Bob F

You risk damaging the motor charging ciruit if you operate the switch whilst the motor is running. Can also cause arcs in the switch which will damage the contacts. Some switches are marked as being able to be operated whilst the motor is running. BF

Document updated to conventional set up Thanks for your feedback. Coddy, you might want to update your website. BF

Charlie, Duncan, you are correct. Interesting one isn't it? This was actually done deliberately because of two experiences I have had of the battery switch failing. Once whilst on shore, but the worst one was whilst at sea drifting towards rocks!! Both times I was using a good quality switch. With the switch wired as shown in the article you always have power to the motor if the switch fails. For me, on a small boat, this is more important than being able to isolate the battery from the motor. I don't think there is a safety issue with having the motor permanently connected to the battery on a small boat. Which ever set up you use, I always tend to leave the battery switch in the BOTH postion when starting and running the motor. The only time I move the switch to BATTERY 2 is when fishing at night when I want to ensure I don't drain the engine battery (BATT 1). With the switch in the BOTH position and the switch wired the conventional way, the charging to the batteries will be no different to the way I show it wired. The battery with the most demand will take priority on who gets the charge. Granted with the conventional set up you can isolate the charge to either battery, but I have never had a need to do this. Instead I feel much safer knowing that battery one is connected directly to the motor so that it will start. I thnk this is a set up that works on a small boat, but wouldn't advocate it on a larger boat where the power demands are higher. Having said all this, I'm going to change the article so that it shows the conventional set up. Getting tired trying to defend this set up. You'll just have to take the risk of the switch failing. cheers BF

heee, heee, heee, heee... BF

Oooh, nice. Understood, thanks Duncan. BF

Nylon and glass don't mix. They generate a huge static charge. Look at your crews hair the next time you're out.

Hi Scott Welcome to the club. I haven't received your details from Martin, yet, but should get them soon so that you can be added to the members list. cheers Bob F

Sunday is the species comp. Most of us will be going out then. BF

Jeeez, I need to be careful. I thought I might have been caught on the last one but nothing came through. I was certainly pulling a few G's at the time and it shows in the photo. Those camera's are surprizingly high quality. Glad it didn't show who was in the passenger seat. BF

There was a guy in the Blackmore Vale who used to advertize. If you have no luck with Sam I'll see if he is advertizing in tomorrows BMV. BF

Can you expand on your set up a bit more Gordon? I haven't quite grasped what you are doing and the benefits. cheers BF

...yeah, especially as he has his own Gin company.

This post is now in Club members section

Agree with Adam. But I tend to reset the anchor when the tide changes rather than just letting the boat swing round. The one time I did get the anchor stuck on the ledge was when I left the anchor in, and as the tide turned that anchor rope wrapped itself round something and as a result it was impossible to pull up. BF

Ah, good question Ducan. I think Martin was looking into it, but had some problems if I remember correctly. How are we doing on that one Martin? I think you were going to call someone. BF

Generally we'd say something like... "This is Espadon, Espadon, Espadon calling any Poole Bay Small Boats." or "Poole Bay Small Boats, Poole Bay Small Boats, Poole Bay Small Boats this is Espadon, Espadon, Espadon." Then if any of us are out there we'll ususally respond with... "Espadon, Espadon, Espadon this is...@#%. hisssss...static...hisssss... static...@

Ah yes, I know the type. These are the ones with the outboard fitted inside the transom, correct? BF

Nice report Mark. Glad the trip went relatively well. Yes, channel 6 for the VHF. BF

Great report Fred. And the fishing weren't bad, either! Gotta have a meal at that place!! BF

Cracking trip Mike. Good to see you getting more adventurous. A good reward for your efforts. Don't forget to register your catch. Nice one! BF

or something like this? http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/HMB126/ BF

or this one... http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F94807/ BF

Is it this one? http://www.sea-nymph.com/ BF

Wouldn't you just like to take em in and give em a good home???

...well, I do have a reputation with the ladies for having three legs...but that's another story.