charlieannear

Personally if I'm using the boat on a non-comp weekend, I prefer to take it out on Saturday. I have Friday night to prep, Saturday take the boat out and minor sort out when I get back, Sunday proper clean etc. For me, trying to fit 2 of those stages into one day makes it more of a rush. So from that point of view, Saturdays are preferable. Sunday comps can mean the Saturday night is no-go for parties etc. However, I've probably got more chance of a clash with daytime domestic commitments if comps were on Saturdays. Sundays are more acceptable from the FPO point of view as she can make sure I've done all my jobs on Saturday! So, for me, pros and cons of both.

So, what sort of rigs should I be making up for fishing at Burnham? Please bear in mind that I am a Fishing Numpty and need to be told the basics including hook and line size!

Absolutely gorgeous out there today, have a good one lads.

Thanks guys. If anyone has any particular particular tips for St Ouen's Bay (we are staying right by the slipway) that would be most useful, as with it being a family holiday, the fishing time is likely to be after the everything-else time! Having said that, I'll leave the rods in the car all the time, just in case we happen to be somewhere just when the tide is right!

It's beautiful out there this morning, so good luck gents. I'll be here at my desk, dreaming...

Dropped in to West Bay a couple of weekends ago, to break a car journey back from Cornwall and let Sam have a bit of a run around ahving been cooped up all Easter. Their public slipway is bloody lovely! One of the features that impressed me most was their pontoon setup which allowed the hardy people to launch the boat and all the passengers to get on, and load on kit in comfort, keeping their feet dry. It is one thing that is even more disappointing than the actual slope angle of the slip at Baiter, is that it's useless for the picking up and setting down of passengers if they don't want to or can't, get their feet wet. When was the last time any money was spent by Poole Council on their only real public slipway?

The family holiday is in Jersey this year (enjoyed it so much last year! ) One thing we'd all like to try is a spot of shore fishing. Bit of a long-shot perhaps, but does anyone have any experience of, or tips for, fishing from or near the slipway at St Ouens please? And before some smart-arse (yes, I'm thinking of you Rob) asks, the answer is no, we're not going over in Star Turn with the new outboard!

Following on from my clutch/gearbox post, I'm looking for a new outboard. Thanks guys for all your comments re E-Tec, Mariner and Tohatsu, they have helped me a lot! I have decided on a 75hp unit, due to the old 50hp struggling a bit. I have decided on a new direct injection 2 stroke rather than older carb one, due to noise and fuel effiency advantages. The only similar specced 4 stroke that I could see was a Mariner 80hp which was both quite a bit more expensive and also a bit heavier than it's 2-stroke equivalents. I have had fitted quotes on both a 75 Evinrude E-Tec and a 75 Mariner Optimax, which are only slightly more than the 75 Tohatsu TLDI from Extreme Marine, delivered (which I would then have to have fitted). So shortlist of E-Tec and Optimax. The Optimax comes in slightly cheaper than the E-Tec, and has 5 year warranty whereas E-Tec has 3 years. As I previously said the Mariner will also interface with my Navman plotter, giving me a whole set of extra readings, including fuel flow and consumption. So I am leaning towards the Mariner. The local Mariner dealers are Select, Salterns and Holes Bay Marine. I understand all to be pretty good? Can any E-Tec and Optimax owners help me out by giving me a general idea on servicing costs? Is there anything else I need to consider? Thanks, Charlie

Yep, been tinternetting like crazy and think my options are: Tohatsu TLDI, seem to be cheaper but as Martin says servicing to consider. Dealers listed on their site seem to be sales, rather than servicing, and noted a couple of comments re servicing on WSF. Mariner Optimax, quite heavy motors but will interface with my Navman kit (gadget freak) Evinrude E-Tec, light and we have a few very happy users in the club. I'm assuming Honda and Yamaha are an order of magnitude more expensive? Swings and roundabouts! I guess it comes down to

Ah yeah, I didn't equate TLDI with 2-stroke!

