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OK so I know what you are all talking about now. On 23rd June, on a quiet Thursday afternoon, with the help of a young lad, the launching and maiden voyage of Maggie May took place from Baiter slip. Despite having a break back trailer, the boat would not come off the trailer! I pushed the trailer further out - still no joy. I tied lots of bits of rope together and pushed the trailer out further, and further, and further, and further. Eventually, the only bits sticking out of the water was the trailer winch and my chin, and then the boat floated off the trailer. After a couple of hours pleasantly cruising around Poole Harbour, and thrashing around Studland bay, I was satisfied that the engine runs well and ecconomically, and the boat comes up on the plane easily even when well loaded. Back at Baiter, the boat winched back onto the trailer very easily - never even got my knees wet. However it is an exercise I will not be repeating. The trailer brakes now work again, the bearings have been repacked with grease, the back gathering rollers have been sorted to allow an easier launch. I have decided that all future launches will be at Wick, so I will be contacting those with the local knowledge for some tips. Guess I will also have to look for somewhere to store the boat in the Christchurch area as well. Look out Smooth-hounds, here I come!

hi , what is a strap?

Thanks to you all for that information, being a "new boy" I need all the local info that I can glean. Practice makes perfect. I have break back trailer which may be a bit easier, but only time and practice will tell. GH

Launching at Baiter! Can someone advise me of the best tide state to launch, taking into consideration tide times in relation to Springs and Neaps please? Geoff Hall

I did buy one of his night vision items, and it is very effective, in fact at times it is too effective. I find that even a distant street lamp gives an almost blinding flare in the viewfinder. I bought it to look at the urban foxes which live in a spinney opposite my bungalow, and thought I would take it out to sea with me if I am out at night. Unfortunately it does have limited use due to the fact that it cannot be adjusted. However it is excellent value for money (

Having spend well over a year refurbishing my boat - Maggie May - I decided to treat myself to a new SC VHF radio. I moan often enough about bad service, but I thought I would like to pass on some details of good service. I searched the web, and found C Traders Ltd, who use their retail web site - www.allgadgets.co.uk - they were offering a NASA SX35 DESC radio for

Hi newboy edible peelers can be deadly but depending where you fish.You also have to abide by the law which you cannot take undersized ones or the ministry will be on your back with a hefty fine.I think they have to be at least 6'' across the caripas but check with the potters. They tend to fish better closer to the shore than out deep as they come in to moult, bass around the gower coast go crazy for them along with the velvet swimmers.Good for hounds too. chas....

Hi boybilly I fished with Carling Wales A side.It was a great day and a good learning experiance. I think one of our team upset the organiser as for the last two previous years he's had boats that don't seem to know the area so when we had drawn 'ooker' a local boat we were not going to change.It was all resolved peacefully. We are down on the 30/31 July fishing two days,sat is a species comp and sun will be bream.We'll be on 'true blue' & 'random harvest'. all the best chas....

thanks just come back from poole as we fished thr species comp down there on friday,enjoyed it as it was my first one this year. we'll be back down at the end of july for a 2dayer. all the best chas....

I went fishing all day on Thursday, which was a fantastic sunny day. I fished out of the harbour to the Pier for Mackerel, between the piers for Plaice, at the middle patches for anything else and at the castle for wrasse/bass. Sum total of 6 hrs fishing..... 1 Mackerel!!!! Still, it was a lovely day out on the boat.

