Adam F

Yes, they did help - hard to tell when such aweful conditions, but their was a definate effect. I think youre right - they do have a similar effect to the doelfins, but they leave the engine unhindered as the tabs are independant - they also dont detract from the top speed as they dont create drag.

Launched from a very windy baiter at 10.00am this morning - reckon it was gusting F7/8!! We forget to get bait was too busy chatting on the way down, but as it was so windy it was probably for the best. The plan was to try the trim tabs, check the windows for leaks, make sure the new keel band wasnt going to fall off and generally check A.OK for the season ahead. First off the windows are GREAT!! Off the slip into very steep 4/5' waves which almost came over the top, the windows 1.) didnt leak (always a bonus!) and 2.) they clear SO fast - just like glass - its a real pleaure to have crystal clear vision again. Now to the trim tabs. Running over to the back of Brownsea for sheltered water the ride seemed smoother - it was as rough as I have ever been out in Poole harbour but we still managed 14 knots into the teeth of it - yeah it was bumpy, but she didnt slam like usual - basically the tabs were keeping the noise down which meant the pointy bit of the keel was working more efficiantly - usually the bow rises and becomes less effective - top speed was effected though - with 18 knots (usually 24 flat out). We found a lovely sheltered beach off Brownsea and beached her to make ammendments. The two varibles are 1.) Trim tab angle in relation to the hull (20-30 degs) and acctuator pressure adjustment. In hindsight we should have been more scientific and recorded the settings and timings / speed. We tried all extremes - 1.) Tabs low and pressure low 2.) Tabs low and pressure high 3.) Tabs High and pressure low 4.) Tabs high and pressure high. The best setting seemed to be tabs low (30 degs) and pressure low - it was hard to judge but it felt the best - we planned quicker even with Gordon sat on the transom - and top speed was uneffected - the ride was also better and smoother. The most noticable effect though was how much futher I could trim the engine out - christ, it almost felt like it was going to leave the water - this was a big benefit and enabled me to use the engine trim alot more to alter the speed and ride of the boat - the tabs did all the lifting. It needs a little further fine tuning, but I wouls say that it was

Cheers Al - quite helpful. They have been very low (high?) this winter - begs the question - what where you doing at 7.30 this morning - out on the boat??

There is also a link somewhere (Mars?) where you can search for your boat and mmsi and it gives all the details. Someone else will post it as Im in a hurry - but check here - it that draws a blank youll have to contact OFCOM who will arrange for a new one to be set up. Adam

Im out tomorrw in the harbour for a little play - work is v.busy this week though...

Thanks guys - very touching. Ive had a great day thanks - shame about the weather - was looking forward to a trip out tomorrow. Got a fly rod from Rach to add to the collection - just need to christen it now. ....and not one April fools joke - which is a first!

Ive heard that they will use a hatchback, lift the jocky wheel into the open boot and then drive off?? Martin - Corgi regsitered? Can you do a boiler service - been here over 2 years and its never been touched??

...." one sunny afternoon Paul D decides to have a few hours relaxing fishing, so hooks up Neo to the family car, loads the boat and locks the front door. Climbing into the car he slowly begins to pull away before realising that his pride and joy is chained to the main gas pipe into his house....panicking he swerves and the metal trailer clips the gate post sending sparks flying......BOOOOOOOM!!!! Up goes the house... " I take it that you no longer chain it to said pipe, paul??

Im looking at next weekend and the one after - bascially, the trail-away will go ahead as soon as the weather gives us a break! Long range is giving next weekend just as bad...

Not a definate yet chaps, but pretty certian that Sunday will be cancelled yet again - 15-20 knots SW all day.. Monday and Tues look a little better, but with all this wind and from the SW - I bet a pretty decent sea will still be out there? Even worse is that from weds onwards it is getting worse again - the long range is giving rain and wind all over the bank holiday weekend. How depressing.

Sorry that was 2005's - similar, but here is 2006...

No it wasnt it!!! It was your loud homophobic comments shouted across the packed bar - was great to watch though - you two verbally 'dualling' all night! See here for the Alderney info sheet:

Easy!! A Wotsit

Last I heard from him was when I invited him to Alderney again this year - he declined as he was losing intrest in fishing and was selling Domino..... Is he still out there???

Yes Trev - you will launch there fine at HW, as it is then a lovel deep slip. I wouldnt recommend it for a regualar launching venue though for you....are you trailering her then? Adam

Get their early (before 7am) bang the trailer in the trailer park (no charge as how do they know?) and then whack the car in the lan alongside the CP all day for no charge...then just out up with the dozen summer sunday boaters in front of you when you return. Just dont all do it on the day I go - their aint that much room!

The box was about the size of a toaster.

Thanks for the photo Mike. Now a few open questions to the floor re. Cuba The things that put me off slightly having done a little research... - Quite alot of reviews give the rooms as dated, smelly, dirty etc?? - No resturants on the Cayos - only the hotels, food reported as just average in many cases? - Apart from fishing and sun bathing - little else to do? Finally - is it possible to Bonefish the flats without a guide? Cheers

Becks, They work on water pressue, which is created by water mving over the plates - in theory the faster the water moves over the plates the greater the pressue and hence the lifting effect. When surfing a following sea, whilst the boat will be going fast the water under the boat will also, meaning I guess, that the tabs will generally be down - but it all depends on the indiviual situation. I havent tried them yet (too windy) but all the reviews and forums I have readt rave about them - as I am only moderatly powered I'm confident they will help. Adam

Sorry Kam you've completely lost me.... anyway - you would never get a Warrior 165 for

The cheap one on Ebay - same as the ones made by a club member, as you say you can slip it on and off easily. I cant understand anyone paying

12x9" with 60lb were the correct one for the boat and engine. It is also what Warrior fitted in this months BFM. 165's can be heavy old beasts!

We will be trying again this Sunday for a trip to the Shambles - but I must say that things arnt looking good on the long range again - pretty much like today for as long as the forecast can see - fingers crossed for a break. Timings will be as usual - Ill post more here if and when it looks like a goer. Adam

Easy Terry. Assemble takes 10 mins. Bolting to the transom takes 20 mins max. The instructions are spot on. I didnt like the look of the foam sealing strip so used Sikaflex instead - also dont worry if the brackets and mounts arnt symetrical - the units are not 'handed' so they wont match - critical thing is same distance from the chines each side and the 25 deg mounting angle - but a template is supplied. Let me know if you need any advice. I'm out Mon / Tues for a quick test run - will post findings.

Mark, You are correct, however it was put off by the comittee, not because it was a bad idea, but because 1.) The committee are busy enough with the current list of comps, 2.) Not toos ure what the take up would be and 3.) it is likey only to appeal to a small group of anglers. Personally I love fishing in the evening after work - but not comp. fishing - I like a few hour relaxing bassing or congering - comp fishing is hard work - the prep, the constant moving etc. That siad I may fish a couple if someone else organises it. I suggest you monitor the take up on here and then put a series together if you see fit. Adam