Bob F

The word "Kimmeridge" springs to mind!!!

Oh god, I'm gunna have to sit down for a while...

BF

You could try here, too. Mostly USA but some UK guys as well.

http://www.outboardrepairs.com/

BF

Just heard from Adam.

Day 3 was on the banks again. The bass bank first and then the turbot bank.

The bass bank produced lots of pollack and a 15lb 8oz turbot to Martin, and a 8lb turbot to Adam, and bass to 8lb. (I think I got that all right).

They then moved to the turbot bank which produced a number of small ones and a few bass and pollack.

Not quite the numbers of day 2 but some better specimens.

Day 4 was travelling back home day. They stopped at a wreck about 50 miles north of Alderney and drifted for Ling. Got plenty to around 15lb. They then stopped at another wreck south of Portland where they have Cod on the way over. No cod this time.

They all returned to Weymouth safely.

I'll let the crew fill in the details, but they're probably too knackered tonight.

BF

Mike,

Ow much for the wiper motor? I've been looking for one.

Send me a PM.

cheers

BF

Are Tohatsu's made of wood, then?

Nice one Bill and Coddy.

That's one for the memory banks.

Great stuff!!! Never seen a cookoo ray.

I hope they are all right.

I've heard nothing and cannot contact Adam...

Probably got too many fish to gut.

BF

Steve,

I'd be interested in trying the moulds. Sounds like a good method. I'll pinch some off Coddy if he brings them along.

cheers

BF

I was told that it's the first 30 years of bringing up children that are the worst.

Perhaps I need to extend that to 40 years...

BF

The lads got onto the banks today.

40 Turbot, 8 Brill, 1 Bass and a bunch of Pollack between the two boats!! A very nice day.

The turbot were not huge, with the biggest about 8lbs.

Adam caught a stonking Brill of 8lb which is 200% of specimen, and also managed the grand slam with turbot, brill and bass. All his fish were caught in the last hour of the day (phew!!).

But, "Achievement of the Day Award" goes to Dean...he blanked.

Forecast is good for tomorrow, so they will be going to the banks again so Dean can get his turbot...or maybe they will have a go for the Tope which have been going to 80lb recently...or perhaps the light line pollack fishing...spoilt for choise.

BF

Alex,

Even a larger boat like your 640 will be susceptable to weight distribution, especially when she is on the plane and most of the hull is out of the water.

I don't think this is a problem with the boat.

When she is off the plane or at anchor the natural bouyancy of the hull will take over and you will not notice the leaning so much.

BF

Fished the Ledge with Adam on Sunday.

Tons of LSD's, a couple of hound pups, tons of wrasse and my first bream of the season. A plump female of around 2 lbs that was bursting with eggs so she went back.

Came back in at 2pm.

BF

I've heard from the lads that they managed to get over to Alderney as planned today.

Apparently it was a bit bumpy out of Weymouth, but once past the Shambles it was smooth enough for them to hit the mid channel wrecks, where they caught plenty of Pollack to 15lb and quite a few cod of similar size.

They then motored on to Alderney and anchored on a mark called the Swinge. This is a strong 8 knot tital current, but you anchor in the eddy of a large rock in 40ft of water. They then used light tackle (spinning rods) with flowing traces and artifical sandeels for pollack that hide amungst the Kelp beds.

Tons of pollack were caught with the biggest going 10lb. Must be great fun on the light tackle. I heard of many screaming reels and lightning takes.

Forecast for the next two says is force 4, so they will be hitting the banks.

Good luck to all.

Bob F

Hi Paul,

I own an Alaska 500 which I purchased new from Poolside Marine in 2001.

As others have mentioned, the orginal Alaska's were built by Shetland and are typically identified by their cream coloured hulls. Poolside Marine (Seahog) then purchased the moulds from Shetland and are now the sole manufacturers, I believe. Not sure exactly when Poolside purchased the moulds, but the hulls are typically white and will have the Poolside plate on the transom.

If you have the Shetland type, as Jack says, look out for spongy floors. Also look around the transom for stress fractures caused during towing, etc. Give the underneath a good look for any obvious damage. Other than the usual all-around checks, I'm not aware of any other "known" faults.

Same goes for the Poolside version, except that I've not heard about any floor problems.

I'd put most of your effort into checking out the motor.

As for seaworthiness, the Alaska has slightly more beam and a wider bow than the likes of the Warriors and Explorers which makes her more stable at anchor and less sensitive to roll. On the other hand, the wider bow means she doesn't cut into waves quite as smoothly and you will get slightly more spray into the boat. I think the wider bow also causes her to broach a little more in some wave conditions, but this is minimal.

I had thought the ride in the Alaska was more harsh than the Warriors, but I now believe that this is just due to the Warriors being fitted with indivual bucket seats, rather than the benches and box seats on the Alaska. In the pilot seat the ride is good but the crew who are sat on the bench seat can get a bumpy ride. I experimented by putting in a tempory seat for the crew at they said the ride was fantastic. So, I will be looking to fit a bucket seat some how.

Down sides of the Alaska...

- older hull design

- can broach slightly more in some sea conditions.

- slightly wetter ride

- lack of individual bucket seats will give on harder ride for crew.

- deck is not self-draining (nor is Warrior 165), so its essential to fit a bilge pump.

Plus points...

- more stable at anchor

- less suspectable to roll (I've had her at nearly 90 degrees and she still didn't capsize)

- certified to carry 8 people vs 4 on Warrior.

- hull speed is good (I've had 32 knots, 3 up)

A classic, well proven hull, though slightly older in design now.

I chose her because of the package deal, the passenger carrying capacity (i have a family of 5) and the stability.

cheers

BF

Ground bait, Mike.

I caught my ear when I was learning to fly fish. A Deerstalker hat didn't look so ridulas after that!!

Jack,

I guarantee you will do better next trip...after all, it cannot get worse!

I will tie you to my boat until you get something.

BF

Martin wear's them at work.

A very nice rod, Sam.

Happy fishing.

BF

Didn't see any of it around Weymouth on Sunday.

BF

Nice report Simon.

Good to hear a team enjoying themselves on a competition.

Adam and I fished out of Weymouth. Had pollack, pout, mackerel (yes, they are back, and big uns, too), wrasse and plaice.

We travelled quite a bit, too. HMS Hood, shambles, Elena R, Binnendyk, Portland Ledge and back to HMS Hood again. Weather was fine after 9am.

Out on the Shambles the Gannets were giving a spectacular display of diving. We soon found what they were after when Adam caught some Launce. He used them to good effect drifting one of the wrecks and getting hammered by a nice pollack.

Lovely day out.

The season has begun.

Bob F

Good luck everyone. May the best fisherperson win.

I'll be fishing with Adam on BW. Decided it might be a bit rough for little Rob.

Silly man...

Wey Hey!!! Another Arnie Holt special to join Splash-Out.

Well done, Mike.

I'm excited too!!!

Can't wait to see her.

Bob F