Sinbad

Charlie, Why dont you drive it into Salterns and park it across the entrance ? Sort of French Blockade style.... after all, you started it, by naming her "Al fresco" If you need some moral support, we could all form a raft out there Paul

C:\ >format Load XP Problem Solved! Paul

Take it easy! it was only a simple question!! Still, born out of hard won experience - so thanks chaps. Paul So charlie, you wear out of date flares at home????

Alun I'm looking at Friday... it'll be brrrrr freezing.... but then looks just the same but windier at the w/end. :Last chance for the winter whiting ??? Paul

Hi all, Just renewed my Policy with Knox Johnston..... When I originally took the policy out, the schedule mentioned Coastal waters only - I presume this is 12miles limit ? I'm going to check when I can with the insurer.... but how many of the boats planning their first passage to Alderney have a similar clause? maybe its to do with the Cat Rating of the vessel, is this correct ? Any thoughts wellcome as usual... Regards Paul

Yep, for us M3 Diehards.... snow covering lane 3, and lots of very cautious motorists. Reading was chaos, but then isnt it always!!! Still snowing up here, and looking for a good excuse to leave early for the south Paul

Hi Bob, Thanks for your input, looks like Ive got a few more things to check.... its getting to that time of year, when there'll be plenty of time to go through the lot - more carefully. Pity its been so blooming cold lately - Ive already spent one day on my knees in my float suit, head in the bilges... More coming up I suppose... Paul

Hmm - I was suspecting something. I've been running a test meter across the battery terminals - so it might not show the rectifier output exactly. Does your O/B give out 14V+ when Idling ? Any thoughts about why it seemed to switch on when I restarted the engine ? Paul Just looked at the 'workshop' manual.. and there's no alternator - and the rectifier voltage is suposed to be 14v@1500rpm and 18V at 3500rpm, so it does vary, but what this equates to at the battery, and how it stops it overcharging the battery I dont know... more investigation required

Just had to get out for a quick blast today to check everything was still OK with the charging / battery. two weeks ago the engineer has checked over the charging and connections, and condemned the brand new battery purchased from BHG! So with the remaining old batttery in place, took the boat out of the marina and firststop round to the quay to review millionaires row. Even in these austere times, I counted at least 10 very large super yachts in the sunseeker dock, in various stages of completion!! Then it was such a snotty chop in the harbour, a good force 4-5 SE breeze and cold, I went on a cooks tour, down Wills cut towards brownsea, round the back to stone island, then followed south deep round the back of furzey and green islands. Nice flat water round here, and a chance to open the throttle a bit more... In the marina, with the engine idling - seemed to produce 13.2Volts... Round to the quay, voltage at times got up to 13.6, then after a bit of low speed manoevering (in gear, and out of gear) next to sunseekers, I noticed it seemed get stuck arround 12.6V irrespective of throttle opening. Quick switch off of Engine, then re-start, and engine starts to show over 13V again, and even got up to 14.8V at times.... So, was the low volts due to a partly discharged battery, and as the charge built back up on the battery, the voltage started to rise ? The Engine seemed to need a bit of time at wider and wider throttle openings before the charging seemed to show. Cant explain why the voltage suddenly showed a step change upwards, after a quick engine re-start, unless there's a fault still somewhere. Would this be the rectifier/charger circuits not switching over to charging properly ? Does putting the engine in gear have something to do with it, as there is an interlock with the engine start ?? Anyway, despite all the guage watching, to have the harbour to myself and a chance to play in the waves for a while did me some good and blew a few cobwebs away at the same time. Just hoping next week the winds drop light, and might be able to get a few late whiting before we call the end to the season..... Paul

your forgiven terry!!!! Paul

Adam You should get a sticker for the back of your boat as a guide I'd be interested what you are charged - obviously prorater to Imagine which is 20' PHC Mooring charge2008 -

