Adam F

Well done mate!! Didnt realise that you had 2!! Good fishing. It wasnt easy today (but you guys did look warm in your 'tent') You are right - Lymington is superb - they appreciate the local community and the need for a good public slip and therefore have a wide medium steep slip into deep water at all states of tide and good parking. The fact that the RNLI use the slip to launch the ILB helps of course!! (RNLI funding - at Mudeford they ignored the public and built their own!!) Here's to more high pressure over xmas..

Still looking for new boats....never ending search! Seen this - cheap as chips...BUT - engine is petrol inboard. http://www.boatsandoutboards.com/view/DYL023/ Too dear to run? Too dear to change? Probably, but worth checking.... Ticks quite a few boxes...and a diesel version is almost 30k...

So! The money is on a new toy, but which one....? He's keeping tight lipped, so what's the money on?

Tom, You neednt worry - if we can fit the 4 above plus you and Dave aboard a 585 youve sold it!! See you Friday. Adam

Paul, I have a vernier if you need it - but easier is to take the rod down to the shop.. Adam

Rich, Competely agree. One of the reasons I bought BFM in the past was that it was different to the others - sure it didnt have the high gloss, massive budget feel of SA, but the articles were wrtitten by a range of people, all anglers who had somehting constructive to say... I now feel that the articles are manufactured to fit in with marketing strategies - ' its Dec - lets have a 'how to catch a 20lb cod' article....etc... Jim did a superb job with the mag, but I cant help feeling that since it has been handed over, new owners and editor etc, it has joined the que and followed the others. I havent had a copy for 2 months now and havent missed it. Shame really.

Terry, Have you tried unscrewing the blidge cap? Water can accumulate in here from the wet anchor locker which isnt 100% water tight. Apart from that, I cant think what it could be - the 60hp shouldnt have any issues....

Mikes last piece of advice is well worth remembering, but the addition of a bucket makes this far more effective - even a jacket or towel will enhance the sea anchor effect.

Tom, Read Cascars post again - it doesnt broach in a head sea, its a following sea as he describes second time around. Yes, I found it scary - the first time was on the Shambles, and it ended with the boat sideways sliding down the crest, all three of us in a pile on the floor and hot coffee everywhere!! Far from me being an expert, I feel some kind of a keel and or a lower COG would help. Its a shame, because if they could get one to handle as well as a Warrior, I would buy one - (pilothouses in general) but Im sceptical until proven wrong. Wouldnt mind a trip out in the 585 when she arrives though....

Gordon, You are more than welcome out on BW. Once the weather improves we'll have a crack at the cod / whiting. Hope the engine doesnt work out too bad - I was there 3 years ago and it cost me a new engine As for the 2 vs 4 stroke - I'm still firmly in the 4 stroke camp - although Ill admit to the etec's being impressive. If you looks at the popularity of 2 vs 4, in recent years the 4 wins hands down, quieter and more frugal I think...just to confuse matters. PM me your number and Ill call you re. a trip, although this w/e looks out due to 6 mtr swells!

Mike, Mark B has had plenty of experinace of these. The 580 is what he has at the moment I think (or the 560?) the 630 is a stern drive version of the 640, which Mark has also had. Personally, from the few trips I've had out in them, I like the set up and the way they look, but this is all shadowed by the way they handle the sea - fine in a head sea, but I didnt like a following sea - I feel the COG is too high with the big wheelhouse and outboard. The 630 should be different. I would also look at the Arvors in this size which are exactly the same, but are inboard, with a lower COG. Also have a look at some of the range Tom sells. Just out of interest, why are you upgrading?

Jase, They are all much of a muchness IMO. I have an IMAX, which looks good and is well made, but the cut leaves alot to be desired... it's all out of proportion - but thats on a lanky beanpole like me. Penn do a nice suit. The Sundridge ones are OK, but I feel they try and be too technical with the features. 90% of the year I wear goretex sailing clothes which do a far better job and bung a liejacket over the top to make me float. When it gets really cold for the dozen or so cod trips over the winter out comes the suit. Go down to your local shop and try a few on.

