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Cheers for Info Duncan I had not considered pellets . Do you by the bags from Kinetico or eleswhere? No good to me for this year as just had 10 packs of salt delivered last month but will definately consider for next purchase Pete

I have a self draining foredeck on my boat with the drain right on or just above the water line .As boat rolled water used to flow onto the deck causing wet feet So first option was to use wooden plug to stop water coming onto deck Kept forgetting to put plug in so wet feet Got over problem by using flap valve scupper fitting like this http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/through-hull-and-cockpit-scuppers/bronze-transom-scupper-through-hull-0377a08chr There are plenty of cheaper ones on the ASAP site including GRP ,316 stainless steel and DZR brass. Works great no wet feet and deck drains no problem :D :D :D Pete

+1 recommendation for Kinetico. We have a block salt unit installed outdoors within an insulated lift off wooden cover. Works great and been in since around 1997 .It was there when we moved in in 2007.Original cost was £987 installed. You can even take it with you when you move house by operating a couple of bypass valves and disconnecting the flexible pipework. I have had 2 problems with it in that time (and am not aware of any pre2007 issues) 1.The salt syphon plastic tubing split (£2 for replacement windscreen washer hose at Halfords) 2. The most serious fault was that the resin decomposed and entered the water supply blocking washing machine cold water filter and settling out in toilet cisterns.Resolved by Full refurbishment(cleanout of the resin tanks) and a new resin fill by Kinetico at around £350 The unit supplies softened water on demand to ALL hot and cold services other than a separated non softened but filtered drinking water outlet on the kitchen mixer tap. No electrical connections needed Salt usage is around £50-£60 per year It works really well(No scaling!) and you can easily tell when you need to add the salt blocks as soap doesn't lather as easily. I replace the 2 blocks every 3weeks to 1 month or so each 4kg bag contains 2xsalt blocks and I get through about 10 to 12 a year Pete

Hi Alan A workmate of mine has a nice 165 which he's looking to sell as he's just bought a Quicksilver 580 Only problem is its in South Wales If you're interested I can put him in touch Peteg

Happy Birthday Jacob hope you christen your new pressies on your first trip

So do Standard Horizon and main office in Winchester Pete

Mike, I have a Standard Horizon matrix/GX3000E with standard mic and 30watt speaker fitted.http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/files/GX3000E_Owners_Manual.pdf It is really easy to use and select channels etc It is interfaced to my plotter(s) on NMEA 0183-2 to link posiion and time to transmissions and has a 30watt PA /Fog Horn output which will send the correct signals to the speaker as and when required.You can also add an AIS to it Its 4 years old now but has been super reliable with excellent reception and transmission capabilities. I have had no issues or complaints at all. I suppose the equivalent new model is the http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=173&products_id=100020 http://www.cactusnav.com/standard-horizon-gx2000-fixed-with-input-capability-p-11543.html They are about £180inc vat and you can get white as well as black You can also get a model 2100 with built in AIS but that is more dosh I really like the standard horizon kit..I also have one of their handhelds ..in use they seem to instill a feeling of confidence. Pete

Duncan Thanks for info I have seen Trem advertised on quite a few Chandlers sites so will have a look art range http://www.aquafax.co.uk/html/product_specification.asp?ID=25654 I can only seem to find an up to 20hp model at he moment and I am aware that 20hp refers to a nice light 2 stroke option not 4 stroke and max weight of 35kg also depends on weight distribution but it looks rerasonable value for money but wont handle handle a 9.9hp mariner at 38kgs but will handle a 6hp sail drive Food for thought

Mike As usual you are the purveyor of a common sense approach to these issues. Many thanks for the advice . I have a number of reasons for contemplating the installation of an auxiliary other than the 20mile issue but at the moment am in the very early stages. I will get the boat off the drystack and onto a maintenance berth this weekend and start taking some decent dims and access points for support backplates etc. Its one thing fitting an auxiliary on my boat and quite another being able to operate it easily as the rear deck space is limited and also at a raised level compared to the inside cabin. I can imagine the steering tiller poking through the stern rails restricting the turning circle

Thanks for all the info guys Martin, my boat is a class C so can understand if there are additional restrictions to a class B like yours. Duncan, I agree with everything you say about Porthcawl Insurance(PIC) and whats more its my home town as well ....and currently am staying within 4 miles of them during part of the week so it would be rude not to support them Brian, Appreciate your efforts and if you could find a makers name it would assist . Mike .......................................OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH :unsure: :unsure: Hadn't thought about fuel consumption at that Rate Currently I run 3 x 25 litre portable plastic tanks on board at an average fuel usage rate of approx 1.5 litre per mile or 24litres per hour approx (estimating crusing at about 16knots) so I use the old addage of 1 tank for out ,1 tank for in and 1 tank spare. At displacement speeds of 2 knots the fuel consumption on the main engine would be scary over 10hrs and I hadn't really considered it if having to go into limp mode due to an engine fault So even if I fitted an auxiliary I should be considering taking an extra 25 litres on board I guess. Makes you think doesn't it Peteg

Interesting Martin I'm with Porthcawl and Allianz who is your insurer? For the time being I'm happy to stick with the 12mile limit as I don't venture very far off shore generally but can see benefits fitting an auxiliary as I suppose it does give you a little peace of mind especially when out alone and without any of the great PBSBAC buddy boats in the vicinity.

