Adam F

Well done boys! Sounds like you had more luck than we did yesterday both finding the wreck and catching the fish!! Will try to get out midweek weather permitting...

Brian, Yes I have a 1.7 TDI Astra and it copes fine. On the road is no problem, most of the slips around here are also OK, Cobbs is wondeful, but with the 165 even Baiter is pretty easy. The only slips that I struggle with would be Kimmeridge and Weymouth at low tide - then I take the 4x4. Let me know when you have sold your boat. Adam

What kind of rod holders are they Paul? The ones on DR are adjustable through 180 degrees on any plane....

Hi Brian, Nope, youre right...they are almost identical. You will find the finish of the Warrior slightly better and it is slightly more 'refined', but the same hull. My 165 was a 60hp 4 stroke Mariner, which gives me 27 knots max and cruises about 18 - 20 dependant on conditions. I trail her easily with a TDI Astra and she is a 1 man launch. She will carry 4, but 3 is better and 2 gives loads of room when fishing. If you want a test drive, let me know - Im only too happy to help out. Cheers Adam

Q: How should I set me gear up for finding a wreck? I quess that the plotter zoomed in to max and the Sonar to full zoom and max gain? Am I correct and its my numbers letting me down? Adam

James trying to make his new toy into an aeroplane!

BW and DR ready to go!

'Dawn Raider' slips off her trailer...

Well with the forecast looking OK, but not brilliant, we decided to launch from Muddiford for Dawn Raiders maiden launch. The tides suited us today and with F4 the maximum, we made the decision to try some wreck numbers kindly donated to us. Drifting for pollock and anchoring for eels was the plan. The launch went without fuss. DR slipped effortlessly off the trailer. We slipped out of the harbour with DR keeping close to BW as she isnt kitted out with electronics yet. The wrecks were about 8 miles S of xchurch, so not too far, but as James was running in a new engine, it took over an hour at 6-8 knots. On reaching the numbers we started to locate the wreckage.......2 hours later and having tried 4 wrecks we still hadnt located steel! In the end we gave up. We had the plotter in to 20 feet, and the sounder on max gain and zoom, but no wrecks. We tried criss crossing the mark, circling in decreasing circles, drifitng the mark - no cigar. Anyway, we ended up back on Xray, where it seemed devoid of fish. A handfull of dogs and a few small whiting was the only result. James went off to play in his new toy and at 4pm we called it a day. Coming back over the bar was interesting. With 2 hours of water we still had barely 1.5' of water and we both managed to chip our props. I think that may be the last trip for a few months now... Adam

Or,..... Take the butt cap off and slide a piece of glass fibre up the blank and whip it in to create a splice. This is how quiver tips are made. I may be able to help with this as I never throw anything away and may have a piece in the garage. Give me a call and Ill explain. Adam

Unlike others I just 'dump' mine in and out and never have a problem (touch wood!) It goes in the bow anchor hatch as it come out of the water, and gets stored temporary in a big plastic tub on deck during the day. First in last out works for me. AF

Great stuff! Ill certianly have a few bits this time. I would like my boat name putting on the Tshirts if I can? Do I have this done after or can you arrange this Martin? Also, how about prices? Adam

Well doen guys!....I was recovering from a hangover and wishing I was out with you. Want to try a bit of conger bashing and have a go at wreck anchoring in the next few weeks. Adam

Hi gary! About time Adam

I going to have a bash at re-wiring BW in the next few weeks, and want to use all new gear. Can anyone suggest a good source of all the 'bits' im likey to use? AF

Just picked up my new Penn Giller Thriller. Very eager to try it out. I have bought it as I find normal uptiders just too long in a 16' boat. The PGT is 8'6" so a much better length. It is rated at 16lb class so softer than alot of other uptiders, so will double up for other uses also. The finish is pretty good, although not up to the standard of the Formula class rods. The butt especially is aweful and lets the rod down. Chunky, cheap reel seat and too long, no thought has gone into this. I will strip mine down and re-build it using fuji gear. Ill let you know how it performs shortly! AF

Bass anyday!.....Nothing like the slight of a big bar of silver breaking the surface, fight like made and taste heavenly when tried with the 'Orange and Ginger' sauce recipie!!

Hoggy, you have a PM

I too have a stupid amount of tackle - which I am reminded of by Rach on a regular basis!....I even juts bought another rod...a Penn Giller Thriller...just cus' it was cheap! Right, 2 outfits: My 12lb Conlon downtider...the best rod I have ever owned, and I love it to pieces. This would have my Shimano Charter Special 1000 on it. Heavy rod would probably be my Penn Forumla 10k matched with an Okuma Titus Gold. ....by then again, my 30lb and 50lb Abu's come close and the other reels all have a place.....their you go! Thats why we have SOOO much bloody gear!!

youve got it easy! Ypu wait until you have to go to work!///

.....thats why I go fishing. Some people find it hard to understand, but as Paul's post says once youve tried it youre hooked. You just cant beat it!

Good luck to all going out. Were having our engagement party on Sat night, so no fishing this weekend for me,...and up North all next week, so I feel a lean spell coming on! AF

Nice one matey!!....she looks a real cracker, cant wait to get out in her to run the beast in! As Charlie says, great name and a lovel boat. When's the engine going on? Adam

Hi Tony, Lovely new boat! - Cunning plan roping the wife in!... As for learning new marks and tactics - the best ally you have is the club. Get invloved, fish the comps, follow other boats and have some of us crew for you - I for one am more than happy to come and give you a few pointers and you are always welcome to follow me to my marks and fish alongside. Books will tell you rigs, but they cant substitute hands on experiance. Look forward to seeing you throughout the year! Adam (Blue Warrior)

Warrior have been working on this for a while now. I was also there in the summer and Paul said they were aiming for Southampton 04'....then at Southampton he said London 05'....then the other week at Schroders he said Southampton 05'....we will see! It looks like it will be a 175 or 195 hull (175 I think) with a full standing height wheelhouse. Interesting to see the finished model, and how much it costs?? He said the 165 was as near to perfect as possible, so they are now looking at new projects and markets. They are stopping the 150 as it is too alike the 165 also. Back to the original subject: I have looked at the Leeward 18's and liked what I saw. I'm not convinced the ride would be as hard as a normal cathedral hull as the bow is so flared and rises sharply...bit like a Boston Whaler. I spoke to them at Go Fishing NEC last year and they were very helpful - offering to arrange a test drive with a local Leeward owner to me if I wished. On the plus side at 18 foot you can have inboard power and still trail.....best of both worlds? One for sale here: http://www.findafishingboat.co.uk/non_commercial.htm at the moment,(look for 'Gullimot) but outboard powered.