biggcol

I have been meaning to get my trusty ABU9000's serviced for some time,they might be old but I like them. So I dropped them over to David Lynes and he has done a great job at a very good price, and done almost instantly. He also rang me to advise how much they would cost before starting the work, so that there was no shocks (needed a new handle on one). David gets my vote and I will recomend him to anyone needing their reels sorting out. Thanks David

Just to warn locals in Redhill area, travellers have moved into town down by Cherry Tree nursery , Northbourne roundabout. Might be worth a look Trev if you brave enough! Colin

Martin, Pete is on holiday at the moment. Colin

Um Radio course perhaps??? Don't forget it's an offence to transmit without a licence. Rx Receive Tx Transmit Colin

Hi Jason Are you at Sandbanks Marina if so there are a couple of us there. Look out for us and we can swop fishy tales. Glad your launch went well and you moored up with no problems. What boat have you got, so we can give you a wave. Colin

Thanks for the nice comment Dicky yes she is great keep your eyes open if you see us out there give us a shout and come and have a close look. Nice pic Tony got any more?

Adam just one thing Dave has put up October tides Colin

Bobi reckons he is double that!!!! She should know he was sat on her on the sea survival course!!!!!!

Well done Charlie and lots of thanks from Bobi and myself for a really great trip. It looked like we wouldn't make it at the begining of last week as we still didn't have anywhere to sleep on the boat but with some plastic boards and a couple of saw trestles we were sorted. I had to work Fri morning so we had a late start, we got off the mooring at 16:15 and headed off to Weymouth with the intention to fish on the way for some bait ready for Sat morning. We had a leasurly cruise at around 12knots along the coast and we really enjoyed the views, so much so that we didn't bother going for bait. We hugged the coast all the way as Bobi wanted to have a look at Weymouth from the water, but when we were off Lulworth Bobi decided she would like a snooze. So the trip into Weymouth was binned and I headed across to Portland. As we got near to Portland we could hear that the boats were already in the marina. So we headed for the entrance to the harbour and called up the marina to find out where to birth. As we headed across towards the marina we were joined by Serenity. It turned out neither of us new where the entrance was so a quick call by Tony to Charlie pointed us in the right direction. As Adam said, wow what a marina, this is the first marina we have been in and it will take some beating. We joined the rest of the boats and moored up with no problem with the help of the guys and were shown how to tie up to avoid the fenders squeaking in the night. We had a stream of visitors to look at our nice new boat. We really enjoyed showing her off. The evening has been reported elsewhere so all we need to say is it was a brilliant night good curry and great company. We were up and showered early and thanks to Tony we had a cuppa (I forgot the kettle). We were off at a reasonable time to the Shambles, buddied up with Serenity. We stopped just short of the rough stuff to catch some bait this is when yesterdays mistake became apparent, should have stopped on the way. The macs didn't appear in numbers we got a couple and would carry on feathering while we drifted. We were in front of Serenity and nearer the rough stuff I whimped out and went around behind Serenity and watched how it was done. The drifts were set up and off we went. Not far into the first drift Serenity had a fish on the boat. So with expectations high we drifted on, three drifts later still no fish (weavers don't count). Those of you that know the Shambles know that there is a bouy with a bell, we had been drifting down to this bouy and just past on the first three drifts. We ran back up for another drift and I had a bite, gave it line for a bit lifted into it and was into something heavier than a weaver. Up it came, in the net and up onto the deck the first Turbot on Boblin (just under 4lb). We were still admiring the fish when Bobi looked up and saw the bouy with the bell clanging away, everything was dropped fish, rod, scales and stuff I ran for the cabin and only had time to start one engine and blip us away from the bouy with the bell, we had been hearing that bloody bell for so long we had tuned it out. We tried different drifts throughout the day but ended up with just the one. It was time to go back in and get ready for the evening. It was a great evening, great food and great company. Good call Charlie and thanks again. It was really good to be with other club members and their better halves. We were up and ready Sunday morning for the next trip which was to be a wreck trip, our first. The weather had different ideas. A call from Martin on Maverick, who had left earlier, to say it was a bit lumpy out further. So change of plan Kimmeridge for bait , no problem today, then of to the banks for Bass. Of course this meant going past St Albans. This was to be a real test of Boblin and my boat handling. I have never driven a boat in such big seas and was quite nervous. We followed Serenity into the rough stuff the waves were so high we kept losing sight of her in the troughs. Bobi did really well and didn't scream once. I felt like screaming a couple of times but I couldn't scream before Bobi could I !!? We came through the other side without mishap and we now have full faith in our little boat and know that she will cope with anything thrown at her. We decided not to head to the banks as the swell was too much for us. We bid our goodbyes to Serenity and headed off to use our worms up somewhere off of Bournemouth. The trip was still hairy and at times we were surfing over twenty knots, scary and exciting. We made it to Bournemouth, had a few drifts, but didn't get much, so decided to go into the harbour and pick up a mooring and clean and tidy the boat and fish for a while longer. We had a few checkers and a Bream but no flats. By the time we had got to the pontoon cleaned and emptied the boat got the boat on the mooring and got all the kit to the Land Rover and then home, it was 2000hrs. We were home shattered but really pleased with the fantastic weekend we had had. This weekend was a learning curve and one important thing I learned was that I must make sure I put more air in Bobi's air mattress, or else!!!! Our thanks to Tony and Rob for buddying up with us it was great. Role on the next away trip. Colin and Bobi PS Thanks again Charlie tell Wendy if you are going to leave her behind again she is welcome to a lift on Boblin

