Mike Fox

If you have an auxilliary, it makes sense to have one that uses the same fuel, and mount it onboard or use the buddy boat system (i.e. your mate's engine will do the work). Even a small engine would get you home, but you would be at much slower speeds (which I'm used to!), and you would have to make more allowance for wind and tide. I can move my 6 tons of boat with a 2 hp engine in calm water at about 3 knots, to get me back to my berth from Poole Quay with tide. for example, so anything larger will get you back as well. Obviously, if you are going out in more lumpy conditions, where your auxilliary engine cannot drive you into wind and waves, then you have to ask yourself why were you taking that risk in the first place, without effective contingency arrangements? As for the cost of spare engine and maintenance... yes it costs. As many of the more experienced boat owners on here will testify, it's not just the cost of a boat and engine (and toys) you need to budget for, it's the full safety package. If your budget won't stretch to the full safety kit needed to keep you alive, then why not consider a smaller/cheaper boat/engine package, then what you have can be used more safely. Mike Safety Officer

All, I have been asked to make the call by Friday evening if at all possible. This gives two risks: - the grim weather forecast for Saturday might not clear as fast as forecast, and the outlook for Sunday might be wrong on the Friday (meaning Friday it might be "on", then late Saturday have to call it "off"); - the Saturday weather might clear faster than expected on Friday, the isobars move apart, wind lessens, and conditions improve faster than forecast (meaning on Friday it might be called "off", but late Saturday it becomes clear it would have been fishable). So long as all accept these two risks, and the call can be made wrong, I'll make the call Friday evening in the following manner: - If after consultation and collaboration it's called "off", then I won't go back on the decision, allowing people to rearrange their weekend. People can still fish if they want in a location of their choosing, but not for the comp, which will be re-arranged to another date. - If it's left "on", and conditions deteriorate unnacceptably, to more than was forecast on the Friday, I will post on here a late cancellation by Saturday evening. Please check to make sure! Hope this makes sense, and is the most pragmatic approach. Mike Safety Officer PS It looks grim for Sunday already, and it's only Thursday.

Glad it was simple fix, Paul. A good reminder for all skippers to keep their engines well-maintained, and to carry appropriate spares and tools to fit them! Did you have the auxilliary engine on board this time? Mike

Let's be honest chaps, the weekend is looking borderline, but we're all keen to get out - not too keen I hope! Front after front is coming through all week (Glastonbury and Wimbledon effect?), but there could be a slot at any time, and all it takes is for them to speed up or slow down, and it can all change. Mark - 14 knots sustained is fishable as you know, but MetOffice currently suggests gusts to 25 knots. That might make things interesting. Rob - as suggested last week on the last comp thread, try a different site. Metcheck is not really appropriate - even if it is occasionally right! Too early to call still, but last minute contingency plans might be needed! Mike

Carol, George and I will fish - subject to weather! Mike

Next weekend is best for Frisky and crew, but can make any weekend up to and including 15th. Why not combine it with the Bass comp as another option? If you miss out on a decent bass, you can then add a few species, submit the form, and better turnout! Or conversely fish the species comp, and try to sneak a winning bass! The weekend of the 22nd is already booked and we cannot fish that date. Mike

Tom, Any truth in the rumour that you'll be mackie bashing on the way round from Weymouth, and you'll be using the filletting table for demonstrations later? Mike

Will be doing RNLI duties with Carol on and around the Quay on the Saturday. Depending on weather, we may be on the inshore RIB doing SEA Checks for afloat boats. If the weather proves to be grotty, will be helping to "man the van". All club members welcome for either! Mike

To avoid any potential offence being taken Tom, I presume you meant sailors, yachtsmen, or Environmentally Friendly Boat Users.... Mike

The annual mayhem of the Round the Island Race takes place on Saturday 23rd June. http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/web/code/...hp?section=home This is a very good day to avoid the Solent in my experience, unless planning a session in EXTREMELY shallow water (where they can't get you). Before you ask, we're not entering, never have, and probably never will! Mike

Following a couple of PM's it's clear I need to clarify. Carol has her reel, and we're not in the market for another, am afraid! Cheers for all of the offers! Mike

Gavin eh? Following some internal shuffles at work, I find myself with a third job (until first and second can shrivel and drop off), and my new boss is called... You guessed it....GAVIN ! Will never be able to look him in the eye again ! Mike

Carol's fixed spool reel died this week. Another bale-arm roller seized despite regular lubrication, and line cutting into it risking fraying the main line. I wish these were made tougher, as we've had several reels go this way. If anyone has a bulk supply of stainless rollers, I could use a few! As a result, Carol agreed to try a multiplier as a tougher, long-term alternative. It had to be left-handed, with a level-wind, capable of taking braid, and had to be light, yet designed for marine usage. We settled on an Ambassadeur 6501 which seems silky smooth, holds 300m of braid with backing, and feels delightfully balanced on her 20lb class Abu rod. Will wait to see if catches improve! Mike

Thanks for the download Charlie, which I've now printed off. Well done Mike, on what does look like a fine Undulate. Mike

Charlie, All boats are different, and depending on current fittings etc, the price will vary. Ask them for a quote, not me !!!! Cheers, Mike

You really have cracked the technique Trev ! Well done, Mike

Thought I might have got away with it for a while..... Mike

Mike, The males have a pair of extra dangly bits called "claspers", either side of their norty bits. They are to help the male hang onto the female when mating - which results in internal fertilisation of eggs, like mammals. The result with most rays and dogfish etc is the "mermaid's purse", which is usually tangled with weed etc. In some species the purse never develops, and the female gives birth to live young (e.g. smoothhounds and tope). All male sharks and rays have this characteristic, to my knowledge. Mike

Never caught a blonde before, and George really, really wants one to christen his new boat rod properly. - doggies and bream don't count apparently. Made some traces up this weekend as Charlie recommended - 9" wire between 4/0 hook and swivel, then heavy mono "chafe" leader (I used 70lb) to around 4'. Should be good for conger and tope as well. What do you want to bet he'll get one on his spinning gear instead? Most species comp next weekend too! Mike

Hi Rob, I had a separate sprayhood and cockpit enclosure (Tom would call it a conservatory) made by Quay Sales in Poole (as attached). They measured up, and talked through designs, and did everything from doing the jointed stainless bars, to the canvas work. They even corrected small niggles with the fittings. While prices were not cheap, and it was delayed slightly beyond the promised date, I was happy with the finished result, and would use Quay Sails again. Other sailmakers can do similar, from a variety of materials, in different styles. It might be worth getting a few quotes! Cheers, Mike

A gorgeous, lively looking beast, clearly with a magnificent girth. Congrats Mike! Mike PS George and I both love the "blonde" colour to the fish too.... PPS http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/modules.php?name=N...order=0&thold=0

Picture just uploaded.... Mike

Hi Paul, I got inbuilt charts for the whole of the UK, Ireland, and N. coast of France. The satellite imagery and underwater pretty pictures were the extras on a separate card. Mike

Hi Mike, It was the Garmin GPSMap 550S, prices as per online chandlers (

Found this browsing, and suspect it might be of interest! http://www.southwestmafia.com/forumswm/showthread.php?t=931 My new chart plotter can allegedly do similar with an appropriate plug-in card (