Mike Fox

Planning to have Frisky craned in today, and subject to successful sea trials etc on Friday, we hope to fish the comp on Sunday - planning for the 7.30 a.m. lift of Poole Bridge probably....but where to go...and what to try for? There's an event on Cobbs Quay on Saturday, and the RNLI have asked Carol and I to help man their stand - so lost a possible fishing day there. Why not come along if you're in the area, or bored of 4lb bream. Mike

SPECIMEN Comp.....meaning our chances are much diminished. Ho hum....how to beat a 5lb Christchurch bream? Mike

First guess would be a long-spined sea scorpion Paul I used to keep one in a marine aquarium...very fond of baby prawns I remember....oh...and recently hatched cuttlefish! Mike

Sounds an adventurous first trip Charlie. Well done on your meticulous preparations and trying different forms of emergency steering till you got back. We're well impressed - and would call that a successful trip! Mike and Carol

If swapping for a metal boat is not for you, then you might like to consider the following suggestion, especially if a permanently mounted radar reflector doesn't work easily on your boat. Get a couple of rod holders (or yachties' flagstaff holders), and fit them somewhere forward, out of the way, but accessible, and buy a pair of broom handles. Attach the radar reflector to one broom handle, and store it along the side deck when towing or it's otherwise not in use. When on the boat, rig the radar reflector forward. And the other holder and broom handle? Use it for your anchor ball shape, on a similar principle. Two reasons...it might stop yachts using you as a "gybe mark" (which allegedly happens a lot), and makes you compliant with another part of the Collision Regulations (see my insurance exclusion point on this thread). Hope this helps, Mike

You certainly can find them chaps! Great fish! Mike

Good day to be out on Neo with Paul, and see him get a good bass. It's good to catch fish again...even if it was just wrasse for me (best 3lb 2oz). Oh, and a magnificent dory that put up a tremendous struggle. Managed to get it moving quite well, but eventually the trace parted after over 5 minutes. Honestly thought I was going to get it all the way in, cos I remember being worried the net was too small. Amazing how much power you can get from an Ugly Stik Spin.....eh Paul J.... Gutted, cos there doesn't appear to be a club record for a dory either. Well done on the PB Alan, well deserved after those bleak winter trips! Cheers again Paul for a good trip. Shame about those bream though.... Mike and George

If Nipper can offer a tow, I might be game too.... Mike

You can just imagine archaelogists in future centuries, checking their artifacts.... "Nice flint arrow head, oh, bronze age axe, iron chariot wheel, and yet ANOTHER of Rich's fishing weights - wonder what ancient ritual caused him to carefully place so many around submerged rocks!"..... Mike

And your knowledge is probably greater....? Mike

Haha...Paul....check with Mad Mike for details! Mike

Yup...which is why Charlie had it spot on...reduce the flow until you can cope. I carry tapered wooden bungs so that they can be wedged into any small opening in the hull. A friend lost a seacock due to corrosion, and a bung was the only thing that did the job. Mike

Sounds a really productive trip, and shows how good the buddy boat system can be, in the right conditions. As a footnote to anyone considering any trip, the RNLI recommends the thirds rule.....no more than one third of your fuel to get there and potter, and two-thirds to get back. The logic is you might have to punch heavier seas, or strong winds, or tow a mate on the way home. The RNLI gets called out for engine problems more than ANY other reason, and most skippers get too embarassed to admit they have just ran out of fuel. The stats for "running out of fuel" are therefore believed to be heavily understated! Mike

If the batteries get submerged an electrical bilge pump will probably not work. Cigarette lighter variety the same! A manual bilge pump will keep working, as will someone with a bucket...for a while. A "strum box" to stop it getting clogged with floating/waterlogged bits and pieces is also a good idea. Mike

Hi Kam, For an inboard engined craft, the stern gland is the bit that stops water flooding back into the boat along the prop shaft - the hull seal. I've had the two main types: - a stuffing box, which is a tight fitting metal tube fitted round the prop shaft, filled with what is effectively greasy string, and needs regular grease injecting. Pretty robust, but messy, and drips water and grease into the bilges; - a rubber shaft seal that clamps round the shaft and secured to the inside of the hull with a waterproof joint, with internal seals to stop sea water flowing into the boat. Much less maintenance - grease occasionally, and replace every 5 years (or manufacturers instructions). If they split (which is rare) it can be catastrophic. Charlie's advice is spot on. Cover and seal the split with whatever is to hand, ropes, underwater tape or jubilee clips to hold in place (carry emergency repair materials), bilge pump (essential!) to keep the water level down, and you have a chance of getting yourself out of it. Even diverting a lifebait pump to support the bilge pump would help. Plan ahead, act effectively, call for assistance, and plan to be self sufficient because help might be just that bit too far away.... Mike

