Adam F

Blimey!....you can tell you you havent been out in a while, what a heated debate this one is!! For what its worth, I have never bothered with loops at any end - instead I just have plain ended rope to serve a multitude of purposes - my favorite fixing? a couple of 'figures of eight' with a half hitch on the top - had served me fine. KISS basically.....

Long range forecast not looking too bright for Sunday - as usual this time of year... 18-22 knots SE at present according to Windguru.

Currently the perspex windows on BW are sat on a bed of sikaflex and bolted about every 6" with cheese head nylon machine screws and bolts. When I replace them I obviously have the oppertunity to improve on this set up if I can - my line of thinking is to make it a little more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing. Thinking along the lines of 1.) Just sikaflex (maybe not enough?) or 2.) Sikaflex AND bolts, but moving to countersunk heads to smooth the lines. SO... Is it ok to use countersunk heads with polycarbonate, I have heard rumours that they can cause stress cracks. I was thinking of over sizing the holes and not nipping them up too tightly?? If so where can I find black M6 20mm countersunk nylon machine screws? Thanks Adam

Reversing is apparently not a problem with them as far as I can tell. Steve - new boat, pray do tell....a Pro Angler is it? Yes, they will clutter the transom, but I already have 2 transducers, a fixed step and a 500 GPH livebait pump on there and they cause no problems, so what the hell - anyway if they help the boats performance its something I can live with. I haven't bought them to stop porpoising - I don't suffer this. The 60 4/ I have struggles with 3 up or when the live tank is full to hit the hole shot quickly - OK with 2, but no 3....so I want it to help this, also the help with a slight list I get from having bigger crew than my slight 12 stone .... They arrive tomorrow, so will be fitted Weds. Adam

The BFM article - whack the fish in the barrel, cover in salt and leave in the liquor. Trev, I have a pair of pots on order for the summer and would love to try a bit of bait. Im also considering how easy a basic home made pot would be - the ones on order are

Tragic. As a few have said - not really the kit to be wearing when offshore at night in a F7-8, no life jacket either, just a horseshoe ring. Having spent 20 Min's in the sea at Horsea a few weeks ago clothed in 18mm of wetsuit - I can testify to just how cold it can be - beyond belief, and that is in sheltered water. Easy with benefit of hindsight though as many of us know. Adam

Rich, He isnt a long liner - just a netsman. Long lining is illegal I think....

My tell tale jet is the same power when using a hose as to when sucking it from the water - pretty powerful, would jet about 6'.

The bank is about a mile long and 1/2 mile deep, as Tom says it is marked by two cardinal buoys at the West and East ends. When the tide is running the overfalls aorund the edges show the bank wonderfuly. If you are still struggling for the numbers Ill have a look, but it really is easy to find.

Bought them here in the end: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/STREAMLINED-PROPELLER-REPAIRS Seller in the states is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Smart-T...sspagenameZWDVW I have bough plenty from the states before and never had much of an issue with import. Once I was charged full whack , but the Ebay seller credited me back - the majoirty of the time they just pass straight through. I have heard about the odd item being destroyed in transit. Pay on your Visa through Paypal and stay in contact with the seller and youll be fine.

I actually found a guy in Aldershot who sells them - he was a little dearer than the seler in the states, but I get them next day and dont have the haste of an over seas purchase.

Mike, they are independant units; http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabs.htm S/S tabs with Nitrogen actuators @ 60lb... No need for tabs?

Question: Will I need Zinc annodes on the tabs? Obviously I am trailering her, but the short time she spends in the water, will this effect the tabs? If so how big, where from and where do I mount them? Paul: I should think that with the new Etec you wouldnt need them? I have bought them to improve lift when using the live bait tank or when I'm 4 up...will let you know though - hope to have them fitted by next Sun for the Shambles. Adam

