Paul D

So is it water in the first one and oil in the second ?

Duncan, It has got 2 plugs and integral fuel tank.

OK, thanks for the advice. I did clean one of the plugs ( looked oK to me ). I was just wondering if I should have given it choke or not. The plug didn't appear to be oiled up ( unlike last time I tried to start the engine with the completely wrong fueld /oil mix. ) I will have to have a another go in the weekend. Heating the plugs is fine on the drive Rich but I don't fancy having to do this in a rough sea etc

Tempting but I am on call unfortunately, otherwise I would have been well up for it.

Mike, You will be the one saying "I wouldn't do that if I were you" Oh and don't forget your score cards Mike

Martin, Put me down for a case please. cheers Paul

I could be looking for crew, however, I am on call on the weekend, so it will be a case of having to return if I am called out

It is a roller trailer which is big enough for an Orkney Day Angler ( 21 Ft I think ). I think he wants around

Chilean Sea Bass threatened

Kim, If you can wait another week, I could ask my friend who still has his trailer for sale ( he is on honeymoon at the moment ).

Mike, No rush. Hows about after Cuba ?

Used the Mercury 4 HP 2 stroke I got form Graham the other week in Weymouth and worked fine. Friend at work advised that I should turn the fuel off and let the engine run so fuel is not left languishing. I decided to do this on this weekend. Got dustbin, placed engine in the dustbin and could I start the damn thing - no !! So what is the best way to start a 2 stroke - no throttle / max throttle ? - Choke or no choke ? - I am beginning to think having an aux engine is not all it is cracked up to be as I am sure the damn thing wont start if I need it !!

or you could try this :- WXTide - removed due to need to pay extortionate amounts of money .....

In which case James - True Blue here you come

Was this to Northney Marina by any chance ????

Mike, The USA models will work fine over here but they are illegal as they are not type approved. However, I have in my possession the old radio from Neo which needs is a clean up of the connector and a mounting bracket and voila a legal ( albeit tatty ) VHF radio. You sort out the gelcoat chip on the front of the boat and it's all yours AND - just looked at the item bookmarked on E-Bay and that is the EXACT model mine is ( but not as rusty )

I am still awaiting my BFM. Has everyone else had theirs delivered ?

Mike, I've seen the gear you use, so I am not surprised

Bob, The Honda is a carb engine. It is not a case of stalling when cold, more stutter if the throttle is slammed forward quickly - I am not losing sleep over it though

Interesting. I was going to get a stainless one and was told this by the dealer. Mind you, I am not so sure I could afford a stainless one at the time anyhow !!

I almost bought a stainless prop but was advised against it, since the likelihood of clipping the bottom coming out of Christchurch harbour is significant and with a stainless prop this is less likely to be the weakpoint ( ie. gearbox gets damaged as opposed to propellor ).

Trailer Law - V useful site Martin / Duncan , The 750 KG weight is a gross weight so presumably includes the trailer. Just as important is the rating of the car when towing an unbraked trailer. For example a Honda-HRV is only rated up to 500 KG and the weight also cannot exceed half the vehicles kerb weight ( ie. To tow the full 750 KG you need a car with a kerb weight of at least 1500 KG ). That said, my Orkney 520 is on an unbraked trailer and I have no problems towing this with the Mondeo ( you do notice it is there when stopping quickly mind ! ). Speed limits are also of interest. ie. Single lane carriageway the limit towing a trailer is 50 MPH - This includes large stretches of the A31 Adam

Fishmeal Catch hits seabirds

Adam, Pleased to hear the new engine is going well now. For one moment I was beginning to think there could be a chance I would be able to keep up with BW but not now eh !

Latest News MIRABELLA ON THE ROCKS Report early Thursday: Mirabella V, Joe Vittoria's 246ft Ron Holland-designed yacht launched earlier this year is in trouble on the French Riviera. The much-heralded super sloop, built by Vosper Thornycroft at Southampton, UK, put out an emergency call at 1200 local today requesting assistance from other vessels in the St Jean Cap Ferrat area. She had apparently run onto rocks near the entrance to Beaulieu sur Mer harbour, having dragged her anchor. Winds are reportedly Force 6-7 and Mirabella is on a lee shore. The 206ft explorer yacht Big Roi and Roman Abramovich's 282ft motor yacht Ecstasea stood by Mirabella from 1300 and have been trying to get lines on her. Big Roi has succeeded twice but on each case the tow has parted, despite Mirabella also running her machinery to assist. On one of the attempts a 40-tonne bollard was pulled out of Big Roi's aft deck. Update Thursday evening: Latest infomation is that the wind and sea state has dropped and Mirabella V is sitting upright again. Hydraulic failure due to a problem with the pipework had caused the keel to drop although it has been raised again. It is not thought to be a contributing factor in the grounding. A tug is due within two hours. The 206ft explorer yacht Big Roi and Roman Abramovich's 282ft motor yacht Ecstasea are standing by but not now actively involved in attempting a tow. Reports from John Walker in International Boat Industry: http://www.ibinews.com Statement issued by charter agent: "Mirabella V was grounded in bad weather off Cap Ferrat at 1300 hrs. today. "All proper procedures are being carried out. An emergency call was made, as is standard operation. Two motoryachts have been on standby to assist the crew in stabilising the yacht. An ISM surveyor is now on board overseeing the situation. A tug is currently on its way to tow the yacht. "At this stage it is not known what damage has been caused to Mirabella V. In this moment the yacht is holding up as well as can be expected and we very much appreciate the support received from other yachts and our ISM partner, V Ships. "A further statement will be issued as soon as information becomes available from the yacht." http://mirabellayachts.com