Peter

We made portland fine at about two, crossing was tiring but doable. Was a great first time trip and thanks for Everyone who offered help and advice, all the radio chat on the way back was a good distraction from boredom and a reasurance we werent alone Anyway thanks too every one who made it a great weekend Matt(peters long suffering son)

Thanks Martin you are right I was just thinking of swinging down your way a bit making or journey a bit longer but safer in company - looking out of the window the wind seems to be dying here so let's hope !! Peter

Martin, we would leave at that sort of time maybe a bit earlier to catch up, just wondering about VHF range guess 5 - 10 miles boat to boat Peter

It's looking a really hard decision I am sort of thinking that I don't want our first Alderney to be a slog in adverse conditions. Also being down at Portland makes it a bit harder to get contact with a buddy boat so it would be helpful to know others route plans. Any updates appreciated I will have a look at it in the morning Peter

If anybody else is looking I noticed the guy at Chesil Tackle and Bait just up the road from Portland Marina has one to sell Peter

Ho Oli, We are based in Portland Marina and will probably be out if the weather is fair if you fncy buddying up to do some wrecks Peter

Thanks everbody

Thanks Adam - I sort of thought that was the answer - you only get what you pay for!!

Has anyone any experience of using smart tabs - do thye produce any noticeable improvement in rid or fuel efficiency? With the lantern cabin to one side Free Boys tends to slighly list to port in a sea is it likely thye would help with this Peter

Come on chaps, it's make your mind up time as time is getting short (hurrah!) Terry B: Crab Cocktail, ribeye steak. Duncan : crab cocktail, ribeye Dave Samuel: Cream of Asparagus Soup, Ribeye steak Tom B: Crab Cocktail, Ribeye Steak Rob F: Crab Cocktail, Chicken Brie Adam F: Crab Cocktail, Ribeye Steak John W: Crab Cocktail, Ribeye Steak Alun J : Crab Cocktail, Ribeye Steak Martin B: Crab cocktail, Ribeye Steak Dean B: Crab cocktail, Ribeye Steak (very predictable!!) Tony D : Pate and Ribeye steak Dave E; Crab cocktail, ribeye steak Ben ;Crab cocktail, ribeye steak Gordon H ; Crab cocktail, ribeye steak Greg C ; Crab cocktail, Bass Craig Ashley Paul D Steve S Tom (P) Chris (P) Charlie (MH & HL) Sam (MH & HL) Dan (MH & HL) Will (MH & HL) Peter Crab Cocktail, Ribeye Steak (rare) Mathew Cream Of Apsparagus, Sirloin Steal (rare)

] Can we join in please Peter& Matthew ( Free Boys) Thanks Peter

Don't want to be a kill joy but the catch report of 2lb turbot being taken off the shambles worried me - these are a localised dwindling species the minmum size is 41cm I think a 2lb fish of a species which gains the size of turbot and the length of life makes it little more than fry. I feel we should try and campaign locally for a large limit True Blue I believe operates 45cm What do people think? Peter

It is mate and about mid way from Poole or Portland But it is not huge, there are others close by that are larger and a bit easier to fish. It depends if you are used to wrecking really. Adam 12/5 Dover HW is at 6.45 BST Slack mid channel is about dover HW +6 Charlie Haven't done very much wrecking to date as we have only just got larger boat so hopefully will learn a trick or 2 Thanks Peter

The boys will let you know what DG is.? A wreck I presume?

Thanks Adam, I can see the logic of Hurds deep but given it's our first crossing I think a bit of company more of the way would be reassuring - I will have a think about Poole the night before though I guess this would push our fuel bill up a bit Peter

Thanks for all your replies can't wait!! I will see what I can do re accommodation we could stay on board at a pinch. We are on stack and store at Portland but guess it should not be too difficult to orgnise a rendezvous point. Thanks Peter

We've been a bit slow to get involved here as Alderney virgins but Matthew and I would very much like to tag along with Free Boys- can I confirm dates are 12 - 15th Mayare we too late to get in with club arrangements for mooring & B&B ? Peter

I read a report in one of the boating magazines a couple of years back comparing the effectiveness of radar reflectors and the genral conclusion was that they are largely ineffective even the more expensive ones - the only device I've seen good reviews for is the Sea Me radar enhancer reconditoned units available for circa

