Jsplace

Well at long last we managed to get in the water on Monday evening Arrived at Baiter at about 7:30 and with a bit of a push got her floating 10 minutes later. Went out about 30 yards on the AUX just to get some water beneath us to make sure there were no unexpected leaks or other problems and then fired up the main engine with no probs. With a wave goodbye to our trailer towers we spent about an hour slowly cruising towards Sandbanks where she is moored and spent the time explaining and showing the other half a few bits and pieces, and making sure everything worked as it should along the way. Sat for 10 minutes waiting for lots of yachts to pass ahead as they finished off a race and enjoyed relaxing watching the fish jumping out of the water off our bow. By this time we thought it best to go find the mooring as didn't fancy trying to find the buoy for the first time in the dark! Headed over to the marina, picked up a dinghy and with a little hunting found our spot quite easily and secured the boat to the mooring. Sat watching the world go by, happy in the knowledge that finally we were afloat before rowing back to the pontoon in the dinghy. All in all a nice easy launch with no problems at all except for seeing this weeks weather forecast when we got home! Now to get some fishing done...

We unfortunately didnt manage to get out today, boat not quite ready on time Damn mail order bits....

I was told that they are pretty much self sealing and can be inflated again very quickly, and after a quick google have found US patent application for one of the spikes they use. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6065238/description.html Like I said, they all seem to do it in Australia and they tend to look after their fisheries alot better than we do here so I am guessing that some reseach has been done to find out if its either a help or harmful to the fish. Personally I have never tried it and probably wouldn't unless I had had some tuition in doing it first. The guys I saw doing it were very practised at it indeed. I think I would be scared of either poking the wrong bit or pushing the spike in too far....

Did some reef fishing over in Oz a few years ago and they all puncture the bladder with a spike before release. Seemed to work too, fish always just swam straight down.

We are very much hoping to launch from baiter this Sat too so will maybe see you down there! If you spot us in a Blue and white Shetland 535 then give us a wave As for launching, I myself have only launched there a few times and havent had any real problems yet, but be careful, watch tide, sea state and wind and you should be fine. If we do meet up there and you need a hand then please feel free to ask. Oh, and watch out for Jet Skis! Have seen them making life miserable for plenty of people trying to launch there.

Thanks for the input guys, will keep an eye on all and hopefully gain some confidence in one or 2 from experience. Nice suggestions tho' a couple I hadn't come across. Jason

Just a quick question please? Who do most of you rely on for your weather reports? I check all the likely places, including met office, windguru, metcheck and various others but find them so conflicting most of the time that I dont really know who to believe! Work is all done now on the new Shetland and we are hoping to launch this weekend (Fingers crossed!) Cheers Jason

Hi, I have a 6.6 gallon plastic petrol tank with the fuel gauge built in to the filler cap and need a replacement cap as the one fitted has had it. Anyone know where I can source one without buying an entire new tank? The fuel gauge part is not important as I always find them to be pretty useless anyway. Cheers Jason

Where were you a week ago? Just booked my service with Elford Marine services. Good to know there are now other options tho, And Welcome!

Thanks Jim, have sent them an email but my engine is a Mariner and they are not Mariner franchisees? Are they likely to touch it? Jason

Could anyone recommend a Mobile outboard servicing setup? Im based in Poole Need to get it done pretty quick. Many thanks.

Just an Update, Fenders sorted. Decided against Helmsmans chair due to space but do require fuel line and Moeller connectors for Mariner 20 and Johnson 5hp engines. Anyone have any laying around?

Thanks for the welcome guys Looks like we now have mooring sorted down at Sandbanks marina, anyone else down there?

Hi all, you may have seen in the welcome topic that we have just gotten a new boat. Inevitably there are a few things we need that we wouldnt mind picking up second hand to save a little money for chucking at boating later on! Anyway a few things we need, if anyone can help then please PM me with what you have got and what you want for it, please remember that we are on a tight budget and dont want top of the range gear! Fenders x4 Fisfinder Helmsmans seat and pedestal. Anchor rope ( Decent tho or we can buy new) Grateful for any offers

Hi guys an gals, Just joined the forum and will more than likely be joining the club proper in the next few weeks. I have a few years messing around in boats, down in Wales and in Poole and the surrounds and used to worm drag a few years ago too (eugh! horrid job!) Anyway been boatless the last few years except for a little Avon inflatable but the girlfriend has just bought a Shetland 535 which we take delivery of on Saturday. Hopefully in a few weeks once shes tidied up a bit we will be out on the water and meeting up with some of you! Happy boating and tight lines!