alun j.

No posting...!! Is the Burnham match off or on ?? Alun & Simon.

Simon, Yes......... then No ....... then ????????? Battery was fine to start the engine.........and now the unit does zilch, even with the engine running ....... fuses OK I'll see what BHG say in the morning. Alun.

I got a call at work today from Debs at home...... there was a horrible 'squealing' noise she'd tracked down to my GPS that was driving them mad !! When I got home I found my daughter with her finger on the 'PWR' button, like the boy with his finger in the dam. Left alone the screen would flash......and the peeping sounded...........so I disconnected the power supply.......and restarted...............all seemed normal but the GPS didn't get a fix; on turning it off on the power button, it turned itself back on a few minutes later............. and repeated this a few more times. I disconnected power supply again and checked the power supply by starting the engine [ fine !]. Reconnected with engine running , but now it's DEAD ! Fuses all OK, so a phone call to BHG and it looks like a trip to Lymington in the morning rather than a trip out. Not impressed with a unit that has had about six hours use and about a month old. Lowrance 332C. Wonder how long it will take to be sorted [ BHG have no replacement units !] Good job I'm going out with Simon on Sun. Friday fatigued....... Alun.

I / we plan to leave BH23 about 6 ...... to make Weymouth for 7........if I can get Simon up amd out !! Alun.

I think BHG go with Yams for a reason or two ! They certainly seem to know their stuff about the Yamaha engines.......... and always seem really helpful. I'm sure there's a Yamaha dealer in Poole that would service; there's a flag and Yam sign at Salterns Marina. On the 5 20 , fitting out [ any engine ] should be easy as there is trunking and easy access along the sides. Good luck with your choice / decision. Alun.

Hi Allan, I'm opting for a handheld [ at first ] and seeing if it meets my [limited] VHF needs; I like the open boat and ability to swing my rods about. Second battery goes in the port seat locker and connected to cig. lighter type socket via a fuse. I can plug in my bait tank pump [ a portable set-up] or a series of fluro lights for night fishing. I've kept things simple and not wired to the other, main battery; topping up with a charger every other trip is simple. Alun.

Well done finger-crossers.......... looks like we might have a calm[ish] day if the current forecast holds. Simon......are we targetting the bass again ?? Adam ........ can you post a few tips for us Portland Novices ? Alun.

forecast looking better.....v.light easterly, cloud and a few spots of drizzle; anything's better than strong wind. OK Dave.... will bring it along for you. Alun.

I'll be crewing for Simon [ britboard] on Caimara.........and hoping weather will be kind. PJ......... I've got your B.bomb from Terry.......... would you like me to drop it in to you on the way home from work one day ?? Dave [ Codfather]........ I have your's too. ......... next meeting? or next weekend ?? Alun.

Rich, I've had the best 4 years fishing since 1) ....getting a 4 40 2) .... joining PBSBAC and getting involved . The 4 40 is an ideal start, great to be able to get out safely on your own and VERY economical ........ but limited for room and load. I've only had the 5 20 a few weeks but am already loving it..... I can still launch and retrieve single-handed [ the trailer is so good.......it's actually easier!]. She rides the sea better with less slam and the Yam 30 4-stroke is sooooooo quiet. With two up she quickly zooms up to 20+ mph [still running -in] and sips the juice. I had the folding dodger on my 4 40 to give more room forward and for getting to the anchor......but a bit of protection if weather turned....... it worked a treat..... .....so it didn't take me long to choose to repeat...... what a good move. On the 5 20 the dodger is big, giving lots of cover when needed...... but folded down you feel you've got masses more space and working the anchor warp is so much easier than sqeezing through small hatches. Build quality and finish are up to Orkney's high standards, I've added seats and siderails with rod holders; a plotter / sounder and second battery to power bait tank and / or lights . Only drawback I've found so far is partly to do with having those swivelly seats; when out on your own, sitting in a seat means the boat leans a bit to one side [i suppose it would be the same in any boat]........in the 4 40, the cross bench seat meant you could sit in the middle . The delivery time was about a week longer than the estimate at time of order, so she came right at the end of my holiday and weather wasn't so good. It's nice having a shiny, new boat...... but it would be better to get it in the water more..........with the 5 20 you can do this whether you have crew or not! Have fun, Alun.

