Bob F

Affectionally called "witches hats". Tip: obvious, but worth mentioning...you will have to cut a hole in the pointy end to pass the cables through. Keep this hole as small as possible so that the cables pass through with a tight fit. This will limit the amount of water that can leak through from the transom to the inside deck. My witches hats had wide holes (fitted from the factory) that let in too much water. I had to seal them. Bob F.

The Everleigh has apparently been extensively salvaged and was partly dispersed by the Navy, so she's quite broken up (hence the tackle hungry comment, I suppose). However, she is still a pretty big wreck, and can therefore be popular with the divers, so check on the tides before going all that way out to her (14 miles from Poole). She's lying in 43m of water on a rocky bed. Highest point comes up to about 11m off the bed. Lies east to west. Bob F.

...bloody great!! I've got all next week off and was hoping to be taking Splash-Out out for a number of sessions. Just came back from a weeks holiday in Wales. Should've taken the boat, plently of water everywhere and no charge for launching. Blimme, they don't arf make their puddles big in Wales!! Bob F.

I have manual life jackets, but wish I had bought the auto types. But on the plus side the manual re-arm kits are cheaper (but not a worthy consideration with safety in mind). I got my kids to inflate their jackets using the cord so that they know how to do it and are not shocked by what happens. The manual inflation goes off with quite a bang, but the thing that affected them the most was how cold the jacket became. There's a pretty big endothermic (if my schoolboy physics is still any good) reaction when the CO2 is expelled, which is quite a shock to your system. Bob F.

I have them on my Suzuki 4 stroke on an Alaska 500 (16.5 ft). Definitely made a big difference for me. The effects I found were: 1- quicker onto the plane, especially if you are fully loaded. 2- broader range on the engine trim, allowing you more control of the height of the bow in the water. This is very useful if you've got a lot of weight in the stern that you need to compensate for (e.g. a tub full of water for your live bait well, or those 30lb cod you're bringing home). 3- Gives a much smoother ride in heavier seas. Again, because you have more trim adjustment. On the down side, you do loose 1 or 2 knots at the top end, but that's not a big deal. BUT, IMOA you have to have powered tilt and trim on your engine for them to have any real benefit. If you don't have powered T&T don't bother fitting wings. Bob F.

Adam, did you get a manual with your engine? If not, it would be worth getting one from the web. The manual will tell you the type of oils you can use (type number). My Suzuki 4 stroke will run with normal four stroke motor oil used in cars. You can use any oils which are rated SE, SF, SG, SH or SJ under the API classification system (whatever that is ). The viscoity rating should be SAE 10W-40, ideally, or if you cannot find this, the following are ok but with a smaller temperature range. 10W-50 15W-40 15W-50 20W-50 cheers Bob F.

...I hope you choke on a straw or get a cocktail umbrella stuck up your nose!! But other than that, have fun, Rich. Bob F.

Dan, A lot of us use Porthcawl. - 01656 784866. Bob F.

And for those of you without a 'colour' fish finder, the fish are those things highlighted in red.

...what were we talking about????

Been close to doing the same thing a few times. When targeting fish that I intend to release, I've been squashing the barbs for a while now. I have lost a couple of fish, but difficult to know if this was due to no barbs or my own incompetance. There's no doubting that the fish are easier to unhook, though, and I will carry on squashing the barbs. But sods law will dicate that I will hook myself when using a hook with a barb!! Hope your pinky gets better soon, Alun. Bob F

Launched from Baiter on Saturday afternoon. Arrived to find the carpark completely full. Guys were parking trailers in the ordinary car park, and other guys were queueing for slots. Even season ticket holders were unable to park. I phoned the car park authority and asked why they were not opening the gate for the field. They said they were only allowed to open the field on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The rest of the time it is reserved for other public activities. He said carpark number 2 on the east side of the toilet block has double bays and can be used for storing your car and trailer when carpark #1 is full. You pay for your ticket (

Mike, I'll be pleased to donate some stuff. Make sure you remind me before the next club meeting. Bob F.

Yes, Splash-Out will be there, plus 1 crew. Bob F.

ooooh, oooh, can it wait till Christmas????

Jeezz! Wonder what he hit?? The gravel banks just of Brownsea??? I was out a couple of hours later with the family but didn't see anything. Bob F.

Can't do it this week. Bob F

...I heard it's one of the most violent books you can read. Jesus walks into a hotel, throws 3 nails on the counter and says, "can you put me up for the night?"

...but I didn't say in which year!!

Charlie, If no one else offers to crew for you let me know. I was planning to take young Robert out in Splash-Out, but could re-adjust and leave Rob at home. He's got conflicting activities on Sunday and is easy either way. Bob F

Yes, looks good. Might have to invest in some of those. Did they have small holes in the bottom to drain any water? Bob F.

ohh, please, no photographs. It's bad enough just picturing it in my mind.

...oh stop!!

Did you see John Wilson tonight? Twas an old one, but he was fishing for Blondes on a bank south of Lulworth Cove. Anyone know which bank this is? I guess it was either Lulworth Banks or Adamant Shoal. Both are fairly big banks, so any pointers as to the best spots on these banks? Would be a good trip out of Kimmeridge or Weymouth. cheers Bob F

...naaa, you're not that old, Mike. Can't believe you were in Bomber Command.