Paul D

Reading that reminds me why I don't bother getting the Sun !! The girls screamed and were taken out of the cage but, despite the danger, Mark couldn

Training Sunday. Got out today with Gordon and added to my list of club boats I have blanked on. ( I have fished on two club boats apart from mine and blanked on both ! ). Weather was beautiful, the waves breaking over the sand bar when we went out were pretty impressive !! ). Saw Alun J out there in his 440. Also heard a fishing boat called Sheila Marie calling a mayday in the entrance to Poole harbour - taking on water. Was this the club boat of the same name ?

Fished today and Gordon got some worms from Pro-Tackle which were excellent. Adam, Dan is correct regarding Lonis. I thought the same thing ( ie. that they were the same shop ) but the owner told me they were separate. Sorry to hear he is not well. I wondered where he had got to, not having seen hime in the shop for a while now.

Pro=Tackle ( I think they are now Pro Angler ) used to have really good worms. I presume as stated that the worms vary through the year. I have to agree with Martin's comments re: Alec's worms. Another option is to get some worms from New Milton - I get mine there but they too can be variable.

Drag weight is tied to the bow of the boat. The boat will then be facing into the tide and the tide will be flowing past the boat faster than the boat is moving, so the trace will flow out the back of the boat if you get the terminal rig weight correct - as martin decribes ( On Saturday the tide was so small that no weight was needed to drift ). I turn engine off while drifting, however, when the tide is running hard this means you could potentially get into trouble at the edge of the bank if the engine fails to start...... When we fished the Race at Portland I started drifting with the engine off but quickly decided that it would be wise to keep it idling ( you will know what I mean when you see the size of that wave !! )

I used a rig as described on Chris Caines pages. 18 beads, pennel rig and around 6ft trace. In addition I threaded a small "coffin" weight between two of the beads to help to hold bottom. Ragworm and squid cocktail as bait. Worked for me, I caught a solitary Plaice !! ( Lost a good bite as well ) I had another rod with a strip of mackeral and later in the day ( having feathered/hokeyed up some Launce ) a strip of launce. 5 ft trace with single hook, in hope of a turbot.

Paul, I too have noted with the handling is the sensitivity to weight distribution ( it is impressive if your passenger decides to move from one side of the boat to the other whilst under power ) Also noted that the boat is slower when two up - even with the 30 HP. When trying to power through a strong tide race the boat tries to broach ( I have learnt the term for this having joined the boat club . On the upside, it is good in a rough sea - I outran a Raider 16 in the Solent last year with ease , well built and reassuring to have the double skinned hull. Launchable by two man ( one man even ). I think you could do far worst for a first boat. I never realised you had the Orkney - Is yours the 520 as well ?

Craftinsure quotes are puzzling to say the least. If I ask for a quote on a boat with value =

Your welcome Mike. The glasses were no problem - I have a new pair now ( and a spare pair ) and I needed an eye test anyway. If you have digital photos you can upload them onto the forum easily. ( use the attach file to message link when creating a new post ). cheers Paul

My Honda is due a service - makes me not want to take it in now

Similar spot to this one Its cousin

Welcome Mike, I was the other boat out on Saturday ( Neo ). Wasn't too bad was it ? ( You did look a little wary what with the fog at the slipway ). Glad you caught some plaice. Paul

Rich used one ( which I have shamelessly copied ) made from a bird feeder. Works a treat.

Ah, but Rich has seen me trying to handle her fishing the Race at Portland - a whole different story

I asked for a link to be added on this site as we have a few members over the Christchurch area. I also stated that, indeed, the web site is run from Walkford.... This has been translated to "the club is run from Walkford". The power of the web Small Boat Angling Club

I think the idea is a tube with a semi covered end which the groundbaot can be dropped into. ( I am sure it was your Dad who mentioned its use in New Zealand ) I have an idea how to do this ( attach tube to back of boat and then lower when over mark ). Groundbaot could then melt in the tube which would have been lowered to get the groundbait down to where it is wanted.

If there is any still for trial when the bream fishing starts, I would certainly like to try some. Martin ? Might even be worth rigging up a groundbaiter tube on the boat if it works.

Following yesterdays sortee to Weymouth, I noticed just how rusty some parts of my trailer had become ( in particular the bolts / U bolts and parts of the rollers ) I have bought some Hammerite and painted these parts. Looks much better now. Has anyone else done this before ?

I thought the terms of the VHF licence were that you should not use it inland ( or in a harbour for that matter .... ) ? I won't tell if you don't Pretty impressive range though - probably the weather causing "ducting" ( I was actually receiving a French FM station on the way home from work on Friday ).

My ABU Conolon with a Charter Special is my favourite. If you had a TLD 20 on a lighter rod it would be way too big ( in fact when using braid with the TLD20 it is so big you have to fill the reel up with mono as a backing. ) I have both the TLD20 and the Charter Special and would choose the Charter Special in preference to the TLD20 in 90 % of situations. ( apart from cod fishing with big baits ).

Good news !! My bearings are fine. The wheel ( which strangely was the one Adam was studying at Weymouth - and obviously thinking "look at the state of that" .... ) was well shot though. I noticed the nuts had worked loose - again. Tightened them up and took the trailer for a spin. Was OK but then started to make a noise again. Got back home and noticed nuts had worked loose again. Problem was the countersunk parts of the wheel were so worn they were almost flat and despite tightening the nuts really tight they still worked loose. Now I have a nice shiny wheel on that side and all OK. So no need to play a round with the bearings after all. Kam, Thanks for the advice - I did actually apply grease that way and all looking OK now ( thank god ). Still a bit unsure about holding the male part in my hand though )

Given the state of one of my bearings following return from Weymouth yesterday, you could very well be right Kam I am replacing the ones on that wheel or Neo is not going to be going anywhere. Should be interesting to see what has happened to the bearings ( I suspect I didnt put enough grease in that side last time I changed the bearing ).

Bob, Yes - I also thought this sounds like the guy who launches at Wick.

It was a good day despite the weather. I caught my first plaice off the Shambles, so must be improving ! - we also both almost had a second on the next drift but then, as time was running out, decided to try from some wrasse. I too am well sunburnt - suprising, given the sun barely came out. Shame about my glasses, but needed a new pair anyway and it is fortunate I had a spare pair in the car or I would have never been able to drive home. Referring to previous post regarding bearings. Ignore my advice !! - When I left Sams hous I pulled into the garage and noticed a strange sound coming from the trailer. The bearings on the nearside wheel are totally shot - ( it is as if a brake is dragging, strange as I havent got brakes ) and the noise the wheel makes when rocked is not too good either. So bearing replacement this afternoon I think ! BTW: If you want to crew on Neo you are welcome anytime Sam.

Bob, I don't know the torque setting but all I did for my new bearings last year is to do the nut up tightly ( so wheel barely moves ) and the back the nut off a single slot. Works for me ( so far ! ). When you tighten the whole assembly up as above this will push the bearings onto the tapered rings and backing off the nut one flat allows some "Play" ( should be a slight bit of play if you grab top and bottom of the wheel and "wobble" it. Too tight = no play and you will generate heat and wear them out. Unless anyone knows differently .....