Adam F

This was the answer I found: 'Decca Navigator, headquartered in a large residential property at Little Wymondley, Hertfordshire, had several chains deployed through the UK and signal locking between the systems was possible. One chain, the Sterling Chain, provided trans-Atlantic navigation facilities using Slaves situated in Nova Scotia, Canada and Newfoundland, Canada.' A fasinating subject - I wonder which is correct?

Dont write the lazy line off completely. Although I no longer use it, (have easy and safe access to the bow on BW) IF you continue to use the lazy line, and need to cut the warp in an emergancy it is just a case of pulling the slack part of the unused warp which will be in the cockpit thus pulling the boat uptide where you will meet the main anchor warp and can cut it away. Adam

As it seems to be this time of year where little fishing is done and everyone is putting off the jobs that need doing on our boats and spending hours in front of the PC - I thought Id introduce a little Quiz posting...others - feel free to enter a question. Tonights is: 'Where is/was the HQ of Decca Navigator?'

Why? What do they need to be made of? I may be able to help but it depends on exactly what you need. Adam

Dont know much about Decca, but a quick search of the WWW shows up some interesting info. Didnt know that it used Low frequency radio waves to plot a position...anyway to answer your question, No they are not in use any longer. Decca ceased at midnight on the 31st March 2000. Adam

Ill do one...its been a while since my last and Im a little behind on my ' one per month!!' Ill see if I can whack one out by the end of the week. Adam

Kam, The club has over 100 members - not all of the boats are on here...

They both have independant switches which have internal fuses...just didnt log the detail on the diagram...thankf for your concern though. I carry about 20 spare fuses in BW's toolkit, differing sizes. AF

I have 30 amp cable between the batts and terminal. But Gordon and I just added up the total amperage of the electronics on BW and it didnt even come to 10 amps in total!!

Duncan, Started on 8/0 Tuna circles (similar to the one above). Was using a 1/8th of a whole cuttle about the size of a mackeral fillet, so not a massive bait. I was hooking it as you should with circles, just nicking the thin end of the bait and letting the rest hang clear. I had maybe half a dozen takes where I struck, fish on and then nothing. The congers were not bucking the rods over as they sometimes do, but mouthing the baits like dogfish....I suspect that the congers were not getting the whole bait in when I struck - so I changed to 8/0 O'shaunesseys. I hooked more fish this way as I was on pennels and the hooks tend to stand a bit further clear of the bait, also I was 'knitting' the bait on with the normal hooks. BUT, the hookholds wernt brilliant - the hook holds on the circles were perfect everytime. Adam

Personally I have started using No.2 the circle hook. I have bought hundreds of these from UK Hooks in different sizes for all fishing this year. I also dont think you can knock the std size 2 aberdeen - good hooks. But after experiments this year I am 'hooked' (excuse the pun!) on circle hooks. My most recent purchase was some 10/0 tuna circles from Mike at UK Hooks. I used these on Thurs for the eels. While I had less hooked fish on these hooks, the ones I did hook stayed hooked. When I went over to 8/0 o'shaunesseys I hooked far more fish - but lost too many through poor hook holds - draw your own conclusions. PS: Like the hook of the red hooks also. AF

Used to use them for carp fishing all the time, this is when spooky carp will notice the lead - but for sea fishing - I personlly wouldnt waste your money. 100' down - a lead looks just like a stone! On the reverse side - I dont think a colourful lead has any advatanges - the exception being of course when you attached a shiney/coloured pirk to your feathers - this is a great tactic and often picks up a bass or two. Abu do a blue plastic coated lead - only advantage I can see is when fishing with james, so that when his lead whacks your boat it doesnt damage the gel!!

Thanks guys - yep, I was wrong, that is how much switch is connected - just had a look this morning. Im not re-wiring this part as I did this back in the spring when I got the boat - im juts doing the instruments and the console. Paul D - Can we put Bob's battery article on the site as a link? - Its a cracking piece and very helpful. Adam

....what's that? - his bait?!?!

Paul Its already in - and the battery switch requires both inputs. Adam

OK - Thanks for the advice. I have all the bits I need, and have constructed a wiring diagram - this this correct?

I think Martin has a set - speak to him. I would suggest trying a set before you buy them...if they dont work - you havent lost anything. They worked a treat on Tara, but as you say Paul D didnt have the same luck... Adam

Kam, Thats exactly what I mean - well done. What is a terminal bar? What does it look like? and where do I get one? Adam

....thought James phoned you?? I asked him to?

As you know I need to rewire BW. Quck question. I obviously need to connect the battery +ve and -ve to the instruments but not too sure the best/proper way to do it. Before the +ve and -ve went into seperate junction boxes and then the instruments were taken into here to get their power. I could also just wire the + and - to the buzz bar on the switch board, but this would make it very busy and also the connections would be bare. I hope I have explained this clear enough?...any ideas? AF

Was snowed under at work this week, but with James pushing me for a trip and the weather / tides looking good I made the effort and took the day off. The plan was either to head to the Rips or round to the west to fish a wreck for eels. Heading off at 7.45am from Baiter in Dawn Raider, we were blessed with oily calm seas...with both boats cruising at 18 knots we reached the mark in about 45 mins. As James is still electronic-less, we waited for Humphrey to set the anchor and then dropped in alongside. Well, the action was red-hot from the outset!....on Ow Much the boys seems to be getting a fish a cast and many multiple hook ups from the off - but Ill let Dan report on their day. On DW, James and I had just short of 30 eels, and lost the same amount again! Biggest went 45lb to James, but most of the fish were like peas in a pod at 25-30lb. Great fun - arms aching a bit now! We had numerous double hook ups, and at one point all 4 rods with fish on, but only the 2 of us to play them!! Im afraid I didnt get any photos, was too busy - Im sure Dan will post a few! Headed back in at a respectable time, and caught up with QT coming down the swash. A great day out, in Feb when not alot else to do. Many thanks to Humphrey and the boys on Ow Much for letting us tag along. Adam

WOW! A slight I am yet to see....and something I look very much forward to!

Not looking too good for me either...Im in Newcastle on Tues and wont be back until about 10pm - fishing at 6am the next morning will be too much...work load also suggests no. Also BW has all her 'guts' lying everywhere now - Ive stripped the elctronics out and am going to re-wire her....I wont be back in the water now for a month or so...going to finish polishing the hull all ready for the new season. Have a good day if you get out. AF

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F45676/ This one looks like it would suit perfectly...

Prepare the fish, so skin and debone if you wish, then simply place it on a plate in the fridge - but for about a week, 2/3 days is not quite enough - 4/5 days is better and this should cure your ploblem. Adam