Oli

I've consulted with my crew, spoken to Kev on Yelo and with Charlie too. As it stands Sweet Chariot/Yelo are not going to go Thursday, though we'll keep everything crossed and make the final call tomorrow lunch time. I know the trip is doable, but we don't want to leave Poole with the likelihood of a F4 every day and that at least one fishing day will be lost and then punching a F5 all the way home on Sunday. That said the crossing/Thursday look good and I really hope that Fri-Sun follow suit. Totally gutted! Oli

Are you talking about the one they call 'The Bible of the Sea' ?

Are you sure Tom? Wind has just dropped completely and it looks like it will be 30 degree sunshine all weekend. (you're not allowed to check)

HOW is windguru now showing a F5 easterly for Saturday!?!

http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=35647 Europe > Guernsey > ALL > Guernsey

We're definitely of the thought that as this is meant to be a bit of a holiday, we do want the conditions to be on the decent side of reasonable. The thought of hammering it across the channel just because we can, and then having four days of lumpy misery or short days out fishing doesn't really appeal. While we're desperate to go, if it's going to be a battle every day we'd prefer to wait, even if it means having to go in smaller groups due to other commitments.

Fingers crossed the weather gods smile. 4 of us definitely still on for Monday

Rearranging wise I know Mark at AA is fine, not sure about any others. I reeeeeally hope not two weeks later, I'm on a rather dodgy stag weekend in an unknown country that weekend and would hate to miss the trip

Hi David, We'll be down at Parkstone bay (Tom's marina!) over the weekend working on our Arvor. It's right at the end of the pontoon, come and have a chat as we've been happily in the marina for a few years now...

Welcome to the club Farticus, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, excellent bunch. Plenty of Arvor owners too so always worth asking here if you have any boat related issues! Oli

Unfortunately we're now out. I have had a wedding sprung on me that I have to attend, what is it with people getting married during fishing season!

Sweet Chariot (4 of us) would definitely be keen for the Harbour Lights dining experience! Oli

To fill (well half fill) one of those 135L Igloo boxes isn't it going to take a fair bit more than 3 boxes? Edit. 13.5kg is about 15L so to half fill would be about 4.5 boxes.

Another vote for crazy fred here.

This has just been added to the Alderney Angling catch report page. Looks extremely promising! I for one was getting fairly worried about getting bait, let alone any proper fish! Two weeks to go, bring it on... Oli

Excellent news Kev, we were hoping you'd be in for it - how are you going to top the little paddle you had last year?

Somebody found some fish!!!!! Good on you Tom, nice report. Long way but worth it no doubt. How did she perform?

Thanks for all of that. It seems you may well be right but before going to the extra expense of the rate compass over a standard fluxgate, you can understand me wanting to be sure that one won't do the job for the other... I may try a call to Navico (watch this space!).

Pleased to say we'll be fitting this on Saturday (please God let the weather be half decent). While we're going to be having everything in bits in an ideal world I'd like to fit a heading sensor as I'd really like to be able to accurately overlay the radar on the chart. The question is, will any fluxgate compass (providing it is NMEA 0183) fit the bill or do you think (being the marine world) it needs an exact make and exact model that they can charge hundreds for. There are a fair few on eBay under

Monday would suit us much better as we'll be down anyway. It will be a bit of a pain for us Tuesday as we'll have to drive back to London Monday afternoon, work Tuesday and then hammer it down the M3 again Tuesday afternoon... That's a vote for Monday by the way.

Yes I think we should. Enjoyed it last year and certainly built up the anticipation!

Looking good! I'll be very interested to hear how well the Cunigard works. Has anyone else in the club used it before? Oli

AUTOPILOT! Bloody luxury over on Awol isn't it!! Afraid there's no such luck on SC

Ahhhh the costs don't stop. Apparently for accurate chart overlay I need a heading sensor!?!

Thanks for replies so far, all very helpful as ever. From speaking to a couple of shops today and watching the various YouTube videos, it really does look like it gives excellent definition at close range - even picks up birds sat on the water!! How high does the octahedral have to be Bob? In the past we've just had it on the cabin roof... Sounds pretty nasty Charlie! Last summer over on the 9 mile the fog came in thick and fast. It wasn't a pleasant experience hearing the rumble of the Condor long before I could see it. It's very expensive but definitely an investment and something I'm starting to feel is a must with the sort of trips we are doing more and more of...