Rob

Do you mean this: £46 by the look of it with shipping http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOWRANCE-000-11020-001-HDS-9-GIMBAL-BRACKET/282736727588?hash=item41d46c1624:g:cwUAAOSweZJaDe~K

Appreciate that Charlie, I just wondered if it was an RYA approved technique.

I wonder if RYA cover the Alderney ring technique, I am guessing not, anyone know? R

Plus a winch takes an awful lot of current so you need to ensure you have a decent alternator to charge up the leisure / second battery after use (assuming you have 2 batteries). Plus, you need a good deep anchor store for the rode and chain to fall in to on retrieval. Plus are you planning to lower manually and free spool (which means someone on the bow or wait for it to lower via the winch). Plenty to think about, Alderney ring and a 5kg anchor might be easier and is what most of us raise with the Alderney ring. A number of the 30ft boats (and Mike / Carol on 40+ft Yacht) use this technique. Also, costs about £12! R

True, I pretty much retired after winning the Open in 2007 I think and cleaned up on prizes and Pools! Not even sure how big that one was, no monster but a fine specimen. I have been with you a few times but not in recent years. R

Good point, I have a spare 5kg folding Bruce too! Not much chain and less rope, for emergency use or stopping the stern swinging whilst floundering!

I have 100m 10mm multiplait, 5kg Bruce and 7.5kg of chain (heavier than anchor for Alderney ring, not fussed on length). Boat is 4.8m. 3x your depth is recommended, and more if rough and deep with big tide. Just think, if you are in trouble you want to be able to hold a good depth. It might be the one thing to keep you off the rocks! With that in mind, ensure you have something to hand should you want to upgrade you 'tripped' anchor to fixed in an emergency. R

can wait till Dec meeting if ok?

Please Mal!

Thanks Brian, i shall buy a copy for Livvy! First angling mag i would have bought in many a year. R

Does it help with the weather and get out more? And catch more fish? If so, I'll take it!!!! R

Problem between seat and keyboard perhaps!

use Google Chrome browser (looks like this on that link):

1 cod weighed in, that's a little sad! Hopefully a sign they are yet to arrive properly! Well done Stuie and keV. Rob

https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/doris.html Found by googling 'dorset seabed Doris's R

Maybe take up golf? There is no way that topping up oil should cause a gear issue. Unless you have disturbed the linkage under the cowling. Or have you just checked them at the same time and infact the controls were clunky already? Are you putting it ingear with \ without the engine running? in \ out of water? How did they perform the last time you tried? Was any work carrid out in the meantime? Too many questions and not enough info. Go with the golf! Rob

Enjoy!

Solenoid for the starter, not sure about tilt and trim, unless that goes through the same unit. Check all battery connections are as clean as can be, esp. under the cowling. R

Enjoy!

Very nice, i have had a VERY reliable souce advise me they had been seen of Portland yesterday. One day you will get that Mako, keep trying. Rob

How about Coddy's Son - ZRS Engineering?

Haha, brilliant!

One of these grab tools perhaps: