Adam F

After the events of last weekend, BW needed some patching up on her belly. Fortunatly it was only sknin deep, and a trip over to see Peter R Snr, very kindly saw me kitted up with all the bits I need to repair her. While I was under there looking at what needed doing I had the stupid idea that it would be nice to strip away all of the old anti-foul, and re-polish or antifoul her again...... I bought some gel antifoul remover for

Yep, I think we will now officially postpone the Weymouth trip. Can we re-schedule for a few weekends time? The Bass should still be around - last year it was mid december before they dissaspeared! Personally I dont think that anywhere will be suitable for any decent fishing this weekend. Yesterday or today was your best bet. Adam

James and I went out for a few hours last night - and ended up with a right haul!! 4 different species in total, and about 300......prawns! We had a mullet, gobies, blennies and prawns. Just cooked my batch up, and just finished shelling them...Thai Green Prawn Curry for dinner tonight!! Mmmmmmm!

Duncan, If you have a serach around on the net - you will be able to find a downloadable instruction booklet for your handheld GPS - I have done twice in the past, this will make understanding how to use it easy. I cant really add anything to the above. I used to run with just a handheld, then I got fed up with the battery issue and trying to hold / support the unit and steer, and when in a rough sea a small 1x2" screen is hard to see! Then I went to a Garmin 128 GPS - Fixed, this was a lot better and enables me to do pret much everything I wanted expect navitage in the fog, dark etc.. I also put off buying a plotter as I couldnt see the use in them - until I tried one out on a mates boat, then I was hooked. Nowadays I couldnt do without it. If you want you are welcome to have a trip out with me and play with a few of the toys? Adam

Forecast for Portland Sat is 4-6 SSW - so Sunday is looking unlikey, but well keep fingers crossed. Anyone have any suggestions for an alternative trip? Adam

Sounds good - speak to you 2moro. Adam

So will you if they decide to have a fag before they leave!!!!

Can you pick me up a set next time your at work? Ill ring and confirm the expory and the price, but

I have the RNLI doing a home visit Sea Check tomorrow. The obly item I can think I still need is a proper set of flares. I know it has been posted before, but Inshore or Coastal, and where is the cheapest place to go? Adam

Oopss! Didnt read it proper! - Scrap that then, what I really meant was, when we come down to Devon..!

Cracking report eddie - many thanks. Your views seem to echo that of the majority of the Explorer owners that have posted here or we have spoken to. We occasionaly venture down towards your way once or twice a year - and have been thinking about fishing the Nab Tower area on a club trail-away for a while - maybe you would like to join us if and when we do come on down? Also interesting to note that you have taken your boat 26 offshore. A few of the smaller club boats have benn deliberating this for a while, and so far due to weather and other commitments have dont done so. Adam

same as before - meet at 7-7.30am Deepsea.co.uk reports good catches of bass still with the average size now in the 4-7lb bracket and doubles not uncommon. Hopefully will give you lot a chance to try my new recipie!!

A new boat for Newboy! - Sweet Honey.

Ready for the off!

Kam, it was no problem - I was glad to help, I know how hard it was for me when I first started and any help or advice is welcomed. You seemed to handle the boat very well towards the end of the day, a few more hours under your belt and youll have no problem! A few piccies from this morning. Kam PM me your email address and Ill send them over to you.

Just been reading a few other forums, and it seems the cod are starting to make an apperance already!! Chesil is throwing up a few fish, as is the East towards the Needles with whiting also showing....pack away your feathers and bring out the squid!

I agree, Alison Jane is a lovely example of a Seaworker. The new boat wouldnt be Steve's boat would it?.....I noticed today that it was no-longer on the moorings it used to hold? If so, what a lovely home for it.

Just an update to the next planned trail-away to Weymouth this Sunday coming, weather dependant. Long range forecast is for 2-4 SW, so not too bad, we shall have to see how it pans out. Anyone, who either cant make it, or wants to add their name to the list?

Is Tom getting a new boat then Martin?

Cod Bass Undulates innit???!!!

Guys - thank you for the advice, and offer of assistance - it is all very much appreciated, and as Martin says - one of the benefits of belonging to such a great club, and also making some very good mates in the process. I have just booked myself in for the VHF course in 3 weeks time - this weekend really bought the need to be competant on the VHF, home to me. The lifejackets were a massive mistake as I have mentioned before. Other than that, inexperiance was the reason for heading towards the beach - we didnt know what to expect, - we bloody do now! As a strange twist of coincidence, I only had one letter delivered this morning as opposed to the usual 10/12 - it was from the RNLI, asking for a

Coddy!!!......see mine, It was fiited by Warrior at the factory, so it must be right - dont go drilling any holes! - Ill PM you in the next day or so with the measurements and a photo. It is on the port side, high up level with the bilge skin fitting on the starboard side. Adam PS - it was a blessing in disguise...during my little 'incident' on Sun, the bracket got wedged against a huge wooden post, stopping the boat from going right over and protecting my new engine! - see they have more than one use!

I couldt agree more Martin - the things you listed were ALL discussed once safely back ashore, and given the chance again, I think we would have all handled it very differently. The combination of the unknown, a new port, a new slipway and very misguiding swell, bottom contours etc, made it very difficult. Once we had committed it was hard to reverse our decision. Many, many lessons were learnt (the hard way) and hopefully it will give all involved some insight into boat handling / skippering in the future.

You are correct - a proper job is what is needed - I would be most grateful for any assistance. Adam

Me - bass, 5lb. James also had a 5lb bass and a smaller sample at 4lb.