Adam F

Steve, What are the trim and handling issues? Adam

Kam - that is not true. Might is right, is a fair assumption, but according to the law of the sea, the size of the ship doesnt have a bearing - only last year did Duncan hold his course to the Condor - sure Pheaton is a large vessel in our terms, but they dont come much bigger and faster than the Condor! - The Condor realised Duncan was stand on and altered course. The RNLI training site also does not mention size.

Just seen Simon's link! - Much easier. This was just the way CC explained it to me last month.

Hopefully this may explain it better. If I have it wrong Im sure one of the others with correct me!

OK.... As I understand it - If you imagine sitting in the wheelhouse. Looking straight ahead, divide the boat into 4 segments, or quarters. The first starting at the bow roller and finishing on the s/brd beam, the second from the s/brd beam to the mid of the stern, the third from the mid stern to the mid of the port side beam and the forth and final from the mid of the port beam to the bow roller again. Basically, when underway, any boat approaching you from the last (4th) quarter means you have right of way - you are the STAND ON VESSEL (and visa, versa - if you are approaching another vessel in this position). Anything other than this, means you do not have right of way. You are then either subject to another stand on vessel or you need to pass - port to port if you can. Of course this time of year means that their are lots of boats on the water and it is not a very commonly known rule to weekend boaters - therfore I would advise that if in doubt, slow down and / or be the first to move and change course. Adam

Only have I now had enough time to post this!...my report for the 48 hr / weekend: Friday: Took the day off work and started about lunchtime, slipping BW into the Stour at Wick on a sunny warm afternoon. We were eager to get out to the ledge where Jimbo had been hauling bream all morning. Settled alongisde DR, bream were quick to come - to my rods anyway - poor bob's remained motionless All good fish with the best at 3lb 4oz At 4pm we decided to stock up on bait for the nigh ahead, but after feathering for 2 hours into the start of the comp, we had just 3 baits! Back on the bream mark we took another few, but it had slowed up a little. We then moved to the evening mark for a few eels. The macky also came on the feed at dusk and we took 20 odd at anchor in a matter of minutes. The first conger take took about 30 mins and was a reasonable fish t-barred off, and estimated about 30lb. I then proceeded to loose another 2 fish, before hooking a lump at about 11pm -- this beast broke me net in the process, but went 42lb on the scales - just over the 100% mark it was then speedlily home and in bed for 2am before.... Sat:....getting up at 5am and driving to baiter to head out west for some tope. A lovely cruise around with a following tide make it easy in my sleep deprived state. Macky were again scarce, and with the slack rapidly approaching we decided to whack the hook in and use last night's bait. It all looked perfect for a big tope, but they failed to oblige. I managed a 12.5lb undulate and bob had a 35lb conger. we tried Dancing ledge but that we dead and then offshore again for another crack at the tope - 5 dropped runs was all... Sun A proper night's kip and a late start (?) at 7am saw Bw off Christchurch with my brother and Rach as crew for a change. The bream were in a feeding mood and we enjoyed a fabulous day on oily seas catching hard fighting bream - the best - a new PB to me was a stonking female of 4lb 2oz! Off to the mariner in the eve for a few cold ciders and the presentation - phew! A long weeekend. Mon Back at work today ....but an early finish and off the ledge again with a mate and my old fella to repeat yesterday's haul......no such luck!! Begining to feel like a charter skipper having been out the last 3 days on the bounce, I even came out with the old classic - ' you should have been here yesterday!' We had a good mixed bag, including goldsinny wrasse and the first bass of the year. Thats it for 4 days - roll on the weekend and dampen down the wind! Adam

No Jimbo - unusally for a change - I have too as well! Gutted to have such a busy week when the weather is this good - multiple catches of cod, double figure bass and trips to Alderney all missed!!

Trev, Ill have a few of the big blocks for the sharkies in August! 2 or 3 should do it. Let me know how much and when and Il pop over for them. PS> saw you from the mariner club on Sunday coming back in - how did the first run out go? Adam

When he approached I was the stand on - the picture shows me having moved. But as Simon says - might is right. The crew could even be clearly seen on the bridge and the boat was empty of containers... On the way back Mon eve travelling at 20 knots + back into Christchurch I saw 2 marine personell carriers heading east across the ledge from Poole...the two crew commented that they we on a collision course - they were much bigger (40'+) and doing a similar speed - I calmly (??) commented that I was the stand on vessel and that they would move - the crew didnt seem convinced, but sure enough when the second vessel was sure it was too close he altered course by 20 odd degs. this was my first experinace of holding a course having only learnt the rules from CC on our Alderney trip and it was good to see them observed for once.

Sorry Crazy - would have loved too but work a little hectic. Could maybe do next week or even better the weekend of 17/18th? Adam

Nice one Al. The conditions were A1. We were in two minds whether to have a look offshore or not. Fingers crossed next weekend will be OK - we'll give it a bash then. Good to see a few summer cod around!

Me too Just now leaving for the slipway for the start at 5pm. If anyone wants to log in for the comp and / or report a catch to me or Bob it would be better if you could phone it through on: Adam Franklin - 07957 829902 Bob Fuller - 07802 879073 Failing that you can email, but it will be late Sunday before we get them. Finally if all else fails call another of the committe to pass it on. Good luck everyone! Adam

You would be suprised Kam - I have had many rays of the ledge on horendously rocky ground - 3 years ago in the May bream comp I had a small eye equaling the club record on bream gear!

Les, Thats fine. Have a good weekend and see you Sunday. That brings to tally to 15 anglers. We had 35 last year and we have 20% extra members this year! Come on you lot - with weather like they have forecast this weekend we were expecting (and have food for!) over 50! Adam

My guess goes to a ray or maybe a bull huss. I have had both fairly frequently whilst breaming on the ledge. We will never know kam!

Superb report Kam - nice one. Sounds like a fantastic place. Where's the next destination?

So far I have the following names: Adam Franklin Bob Fuller Mark Bessant Rich Swain James Parker Martin Burt Dean Burt Duncan Mackie Dave Rowell Gordon Holt Paul Jennings Paul Dore Crazy Fred Please post here or let bob or I know if you are fishing and not on the list. The weather is still looking A1 - so get out there!

PJ, Hard to tell without seeing it....it sounds like the spacer is not on or working correctly, obviously the prop is grabbing the nut when it rotated and it's thread is acting with a cutting action. I would take it back to PR next week....in the meantime their is a spare prop same as yours here if you want to borrow it. Adam

What are peeps thinking of doing for next weekend then? Forecast is for light northerlies and sun! I'm thinking 1.) All nigher somewhere 2.) Ripps? Where are the others thinking of?

As Charlie has said - this post has been hijacked already!!!! Bob and I havent yet had anyone book in for next weekend - remember if you arnt booked in, we dont know you are fishing! Post here or call us: Adam Franklin - 07957 829902 Bob Fuller - 07802 879073 Cheers Adam PS: The weather is looking A1 at the moment!!!

Happy Birthday matey. All the best and have a great day. Cheers Adam

Due to my father's 50th birthday celebrations, it is unlikey Rach and I wil be attending. Really sorry guys - I would have loved to have come as we both enjoyed it so much last year, but this obviously takes priority. Have a great time and Ill make sure Im their for the next one. Adam

Yes it is - a problem I feel?

Mark - we saw you. Wasnt too sure if it was you or not, couldnt see the boat name. Will come over next time!

Spot on Martin. Weather isnt looking fantastic - Ill be guided by Peter and Charlie whether we fish or not. Bream will be the target for the Burnham guys.