Keel band Finally got round to fitting it this afternoon with the help of Gordon. 50 x 4mm nylon length was kindly donated by Wedger. This was offered up to the keel, tacked in place and marked at the taper with a black marker pen. It was then clamped to a sheet of MDF and trimmed with a jigsaw to the correct size. We then offered it up, marked the 2 screw holes and fabricated a few 'dead men' to hold her in position nice and snug. Cleaned her up and then applied the Sikaflex - youre all right - it is a horrible messy product, fantastic at doing its job though! We then offered it into position, put in the 2 screws, wedged it tight and ran a bead of Sikaflex down each side for a seamed water tight transition between keel and nylon. Job done! Trim Tabs Having now decided not to change BW this year, I have decided to spend a few quid on her instead. Intregued by this months BFM article on the Nauticus Smart Tabs on the 165 I have done a bit of web research and ordered a set. One of the reasons I was thinking of changing the boat was a little more speed, more stability and a quicker hole shot - the tabs are reported to address all these issues. I couldnt find anyone on Google who sold them, but plenty in the states - including a guy who offers free P&P! They are on order and I will report on how they go. New Windows Lexan Margard due to be delivered this week, and fitting to begin ASAP - cant wait to be able to see again! Bargin price too - offcuts from Ebay - very helpful seller also.

Al, James and I saw him last year about this time of year and had a good chat to him re. where, when etc... We tried, and tried - but no success, I guess some fish just wont be caught on rod and line... At least we know they are arund though.

Just a note to thank all involved for the organisation that went into the dinner dance last night at Parkstone Yacht Club. A superb turnout made the evening IMO, and eveything went smoothly. The only negative being the terrible meal that Rach and I had - venison that had been way, way over cooked - tasted like catfood and couldnt cut it with a knife but speaking with others this seemed an exception to the norm? Well done everyone - just need to try harder for a few trophies this year!! Adam & Rach

Ah ha!!! It is on Ebay belive it or not - just wack in Polycarbonate and youll see it - there is only 2 or 3 items - they are all off cuts - just dont beat me to it!

If you drive slowly, just pull it to within 20' of the top, tie it off and then slowly steam away - 5 knots max though Id say - and watch out for pot buoys and lines.... Sash weights, old iron dumbell weights, a bruce anchor untripped, a roll of roofing lead....all suggestions for dragging. We will be trying a drouge this year as an alternative.

The bit on Richard Seagars Bass made me laugh out loud! A cracking brace I must say, and not credit must be taken away - truely a catch of a life time.....it was the end section that made me chuckle.... 'Richard is aiding the fish scientists who are carryinh out a tagging program to find out more about bass' ....really, a real help I must say!.....I presume because he is holding two fish that one was in the fish box while the other was landed - also they do not look too lively! - maybe he is aiding the reserchers by returning any tags, but he certianly aint tagging and releasing - a bit sad really considering the size of these two beauties.... Adam

Found a bargin source of window material - Lexan Margard - 200 times stronger than glass and Margard coated - so doesnt scratch - usually

Its all part of the fun Al - brekkie in the morning, followed by fishing, followed by a beer on the way home. Us trailer boys have all the fun!

Al, You bet Im interested!! Can you PM me the details. I live in Verwood so only round the corner for me! Ta Adam

Thanks Dave - Rockbourne is only 5 mins from where I live and I have fished it many times. I like it - 6 lakes, all different. Fish go into good sizes regularly and are not too fatty - they alos have a lovel orange flesh, not pale like alot of stocked fish. Adam

Al, You need to get in touch with the council for a mooring in Xchurch unless you go for one of the few boat yards up the river. Someone will post a link / number for Christchurch council Im sure. Re. Poole - very expensive and / or a HUGE waiting list sums it up. The nearer the entrance the steeper the price increase. Although accesability is alot better at all states of tide at Poole, I personally like the varied potential out of Xchurch - IOW one way, Poole & the west the other. Adam

Hi Alan, I wondered when you chaps were going to join the forum / club? You may remember me from the days when I worked in Bournemouth Fishing Lodge as a nipper? Was chatting to another fat bloke (Rich @ Ringwood Tackle) last week and he mentioned that you two had bought Fraisers boat. Im sure we will meet shortly - I fish all most exclusivly from Xchurch - Blue hulled Warrior 165. Cheers Adam