Sinbad

I'll 'third' that Simon told me that the 'sea toilet' was pristine condition, never been used.... When I took a look, it was still in the cardboard box, i.e unwrapped..... cant get lighter use than that !!! The whole boat is a really nice piece of kit, a bargain, good luck Simon! Regards Paul

As it had turned out to be a dismal days skippering on the new boat, Bob had decided to let the crew have their wicked way with him after all..... Paul

Hmm... I've often thought that the spare Anchor would be the last resort, when all else had failed... but I'm thinking now that it isnt 'man' enough, as it was perfectly OK for my old boat (16ft strikeliner), but maybe not this one. I'm thinking of going to a 7.5kg so that if I need it in an emergency, it will hold me fast. We had difficulty anchoring in this spot, using my spare, maybe because the chain wasnt heavy enough, or maybe the bottom was too hard and stony. (or both) I'm not sure reading your post if you mean the tiny hole in the end of the shackle pin, which is normally used for running siezing wire through to prevent the normal sawing of the anchor un-doing the shackle. The shackle was attached to the crown of the anchor so it would pull out backwards in the conventional fishermans style, and the chain lead up the head Alun was referring to the cable tie method of joining the chain to the head of the anchor, which most of us do. If you have a way of locking the shackle onto the anchor , maybe you could share it with me - I'd certainly be interested. So, it turns out an expensive day, but at least the Pollack fish fingers and spaghetti carbonara was excellent tonight!! Paul

Alun and I had a fairly quiet but hectic day on Imagine! though not the same drama as Duncan..Some unexpected species... but not a single target Bream! Our Plan was to go west and tuck into the cliffs off Ballard or Durlston as the run out of Poole was fair and not too much swell, in fact the worst bit was just off Old Harry, with some flood tide against the ENE breeze. Once past this stopped for a few drifts along peverill for some fresh mackerel.... and we soon had enough for our first mark. We started as the third of three boats, one charter (steve porter) and another Orkney, but were soon joined by more charters incl Tiger Lilly and Sea Spray(?). After a fishless and biteless hour or so, a few mugs of tea, we upped sticks and headed further down round StAlbans to try a few new spots off Kimmeridge. This would be a first for me, and also first time arround the corner. Bites were slow on the first mark we tried in deeper water, only tiny rattles, and one lovely looking Cookoo wrasse aboard and a small spotted ray to me. In closer we seemed to be in a back eddy, with the boat lying west in the wind and a strong push south east with the tide. We found a channel to try first, and had action from the 'off', with Pollack and then Alun gets something altogether more 'heavy', and we net a nice Undulate of 8lb 10oz. What's nice about fishing with Alun, is the marine biology lesson you get with each new catch, and after explaining how strong the teeth are and where the jaw muscles are on the ray, I tested this out whilst unhooking it, and had it attached to my thumb for a few moments punctuated by expletives! So Biology lesson No1 - keep your fingers well clear of a Ray! Then it was Wrasse, Tea, Mackerel, Bacon Rolls, more Pollack, until we suddenly start to move off - thinking the anchor had tripped, only to go through the alderney ring manouever and see the lifting bouy bobbing away downwind and us left holding just the warp and chain with no Anchor!!! - yep its tripped alright - self releasing anchor. Lesson No2 - monel siezing wire on the crown shackle. After recovering the bouy, and rigging up the spare anchor, we seemed not to be able to get the pick to dig in (maybe we were over clay/ stones??) and after another few cartwheels in the tide/wind, steamed back towards Peverill to finish with a few more mackerel. The Wind by now was easing slightly, maybe not more than a F3, but the now flooding tide made Durslton Head and the overfalls pretty hairy and uncomfortable - with some very steep waves, making progress at much more than 6kts difficult. Only those with strong stomachs would have survived - Eventually going right close into the cliffs was much flatter and allowed better progress. We ended with a few mackerel, but not in huge numbers, plus a few Garfish, and steamed back into Poole. We thought we recognised Dave(Coddy) and his new boat by the hook sands, if we had been earlier returning we might have caught up with you at Ballard and had some of those elusive Bream! It was certainly an odd day, with not much action (we saw) on any of the charters. Paul

Adam, Not that i'm pre-empting anything, as I'm gagging to get out Sunday.. If its called off, would it be possible to set a future date asap, as I'm overdue for a haul out and antifoul and a pile of jobs, and wouldnt want to be ashore, and miss the date..... Regards Paul

OOTS... Out of the shed - Looks Good! Paul

Paul F /Alun J fishing on Imagine What a surprise!!!!!

Dan I know the sort of thing you are looking for - a tidal stream chart for hours either side of LW. Many Ports have them - I wonder if they are in an almanac? Personally, having spent many an hour racing dinghies in the harbour, you get to know e.g the whych channel flows first before any channel, and where the back eddies are but this basic info is also on the chart of the harbour. If no one else posts here, I'll ask a few friends at the club, as you say, someone must have this info. Paul

Nice report Dave! I wished I was there too, but reading your post sounds like just an average day of problems, with a nice end to the story!!!! Its always the same with a different boat, you only really learn by trying things out, hope you have better luck next time Paul

Charlie Yep, we saw that git on the flybridge go past.... later on we were in the swash channel running back, and another one came past at 30 knots - considering there was little breeze, all the yachties were trying to sail in, and to have this thing thundering past, was un-believable. I think the maggot catapult will have to be deployed, or the boiley launcher with a 1oz bullet... Glad you got amongst the fish - I didnt bother to call on ch6 -we were too busy clinging on as the boat rolled back and forward though 60 degrees!!! Paul p.s - how did the new horse power improve the trip ???

