Mike Fox

Hi Jason, Do you have any more info about your windlass? Is it manual or electric? Electric ones will take a fair bit of juice out of the battery - and if you have a single battery only that also includes engine starting, it's worth thinking about a twin battery installation, and ensuring that the starter battery isn't flattened by "precision anchoring practice". Does it have a "gypsy" that perfectly manages your chain - or do the links not quite fit properly? You need calibrated chain for most windlasses. Does the windlass handle the rope effectively as well? Chances are, everything is ok, but the combination is a bit short for fishing in anything except shallow water. There is also probably more chain than you need for chafe prevention and ensuring a good horizontal pull. I would suggest a lot of the club members probably have a 10m chain backed up with 100m of rope or so...allowing them to fish in up to 30m or so of water in moderate conditions - but they would probably use the Alderney Ring system rather than a windlass. There's nothing to stop you using both in tandem, and this might enable you to retrieve quickly and safely. A final suggestion seeing as you have acquired it from another - make sure the anchor (hopefully of a sensible design and size!) is tripped properly, and shackled to the chain. The shackle pin should then be seized (monel wire is good) to prevent it vibrating undone. Could I suggest getting a few opinions, and having a chat at the next club meeting regarding how your circumstances can best be suited - or drop me a PM. Mike

Excellent reports chaps - well done. Good to hear the fish are here and feeding. Am still amazed there's bream around...in March! Mike

Congrats Mike, saw one like yours down at Salterns and was well impressed! Hope you have a great time in her! Mike

Nice boat Jason (even if it's not got a mast etc...) Was seriously impressed by their stability and capabilities when I saw one down at Salterns this year, and you'll have some great fun, I'm sure. Mike

Good bit of research chaps! All I wanted to know was if I really got lucky out on one of the new marks (as recently shared on here), if I was going to smash the club record for Thornback Ray or Thornback Skate (etc) ... After all, it wouldn't do to be taxonomically incorrect now, would it.... Mike

Wonder if the club records need updating to reflect the change in status from ray to skate...and vice versa.... Mike

My previous boat had extensive stress cracking both sides of the bow, and the price had fallen to come into my price range. I got a local fibreglass specialist to check it out, and his advice was invaluable. We bought the boat, contracted him to perform the repairs (externally was just cosmetic), but most importantly, to stiffen the interior moulding by the addition of foam stringers, which were glassed in using overlapping "tapered" glass cloth. The stiffening was therefore applied progressively, which was designed to prevent it repeating (it worked over then next 11.5 years!). The two starting points for the stress crazing were stiff spots on the inside of the hull where a cross-brace had been glassed in. This had stopped the hull flexing at this point, and flexing both sides of the stiff spots had started the cracks there. Apparently gel coat is slightly less flexible than fibreglass. Could I suggest that you check for stiff spots round the crazing area by tapping gently on the hull? The dull thud of a stiff spot is a real giveaway, and if this was the cause, can be cured relatively easily, by spreading the load via tapered patches. Mike

Cracking day out chaps, and there was me slaving over a hot PC. Well done both! Mike

You have to admire their intestinal fortitude.... Mike

When I saw "proper deckwash" I had envisaged a team of able seamen, kneeling on the teak decks scrubbing away with caustic soda and ashes, while two others man the canvas buckets on ropes, and the first mate stalks the deck with cat o'nine tails at the ready. Was quite disappointed to read about the technology that still escapes me, but will take notes on behalf of Carol and George..... Mike

Thanks for taking me out Alun! It was great to get out, and even if the cod were not playing, at least the pouting had flown south to join the swallows somewhere distant. Blusterous it might have been, but it was good to get a rod wet, and if we can catch fish on a day like this (and eat butties pretty constantly for 5 hours, suggesting a challenge to the Lardy Boys is on the cards!), it means the coming season is going to be a good one. Shame my old faithful trick of getting a bite from a quality fish failed for once (putting a coffee cup between my knees and pouring coffee into it), but was really impressed at your skill of biting into a sandwich while the rod-top waggled. While techniques like these remain in our armoury, even the February doldrums can be beaten. A good day out Alun, great company, and thanks again. Mike

Hi Alan, I'm game! Also have a 5lb box of squid, and actually wouldn't mind a conger of 30lb or so....especially if the February rod of the month is going begging. Thanks, Mike

Good to hear they're as good as their word Rich! I've used my Ugly Stik Spin 8' for about 10 years with no problems, and it's toughness convinced me to buy their 20-30lb class rods too for George and I. Just need to christen them now....(pout and doggies don't count). Mike

Confirmed 110m needed for Frisky! Thanks Mike Mike

Option 1 would appeal most of the two. I note Tom didn't mention price - I somehow suspect a

Grrrrr....weather settles down, cod still to be caught, and we have a weekend away! Was about to offer to crew, but have been advised that it might not be a good idea. Good luck all who fish! Mike

Serious fish Duncan - well done! Mike

Swapping engines for the day Paul? Mike

It's good to see who has held the site together on the top 10 posters....but these are unlikely to change much over the coming months. It might be more interesting to see the top 10 in the last month....so more chance for people to "compete". Mike

Well done for getting out Alun - and catching as well! Mike

Nice one Simon!

Nice one mike! Never thought of the turning mark idea! Suggestion for name for the new boat "Gybe Mark" ? Mike PS Try the cockles in a Thai Green curry sauce.....mmmmmmmmmm

Hmmmmm a couple of interesting points raised here.... I would suspect that most WAFI's would prefer to be termed "sailors" Mike. I know you use the term tongue in cheek, but others appear to have real dislike of sailing boats. I suspect this stems from yachts not keeping a good lookout under their sails, and passing too close whilst angling boats are drifting or anchored. Also, not being aware of what all the tacking back and forth business is all about, while a yacht is operating in "environmentally friendly" mode, and being unable to sail closer than around 45

Good tip duncan - thanks. Mike

Where would we be taken to fish on these junior trips?? Because I am quite excited about trying to catch a big ray. George F