I,ve been reflecting on the various posts re the fog last Wednesday. I attemted to fish out of Portland vis was about 50 yds when I nosed out - only to completely close in as I left marine entrance. A scary wake up call when I glance to starboard and saw my own wake where I had almost gone round in a circle a victim of the slow GPS refresh others have commented on - so straight back to berth with some difficulty!! Felt a bit of a wimp until I saw the pictures of Duchess aground with her charter crew. I spent a bit of time on the berth setting up routes to all the main areas I fish with quite closely spaced waypoints at critical points to avoid hazards ( the shambles, race the bill anchorage areas etc) so at least if I got caught out in fog I would have a compass bearing to steer to all the way home to some extent getting over refresh rate problem. If anyone is thinking of updating electronics the external GPS Antenna offered as an extra by Lowrance for the HDS series promises a refresh rate of 5 times per second. I would also recomend the standard horzon VHF with inbuilt AIS receiver which allows me to see all AIS fitted vessels and course projections through the HDS which at least gives some protection from the big stuff. Don't forget the SEAME device which dramaticlly enhances the radar shadow of small boats Lastly looking back over the too many years I have been fishing( not enouugh of them spent actualy fishing!!) I can recall a number of tragedies where charter boats were hit by other vessels in fog primarily in the years before they were universally fitted with radar etc. It was incredibly frustrating last week sitting by a flat calm sea not being able to get out - but I think we all need to do the risk assessment and work out if it is really worth pushing it in such conditions? You guys that did go out were certainly braver than me assuming it was as bad up your way - but would you do the same again? Peter

I bought a Lowrance radar unit which I was going to fit on my old boat but is incompatable witht the HDs10 I have on Free Boys. Is anyone interested in purchasing - it is compatible with Lowrance Globalmap, LCX and LCM series and is new still in box. Alternatively does anyone want to sell one of the compatible units above so I could set it up on a separate circuit Regards Peter

No I don't use one but it is generally considered not to be good practice to hang a large fish vertically just gripping by jaw or gill covers as this leaves the bulk of the fish unsupported when out of water and may lead to damage of internal organs or spine. So cuddle those big fish gently with lots of support!! Peter

Thanks Tom - we are already dreaming of the Alderney trip in the new year !!!!

It is indeed my boat in the Sea Angler article - I think she is the only one in the country at the moment until they come on stream in January so that will be a nice souvenir Thanks for all the good wishes Peter

Towed my faithfull warrior 175 Amethyst of 8 years up on to my drive 2 weeks ago for a final clean ready for part x for my new boat. Looking at her clean on the drive not looking any different from new brought a pang of reluctance to part with her. Much moe than fibreglasss 8years of hopes emotions good and some bad experiences great banter and relarionships - a pretty big chunk of life in fact golden memories that will remain. Any way wobble over Matthew my son and I drove to Cambrian boats in Swansea to hand her over for brand new Jeanneau Meerryfisher Marlin 6. Again some mixed emotions but very excited. Robin and his boys at Cambrian had worked flat otu all day to ensure she was ready. So dod not leave Swansea until 4-30 for a long drive down to Portland - the plan was to leave her in the compound at the sailing academy all night and then on to stack and store in the marina but on arrival at 8-00pm access code would not work - huge worry. Spoke to the security guy in the marina he asssured us she would be safe in the car park under the cctv - but a very worrying night huge relif to see her in the morning. Waiting finally Free Boys was putin the water -didn't really expect to do much fishing but nosed out and found things not as bad as we thought so headed to the race wher a couple of professional boatsw were fishing so we joined them. Not going in as far as them but still scary enough. Strnage conditions with very strong wind pushing down the drift making big leads necessary. First fish to Matthew a nice bass followed shortly by another. A sudden increase in wind put paid to my chnaces as we needed to head for shelter. Turned back with a heavy following sea a bit to beam ans she wallowed horribly but a touch on the trim to lift her nose a bit saw her handling a nasty sea comfortably. Back in the shelter of the Bill thingsnot too bad but turning into the Northern entrance the wind turned into a banshee and even crossing the shelter og he harbour was throwing up sheets of water over teh boat. The wind and my inexperience on confined pontoon mornings made docking very hairy. Day done we had a brew in the cabin refelecting on the day Another story started hopefully i wil fell the same about her in 8 years a i did Amethyst. Peter Does anyone fish Weymouth regularly and would be interested in buddying up for linger sorties or coming along as crew

Thanks John