I took my son out for his first fishing trip of the year (mine as well for this season!) Went out about midday, after the early rain had passed - towards the patches - expecting to see loads of boats. I wasnt disappointed - there must have been 30+ boats - sitting out there!! We opted for the outer patch, and had this to ourselves, and found a nice looking spot in about 14m. Soon as the rods were down, we had plucks on the rod tips, and then one screeming reel resulting in this rather nice 3lb Bream, ably hauled in by junior, and netted by yours truly. we had a few more bream then called time and had a few drifts over by old harry which produced the first mackerel of the season for us, and headed in. Pity we couldnt have stayed out longer, but had a good day and Alex got his bream at last! Managed to miss the tide for the mooring, which resulted in an enforced stay in the marina and a wonderful fish and chip supper afloat. A great end to the weekend! Paul P.s Saw alfresco just arriving home to PYC, but no big trail of seagulls after her....

have you ever seen the John Wilson vids of man wearing set of flippers and inflatable skirt, then jumps in backwards into Canadian Lake - complete with fly Rod. Sea Safety that one! Must try it one day, would be able to sneak up on many an unsuspecting bass closer inshore! Paul

Further to the success of the last giveaway.... Approx 10-15 Large concrete paving slabs They are the BIG ones - 90 x 60 x 5 cm Guaranteed to put your back out, but once down dont move at all. Free to the first caller (part load accepted) Paul

Adam or anyone(?) Could you point me to the comp dates poster, as i seem to have missed the dates. I think half the battle with brownie points is breaking the news as early as possible, in our case, suruptitiously on the kitchen wall planner! Ooohh - This fishing lark is getting so complicated Paul

Its too bl## cold for my liking to be rolling arround on peashingle with a paint roller an inch from your nose, so sod it... I'm waiting until it warms up a bit and will leave the old stuff to do what it can. Cant be much marine growth in the harbour, whilst the frost is still about - I'm hoping. Paul.

Personally, I was considering - and lots of offers of a free tow was also tempting- There's probably a good reason why its on a Sunday, but for those with early starts Monday, its not good arriving back knackered and late, with a boat full of smelly gear to tidy up. Also Sunday is still traditionally a day of rest rather than play. My wife cant stand the 'rod rattling' and disappearance for many hours beforehand which heralds the start of any fishing trip, so it was a non starter in my case....its all down to brownie points.. and to put it bluntly, I'm "nil pointe" Now Saturday... might have been a possibility... Paul

Gas Dont bother trying to motor your anchor out in water shallower than the length of chain! or in other words - dont practice in the harbour easiest is to accept the offer of a ride sometime, using the old adage of an ounce of theory to a pound of practice. Regards Paul

87psi for a 950kg weight on mine which sounds huge, so I prorater it downwards to about 60psi, or wait until my weight on the foot pump stops adding any more air!

Have Trailer, will travel....... Just need lump to tow it?? Paul

Nice report Alun and glad you managed to get out in the sunshine... No hope for us mere mortals then, better give it a few weeks.... Paul

Antique Pine dresser - Solid pine, originally came from Dingles in the town, a sturdy bit of furniture. Would suit a large room or kitchen - 21" (d) x 55" (l) x 75" (h). Has been owned for more than 30 years in 3 homes, so its doors and top are showing signs of having been lived in (!)

Hi Alun "On Tuesday.... when you crept out" - did I miss the catch report ??

What a superb choice guys! I'm sure you'll be itching to get it all together and afloat, but I dont envy you all the effort and fitting out. But when its done, you'll have something unique and special. Will she have a diving platform??? or is it only pure fishing.... Paul

Orkneys.... in general....some positives hold their value ? local builder/ dealer very helpful and solves any problem - (BHG in Lymington) Nicely finished off under the bits you dont see, but end up putting hands up at odd times....sign of a cheap boat those that are a bit rough... Light enough to launch with one (520), plenty of room for two Soft ride in moderate sea, as semi displacement. can wash hands over the side, dont know what the problem is with 'low freeboard' its not like its at knee level..or like a whaler or dory! Handy when launching to be able to get in over the side, or to get out and push off a sandbank. Will fit under a std garage door with the cuddy on its trailer...just! some negatives.. like BMW's - standard boat hasnt many extras, and the extras cost the earth (e.g those side rails) Hence buy second hand if you want to get a real bargain. Not Quick in a rough sea, rather slow but sure. loss of performance (speed) when heavily loaded (with loads of fish...) Paul

Dan There are plenty of Conger on the Clan... but you probably know that.. I cant believe the ledge anywhere deep, wouldnt hold a few.. good luck if you get out. Regards Paul