3mm Stainless with Delrin? roller - 225mm OAL x 60mm 6 x M6 c/sunk screws/bolts. Unmarked and servicable. http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/photoalbum/display...e.php?pos=-1902 http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/photoalbum/display...e.php?pos=-1903 Post here or PM if interested. Paul

After an aborted trip out today - I wasnt getting any charge into the battery, I've contacted an engineer to check the regulator /charging circuit. It would have been a different matter on a warm summers day, but I didnt fancy getting stuck out in the bay in minus degrees - I didnt see another vessel outside the harbour either, and the ebb was kicking up alot of breaking surf in the looe channel as well as hook sands. Twas nice in the harbour though - and sunny... Paul

Im very tempted to add my name to the list as able crew, as I have perpetual Fridays off and the Monday is a BH... Although I wasnt planning on taking Imagine.. Could anyone say roughly how much fuel and roughly how much accomodation costs (excluding beer and food) 100 litres fuel per head ? 100 on accomodation ? 50 on skippers taxes? Paul

Mike These solar chargers are very good for this type of application, an auto electrician friend of mine fitted about 50 of these to the roofs of wessex waters vehicles, as they were suffering from weeks without use, and then trying to start them in emergency call outs. However, the phenomenon of good batttery, fish for a few hours and then nothing left, must be the instrument drain, with maybe the charging rate from the engine not keeping up with the drain on the run out to the mark. Best system is a twin battery set up with a split charger, so that the spare is charged, or a changeover switch to ensure that when you are sitting at anchor, your main battery is not being drained. I was watching the voltage literally run off the battery as soon as the engine stopped charging. I dont know whether a leisure battery is the best animal for starting loads, or whether a standard car battery kept only for starting would recover quicker. Bob F would probably know?????? Regards Paul

Yep - handheld VHF is one solution- it is on the wants list. Thanks Charlie - useful numbers for a rainy day. Paul

Oh yes, nearly forgot (cant sleep) Surounded by boats as I was when we needed assistance - with no power for the VHF. Options were limited unless I wanted to bring out the helicopter and every floating rescue system....which I thought initially unnecessary in order of effectiveness in getting a response from a passing boat 1. Hoist international signals (flags) - hmm ! 2.Shout and wave arms 3. Use Mouthpiece foghorn (the canister ones are always flat when you need them) 4. Flashlight/ lantern (preferrably wind up) 5. Mobile phone - do you know the number of anyone who is out (perhaps buddies going afloat ought to swap numbers as a back up) 6. Orange smoke flare (less chance of being spotted by well meaning walkers on cliff tops than the parachute red ones). Into the dark these options are reduced.then its a case of sit tight and wait for shore action via the CG66 scheme if they can locate your position. 7. dry spare clothing or towel or space blanket 8. Extra Food / bottle of water (fruitcake lasts years / sealed bottled water) I must admit the experience has spooked me a bit - having been out plenty of times on my own, and coming back in the dark, often without seeing another boat or vessel all day. At the worst, you would just have to sit it out till daylight- but it would be pretty miserable if you had run out of bait (i.e no congering) or food or battery power. Simple but effective items All of the above cost very little to organise, without the expense of yet more safety equipment (for the safety conscious even a pinpoint or red flare is only

Yep - I cheated - the engine was a bit warm.... but with the water temp only 1.5 degree in the marina, she did struggle to idle on the initial warm up with the elctric start and I had the low oil pressure light up a few times. I would also have thought it wouldnt be that bad starting after a days fishing, as the engine tends to turn over alot easier on the electric start and warms up much faster even aftr being off for 6 hours or so. Yams seem to cough and splutter a bit when the water gets really cold (ref AlunJ's starts in mudeford - where he usually breaks the ice putting the boat in) I've often wondered about putting the covers back on, as there's nothing in the manual about doing this before setting off. PJ - when you mean without the battery, presumably you still need something connected to the charging circuit, or the rectifier will fry. re the low oil pressure - is this a feature of the cold start ? oil level wasnt at maximum - maybe a sign of impending maintenance.... Paul

