Steve S

Neat setup Brian, no excuses now! Steve

Happy the cables over spec for the current windlass and within spec for the 1000w jobie. The boat has a dedicated windlass/thruster battery just a couple of metres cable length from the motor. I did have a look at capstan solutions, the issue about supporting chain round them is not really a problem if you don't mind them getting scratched! Seen it done, a few wraps of chain works. However my boat layout does not suit a capstan operation as the anchor locker is right at the bow, if it was behind the capstan where it could drop in after coming off it would be fine. You also need to find a fast one and as you spotted many are really slow. I think the hydraulic systems are best but a retrofit on my boat is just not on. Steve

After much research I found out a few things. Lofrans - supply is patchy at best after the takeover. Their specs are full of errors, mainly of the cut and paste type but lead to a lack of confidence. The 45m/min speed turns out to be a drop not a retrieve speed, poor translation from Italian confused the issue. Their quoted retrieve speed is actually lower than the Lewmar but may be an under lift load speed hard to know due to my lack of confidence in the translations. Companies like EC Smith can't get them now so it's hard to get info from trustworthy sources, decided to leave well alone. Lewmar's CPX3 and V3 (1000w) have the same spec 28m/min retrieve, use the same motor gearbox, Amber at Aqufax was very helpful and knows her stuff. The CPX3 basically is somewhat lighter and much cheaper due to using composite for the base and pressed stainless for the rode exit cover and I suspect Lewmar pricing policy is to have a lower price option. I was told they are absolutely fine. The best bit for me is it is a drop in replacement for the Ocean 1, no new holes to cut. Other makes, none of the vertical ones were faster and some have real quality/reliability issues. Muir do a 35m/min horizontal model the compact hr900 but it doesn't have a drum option which I've found handy at times plus I'm not at all confident of the rope holding under load when there is basically only a 1/4 turn on the gypsy. I've gone for a CPX3, delivery in around 4 weeks. The plan is to remove the rode exit cover for a drop by hand as before. I'm assured the multi plaid rope jamming problem when under load on the Ocean 1 (made a custom guide to reduce it) was sorted on the V3 and CPX3. Steve

I love my diesel heater, love it, I really love it, bring on the Cod!

Smart looking boat Steve, a good way to wet it's bottom! A July day transported into October, happy days

I hope all goes as planned with the repairs and nothing unexpected turns up. It looks a fine boat. Steve

ok, I'll PM you

If Brian doesn't want it, I'd be very interested to buy it. Steve

I'd like to echo that. It really puts us in the picture of what is happening round the worlds oceans. Steve

He could consider a new 2 stroke Tohatsu purchased from Mainbrace in Alderney, they are allowed to sell them. i'm thinking about buying a 3.5 one myself to give Diane a fighting chance of carrying it! Steve

As it's a pretty new battery it most likely was a manufacturing defect. All the above advice on securing the battery to reduce movement and having it in a box (without holes) all good sense, using rubber as Charlie does help reduce vibration to the battery which is helpful as well. I always buy quality flooded cell types as they take a lot more abuse and are low cost relative to other technologies, however, acid leaks can be an issue and also remembering to check the fluid levels. Steve

Well done, nice to see a Turbot from there. Steve

A blonde pushes her old Mini into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died. He takes it into the workshop and after a few minutes, he brings it back out and it is running smoothly. She says, 'What's the story?' He replies, 'Just crap in the carburetor' She asks, 'How often do I need to do that?'

I'm in the market at the moment for a new Windlass, the one I've got is a Lewmar Ocean 1 (quoted as 700w) it's runs at 18m/min (on no load), which makes for a slow haul from deep water especially with a fair tide, and if you don't get the right position first time... Been looking around and the Lofrans like the Project 1000/1500 or X2 (1000w and up) appear to have a decent retrieve speed at high as 45m/min (they quote!) on no load and some grunt on a 1000w and up models. I had a older 1000w Lofrans on the last boat and it had a decent retrieve speed so they are a contender. I'll be going to the SBS to check out what they have there. Suggestions welcome. Steve

Good tip Paul, thanks. Lloyd the Iphone wielding camera man went flying across the deck after Mrs Ray decided she wanted to kiss, that'll learn him.

Danger, Undulate in the boat... http://youtu.be/coEX4bqmwK8 http://youtu.be/coEX4bqmwK8

Don't worry too much my boat was called...... Calamity Jane! apparently his wife was Jane.... Anyway we had a few problems going round North Wales with it, we couldn't wait to change the name, it was painted on, it took a bit of shifting with acetone, wet and dry and elbow grease until all trace of Calamity was removed. Steve

An Offshore 29, a serious bit of kit that and seems like they can go pretty fast, nice. So you will be able to get exactly what you want and how you want it. You will be welcome on my boat anytime, I'm going to start posting when I have space. Steve

Nice one, good compromise, great view from up top and a plotter up there too! So what's her name? Steve

So, its going to be a bigger boat then Dave Steve

Judging from their popularity - Carp - we even give them names...

Nice one . I saw the hovercraft on Sunday, I haven't seen one on the west arm of the Solent for years no idea what it was doing. The Solent I think would provide fantastic Smut fishing, but about the time they really turn on the weed is in such abundance it makes all but the shallow and minimal tide areas all but unfishable, I haven't worked out a way round it. Steve

Well done Rob, great effort. I'm wondering if that is the first Blue to a club boat? Steve

For regular comedy anchor viewing Newtown IoW on any sunny day in the summer is the place! Too many boats, variable currents, narrow channels and a fair smattering of selfish or hopeless skippers. Just as an example last time I was there for just a short social lunch stop we witnessed an anchor and chain from a yacht picked up by a big Sealine crossing it's bows followed by the said yacht now under unwanted tow colliding with another yacht. Amazingly the chain did not take long to free and the hapless yacht promptly drifted into the one behind it! Meanwhile Mr S*** For Brains Sealine prowled along trying to anchor elsewhere but there was no room, didn't stop him anchoring worryingly not too far from us, the hook was maybe down a couple of minutes before drifting into the adjacent boat, they finally made off. There's more but I'm sure you get the idea. It's not awfully relaxing for the skipper with a boat to protect! Diane's refused to go there any more. Steve

A running survey of the club boats could prove rather interesting and possibly lead to safety/technical areas failure prone and hence worth concentrating on. Eg, suffer some sort of boat problem, fill out a form manly tickbox/drop down lists on the club website examples: Fault: Mechanical type: engine not starting manufacturer: Volvo Fault: Environmental type: rope round prop System: shaft drive Fault: Electronics type: VHF radio fail Nothing too onerous but a worthwhile source of information over time, any thoughts? Steve