duncan

yep

oh dear - and I had the impression th ebass and rays were jumpin out the water now............. 1. depends on species and method but I cut of the head and tail then put a 1/0 semi circle through the tail root 2. no idea.............

Geoge took an excellent photgraph - I had the easy bit that took about 10 seconds with expensive software and a bit of practice............ if you are going to get a print done let me know and I will email the larger file back to you.

what a fantastic fish - and a good photo too Mike. I took the liberty of a little work on it ................. and it's also about 20% if the file size now too

yep - you got it!

this localised weather sounds fun! I had a call about 1600h yesterday afternoon from a m8 (well ex mate now on the basis I hate these people doing this when I am stuck in London) who was making 40 knots about 8 miles off the Needles on his way to Alderney and claiming the sea was as smooth as a babies bum once clear of the inshore tidal influence.........and a text 2 hours later from the bar overlooking Braye harbour to rub it in

that's the 'full' original Charlie (well a bit modified) so just right click on the above image and select 'save picture' to grab it to your computer.

and doesn't Phaeton look small alongside AWOL?...........

15x19 is a coarser prop than 15x17..........it will deliver even less revs providing it stays in contact with the water. having smaller blade surfaces is another thing entirely as those with the ETECs will know from the comments last year! if you do get more engine revs I doubt they will be translated into hull speed and you may well find the prop breaking out/slipping. problem is that you clearly have a non standard set up and I wouldn't want to even guess the gear ratio of the leg so it's tough to think in terms of a 'normal' pitch. however 15x15 or 15x16 would seem to be what you need based on 'relativity' rather than 'normality'.

Trevor Always an interesting one when apparently identical props produce different results! You certainly need to run other checks before you should do anything with the prop. Most importantly would be checking that the engine revs to 3900 in neutral - that rules out linkage issues. Your prop set up isn't standard with a relatively large diameter but the general principles still apply - 1" of pitch = 200 rpm However you aren't going to come to any harm simply trying a smaller prop as the engine will be governed (unlike a petrol esp OBs) and you may well get a quick feel for the issue going this route. certainly need to be able to get 3900 with the boat in it's normal load configuration. Your comments (and others) about overloading are correct although you won't be wasting fuel with a diesel in the same way as a petrol as you will only burn fuel appropriate to the HP being used to drive the boat at any given speed - ie throttle setting and revs are not a driver to fuel consumption they are a function of drag and power delivery curves........... ps bet those wings are costing you 2 knots as well............

you heading out of Weymouth Tom?

so where are the photo's then Mike?

great report Tom - 10lb 12oz eh; nice nice fish.............. excuse the artistic licence

personally I thought Charlie had done a deal with the weather gods and we can expect huge improvement from the day he launches............... that should get you a few offers of help Charlie! anyhow - as long as we get great settled weather for the weekend of the flat/ray comp I don't really care

Thanks for that Andy. Re a sole trip - first find the sultry evening/night!

great report adn great catch lads couldn't resist a tweak to rupe's bass - just in case Paul D wants to refresh the front page!

Sounds like an excellent day all round Martin - always better when the conditions improve through the day instead of the other way round!

nice one Andy - was the weather with you on this or did you stay tucked up in the Solent? interested in the feeding habits of the other fish - through the night regardless or dawn/dusk? cheers

don't know about fun Tom but I am beginning to feel I am jinxing everyone by having the boat out. I think I had better put it back in the water for next weekend one way or another - maybe this will apease the weather gods!

sounds good news......looking forward to joining you sometime

nope that would be silly - they are designed for lying down in................. equally I don't use my car as a fishing boat or a glass as a tennis ball

just take it seriously Mike - like everything I do glad you like them

Don't give up yet Tim - having opened the engie hatch on Phaeton to a 'bilge full of oil' I know that only 100ml of engine oil plus a bit of bilge water can look a horrific problem! Sounds like it might just be the rockerbox cover gasket...which can be a real pain on many engines requiring both surfaces to be absolutely clean for a good seal. Equally check the crankcase breather is clear and not gundged up as this could create pressure where you dont want it....... Maybe clutching at straws but....good luck

Neal, Firstly sorry to hear about the lost fish; I am always gutted when this happens as it's a dead cert the lost fish would have been (1) a new PB (2) a new club record (3) a great photo opportunity! Re these schoals showing I have experienced this with 3" scad. Switching to small hookais and shrimp rigs can get you some great live bait! The mackerel are below them as are the bass........you can bet on that!