last trip out and with no electrics has made me think about how cheaply I can prevent the same thing happening again. 1. I've got one of those portable gel jumper starters - only need to remember to charge it and take it with you (more luggage) 2. start the engine using the flywheel Never fancied doing this, until needed - but had a practice in the marina last weekend and the engine started surprisingly easily. 1. use the lanyard and plastic handle supplied with the tool roll - it looks cheap, but does the job. 2. Remove top cowl of engine (clips) 3. unscrew two M10 bolts holding plastic shroud over engine 4. shroud simply unclips 5. turn on key electrics to middle position (i.e instruments on) 6. turn on battery isolator switch (if fitted) 7. wind rope arround pulley, take up initial compression, re-wind and pull firmly. I was amazed how slowly I had to pull the rope to get her started - it wasnt like the speed of a petrol lawnmover - which also means the rope dis-engages easily rather than being whipped round by the flywheel. 8. Fitting flywheel shroud and cowl is pretty simple providing you take obvious precautions with fingers and moving belts, and I suppose you are not being slammed arround by the waves. I'd recommend others to go ahead and have a few practices, so its second nature if it happens to you. Regards Paul

Is that fishing or meal planning options ? silly question really.... friday looks a bit windy.. but i'm keen Paul

Ask me at the club meeting over a beer- my wallet has had a bit of a bashing lately was better than chandlery prices.

Well despite a new battery, and a new GPS Antenna all of which were unexpected , From Charlies recommendation - I'd previously commissioned Dave at Midas Engineering to make some rod holders to go above the cabin, to supplement the ones on the transom, as these become a nuisance in all activities other than steaming to/from a mark. Charlie had advised against my original plan of mounting a set of rocket launchers on the side of the cabin, as these were bound to get in the way when going forward. Anyway, I picked up the finished article for a test fit, then he polished it up, and it was fitted this weekend- as pics show - Its perfect for what I wanted, and the fabrication is high quality. The smaller dia rod passing through the bottom of the rocket lauchers prevents the rod butt resting on the deck , for those rods with metal ends and a groove in the plug (gimbel?) I can recommend Dave as an potential alternative for those not wanting to travel over to Stainless Steve - he is very accomplished and knowledgible of welding skills, working on sunseeker / princess custom designs etc, as well as being an active yachtie. His wife does the dodger/cover side of their business, producing cushions, sail covers, all work in vinyl etc. I'm going to get him to price a set of seat cushions eventually. Might be a one stop shop for those elusive folding pram cuddies! Dave can be contacted on 01202 684620 - address is unit 4, Slader Business Park,Witney Road,Poole BH17 0GP - not far from Aldi / Hatch Pond Road. Mention that you are in PBSBAC - hope you find this guy useful.

Adam I know what you mean... Alfresco was definitely planing at the same speed - with more of the hull out of the water - conditions were so flat - The orkney is not a deep Vee as you said, but because it takes a bit longer to get to a full plane, I have to use the trim tabs a bit to adjust the angle. Although above 20knots - you dont really need them as the engine doesnt have sufficient power to 'porpoise' ooh er.. Nice video of the new boat... Paul

I'm going for one of the trilobed ones (eventually) as the Ouzo report seemed to confer this was the best compromise (price/ area, m2) for our type of boats, which at Anchor can easily have 15 deg of heel in a slop. Lots of the other types perform badly under test (cyclops excepted). Though the broom handle and Octahedral mounted on the roof rocket launchers was the original plan. Pity there's not many merchants in the area with these trilobes on the shelf, pretty much only the echomax type and the octahedral, and some tubes. Paul

Adam I'm sure you'll get there, when bob has stopped playing with all the toys!. I was impressed that you saw gastonought on the radar, what with all those learned reports stating that GRP boats have no echo..... Maybe I can save myself a few quid on a radar reflector ?? or is it Gastronoughts magnetic field that attacts fish and radar alike? PF