BW's Day: With the success of previous years in which both James and I have figured well, we were both confident and looking forward to the comp. A little thing like a F5/6 NW wasnt going to put us off our Plan A either! The first boat away from the slip - a little keen as we forgot to pick up our cuttle from KAM (DOH!) and warp factor ramming speed across the clam bay and around to Durlston where the sea remain settled - this all changed soon through as we rounded the headland and the big atlantic swell began to roll in. We decided to stop at St Albans and take a view as the sea was v.lively and banged the hook in 200' water. 1st chuck for me and I landed a lovely 3lb 15oz spopped ray - not a ad specimen, but decided to throw back as was so confident of a better fish later in the day. A 7lb thornback next cast followed by a 7/8lb bullhuss and a surprise 7lb smoothhound - all in about 45 mins!! Anyway, we now decided to play the trump card and head offshore to get some big eels. Out at the wreck Fair Lady had already beat us to it and the 15-20' swell and white horses suggested we shouldnt be their!! We anchored bang on to start with and eels came instantly, but as the tide built we swang off and started catching doggies. As the sea was so lively re-achoring safetly wasnt an option, so off to anchor wreck - plan B. James soon banged a 23lb eels onto the deck, but the pout seemed so active....it was also getting rougher so the last hour was spent back in the deep hole where I squeeked another spotted ray and a small eel out before we headed for home at 4pm. An enjoyable day regardless - Many, many thanks to Paul J and the comittee who worked hard not only on the day in the months before hand to create another faultless event - and also the sponsors, a superb prize table even if I didnt get near it!!

Neoprene sweats alot - warm at first but once the sweat cools, they become very cold. As someone who has perminatly cold feet from Nov onwards the only boots I use are Skeetex. About the same price as the hot foots - they look clumpy but are easy to walk in and they have been used by Rannaulph Feinnes to the poles... Top boots.

Of fishing tomorrow.... Forecast looks good - 31c with light winds and clear skys.... Anyone fancy it? Plan is to chuck the fly for a few hours, grab a swift rum...afternoon nap and then throw a few more... Bonefish the target....off to Antigua for 2 weeks fishing and diving!! See you in 2 weeks!

Fred, did you take my blanket off the boat!!

Coddy, I found that the whips fitted to the 165's are about the best you can get for our boats - lightweights and strong - I suspect the reason for it breaking was the top end loading from the flags etc..

Bang it into Google - that should give you the numbers, it's well dived.... Maybe a few small late pollock on the betsy, but both wrecks too close inshore for any serious fishing. Have a good trip.

Paul, Yes do have MSN.... Using Outlook, not express.

My Outlook is broke! For over 4 weeks now Ive not had any mail. When I hit the send / recieve button it appears to process but no mail comes through. I have looked at all of the settings and all 'appear' OK. I am online and connected as I can use Explorer fine. I can also send emails OK and they get delivered. But when I attempt to send an email from my work pc it gets bounced back with an undeliverable message. Help?!!?!

Should be a bolt through the hole.....

Cheers guys - it is actually for Scuba weights - not fishing I managed to source 1kg of black powder coat from the web for

I need/want to coat/cover some lead weights in some kind of plastic or thin rubber coating? Loctite to a product called Colour Guard, but I cant find a weblink to anywhere in the UK that sells it. http://www.loctite.com/int_henkel/loctite_..._colorguard.pdf Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions as to alternatives?

HI Terry - I have also spoken to you on WSF. Welcome to the club's forum. It looks the like guys are keen to do a trail-away, and I'm more than happy to organise one. What time of year would be best? Adam

'YACHT' I wouldnt bother with either if it is mearly a cutting board - it will become kanckered quickly whatever you do - you have MG ply, so dont worry. If you are wanting to be a tart - seal it with oil to further impregnate the ply's and then give several thin coats of yachy varnish - allowing it to dry hard after each coat (or youll end up with a soggy mess!) BW's cutting board is impregnated with oil - from squid and mackeral!!!