Stunning! Mike

Caught this on the local news... http://www.solent.tv/pageviewer.aspx?page=...114903458515000 Footage on television showed the boat going down dramatically. According to the RNLI, a 3-4" hole below the waterline can let in half a ton of water a MINUTE. Very much a worse case scenario, but imagine what could happen on your boat...batteries submerged, no main electrics/VHF radio, little time to get life jackets on.... Not nice to think about - but if in a similar situation, what could you do differently to improve the odds in your favour? Mike

OK OK ....so your marks are probably better? Mike

Cracking fish Dave! I reckon it's 128% or so specimen, and sets the challenge for the monthly prize! What bait did you use? Mike

Have taken all of next week off work to complete the winter boat jobs - but it's currently sitting in the boatyard all antifouled and nearly ready - but won't be craned in until Thursday (they're a bit busy). Am missing being afloat in this glorious weather. As a result, George and I are available as crew for anybody fancying a trip out trying to catch something interesting. George is desperate to "christen" his new rod and reel on a real fish ! His Dad would quite like something decent too. Can offer a contribution towards fuel, I should also be able to bring some bait, around 20 years of local knowledge, and a few marks.... Mike

Some interesting points raised here... The main reason for a radar reflector is FOG. Few of us venture out to the shipping lanes, and judging by the reports I hear, few ships have heavily manned bridges, so the chances of them even being aware of your existence would still be small. However, at anchor in poor visibility a mile or two out, then it's probably the only thing that could indicate your existence to some of the larger vessels in these waters that could potentially run you down. Duncan correctly refers to SOLAS V as regulations. These are not negotiable. They are part of maritime law. We choose to go to sea, and are therefore bound by the existing regulations, and we can't pick and choose the bits we like. There is a huge gulf between "not practicable" and "mildly inconvenient". In the event of a maritime accident, could you legitimately claim that it was "not practicable" for a powerful angling boat, capable of fishing several miles offshore, with 8 foot rods, cooking facilities, livebait wells etc. I suspect not. While talking legal claims, I checked my insurance policy recently. I am covered for all kinds of things. However, under the Exclusions, I am NOT covered for "willful or reckless endangerment". I'm not a lawyer, but I bet that clause is there so that in the event of an accident the insurance company has a chance of not having to pay up...for example if it was MY fault I was run down in fog for not having a radar reflector, as per regulations. Not only would my boat and crew not be covered, I would be fully liable for the other vessel and crew as well. I know a few other things "wilful or reckless endangerment" might cover too. Mike

Hi Graham, The RNLI SEA Safety Check is both personal and confidential, typically taking an hour or so with no "pass or fail", and is designed so that all boat owners (irrespective of experience) have a chance to discuss their own personal type of boating with an independent safety advisor. As such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment online about your safety kit, or whether it is suitable for all of your needs. Night fishing from a 16 footer might warrant additional equipment and safety procedures, for example. If you would like to book a check now, instead of "sometime", one of the club's own RNLI SEA Safety advisors, or another member of the RNLI SEA Safety Team would be more than happy to help. Cheers, Mike

Hi Graham, The chaps have offered a few different views on the need for radar on a small angling boat. I've recently been trained by the RNLI as a SEA Safety Advisor (along with two other club members), and I asked them at a recent regional meeting why they don't have radar on their priority list of equipment for small boats. Their answer was surprisingly sensible and pragmatic. They recognise that there is a lot of safety equipment needed on an angling boat, even for fishing a few miles off the coast. From a safety and from a financial basis, it makes more sense to get the other items of equipment first, and backups to them where necessary. The priorities are very much into problem avoidance, by means of careful checks and sensible precautions, the safety equipment you need should the worst happen, and appropriate means of summoning assistance, depending on circumstances. I wouldn't dream of suggesting radar has no value to you (I "inherited" it myself on my current boat), but as some of the chaps have suggested, it might be less effective than you expect, and there are other things that might be better to get first from a safety perspective. You might also need to consider power consumption, a twin battery installation, onboard battery charging, and other matters if you would still like to go ahead with radar. You say that you "just want to get the boat up". It sounds that you're really keen on getting the safety equipment that is appropriate for your type of boating. Could I therefore ask you to contact me directly (PM) if you would like a SEA Safety Check in the Poole area, or read the separate comments about SEA Safety checks on the "Safety" Forum on here. Depending on where you live (or fish), someone from the RNLI should be able to help you out in the very near future. Mike

Sounds a good trip to me Tom! Nice plaice! Mike

For the first time in 20 years, I'll not be afloat for Easter. The boatyard has been full, and the boat is being craned out for annual maintenance on the hull etc on the Wednesday before. I've taken time off to turn it around quickly, but with the best will in the world, it won't be back in before then. I'm gutted. Maybe ready for the weekend after... Mike