hotshot

That's scary!

Aargh! Didn't see this till this evening, and was on the VHF radio course all day anyway - otherwise I'd have called you. I hope you had a good day (did you manage to get some crew?) - catch up with you another time. All the best, Dave

I've also got my new licence through and my MMSI number is 235040094. Cheers! Dave.

I just got back from hols in Florida and can't help comparing the issues raised on this thread with what I observed (again) there. As an example, part of my last but one evening this trip was spent at Coquina Key (near Sarasota) watching boats setting out/ returning to a lovely FREE boatramp, (concrete slip with wooden jetties either side, complete with bait-cutting areeas with washing facilities). It had a huge amount of FREE parking for both cars and trailers. Nicely kept toilets nearby, along with covered seating areas with tables/ benches, some with barbecue facilities for FREE use (polite notice to clean up after you). Drinking fountains nearby, also a few swings/ slide and climbing frame for kids. A notice board nearby explained speed restrictions and fishing guides (minimum sizes etc) and provided a momofilament disposal point and large roll of plastic tear-off bags for garbage disposal. Quite apart from the palm trees, sun (and clear, warm water!) it made you kind of think that they really welcome boating/ fishing tourism.... Sure they may give up a few bucks on parking/ launching charges - but think how the local hotel/ motel/ restaurant/ chandlery/ tackle & bait etc businesses must benefit (it was our sixth visit this year, so that says something!) Anyone from Lymingon/ Christchurch/ Bournemouth/ Poole councils viewing and care to comment? I won't get into the lower prices, lower taxes and fuel costs etc... (sob!)

Engine now sold. Usual scenario - agree to drop the price to

Thanks to one and all for the advice - I dashed back to the show this evening and got one (Lowrance) delivered to me outside the gate, so I didn't even have to pay to get back in! Now all I need to do is get the boat wiring sorted (and my DSC upgrade done!) and I can try and get the radio (Silva S10)and chartplotter working together! (I'm not sure what sort of cable I'll need to connect them - are these standard connections for all types, or do they need to come from Silva/ Lowrance specifically?) Cheers! Dave

I ALMOST bought a chartplotter at the show (I've just got a Garmin Legend hand-held GPS at the moment) but was uncertain at what would be best on my (small!) budget. (<

I'd also be very grateful if someone would be willing to show me this technique, if that would be possible, please. I think I get the general idea (from the link shown) but realise there's a great deal of difference between theory and practice! Dan (Gnasher) not sure if you'd also be able to help me sort out a ring, please (or tell me what / where I need to get)? Thanks and regards, Dave

Seems like the

That reminds me of the lady who had a pair of pet monkeys that died. She'd loved them so much that she decided to take them to a taxidermist, so she could have them stuffed and keep their memory alive. After she left the shop the taxidermist suddenly realised he'd forgotten to ask whether she wanted them in a glass case or on a plinth. He telephoned her, and said, "I forgot to ask - did you want them mounted?" "Oh, no!", said the woman, "just holding hands will be fine..."! Sorry....

I should perhaps mention that soldered joints are my preference too! - I was just setting out what I remember about the For/Against arguments (all very well from the comfort of a perfectly equipped workshop, or lecture hall, or armchair by the fire...). Cheers! Dave

From a background as an electronics design engineer (long time ago now, though!), some of the reasons went like this: A PROPERLY made crimped joint (many of them, using cheap tools/ cheap crimp tags or poor technique, aren't!) is quicker than soldering, does not require heat (with associated risks and inconvenience; need for power, risk to insulation) and produces a gas-tight "cold-weld" which will not oxidise/ deteriorate. A solder joint stiffens an otherwise flexible cable, possibly leaving it prone to breaking (eventually) at the non-soldered/ soldered junction-point due to work-hardening caused by vibration. Solder also (in these environmentally-conscious days) raises issues around lead contamination ( as solder is primarily lead-tin, with other additions such as antimony to vary properties such as melting-point etc) - although with the amount of lead we chuck around while angling this is hardly a consideration! However, although a poor soldering technique may leave poor connections (e.g. a "cold" joint, where solder is not properly flowed into the joint will be relatively high resistance and also have poor mechanical strength) in general, a good joint can be achieved by using relatively cheap soldering irons and solder tags - so often preferable for the non-professional. Best advice is a good quality soldering iron, properly "tinned" bit and good quality multicore (contains flux) solder. DON'T use an acid flux (such as plumbers use - or at least they did before all the more recent compression joints/ plastic piping!) Make sure to "tin" the wire (unless pre-tinned) and make sure the soldering iron is an appropriate size for the connector you're trying to solder (big heavy-duty battery terminals shouldn't be soldered with a small "printed-circuit" soldering iron - it can't supply heat fast enough and a "cold" joint will result). It is possible to do "belt and braces" crimp and solder, but NEVER DO THIS THE OTHER WAY ROUND! That is, DON'T try to crimp onto a soldered joint; there is no "spring" in solder, so the crimp cannot properly form a good connection. Hope that's helpful. Dave.

