TomBettle

Nice boat! What are the two lumps on the back?

This is nothing to do with work mods. Got some very sad news in that an old customer of mine is very ill with cancer. He's now bed bound and struggles with all the usual day to day things we take for granted. A lovely man who I sold a Merry Fisher 635 to (about 18 months old) in 2004. Since I sold him the boat he always came to find me on the boat show stand to tell me of his exploits and far more than just fishing, he seemed to be the focal point for meets at his local yacht club down in the Dartmouth area. His wife, Sarah, called me the other day to help her value the boat as it is simply tying up cash that could be used for Mike's care and with the boat being redundant she really must go. When i spoke to Sarah, the boat had been laid up for quite some time and was grubby and dirty, but, knowing Mike, was in otherwise excellent condition and would have been meticulously maintained. Sarah said that Mike's yacht club were actually chipping in to help and the boat will be sold having had a damn good clean and a new coat of antifoul. So, if anyone is looking for a damn good, best in class (IMHO) 21 foot pilot house style, semi displacement fisher cruiser then PM me or message here and I will give you Sarah's direct contact details. The boat is either 2002 or 2003 I can't be sure and didn't want to pressurise for further information. She has a Nanni 85Hp engine which is incredibly frugal on fuel and whilst she's no speedboat (book says 18 knots at WOT, but that would be off a cliff) she will take you home safely in pretty much anything. 250 running hours and no doubt with impeccable service history. Presented clean and tidy with new antifoul ready for the water. Full Navman electronics pack (at least that is what it had when it left me). Lying Dartmouth area (if I remember correctly) I doubt if you would find a better looked after example for her age. That comment is purely based on knowing Mike as I haven't seen the boat since I sold her, but I would hope it will be true. The usual asking price wuold be around

How old is she? How many hours?

Dave I think you will fit in at PBSBAC very well indeed. Fabulous! Tom

If we do have to postpone then I am felxible about rearranged dates although I am not so sure if my crew can be...

You been on that rabbit stew again Adam... Yep, the Venison stew had the same effect on me the other day. Have you checked the weather forecast? Looks breezy in Alderney.

Charlie With 11 boats going over I suspect we will be rafted two or three abreast anyway. I think that Duncan and I may raft together as I have plans to steal (sorry borrow, share, bugger it "steal") his tender and that will obviously remain on "our" mooring in our absence. We may also be joined by a couple of nutcases in Raider 18's at some point. The drums have been beating suggesting at least one is coming from the Solent direction and another one, maybe two from the Solent. I've been picking the brains of one or two very well respected Alderney skippers and they have hinted that whilst the flatties are there, they could be tough so have plan B and plan C up your sleeves... We have for Quest II Tom

Nice chatting David The club is a great source of info and comradery, but you will definitely find that the more you put in, the more you will get out. Get stuck in and if you choose to move your Arvor in this direction you won't go wrong with this "rabble" of danglers.

Dave check out the boat angling section at WSF. At the same time you posted this, someone asked about one on there...

Beyond me Jim I like to catch em and eat em. Zippy's done a great job catching them. Would be nice if we had our fishey ID experts to clarify exactly what differences we need to be looking out for.

Terry Possibility (really depends on funds as we are trying to keep this as cheap as possible) of Chris, Pete and myself.

Just got this from the UK Online Aquarium fish ID website and it certainly corresponds with your ID so I well and truly stand corrected! Identification: Eyes on the right, upper side, which is brown with prominent red-orange spots. Underside white. Scales are smooth and the lateral line is almost straight. A line of bony knobs runs along the head from lateral line to the eyes.