Ultrafisher 21' fast fishing boat built 1998/9, Mariner 90hp 1998 and Mariner 8hp aux 1990, Simrad CE33 chart plotter,Lowrance X71 sounder,VHF & CB radios,Rapide single axle rollercoaster trailer,Twin 5 gallon plastic tanks,Twin batteries,Anchor, Dan bouy,chain & warp,Spare anchor & warp,Twin swivel seats,2 x lifejackets,6 x rod holders,Flares,Net,Gaff,etc,etc.

many thanks will giveit a go, do you tip thefeathers with mackeral orleave em plain. glenn

Have owned a Shetland Alaska for the last couple of years and is a 1988 boat was and still is in excellent condition no problems whatsoever and the gellcaot is like new all over these things seem to be really well made as I trailer mine all over the country and to Ireland and the Shetland Islands and have had the occasional unplaned meeting with a rock all be it at slow speed and still not a mark.As for the soft deck report I have not experienced this but I do always leave mine tilted up so only wet for a short while whilst fishing.As for the wet ride I use mine with the extention canvas and never get any water in the boat this took a bit of getting used to as you have to sit to stear but the addition of a windscreen wiper and now I wouldnt have it any other way.I have a 1988 60hp johnson VRO outboard and I have a top recorded speed in the river humber of 32 knots 2 up but I do weigh 20stone.Hope you have as much enjoymentr out of your Alaska as I get out of mine .Tight lines Harry

Names Harry Smith Live in Immingham in Lincs member of Humber Crusing Association boat angling club.Own sheltland Alaska 500 no255 Named Topcat.Am Trailering my boat to the Shetland Islands for a week on the 16th june and although I have been many times before, I have family there and my uncle used to own a boat,I am looking to get as much info on the fishing, marks etc as I can I have tried the net to search for a sea angling club in the Shetlands but have had no joy.Have bought the charts so I can go down that road spoke to some of the locals on my previous trips but they all just seem to be interested in the food content of the sea rather than the sport so any information would be greatly appreciated.Excellent site by the way.tight lines Harry

many thanks for the warm welcome.A Bit about myself,managed to get back on the water the year before last after a gap of 25 yrs, wonderfull what divorce can do for you managed to get a resonable boat to gether this year for fun and fishing, however fishing technique is rusty. any suggestions welcome for where to catch mackeral and what tackle many thanks glenn tight lines all

Guess so, any Halibut round Alderney ????? <blanklook>

I know I'm not that photogenic James but did you have to hide me behind a flattie ??? Mark

Happy Birthday Jimbo, have a great day. The BB,s

Where's the patch? I'm more or a inside the harbour fisher?

Hi guys Thanks for all your input i looked at this one yesterday and have put deposit on her, she is a clean boat, but obviously used. I will be picking it up in 2 to 3 weeks which will hopefully give me time to sort out moorings or storage, as i would prefer not to trail, if i can find mooring that would be preferable, the area that i am looking at is between Gosport and Poole, I am currently looking through internet for marinas to contact, does anyone know of any likely places Thanks Mick

Hi Adam Thanks for the links i am going to look at this one tomorrow http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/ARU021/ do you know of any problems that i should look out for Thanks again Mick

Not sure if you've heard of Basspro (www.basspro.com) the US based tackle retail chain. With the price of the dollar against the pound it's certainly worth a look. They have some real bargains (reels, rods, line, lures etc.....)

Thanks for your welcome messages, I have enjoyed reading the catch reports. My last trip in Poole harbour produced a blank although I saw several plaice being caught, presumably by you guys. Tightlines Hunter

Good news I think. Dave and I launched from Kimmeridge this Sunday and whilst there spoke to another boat owner also about to launch. He said that the bay warden was typically opening the gate at about 06:00 each morning. The warden was also doing a number checks each evening and wouldn't shut the gate if it was clear from a trailer in the top car park that a boat was still out. So it sounds like this new gate may not be much of a restriction after all. I will keep you posted. Incidently, no Bream yet, although there were a lot of fish showing on the sounder which we suspect were Bream. Regards Neil

well i'll give that a miss then. What about in front of brownsea castle. No 1 Is it safe enough. 2 Does it fish well? 3. Am I ok lure fishing? 4. What species will I find and what are the best tactics. By the way being a member of lots of other forums on completely different subjects. Mainly computing (my job). I can say you guys are great and a credit to the site. Theres nothing worse than posting something and never getting a response. THANKS!