I booked my insurance online with CraftInsure AND mentioned PBSBAC (smug mode... ) Good rate and very helpful too! Hope you find what you're looking for, John (wherever you decide to go). Cheers, Dave

Honda 2.3hp 4-stroke S/Shaft outboard - brand new, never used (never been on a boat, let alone in the water!). Boat (Mirror dinghy) sold, so this is unwanted - suitable as a small auxiliary? Good features: Air cooled, centrifugal clutch, engine kill switch etc. It was bought Sept 2004, and has been stored in a dry garage. Complete with manuals, toolkit, guarantee (5 year guarantee, so plenty left!) Could deliver within 10-15 miles for full asking price. RRP is

I have a copy in excellent condition (it's been read, of course!) for sale - just PM me for price/ details if interested (first come, first served!) Cheers, Dave

I had a look when I got home after the meeting - nice fish! (Nice to meet you, too!) Cheers, Dave

I'm thinking of buying a handheld VHF radio - possibly at Southampton Show - any recommendations, please? I believe Practical Boat Owner did a comparison in Feb 2006 issue, but I missed it - does anyome have a copy, please (or able to post the "winner's" make/ model)? Thanks, Dave.

It certainly looks that way Regards, Dave.

Alun PM sent. Dave.

All the best with the new boat, Alun. My wife and family were well impressed with your "old" boat when they saw it - they're all keen on trying it out (not all together!). Thanks again, and for the mackerel - we shared them for dinner this evening - Yum! (hopefully a taste of things to come; got the boat, now if I can just catch some fish...!)

I bought it! So, if you see some guy who is shorter than Alun (he's not short!), fatter than Alun (he's not fat!), balder than Alun (he's not bald!) out in "his" boat , please don't thump the guy - the boat's not stolen - it's me! Look forward to seeing you out on the water soon! Dave P.S. I hope you enjoy your new boat Alun.

I'll take the liberty of answering for Alun on this - he kindly took me along on the sole fishing expedition to help show me the ropes (I'm new to fishing from a boat - and not greatly experienced at fishing from the shore either!). We went out through the run and across to Barton and anchored. The forecast (I thought) was winds from the N(ish) dying away. Instead it swung round more to the West, and increased slightly. So we sat at anchor, rolling slightly, while Alun caught a couple of bream and I practised tying knots on a moving boat for the first time - probably a world record for the longest time to tie a blood knot I should think... About the time Alun gat his second bream I was thinking the action was a bit slow and so decided to "groundbait" the water on my side of the boat with my dinner! Perhaps corned-beef pie and potatoes aren't the best fish attractors, especially "second hand" - I don't know - but I hadn't planned that far ahead when eating my dinner. (Sorry, Alun!) Anyway, havng got rid of that I felt a bit better and managed (after some prompting from Alun) to reel in a small bass which had kindly hooked itself. A little later, after another bream for Alun and one for me (the only fish we kept, because 1. It had swallowed the hook and 2. The sea owed me a dinner) Alun took pity on me (I'd upchucked again a couple of times) and we came back. Thanks to Alun for kindly showing me how it's done (and making it all look easy in the process - although I know it isn't!) P.S. I WILL be back - hopefully the mal-de-mer will pass with time and experience P.P.S. I had the bream for dinner this evening - delicious!

Thanks, Martin.

Thank you to all for your welcome - and I found your site very helpful Codfather (David), just the thing when looking for a boat and equipment.. Dave