Sinbad

Obviously not at 5800 rpm!!!

Hi Alun well done to you both for braving the saturday lumpiness, I took the boat out for a pre-maiden launch and made a right hash of bringing her in on the finger pontoon with alot of windage and no throttle, hopefully no-one noticed much Today was a different story - maiden voyage with the familly, plus a garage load of gear, two hyper active kids and the rubber boat.... still it was a beautifully sunny day spent pottering about arround Brownsea roads. We anchored up and rowed ashore for the last part of the afternoon, and had the whole island to ourselves, just watching the Peacocks and their displays, in the late warm sunshine. Then it was back to the marina, opened up the throttle for the first time on flat water, and I was very impressed when she topped out at 27knts and 5800 rpm WOT.....Who saids Orkneys are sluggish!! Next time out with full fishing gear, I promise... Paul

Fred Those trim tabs on the back look a bit on the high side dont they ?? Paul

Thanks for all your comments, I'll be on a bit of a learning curve...until the shake down cruise ....first find out what I've bought and what I didnt, as Sunday wasnt the time to pull all the chain out on the deck and have a good look etc... As usual, I've got a 'shopping list' like anyone - but I'm detemined to at least use the thing, before trying to improve it.!!! Roll on the better weather!!! Paul F

And hopefully this, soon .....

I'm a happy chappy (again!) At long last, I've aquired my new boat (new to me). After a lovely sunny day Saturday, I spent most of Sunday in the rain helping to offload 'imagine' from its trailer and bed it down in the marina at PYC. Its a cracking little Orkney - pretty much sorted, and ready to go as she was used for fishing by the previous owners. I've just got to spend some time making it familly friendly, which I shall do no doubt after the first familly trip out !! I've not been getting at all excited, apart from not sleeping at night, for two weeks - but I put this down to the flu.... and have kept 'radio silence' as I didnt want to tempt fate if it all came to nothing. Anyway, I still cant believe it, just have to remember where all my fishing tackle is now, and how to find a few decent marks... Or better still....rely on the crew..... anyone wanna go fishing ?? Paul F

Hi Adam! I'm on the same tack, thinking of a multi purpose use of the pump - ie washing the decks as well as end of run engine flush - so would have the stainless part in the brine, with a means to connect the suction pipe onto a flexible and into a portable drum. using some chemical engineering (plumbing) if you used a pitot tube arrangement that is - the open end of pipe facing the flow, or even the pipe sidewall cut away on the face exposed to the water flow, then this would solve any risk of getting suction at the end of the pipe when whizzing along. Its a bit like the profile of a hypodermic syringe, if thats something more recognisable to most Any suggestions on flowrate and pressure required ? Regards Paul

Here we go again... Two thingies.... On my last boat when fitting the second battery, I opted for a standard car battery to reduce the space requirements, as I figured out that my leisure battery would be better for running my instrument / light load when night fishing, and what I really needed was a second chance to start the engine when/ if the leisure battery was flat or was rendered flat. On the run out I could at least charge both batteries up. Also, I thought that Bobs circuit diagram left the Engine connected to the battery even when the switch was in the off position - reason to avoid potential switch failure preventing you starting the engine. I tend to agree this is the best approach as long as you physically disconnect the terminals for engine maintenance, rather than rely on the switch. I'm also speaking to my tame electrician about doing a line in (pucker) solar panels, as he's currently doing this to Bournemouth and West hants company trucks at the moment to keep infrequently used vehicles available 24hours. If I get some details, I'll post in due course. Paul

Paul Looks very nice and shiny... incidently, just a thought.....have Orkney recommended one of these, as they can be a bit picky about support along the keel area ? Maybe the 520 is a little different to my strikeliner, but I had a local lad build me a trailer for half the price of the equivalent factory unit, and talking to Orkney beforehand, they recommended all the support on the skeg / keel and none on the rollers. having said that, the strikeliner had a stonking 6" deep keel on it, almost to the detriment of trying to turn the thing at low speeds ! I'm sure you will have done your homework also. Have fun! Paul

have you been talking to Marian again ????

Looks like I wasnt alone with a feb birthday - I like to get it out of the way whilst the fishing is so @rap.... Regards to AJ, PJ, Tom, Martin and Kam. I'm brewing an extra special birthday present - but hush hush at the moment... Paul P.s well done to Adam on one post away from 3000 posts - jeeez !!!

Looks at least two mega bites to me..... Cracking Fish, I bet Alun had that filet off before the engine had cooled down.... skippers taxes and all...

