forced me to go`. My heart was in Dorset with all my toys. I feel like a battered husband... please help!

Also, I like seeing your set up, all the equipment you carry etc. It all looks v professional/expensive and the way you strap the cool box on the back. Is it full of booze? Can you get prosecuted for paddling a canoe sloshed I wonder? Seriously though, keep 'em coming, they are my favourite as well. Just one question: when you hook a big 'un, does it pull you along or could it cap-size you or is v stable? Just a thought! I look forward to seeing you in action some time next summer. Have fun.....

Just want to say how much I enjoy your reports & photos You catch some great fish as well that I would be proud of from my boat.

Once again Craig I enjoyed your report & was v pleased to see that you had remembered to recharge your batteries. How much did the ray weigh? (The blonde one!)

I have been a few times & have found it useful to gauge/compare the size of the boats & engines & to talk to the dealers about performance etc. You can get some very good `Boat Show` deals as well. (I bought my boat at the London show) Weekends get v busy so try to pick a sunny day in the week. Have fun!

So, the `Great White` fisherman is out again eh? Bet those fishies are shaking in their boots as they breathe their last! Good luck & remember to recharge your batteries so we can all see the catch this time.