Adam F

Mike, I think he spends a lot of time in Scotland. Their Arvor (Andy's) is called Pal-o-Mine. Adam

Onslow, Yes yours is exactly the same as mine. The 60lb actuators are correct, so dont change them - you will be very surprised what difference 20mm movement makes. Adam

...it should be 1 piece! Ill come along for a few hours - I have rods to lend if anyone needs one. Personally I will be opting for a 12' spilced tip float rod with 2lb line and a Youngs Purist 'Pin.... Let me know when and where.

Onslow, 60lb actuators are correct for the 165. I only have a 60hp on mine, and to be fair, I havent noticed a rise in top speed, but it certianly hasnt got any slower, and the boat is now much more useable. Assuming you have fitted them correctly, as per the instructions - you may need to play around with the settings. I found that maximum angle (down) and minimum pressure setting (Actuator closest to the boat) works best for me - gets me planning quicker and at lower speeds and makes the boat more stable. I spent a morning in the harbour with a spanner, a pen and paper and a pair of waders trying all settings and recording planing time and speed and max speed. Let me know if you need further help. Regards

It is just a shame the fish has been publised so much - a great fish and worked hard for by the sounds of it by the skipper. It was the perogative of the anglers and the condition of the fish that lead it to be killed / die, however the coverage in the press has not done it too many favours. Adam

Salters - not Salterns I think youll find....

Local? Let your fingers do the walking, yellow pages. I called a place in Southbourne. or, like I did - try ebay. I emailed a seller who did me a special buy it now for cut to size pieces, I then just trimmed them up. I used 5mm Lexan - this is better then glass, lighter, stronger and scratch resistant - I did all of BW's windows for about

Islander, I have a 3yr old 165 and to be fair the rivets have held out pretty well - I have replaced 3 of them now. If you need a few replacements, just drop line to Warrior they will stick a bag FOC in the post - provided they are washed down after each trip they should be fine.... Adam

After reading the catch reports from the weekend, James and I were keen to get out and quench our bass hunger for a few days. Launching at 5pm in gorgeous conditions we were full of confidence. I had been into Ringwood Tackle in the morning and Rich chuckled when I asked for BIG floats....'like these' he says - 'ive been expecting you!.....' 5 x 3oz catfish floats -

Jimbo - do you remember the storm we fished through in Tara 3 years ago, in the Solent? The rods in the holders and the ariels were buzzing with live charge! Very scary as the thunder clapped right over head! Your advice is correct I think, lower all rods and ariels and turn off electrics that are not needed and if possible shelter under a headland or cliff. I do remember being told that yachts at sea regulary get struck without any damage, do they have lighting conductors and a safe place to earth?

They were like this on Thurs and Fri eve as well - we had them under the boat a few times and they wernt chasing fry - they may however have been chased from underneath by predators - the bass we took on livebaits proved our point. Their were also far too many fish to be chasing fry, they looked more like they were being balled up....

Cheers Charlie, Popped down to Xchurch - Ribs Marine, Mariner dealer - bought 3 -

Will I find these at chandlers, or do I need a proper prop place? It is just such a hastle to drive all the way down to Poole for a poxy little washer! Is there any DIY short term solutions?

Behind the bolt that holds the prop on the spline is a winged washer that bends in against the flats of the nut and locks it in position. The current one has perished and my spares are all used up - where can I get some replacements and what are they called - closer to home (ringwood) the better. Ta Adam

Ill have a few! Just the tickets they is! x4 for me please.

It was more like hard plastic / rubber, hence the reason so hard, and it was about 18" short, so alot of stretching needed - god knows how it came off! 3 blokes, a box of stella (bribes!) a massive ratchet strap, a big tree, some WD40, several big persuaders, a big hammer and lots of sweating and grunting did the job! Got there though!

I had thought about this, and to be fair should have left it attached as it was this morning - BUT, I disconnected it as I couldnt pull it round, hoping that I would get slack. Now Im not sure I will even be able to attach the loose end again.

The rubber D fender has fallen off the front of BW. It is anchored at each side of the engine well on the stern and wraps around the boat covering the join of hull to topside and then comes back to the stern. It is fiited under tension to stop it falling off, but I think too much throttle and a big wave maybe to blame. any roads, it is off and I cant get it back on. As it goes on under tension when I fit it I an about 1' short of the anchor point. Gordon is coming over later to add some muscle to it and we propose to lubricate the strip with washing up liquid - but I am baffled how we will get the tention and fit it at the same time. Anyone had any experiance here, or know any ingenious way of making this bitch of a job very easy....??

Cheers Al - great report Not embaressed at all, in fact went back out on Monday evening armed with carp rods and floats!! It was a great trip, on a lovely boat in good company with a few fish to boot, and as you say it gives a whole new light on sport fishing for bass, they pull OK on 12lb class gear, but this is THE way to catch them and as you say not always the most productive method, but certianly the most fun. Whilst we were having a bit of friendly banter on here about daybreak duels etc, it was only a bit of fun, and I was genuinely intregued about a new method. You loose little (or no gear in my case ) and can still effectivly fish the same mark, plus you can fsh one hell of a lot ligher and enjoy the fight more. ....now searching for some catfish floats!! Once again, many thanks and look forward to doing it again shortly! Adam PS: Really enjoyed the teriakkye bass - see the reciepes section

Kam, You still have the boat then - are you still selling her?

Oh, and when / if you finally do get it apart, apply some candle wax to the joints to prevent further problems....

Surely the heat would cause the joint to expand? Having a derogatory effect?

Charlie, A direct pull with a very slight rotation method is needed. Get a person on each and with a firm direct pull, then get a third person to gently grasp the ferrule / joint and rotate it slightly - this usually works. If you are on your own, sit down, put the rod under your kness to grip and open your legs to pull apart, then use your hands to rotate the blank, both insde your legs and outside - this also works. Hope you can understand my explination?>...

Nice one Mike, seems you managed the best of a poor day weather wise, and some nice fish to boot!

Been having a sort out of my gear today and have decided to clear out some of the tackle I hardly ever use. I therefore have for sale: 1 x 7'8" Penn Formula 10kg Boat Rod This is the one with the gold whippings, gold lined rings and the gold annodised reel seat and butt cap on a metallic black balnk. It has a tippy action with plenty of low down power reserves. I used it for deep water cod and conger. Condition reflects 2 seasons use a few small marks to the varnish. Cost