Graham Nash

I agree, reference the show and the chandlery. Plenty of Champaign palaces but very little for the "normal" guy. (although the Louisiana Chicken food was nice) 😉

he's actually really excited. He's booked his level 2 and VHF course for him, his wife and his 15 year old. He's bought a ringo, wet suits, paddle boards and life vests all round. Id guess he'll use it a couple of times this year then probably it'll be put on the stack at Portland until the sun comes out again next year. To be honest, he wanted something along the lines of Martins, but his missus and kids didn't. And for once he actually listened to them. But the choice at the boat show was very limited.

Well, I was at the show yesterday with my son (who had a 2.5 million pound bonus burning a hole in his pocket). Remember, hes never had a boat, hes never wanted a boat and until 3 weeks ago had never been out on a pleasure boat! He has 3 very adventurous kids who want to fish, paddle board, ski and swim. He wanted a boat and didnt care what it was. My idea was to show him various smallish boats boats with small cabins and plenty of deck space for the kids activities. He and his wife/kids could then get their ideas and scour the adverts and find the right deal. As we entered the show, the kids checked out some RIBS and they were all excited, He wasnt so excited. He looked at antares 9 with twin 250HP engines for about 3-400k ... he was excited but the kids weren't so impressed. The choice of smaller boats between 30-80 grand was very very limited, with orkney, warrior and a couple of others being about it. There were plenty of plastic tubs for 25-35k or ultra modern at 250k upwards, but i didnt see anything that i had hoped to show him. His missus was listening to the kids, she showed them a Robalo 180, 18ft walk around with loads of space, 115hp motor and loads of rod holders for 55K!!!! The kids loved it (i must be honest I quite liked it too, although massively over my budget) He conceded, did a deal and bought it. I actually think it was a much more sensible boat than what he was intending, especially with the cost of fuel at the moment. (Although id have been scouring the for sale adverts for a used one rather than brand new myself, but then, I didnt get a 2.5M bonus this year (nor any year). The show was "OK", but i just wondered where the cost of living crisis is when you see such opulence. A long long way out of my price range.

I'll be there today ..... Ill let you know what I thought later.

The club received this email from the SSE. I'm assuming this isn't of concern to any members, but Im passing it on as requested. "Ref: Recreational sea angling taking place around the railway bridge at Rockley - Poole Bay Small Boats Angling Club Good evening, Firstly I apologise for the timing of my email in the evening. I write on behalf of SEPD - we have been given this contact as the contact of the Poole Bay Small Boats Angling Club. Simply put, we have had a number of incidents of recreational fishers casting over the 132,000 volt electric lines supported by the pylons/towers. You will appreciate the enormous risk this creates to those individuals and it also puts, carefully engineered supply conductors, and the wider electrical network at risk due to the risk of a fault. We are not aware of the individuals, but a number of call outs have been required to remove fishing line from the electrical lines. We would ask you to make your members aware of the risks they are putting themselves at if they are undertaking the type of casting in question. There is also the electrical network to consider as these lines supply many properties – we do not want anyone to get seriously injured or killed as a result of a simply oversight on personal safety. Thank you for your time on the matter. And happy fishing (hopefully not near the overhead electrical lines). Many thanks Anthony Gordon Wayleaves/Consents Lead – Regional Assets and Minor Connections Telephone No - Office: 01738 340847 Mobile: 07767 850474 Email: anthony.gordon@sse.com"

I hope this is the end to your woes Charlie .... Now go get them sharks!!

anyway, we digressed again .... https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/

Yes Jim, something along those lines

He doesnt do "fishing" so he will be more interested in sitting in the cabin (or deck) sipping fizzy stuff, while his kids swim or paddleboard around. Personally id prefer the fishing/sport style, but a bigger cabin suits his needs better.

your file has been updated Martin. Let me know if it changes.

2022 695 series 2 with 150 outboard with a mooring at Portland. Im trying to get him to wait till he's been to the boatshow but he's being unusually impulsive.

Hes seen something he likes .... a merry fisher 695 and just watsapped me this today without any prompting from me ..... "The thing we should discuss is how much do you think you would use it if I bought it and it was moored at Portland Marina Would it give you more options for deeper sea fishing Or days out with kids Than the Orkney" I replied .... Id love to take it to the middle of the channel wrecks or alderney etc, but its far too good for what I do. You dont want fish guts on that sparkling deck!

Email your details to me at graham@eurasat.co.uk and ill add the details to your file ..... same for anyone else.

Ill mention that to him 😉

I wonder if he'll let his old dad use it occasionally 🤔