Great Result, Paul - our fishing had literally come alive in the last hour before sundown, and what a beautiful sunset it was too... Alun did remark when you first turned up at roughly the spot we'd fished for a few hours earlier in the day, that you'd probably get one... you being a jammy g...t, and how right he was! Many Thanks again Alun.. great days fishing... and I particularly enjoyed the fried bacon in home made bread, I was suprised you had the time to do all that in between conger hauling!! Thanks to Paul D for the tip regarding the last of the ebb - it did produce more of the whiting than the whole day had. As we peered into the fog with visibility down to 30feet or so, just past the needles light, we motored through a 'curtain' of fog and out the other side into the sunshine. All this fog was land based, and tumbling off the cliff like a mini snow drift. Pic attached... Paul F

Tom Nice taster! - so where is the battery(s) ! I'll be doing 35 knots, inland waterway, topper open meeting, wheeeee!

Tom Its confirmed sadly, I can't do the boat test on the Saturday, much as I would have liked... So please offer my place to any others who could do it justice. As a consolation, I dont mind giving you my dry land comments, being that they are liable to being a tad superficial! Off to work tomorrow, to earn you a deposit... Regards Paul

Tom many thanks for hosting the dry run today ! It was great to be able to rummage over the two boats literally from stem to stern without any time pressure - and you looked after us (Terry and I) very well, and I think answered all my questions. I've got a problem with the planned date, as I'm meant to be doing rescue RIB duty at the local club, even though I'd rather be checking out the 585. if I can change it I will. I think you ought to offer up the chance for any PBSBAC member to play 'hunt the battery' as the new monthly competition Once again thanks for all the time you gave us, and fingers crossed for more settled weather next weekend. Paul

Sounds like you'll enjoy your fishing alot more after you have have done a few 100 hours on the water post qualification. As you know it takes more than these basic training sessions to make a skipper, feel confident in all types of seas and take responsibility for you and your friends aboard. I learnt by my own mistakes and near misses, got myself into a few scrapes, but the damage I could do to my wallet was restricted. With an investment like 25k you may be tempted to go further than you feel comfortable and ready for, and end up in difficulty which will put you off ever going out again. this would be a real pity, since all advice given here on these pages is given for free, in good faith, and meant to be helpful. Cheers Paul

Tom I shouldn't worry about anything thats said - most of the boat reviews are a tad superficial at best, or am I being too cynical. After all, your average bloke buying the mag, just likes looking at the pictures . All we need are a few blonds lined up for the camera shots... BTW I've just asked Marian if she fancied a boat trip, I dont know whether it was me telling her to wear a short skirt or all the tiles on our roof about to go into orbit that put her off. was worth a try... See you Friday Paul

Tom You have a PM - hope the weather isnt as forecast at the mo on tuesday, also I've got to be at Heathrow in the afternoon... when will you know ? Paul

Alun, On hands and knees, painting the floor of the car - enjoy your bumpy ride if you go! might see you Friday ! PF

Tom If you are delivering it to Poole - can I come for a ride? You have my number Only - dont call out the RNLI this time.... Paul

Terry Good luck on viewing the 585, has anyone spotted one yet ? Paul

Hi all Going back to some earlier comments - I find its rarely that cold that you cant manage with thermal layers, fleese and breathables, They win hands down on comfort, but at a price. you mentioned you wanted to know what the best was, so maybe price is not so important. when the water is in single figures, I convinced myself I needed a float suit last season, in case I went overboard, unlikely as it might be, it was a risk I couldnt afford to take, to be in the water. However, I agree that they dont feel very comfortable, and certainly the extra bulk makes you a bit clumsy moving about. I made a mistake of buying too large a size, thinking that you need a number of layers underneath it - wrong! I went for the 2 pc Imax in the end, as it was good value and is well put together, but I'd echo others points that different manufacturers do vary in size, and I think the Imax would fit the shorter 'stouter' profile better than the lanky beenpole (no offence intended to either types !) Paul

Nice report Mike I could only dream of being out there, whilst being indoors, fixing a telephone extension, and looking at all that bright sun and calm water. Hope Gordon showed you the merits of 30lb class tackle. Perhaps you can run to a warrior 165 as a tender! Paul

RE VHF when transmitting on a fixed set, it switches to 25W and receives on 1W, so fixed set wins every time. Handheld transmits on lower power 5W. (allegedly) - waiting to be corrected by the eagle eyed posters ! alot of mounts have a 180 degree tilt, for folding down when towing, or you could use a 12ft whip aerial and permanent mount if you had no cuddy- just screw it on when you need it. Some handlhelds also allow an external antenna - all depends what distance you intend to go. In a 520, I doubt whether you would be going more than 15m offshore. Paul