It looks much more like a Plaice in those pics! Still it would be lovely to get the full low down on differences between the two. It's quite tricky when both can be caught on the same ground and we all know they can do a bit of a cammelian act when it comes to changing skin colour to suit the surrounding area. Tom

Really nice report and great to see the Kayak boys doing well on the fish. I stand to be corrected and cannot be 100% sure, but the Plaice does look suspiciously like a cracking Flounder. It matters none at all, but Plaice spots tend to be more distinct. Flounder often take on red spots as your fish does, but they are sometimes more blotchy than those of the Plaice? I am not to adept at my fish id's after once mistaking a Spurdog for a Tope so don't believe a word of my waffle, but it would be interesting to hear what some of those who are more skilled in Fish Id's have to say. Anyway, great catch and great report. Tom

ADVICE FROM A RETIRED PARTNER: It is important for men to remember that as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman. My name is Tom. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my partner, Abbie. When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Abbie to get a full-time job along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the living standards that we needed. Shortly after she started working I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the angling club about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door. She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating, but now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed. Another symptom of aging is complaining. I think. For example she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement.. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any -- if you know what I mean. I like to think tact is one of my strong points. When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard.. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too. I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Abbie. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging partner or wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other. Signed, Tom EDITOR'S NOTE: Tom died suddenly on April 7th of a perforated rectum. The police report says he was found with an all roller Shakespeare 7ft 50/130 Stand Up Stik jammed up his rear end, with barely 5 inches of grip showing, and a sledge hammer laying nearby. His partner, Abbie, was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes to find her Not Guilty, accepting her defence that Tom, somehow without looking, accidentally sat down on his fishing rod.

Always go by the rile of "nicest". Whichever forecast is nicest is the one to believe

Tom I think there's a typo, need to increase pitch. Well spotted Brian. Yes "increase"

QUOTE (Maverick @ April 23, 2010 10:52 am) Tom could you put up Nicks email address? Easier to email him some notice even when out of hours. Martin Hi Martin It was hidden in one of my earlier posts, but here it is again. info@southcoastice.com

Just heard from Nick at South Coast Ice with this email: Hi Tom Just to confirm price of

Good Luck Nige. Don't envy you being on a boat with Terry for all that time! You know those "special" Friday mechanics you told me about?... the ones that like "special" night clubs... ...we'll leave it there. Make sure you take plenty of padding, some deep heat and a spare set of teeth. Terry's not known for sparing the horses. In seriousness, I bet you'll have an amazing time and hope the two of you find a third member of the team. Best of luck Tom

Very "Dry" Martin. I must be on form picking up on that. Wonder if anyone else will slip up and spot it. I'll be sliding over there and getting two or three of their boxes for Alderney.

After asking about ice yesterday I contacted Igloo Ice in Southbourne. The lovely lady there, Maggie, mainly caters for clubs, pubs etc, but was really kind and put me (Us) onto her own supplier. For anyone needing crushed ice for a trip, please consider contacting. SOUTH COAST ICE Ask for Nick Mould Mention Pool Bay Small Boat Angling Club for trade rates. Nick will supply crushed ice in 13.5Kg boxes at �4.50 per box to club members. The price is for ice that is collected from him. Contact details: South Coast Ice Ltd Unit 7 Stepnell Reach 541 Blandford Rd Poole Dorset BH16 5BW tel: [+44] 1202 622267 fax: [+44] 1202 625778 info@southcoastice.com http://southcoastice.com Please note I have nothing to do with them or this deal. I just felt it was really kind of Maggie to steer me to her own wholesale supplier. I hope other club members can benefit from a steady supply of ice at a fair price. Tom

Happy Birthday Kam.

Unfortunately a main dealer so it will be

Guys I know we have discussed this loads, but I can't find it in any searches. Where can we get crushed ice over here in Poole? I know where to get it in Weymouth, but that's not a lot of use here! I've just phoned Greenslades who was less than remotely interested saying they only make enough for themselves. I did google Igloo Ice in Southbourne who look pretty good. I've emailed them and have asked for pricing and suggested they may wish to get in touch with the club properly as collectively we use a fair bit. I'm awaiting a response. Who do you all use? Thanks Tom