duncan

well I'm coming down tonight but the AGM will be over before I get there based on traffic reports already so I probably won't leave home until it's over!

I sort of wish you hadn't posted that Mike............... these are going to be smaller vessels not commercial, will have a much better watch and are not under comercial presures to meet schedules - with the obviouos exception of ferries. however these craft if they have radar will be using it on lower range and at a lower height; in the case of ferries they are specifically looking for smaller craft all the time because of the areas they work in. You are in more danger in these circumstancees from craft without radar, unable to operate it properly or not having it on! I have pretty much the most basic radar going (or still going) and I can pick out pot buoys on a calm day, withies in the harbour and an orkney at anchor makes one huge black splodge on my screen (but not as much as the Barfleur! Fortunately fog tends to go hand in hand with calm seas............ Completely agree re the regs - personally I would rather do something because it's a good idea than because its regulated; shame some do it the other way round

It is just possible I may be able to take a really early run out Monday and was thinking the weather etc may suit the rips However all the marks I had from our trip out the year before last got deleted from my plotter! Anyone help - please pm me Even better if they have definitions re ebb or flood marks Thanks

as you go on to highlight - where practical.............. personally I believe that it shouldn;t be down to regulations to be appropriately equipped for sea and safety - no regs require me to carry a tide table! however I really struggle with radar reflectors best I have seen on my set is without doubt the active sets like see-me; so from a safety perspective that's obvious then? however if you have a power failure clearly it's useless, and you need a radar reflector especially drifting the shipping lanes unable to start the engine or use the radio eh?..........so that's a couple of those hexagonal reflectors carefully mounted high up as a minimum, if you thought you needed the see-me in the first place you might want real big ones............. alternatively you could take the view that you won't be 'out there' in anything other than calm conditions - and you will deliver an image on a commercial set under those conditions esp if you have a double a frame or similar. I am not trying to suggest that people shouldn't try and install radar reflectors - just that if you really think you should you shouldn't approach it half heartedly.............

possibly Adam but, as Dave makes very clear on occassions, you won't find water in a trawlers ice boxes - it colours the fish where it comes into contact and isn't cold enough!

and calm so why aren't there long stories of fish fought and caught????????????? is everyone still out there?

I resent that Tom.......... I think well maybe not - better think about it some more................

nice job................. cant resist this though........... durely 17lpm is about half of 500gph?

looks the business Adam my Coleman held ice from Tue to Fri last year but as you sat - that beast is in a different league

well I would offer you a cup of tea Rich but it's a touch difficult in the virtual world............ 'fraid you will have to settle for a 'welcome

2p.............. not all anchorplait/octoplait is nylon nowadays - much is polyester. it is just as good as nylon for the job - slightly lower stretch for given diameter but higher breaking strain for same diameter source either as available/priced

oh go on then you smooth talker - I have a few lying around..........just have to deal with the logistics............

new I should have made it the 3 page response..............lol Paul - hope the size bits are good for you?

crips Mike - this is 'swap and shop' - let's ask Paul to set up 'beg and borrow' for you?

tricky - very tricky................. actually that's valid for most siites except this one! 2 options (no that doesn't confuse things) 1. to attach a file from your pc to a post you make you use the "file attachments' link just above the "add reply" button. remember where you have saved the file on your pc (I always forget) and it's name then click "browse button" which will browse your pc. Find and select the photo by double clicking or select and open and the address will appear in the little window. When you post the message the file will be uploaded to the website, a thumbnail image will apear in your post and when people click on it they see it full size. 600x400 is a good working max. 800x600 is a max and should only really be used with compression. Around 120kb is polite to users who may not have the fastest access.............. 2. Club members can click on the button labelled 'photo gallery' which it the top navigation bar on th esite, right hand side (just under the SMB advert). Follow on screen guidance to set up your own albums and upload files to them. From there you can use the IMG button in the same way as the web link one (http://) and paste the address of your image into it. This way your image will appear embedded in your post at the size and in the position you select. OK This ones using No 2 which was the most recent pic anyone has uploaded...........Martin......... and on the other hand I will also grab one from my pc using No 1 method as well - if it works it's a typical mid channel trip from last year..............

gravy....lol @ alun it's now replaced for exactly those cosmetic reasons although it still worked tide 1 hour before low water - others will recognise the view!

not enough rod holders...............

ah well if it's a combined chain / rope gypsy handling 8mm chain I wouldn't have thought 12mm rope would be optimum at all..............going from mine which is an 8mm chain one I have 14mm anchorplait which is fine when there's just a little tension in play when recovering. I do have to take a little care from time to time hence you will normally see me recovering from the bow and letting go from the wheelhouse! personally whilst relatively expensive I see it as an investment - but then again I often sleep on the hook (when Dave allows.........) in some funny places; this was the Saturday night of the 48hr last year for instance oh for the weather again this year!

far too similar - for you and me Tom!

much as I like 14mm it's not balanced with 6m chain - and if he has 8mm chain then whilst 14mm great he's got a hell of a weight wih 25m of it!

always a great question! you should not use the windlass without the engine running - and when it is you maintain current fine. I am guessing you have 25m of 6mm chain - if so just remove the 10m of rope (use it for a mooring line or what ever) and splice in 100m of 12mm nylon or polyester - job done.

lets not get confused over licences; or confuse others! Mike has a new boat and as such will need to get a new ships station licence - apply online, include the request for an MMSI number, and Bob's your aunt it's issued lifetime now. Note the licence is the paperwork as no display badge is now issued. Mike's licence will be his personal operators licence; if it includes DSC then nothing further to do. Re equipement - spend the money on the gear not the installation; my choice now would be the set up Adam's got simply because he can request a position from any club boat via DSC and if they accept (!!!) their position is displayed on his plotter..........great safety feature Adam will no doubt point out if I have got that wrong!

Dave took one look at it (from 8ft away) and pronounced - shame; it's soft. Having mumbled 'looks pretty hard to me - waving huge claws menacingly Dave explained that it was full of water and proceeded to push a couple of areas to illustrate. Suggested it would weigh about 12oz more when in condition. Also that the lighter colouration is also a give away. Still it's a first on Phaeton so we have now had lobster, crab, s crab, cuttle and squid.........what a great coastline eh?

but great to be out. had thought it would be wall to wall clubboats in the harbour - but for some reason it wasn't? anyhow saw AWOl enjoying the conditions............. fish wise............woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, huge edible crab, woof, woof, pollack, woof & woof. next time.............

no problem Jack - and it is I who should be apologising not you. I was very clumsy in my choice of words but overall I still believe that as long as there is some bend in the rod the fish will eventually come to the net. Clearly anchored in a tide or bullying a fish away from snags (conger/wrecks) are exceptions but simply put don't go wreck congering with a bad back! adding a harness and a butt pad changes the working loads on the body but aren't necessarily better for a bad back - sure as hell take the strain off the arms though! in addition the advantage of a shoulder harness to reel lugs is that it absorbs the rotational strain on the rod as well. a good butt pad provides a mechanically advantageous pivot, as well as adding comfort, and with a good pin to slotted butt also handles rotational loads. Mike's suggestion is excellent but extreme - however anything that enables you to go out and enjoy the experience must have a place somewhere. all the best