Bob F

Took the boat out on the trailer yesterday to test out the bearings. After a short run I stopped to check for any heat or excessive play in the bearings. There was no heat but wasn't happy about setting up the bearings with a bit of play when you rock the wheel. It seemed too loose to me. So tightened the castle nut until the play just stopped. Hope this is going to be ok. BF

I was messing about with the electronics on Splash-Out whilst sat on the drive at Blandford today. The idea was to see if I'd cured the reason for the GPS turning off when I operated the VHF. The cause was a corroded power connection on the Battery Selection Switch. Rewired the connector and all is now ok. Then got a real shock when I picked up Ginsky calling from the main channel in Poole Harbour!!! That's about 15-20 miles away I guess. Even managed to have a very clear conversation with him. I guess that means the VHF is all working ok... BF

Adam, have you read the letter in the Redfinn adverts in this months magazines? Sounds like our good friend at Wick...he used to have an Alaska 500. BF

I purchased a coil of the 12mm potting rope a couple of years ago. It does the job, but it's stiff and difficult to coil away. If you can afford it, go for the softer ropes which coil better. We rarely fish in more than 120 ft, so 360 ft of good quality 12mm anchor rope will be enough. I would then carry a length of the potting rope on the boat which I could attach to this if I'm in a situation where more length is needed. In your case Paul, I guess you will not normally be fishing in more than 60ft, so you could get away with 180-200 ft of anchor rope. BF

Just wanted to post this for future reference. From our old Phantom Fisher postings. A supplier of warp, rope, nets, etc. Gundry Marine Limited they are based in Bridport Tel: 01308 422222Unit 1 Foundry Lane, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3RP Gundry send a van to Fishermans Wharf on Poole Quay every Friday between 2-3pm where you can buy your rope and save postage costs. Best to call them first to makesure they've got what you want on the van.Look for a big white van with Gundry on it. A coil (220m) of 12mm Pot rope is

Thanks for the offer Rich. I think I'll just send it off to Pure Fishing. Cheers matey. Bob F.

Cheers Paul. Actually, there's an article in this month's BFM that I've just read about replacing the brakes and bearings. It describes a similar method to the one you suggest, so I guess that's the way to go. BF

...so far so good. Knocked out the old inner race rings. There's convenient slots on the inside of the hub to allow you to get a screw driver in and hit the back of the race rings and gradually knot them out. After cleaning up the inside of the hub the new inner race rings went in easy enough. I stuck the rings in the freezer for a while and heated up the hub with a blow torch. The rings then knocked into place fairly easily. Then greased up the larger of the tapered bearings and pushed that home, followed by a new oil seal ring. My only conern is that I'm not sure if the oil seal ring is supposed to push the tapered bearing right up against the inner ring, or is there supposed to be a bit of play to allow the tapered bearing to pushed up against the inner ring when you put the hub on the axle shaft and then torque up the castleated nut??? Does anyone know?? Also, does anyone know the torgue setting for the castleated nut? The guys at the bearing shop advised me to make sure this was torqued up correctly overwise it can cause excessive wear or generate too much heat. cheers BF

Sounds good. Thanks Martin. BF

I'm about to concede and give up on my Abu 6600LD service. I just can't get it to run properly. I've serviced all my other reels, but this one has been a pig. Either the spool doesn't spin in free spool properly (very stiff) or the handle wind will not engage properly. So, I've been looking around for somewhere to get it serviced. On DEEPSEA they have these recommendations. Have any of you used them? 'Reel Ade' (01803 401486) in Paignton who has taken over from The Reel Doctor who has now retired. Reel Care who are in Kendal Avenue, Southampton they do a good job at a reasonable price. Talk to Willie on 02380 777232. This is who Roger Bazand uses. cheers BF

I recently bought a new Penn 225LD on eBay for

Picked up the bearings from Industrial Links in Upton.

I like their reels, too. Just give me a call if you want to send me one... BF

Hey, welcome back Mike!!!! Missed you buddy. cheers Bob F.

Thank's Rich/Gordon. I'll shop around. cheers BF

Signed. BF

Wow!!! Way to go Dan!!

Rang Indespension for prices of various bit for my Rollercoaster 1 trailer (year 2001 model). List is as follows for future reference: Wheel Bearing kit (p/n ISHU3)

Paul, I might have an interest in the seats. Depends what they are. cheers BF

Kam, Wobble whilst towing is usually caused by weigth distibution as the others have described. But in your case it may be due to the hight of your boat. Perhaps it is simply catching a cross wind. When towing a caravan I have a stabilizer fitted to the tow hitch which greatly reduces any wobble. That might be something to consider. cheers BF

Rich, Indespension have quoted me

Gave the brakes and bearings the once over on one side of the trailer on Sunday. No problems, went a smooth as a whistle. Hitched the trailer up to reposition the boat to do the other side, which has been sticking lately. As I moved away there was a pretty big TWANG as the brakes snapped free (and I always stow the boat with brakes off). Anyway, jacked it up, took off the brake drum and a couple of brake pads came off with it!!! They'd sheered completely off. And to make things worse, the grease around the bearings looked very dark. After removing the grease it was clear that the bearings were black and knackered. The main spline from the center of the wheel hub which the bearing sit on was also blackened and a bit pitted. There had obviously been a bit of heat being generated. The brake system on this wheel was much more rusty than the brake on the other side. Why?? Anyway, will have to drop into Indepension this week and pick up some new bearings and brake pads. I hope the slight pitting in the central spline will not cause a problem for the new bearings???? Looks like I will have to increase by 6mth inspection to 3 mths. Oh fun!!! BF

...ah, I get it. It was methane fueled.

Sorry I asked... Been there, done that. BF

Keep an eye on them Adam. I could be up to two of them. BF