domino

Well, I didn't manage to get out fishing at the weekend, but at least I did something useful!! The new windows, finished in all their glory........... (this may not seem very exciting to those of you who already have transparent windows... but to someone who, for the last couple of years, has put up with windows that were only marginally more 'see through' than WOOD, this is quite an occasion!!! )

Adam, New nuts & bolts - Black number plate bolts (M6 x 20mm appx, cut off the excess when fitted)... some of the existing ones broke while trying to undo them. Re-used the caps. Silicone - Black, Low Modulus Acetone Silicone Sealant Cheers, Alan

Hi Adam, Not too difficult really... I've just fitted the other side window, it went at be easier than the first. I'll probably be quite good at it by the time I've finished the other three. The hardest thing, for me, was the rough cutting out... I've got a *$@$#*@ useless, *$@$#*@ Black & Decker jigsaw which keeps spitting the blade out. But that done, it cuts fine with a flush cutting bit in a router. Cheers, Alan PS. Oh bye the way, I just had to fit the new name......

I've finally made a start on replacing Domino's windows. A sheet of 5mm clear polycarbonate came into my possesion, at a good price! .... so it had to be done. Quite happy with first one... lessons were learned and the rest will be perfect. Pic below shows quite a good comparison of the before and after... there will be no more having to stand up to drive and getting cold and wet! When I've finished I'll put a write up on THE WEBSITE, with more detail of those 'lessons learned'! Cheers, Alan

Currently, it looks like Monday would be a good day... when we're all back at work!! Looks like it will be window replacement this weekend then... so long as it's not raining too much.

I feel the need to get Domino wet... my usual crew is not available this weekend... so does anyone fancy a trip out on Sat or Sun (16/17th). I quite fancy Weymouth for Bass and perhaps a few drifts for Turbot/Brill... however Poole or Christchurch would be fine also. Cheers, Alan

In view of the recent suggestion of a match against the Burnham Club, this website may be of interest to some - Bristol Channel Angling.

I decided it was time to do something about the tatty name lettering on Domino... so for anyone who may be thinking of doing the same... I've put a few words and pics on MY WEBSITE. Cheers, Alan

Rich, Yes, the lat & long lines on paper charts are drawn to True North, as on land based maps. At several places on a paper chart there is circle printed, marked in degrees (0-360), which you would use in conjunction with a parallel rule, or Portland Plotter, to plot your course... from the centre of the circle is an arrow showing the correction which needs to made when transferring the course to a compass. The one I'm looking at shows 4 deg 45' W (1988), decreasing 7' E annually. All chart plotters / GPSs that I've come into contact with have the ability to set them up to display bearings / courses relative to True or Mag North... and if you select Mag North then you have to enter the correction proper to your location. In reality with a chart plotter it is not really an issue, as you point the cursor to where you want to go and then follow the track as drawn by the plotter... whether the plotter shows True or Mag is neither here nor there. It only becomes an issue if the plotter goes wrong and you need to navigate home using a paper chart and compass!!! Much more important is to make sure that your plotter / GPS is set to the same Chart Datum as your paper charts, if you are transferring marks / waypoints from one to the other. For many years (well since 1936 I guess) UK charts were drawn to the OSGB36 Datum (Ordnance Survey Great Britain, 1936) and all plotters / GPSs sold in this country will have the option for using this datum. The default for Plotters is WGS84 (World Geodetic Survey, 1984) and I believe newer UK charts are also using this. I believe the difference between the two is in the region of 175m... although I am happy to be corrected on that, if anyone knows better? Hope this helps. Cheers, Alan

Give the man a coco nut Spot on Adam Mad Mike Oh... you've not heard then... No, I've already said too much... There's sinister Is it Bach? Mad Mke Not so much missing... as being moved!!! Attached map found at http://www.eec.com/proposedboundarychanges.html.

Give the man a coco nut Spot on Adam Mad Mike Oh... you've not heard then... No, I've already said too much...

Hi Adam, We launched at Baiter... motored across to Parkstone Yatch Club and met Charlie, who gave us a few pointers (Thanks again Charlie). We caught the blondes on a bank in the area just to the SE of the spoil ground. Yes, it was a nice day... a bit of westerly breeze in the morning making things a bit choppy until the end of the ebb, then as the flood started it flattened out a bit. Cheers, Alan

Here's one of two blondes we caught yesterday, a nice 13 lb'er... we didn't bother photographing the one I caught - I don't have 'macro' facility on my camera!! The rest of the catch was several Dogfish and a Red Gurnard (tonight's tea )

Looks fine to me!!

So... our paths cross again Mr Marley!!! I'm pretty new to the club myself... but they seem like a decent bunch. See you in Poole bay some time. Cheers, Alan

OK... thanks Charlie, I'll take you up on your offer. Did you mean to ring you prior to, or on Thursday morning? Cheers, Alan

Hmmmm... fishing for??????? You mean you don't just dangle a worm over the side and wait and see what comes along?? Sorry... must not be flippant! Firstly, there's been a change of plan.... we will now be coming on Thursday. I think we will opt for Poole... I know where Baiter Slip is and what to expect! It's a small tide, will Baiter be OK? As for species, I'm open to suggestions... I'm relying on your collective local knowledge to point us in the right direction. Thanks, Alan

After cancelling yesterday's trail-away and having a charter trip blown-off today... I need to get the boat wet... and try out the new chart plotter!!! (It's not much fun sat on my driveway - nothing moves). I've got a day off Friday, so me and my (now retired) mate are planning to come down your way. We'd be glad of any advice / marks / company... either Christchurch or Poole - I'm easy! Fairly small tide... HW 7:22am (Poole Entrance). Cheers, Alan

I have just one thing to add... Whatever weight of anchor or length of chain you decide to use - if you are going to use an Alderney Ring to lift it from the sea bed... just make sure the chain is heavier than the anchor. Also some form of split link is better, than a shackle, to attach the chain to the warp... it's amazing how easy the Alderney Ring snags on the shackle pin... and while you're hauling the warp, the bouy keeps coming towards you - but the anchor is on the way to bottom again! We've all been there, I'm sure? Cheers, Alan

Good big tides on the weekend of 16/17th Oct... be as good a time as any.

Duncan, If you want to get a feel for what Chart Plotters have to offer, Lowrance have downloadable simulators for most of their products - HERE. Remember the London Boat show is on the horizon and there are deals to be had... I have just bought a Garmin 182c colour plotter, at the So'ton Boat Show (from MES Ltd, Bristol), complete with Chart cartridge, for just a few pounds more than the cheapest internet price for the plotter alone. Cheers, Alan

Current info (released yesterday) on the progress of EGNOS, on the European Space Agency website.

SW 6 for Sunday... according to Weather Online. Not up for a bit more surfing this weekend then Adam?

Rich, I'm sure that you're right, that there are more secure systems than off the shelf wheel clamps... However, if your insurance states that while the boat is stored on the trailer it must be secired by a "wheel clamp", what can you do? Obviously the objective is not to have it stolen... if it's not stolen then there is no claim and the insurance company are none the wiser! I suppose Kam is now lucky in that he can secure his boat by any means he likes... and if it does go missing - just lay the bent clamp where the boat once stood, take a picture and assure the insurance company that it was fitted before the boat dissapeared! I use a wheel clamp and hitch-lock... the wheel clamp was one of the cheaper ones but it is very sturdy, covers all the wheel nuts and has no padlock shackle that could easily be cut - downside is it's a bitch to put on! Alan

Yes... I'll be there, I'll check that my mate, Dereck, is still coming. If, for any reason, he's changed his mind... then I would have space for 1.