Hi Charlie Colin's out working, but we would like to come to meal please his email address is colinfrancis1@hotmail.com Sorry don't know how to PM you, - not allowed on the computer very often!! Bobi

Charlie is there room for a nervous kitten called Boblin 2. Can we tag along too please. I managed to sort out the berth on the boat today, so even though there is still loads to do we have somewhere to sleep. Cheetah Cat 6.9mt Fri and Sat Cheers Colin

Nothing much but just for the record Colin 3lb Ballan Bobi blank (her first ever) Colin

Welcome to the forum and also to Sandbanks. We are also moored there look out for the Cheetah and give us a wave. Colin

1) Adam F 2) Alun J 3) Charlie C 4} Dan C 5) Will S 6) Gordon M 7) Neal S 8) John Y 9) Dave Evans 10) Terry Bartell 11) Bobi F 12) Colin F

That's a great pic Mick. It's one angle we havn't seen well done. Thanks Bob we couldn't find any champers when we got home so had a large scotch instead I might have to get you to check out all the nmea stuff for me if you have a bit of free time cos you are so good (thats me creeping) I will put a few pics on when I get time we were out fishing yesterday so didn't get time. Colin

SHE IS BORN all tucked up on her mooring will post pics soon but too knackered tonight. Colin and Bobi

This is it off to the Island in a mo. Mind you we got back from Spain last night only to find a message on the answerphone from Shaun at cheetah saying they are running a "BIT" late and she still has to have her sea trial!!!! So my timings could be a bit out, we have our fingers crossed that there are no problems, and she comes home with us today. It has dampened the excitement a bit but we are going to the Island anyway 'cos we have the ferry booked. Hope to make it to the meeting tonight. Thanks for all the good wishes. Mick if you are near Ventnor we will be there till at least lunch time. Colin and Bobi p.s. I'm sure we will fit you in somewhere

Hi all from SUNNY SPAIN !!!!! For those that were asking I have just worked out our passage plan for THE MAIDEN VOYAGE. We will be leaving Ventnor on Thurs at 12:00 St Caterines aprox 12:15 Fairway bouy aprox 12:35 The two Cardinal bouys 12:45 somewhere near Southbourne Rough 13:15 All the timings are approx as we haven't been able to test her yet so I have guestimated our cruising speed of 18Knts and we will want to play on the way home Just so you all know who to listen out for BOBLIN 2 is the "NEW" name That's it for now ...... back out into the sunshine Colin and Bobi

Yes Charlie we can't wait. I have to watch out for the low tide at Ventnor but I shouldn't think it is so far different will look it up soon. I am avoiding planning too much yet 'cos I don't want to get too excited. I have decided to go over again next week and fit the rails and some other bits. Good luck to all on the Alderney trip. We didn't make it this time but we will be ready for the next one no probs.

We are looking at heading back thurs afternoon. Intend to get over to the island early and just finish off a few basics and do the pretty stuff when we get her home. Yes Adam the rails bring it to just over a mtr. I will be working out our passage plan in detail over the weekend havn't even checked the tides yet. Paul if you can't fit in with our passage plan I'm sure we will be out again Fri and would appreciate some photo's if you are about. Colin

Done it again I just cant get this picture thing right sorry Colin

Yes Rob it should have been April!!!! We went to the Cheetah yard on Fri and she is not far off being ready now. We were able to fit the radar tower this time and first fit the rails they were only tacked up but they fit very nicely. We shall bolt them on on the day of collection. http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/photoalbum/display...e.php?pos=-2481 We even have engines and windows now too http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/photoalbum/display...e.php?pos=-2482 We are picking her up 3rd June it could have been a bit earlier but due to other commitments we are unable to get over to the Island. Not long now watch this space Colin

I want my dining room back!!!!! Bobi

All I know is it's off to Scotland don't know if it's going to be a charter boat. It looked great with flying bridge and 2x 300hp engines.

Hi Charlie How long is a piece of string????? They wont commit to a firm date but hopefully a matter of weeks now. The finishing shop was full of new boats, including an 11mtr,(wow what a boat!!!). We were promised that ours is next in and they were, (in the words of one of the workmen), "dunking the green one this weekend". So all I can say is watch this space....