After last year's experience, I sterpped up to 27 fluro....which broke at the knot. I then switched to 27 lb mono..... which was fine......... but the fish weren't as big as that first one ! I'm learning though....... perhaps I'll go up to 40 next year !! Thanks again Marin for the assistance.....I hope the trophy goes to Dean......he seemed to be fishing hard ! Two nice 4 lb. bass were nice consolation for not having a table size ray to take home............ we put all those big ones back. Alun.

Just a quick report for the comp........ Terry and I had a good day on Stingray, thanks to Martin's help in putting us in the right area. 7 or 8 Blondes.....most in double fgures..... best went 23 lb. in the net. Weighing the net, swinging in the breeze and dripping ray slime was more difficult....... ranging from 2 to 2lb.12oz....... .....so in time-honoured PBSBAC tradition.......we'll take the low steady fish weight and top net weight to call the fish at 20 lbs. 4 oz. Earlier in the morning I lost one that was much bigger......... after a long scrap the trace broke at the hook....I'm losing my liking for flurocarbon. Alun

Martin, It's the other way about......... the competitve 'thing' [ in species hunt ] is all about chasing the'pointless' , for points. I go fishing to enjoy catching good [ and tasty] fish......... competion is a 'bolt-on'. I'm just as happy being with someone catching a good fish , as getting it myself [ and I 've done a bit of that this year !] ........ and I think you are too... judging by 'our' success this time last year ??? I think something like this is the reason that the specimen comps will get a good / better response than the species hunts ?? Good luck for tomorrow; I expect we'll be close enough to compare catches. Alun.

Charlie, I think the 'specimen' is a bit more appealing format than the species hunt; not easier, just a more satisfying result ! I'm getting excited already ! Alun.

Simon, Are we still on for next weekend at Weymouth ? Alun.

Well maybe............but not for me !! Last two times out there, I put out a free-lined mackeral...... not a touch !! But.......... neither were the triggers !! Hoping to restore my ' touch' tomorrow.......... having been a bit off-form recently !! ............[ too much work !! ]. Alun.

Well done Paul, That's the perfect size bass for the table........ for about 6 people. Was it in good condition ?? I bet they should be getting full of fat by now. Certainly true of the mackeral....... if you cook some up now, they ooze their succulent richness...... much better than the early season fish which cook up much 'drier'. Are you fishing tomorrow ?? Alun.

I will be out from Baiter with Terry B. [ plaicemat] on Stingray... one of those would do nicely in the comp !! We will be fishing our 7 hours from about 9 till 4. Good luck to everyone else fishing, Alun.

What a shame there are so many horrible people about... or is it just a few ?? If everyone interested in boats belonged to groups like PBSBAC then perhaps it wouldn't happen! [....... how naive am I ?? ]. Alun.

Hi PJ., Sorry to read this thread; I have a little experience on how you must be feeling, having been the victim of a garage burglary, years ago in a previous house, when someone walked off with all my stuff ........ it's a sickening feeling, as much as the loss! [ and the agro.] I hope you have a sympathetic insurance company and soon get sorted. You are , of course, welcome out on Gastronaught. Good luck for the comp. tomorrow, Alun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES Hope you have a good one .......... and a clear head tomorrow; You don't want to give us too much of a start !! Tight Lines, Alun.

THanks Paul......now done......... but why does it link cchapman on the email form? Can it be changed so it works ?? See you Sunday ?? Alun.

Adam, Is Easter time any good ?? First two weeks of April ? I could go any time then....... we've been struggling a bit here then with our less than successful trips out of Weymouth , bumping along the Shambles, dodging all the other boats for a few , small flatties. Just the time of year that I need a fillip ! Alun.

Just checked....... it went last Mon. to cchapman212@ntlworld.com Is that the correct address, or did I miss a . or space or something ?? Alun. a measly 65 points.

Charlie, I emailed mine to you on the electronic form. Can you check your email, it should be there as an attachment. If not I'll try it again. Alun.