Coddy

Terry Just drive home in the rain, solves all your problems re-flushing and it washes the boat as well. Coddy

Hi Mike I might not apply to you but the law change a few years ago regarding towing. The current requirment is that you need to pass another test to tow! check out my web site about towing, see signature for link. Most "family sized" 4/5 door cars have a tow limit of between 1500kgs and 2000kgs depending on the weight and power of the car. As mentioned earlier it is recommended that a max of 85% of maximum load be towed. Regarding width, 2.3mtrs seems to be standard with a number of exceptions. The most important thing to remember is getting the boat up the slip out of the water, this is where the power is required unless you fancy towing up Porlock Hill! Regards Coddy

Hi all Bill (Ferret) and I went out today on Sammy, as the forecast said it was the best day! Sea state was lovely and calm first thing with the sun shinning and all the great feelings of being out on the water made us feel great, so hopes were high for a good day. Tried a couple of marks for mackerel but no success so I want to see if the wreck mark I had was a good one and I was pleased to say it was spot on! We had a few drifts over it but nothing want to play so off to another new mark I had learnt about. Down went the pick and found the tide ripping through and needed about 1lb of lead to hold bottom. We were soon into bites but could not connect so we downsized the hooks and we were then into Bream, only one keeper the rest were small but good fun. Bill managed the only doggie of the day which makes a change as we have loads of kennels around here. The wind increased from a light 2 to a blustery 5 and the sea state got very uncomfortable in the short chop so we decided to up an move inshore. Waved at Frisky Fox on the way in. Stopped off to watch a bit of Zapcat racing then got asked to move as we were drifting in the racing course! Stopped off for a bit of drifting close into shore and got bites straight off which turned out to be small bream again. After a while my rod had gone quite so I reeled in to re-bait when I felt some weight and up came a nice plaice approx 1lb+. As the tide dropped off so did the bites so we decided enough was enough for today and headed back in and recover the boat. Nice day to be out, found a wreck mark, which was a first for me, tried a couple of new marks which we caught fish on so not a bad day out at all. Fish caught: Mackerel Bream LSD Plaice - new for Sammy's fish list this year. Coddy

Hi daz I would suggest 15ft is the minimum length you want to start with. Seaghog's, even early Warrior 150's can be had for bargin prices if you look hard for them. Shetlands are good but watch out for rotton floors. They can be replaced but will affect the price. Thanks Mike for the plug of the web site, I made this site as I learnt the hard way and could not find much help at the time. Forums and the internet were not so abundant then. Would also suggest that you don't fall for the first boat you see, it is easy to fall into that trap and it could end up costing you loads of money! Keep that money earning interest and don't forget all those little "extras" that you will need. Size of boat needs careful thought as you may need to tow it so will your car cope? Can you store it at home? If not storage each month is an extra cost! Can you get it in and out of your drive? Know it sounds stupid but turning in or backing in on a busy road will be a nightmare! As others have said, look at as many boats as you can and see if you can have a ride/trial in similar boats to try to get a feel, some people feel ok in some others don't. Good hunting and don't forget there is plenty of help here and in the club membership, just ask (nicely) Coddy

Sammy should be there with Bill (Ferret) as crew Coddy

Hi Terry I use a "soft" mallet to knock the savers from side to side to get them off. Tip: When re-fitting them, use a block of wood over the end to stop any damage, do try to get them in straight as it is easier when time to remove them again! Coddy

Trev Have a look on my web site as I have a report from an owner and in fact he is now selling the craft. Link is in my signature. Coddy

Agreed option 3 for me as well Have already sent my own vote in some time ago. Coddy

Was out today, Friday from Weymouth. Wind got up and sea state was lumpy to say the least and that was on a charter boat! Forecast is not good for the week-end, again! Unless the wind dies down I don't think I will venture out. Coddy

Nice one Mark. I hope those "do gooders" on the the Echo's forum page about the carbon footprint of all those watching and how they got there, choked on the lack of air! Coddy

Hi Daz No they are away from the town so a tow would be required, is that a problem? I will PM you details when I get home as I am up North at the moment Coddy

Paul Can I suggest you add it to the forum calandar as some check this for forth coming events. Coddy

Daz Depnding on size I suspect it will be cheaper to store in a compound than any other option. Where is your home location as I am sure you want to be fairly close to the boat if poss. I know of a couple of places if you get desperate! Coddy

Hi Rob I use 14mm blue poly warp. I know it floats but that has helped in a number of occasions on a flat calm day, I can keep an eye on the rope and pull in the slack until the tide turns and let it out again as the tide increases. I would suggest a longer bit of chain, at least the length of the boat as it helps to set the anchor and keep it at the right angle on the sea bed. 5kg bruce should be fine and I have splices in my rope without any problems when using an Alderney buoy retreval system. Just my personal observations and experiance to date. Coddy

Hi Charlie Got my C-map charts from the USA and I suspect you can do the same for Navionics. Coddy

Hi Rich Would it be worth adding x2 alignment poles to hold the boat in-line of the trailer in those crosswind days when recovering the boat? Coddy

Hi Dan Don't worry I can give you plenty of places where not to try .................. but then again it could be me and my technique, or lack of it Sounds a good idea to me. Did anyone know it is "FISHING WEEK" this week. Heard John WIlson on Steve Wright show today saying how important it is to bring a buddy when you go fishing to get them interested. All the above was for course and fly fishing. Seems many waters are free to newbies to sample. 1 in 20 of the english population go fishing at sometime every year! Now that is some powerful group if we could all get together (some chance!) Coddy

Sorry Dean not so. I am fortunate to be able to use the RNLI slipway. I will go down this week end and take a few pictures and try to post on the forum. Coddy

Hi trev Have a word with Prop revolutions at Cobbs Quay. I am sure they will be able to give you all the best info you need. or here http://www.steeldevelopments.co.uk/ Coddy

You can hire a temp berth at Poole Quay, would check with the Harbour Masters office first to make sure there is room. Cost about

Not in the harbour you wont. Just ask Bob F Coddy

Have a Happy retirement Alun Bet "she who must be obeyed" has other ideas now you have all this FREE time on your hands! Good Luck Coddy

Weather now looking cr*p off my usual site! Need to earn some points anyway so will have to give it a miss. Coddy

A good selection here http://www.towsure.com/category/6847-Wheel_Clamps Would also suggest a hitch lock as well. Helps keeps the theiving b**ards at bay for a while. Coddy

Congrats to the Aquafresh Team As others have said, those who put the time and effort getting to know your quarry pays off in the long run. Well done lads, I only wish I could match 10% of your results! Coddy