Thanks Rob Brian Trim tabs are 10 inches wide by 12 inches long and transom slopes opposite way to yours.and doesn't have a continuous flat surface due to step see picture. I am surprised at how much clearance you have . which bracket have you got and what size is outboard? There may be hope yet Peteg

Have been told by insurance company that one of the requirements for a 20mile rather than 12 mile coverage limit is that an auxiliary engine has to be fitted & working. I would expect an 8hp to 10hp 4 stroke longshaft saildrive would be ideal on my boat but I haven't really got any room to fit it easily without standing it off the stern a considerable distance for the leg to clear the Bennet hydraulic trim tabs. Any ideas as to supplier of an outboard bracket capable of clearing trim tabs. The generally available ones would need offsetting from the stern by at least 500mm I think If I beefed up the stern rails I might be able to come up with a tripod like structure that would take a standard bracket but operating the ouboard would be a nightmare Any Ideas guys? Peteg

Mick, I have only used it in anger once so far on a shakedown trip and love it! The HDI is excellent . Playing around with it on a pontoon at Cobbs showed weird returns at about 3ft below the boat so switched over to backup unit which showed the same so had to accept there was funny things going out with the ebb. Out in the bay where there is a bit more water you get some nice results. It takes a bit of setting up as too much gain and noise removal wipes out the data so at the moment I am setting most things in auto as per the advice on the doctor sonar Elite 7 HDI dvd which I purchased at great cost from the States and not only got hit for £13 of postage but a further Customs and PO handling charge of £13. PM me if you want to view it and I can post it to you for a loan. I dont think you will be dissapointed with the unit.I have it mounted on a special bracket which allows me to rotate it and view it from deck as well as helm It suits me just fine Pete

Mick I have recently fitted the lowrance elite 5 HDI with the dual transducer onto the transom of my boat alongside my original lowrance x65 transducer. It works great with only minimal noise interference if both units switched on (generally I keep the x65 as backup together with the original globalmap 3300c plotter) . Sounder & downscan works fine up to just over 20 knots but haven't managed to take the boat faster as yet . I can't see a problem in getting the transom mounted transducer to work correctly provided you can keep it away from strakes and turbulence.My boat generates quite a rooster tail from the 115hp outboard so can't imagine a shaft drive being unsuitable .If you can find a similar shaft drive boat in the club and an accommodating member you may be able to trial it by temporarily mounting it on a wooden pole and try it at various locations including over the side as well as the stern. A small 12volt gel battery would allow you to power up the unit. Best of Luck Peteg

What material is the tank Nige? Plastic would be nice to have in that situation . it would reduce corrosion and condensation risks

Glad to hears repairs are progressing Nige. What is solution chosen to remove the trapped water in foredeck? Hope you won't have to revert to below waterline skin fitting Pete

Nice one Charlie

Almost a big as this http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/portugal/10616145/British-surfer-risks-life-taking-on-giant-wave-in-Portugal.html Looks an ideal tester for our Kayaking friends Peteg

Happy Birthday Tom. Long Time No See I'm still using the Alba Rod.....Have a Good One!

Same goes for me Happy Birthday Martin Hope you had a good one

There are a few alternative manufacturers in Australia one of which is http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-CmGwE_CkRc They could be the best thing since sliced bread for us guys depending on price availability and reliability .just a bit worried about the motor availability over here Lots of stainless rod holder fabrication by this company I dont think it will be a cheap installation Nice to have though

Great piece of work Charlie Many thanks for your effort Peteg

Some very depressing local views Never actually been to Alderney so can't comment on their validity All I know is that the Alderney Flight from Southampton runs the weirdest and size for size noisiest plane in the world (well almost) Hope that whatever the outcome the local community benefit overall

Haven't actually tried these but they look reasonable for the price. I must admit I have had some great bargains off Askari over the years their site is well worth a look http://www.askari-fishing.co.uk/__WebShop__/product/fishing/offers/after-season-sales/clothing-bestsellers/men-s-clothing/behr-icebehr-two-piece-all-weather-suit/detail.jsf There are lots of discounted items available there at the moment minimum order £30 I think Peteg