Willing to consider all options. They appear to be cheaper, and not as heavy but from that website, "Unfortunately due to the EU emission regulations after the 1st January 2007 Two Stroke engines can no longer be imported. We will still have some stock after 1st January but they will only be available for a limited period."

I'm reading this with interest! You think you've got problems?!

Yep, trying to be an every cloud has a silver lining type of chap, this was what I was thinking. I have previously commented that ST could do with more than 50hp, although I wasn't planning on being forced into it right now! I think, yes, ST will be an Annear Boat for some time to come now! I agree, and I'm considering the option of 75hp e-tec or equiv mariner or similar, price dependent. The 90hp stated on by Shetland would be related to the weight of the motor? And a 50hp E-tec is heavier than the Johnson 50hp. A modern 90hp might be too heavy? (assuming I could afford one!! Anyone know of a quick way to earn

Ah, that's why Dan needs some sleep? Young blokes these days...

Who's Dawn?

It' is (was) a Johnson J50PLSNF 2 Stroke, 50hp, power tilt & trim, 2002 (!!!). I've been looking for gearboxes online (e-bay, B&O, Google etc) I've seen lots, but none that match mine. And what sellers reckon is Good Condition seems to mean 'Has half the skeg missing' Have asked at Bill Higham Marine and even though I have given them exact model number, they asked me 'how many splines?' which shows the risk at getting the wrong one. I guess I am asking the 2-stroke/4-stroke question (with reference to fitting to a Shetland Family Four.) Plus I am not terribly familiar with the manufacturers- e.g comparing to cars, which OB's are Rolls Royce and which ones are Zastava. Can anyone give me a rough indication? Also, my Navman plotter interfaces with Mercury outboards. Are Mercury any good (are they Ford or are they Proton?)? Worms, can of, opened...

Sam T says gearbox is fried. Expensive to fix. More expensive to replace. Might as well get a new motor. Would like to talk to anyone tomorrow who has any advice as to what to do! i.e. what to go for. Or happens to have a new gearbox for my outboard in their shed!

Yeah, that's what I thought to be honest. Does anyone have any idea what the cost of this is likely to be? Is it economical to attempt, or am I looking at new gearbox, or new motor.

Right, so I eventually shifted the succession of coughs and colds that have plagued me since Christmas and took advantage of the longer light evening available after work today. In summary: Dropped the gearcase off the outboard. Drained the gearcase oil, to find that the substance that came out was about half a jam jar of black oily sea water with lots of bits of metal in it. I've probably only used 4 cans (about 100 litres) of fuel, mostly spent pottering about in Poole Harbour with the family since I had the outboard serviced. I always flush through with fresh water after use and it is dry stored on the trailer in my drive. The trouble is I had it serviced quite a while ago. It was serviced in late 2006 but not used until Spring 2007 and then, sadly, only half a dozen times in 2007. I just haven't been able to use the boat very much. So, do I have any scope for recourse with the servicer? My difficulty being that I have hardly used the outboard since it was serviced, regardless of the fact that it was serviced quite a while ago. Or is a gearbox failure like this anything to do with it being serviced anyway? Right, I'm going to drink some beer now...

Nah, I don't shave with Fairy Power Spray...

Just done the same thing. Cilit Bang wouldn't touch it, but Fairy Power Spray did the trick. Charlie "Domestic God" Annear

Got a reel to fix myself... What's their number/e-mail, Alun?

Well, being budget conscious myself, I bough a few bits and pieces to keep as 'spares' for friends to use- that way I won't be too bothered if they lose 'em!

As the title suggests, InExcess in Ashley Road currently has a load of Fladen tackle on the shelves. Fresh water, fly and salt water. Various starter kits (rod, reel and tackle), starter tackle sets (tackle box and swivels, hooks, lures etc) reels, line, swivels, hooks, snap swivels, beads, lures, floats and small weights. Not to everyone's taste I know, but might be of interest to the more budget-aware out there! As always with InExcess, when it's gone, it's gone. If any experts can have a look and reccomend anything, carry on! C.

Belated Happy Birthday Tom!