Adam F

I think I've found an Ali 4 blader in the size I need, for not too much money. I'm tempted to buy that and see how I get on. If it goes well ill consider flogging it on and upgrading to a new SS one.

Wow - I am confused! My current prop is 14.25x21" Prop Sol advised to go down a size in pitch to 19" and then up in diameter to 15" Ive just spoken to Steel Developments: http://www.steeldevelopments.net/125-300-hp-propellers-approx-13-to-16-diameter-with-4-3-4-gearcase-1/4-blade-stainless-steel-hr4-e-series.html They advised that if I am getting the right revs currently to stick with what I have - and they advised a 14.25x19. Thier prop option is half the price of the one Prop Sol offered too. They will re-pitch the prop for £30 if it is wrong. From what Ive read from trawling the web this morning I'm convinced that 4 blades is the way to go, it's just which one and how much to pay....

Hi martin, The prop you have is what we reckon would work for me - I dont think the fitting is the same though. If it was a Mercruiser prop they do a hub kit - but not for the Powertech props. The Volvo is 19 spline.

About £150-£200 in the US... It's the postage to the Uk which kills it. If you are going that could be an option?

Went to Prop Sol today to order the prop up, but he wasn't confident of the improvement I'd see? He said he was 80% sure but spending £600 on a prop that I couldn't change or return was too much of a risk. Martin, shame yours wouldn't fit my leg as he recommended a 15.25x18 for me.

6 weeks to go!

Doesnt look like this trip is going to happen :-( nice weather window today and tomorrow and then is closes in again for another spell of wet and windy weather. That is also my last free weekend before Alderney :-( as Ive a busy few weeks coming up. Adam

And he was fishing alone? But like Dave says, looks like his floatation suit saved his life.

I'll put a couple back for you Martin!

That is true, get the weather right and were good to go. I've got 1 crew and space for one more.

That's 50l more than I've got an we manage it no problem! The only downside is I can't bring back any cheap extra fuel!

Just over a week till this trip. Any more interest? I'm thinkinf of combining it with a wrecking trip, back into Portland and then Shambles, or the other way round?

I opened her up on Sat to check WOT and whilst all the extra kit we seems to accumulate had dropped the top speed we got when launched she will still touch 30 knots at 3600rpm.... I never, ever use it though - if it's flat and I'm in a rush I might run at 3000rpm which gives just over 20 knots. Most of the time I sit at 2600-2800 and 16-18 knots. If I can improve on the hole shot and get on the plane and cruise more efficeintly it will be worth it. The worst conditions for me are like we had coming back over the channel a few years ago in that 5-6 westerly where I was on and off the plane and throttle around 12-14 knots... it just ate the fuel. I used about 75% more than I would have on a usual channel crossing.

Popped into Prop Sol on Friday - very helpful. It's £480 plus VAT for a 14.25" prop for JV, in S/S - but they reckon it will show a big advtange - esp on the wide gear casing that the SX Ourdrive has. Think I'll get one on order and tested ready for Alderney.

Sorry stuie, space taken.

Use the 5 tonne ones. Better to be on the big side than too small! I always used to use the ones we used on the lorries at work, just be careful not to over ratchet them....t

I have space for 1 on Sat for a shambles trip. Let me know if you fancy it. Adam

Lol!

Paul, I think you miss-understand. Mike is asking if this is a private trip where the fuel cost is split equal or is this a charter trip where the costs cover a skipper and fuel etc? No one expects a free ride!

Thats great Martin. I think for the type of fishing us larger boats do, the holy grail is a more economical cruise. Is there a really noticable difference, not just a slight one? When I think to what we do on JV 80% of the time, it's running around against the tide up and down drifts with alot of gear and anglers onboard, so a quicker hole shot and more economical cruise makes sense. Is your Stainless Steel or is there a Ali option? Did it take much messing around with sizes to get it right? Maybe I'll drop into Prop Sol on the way to work on Fri morning.

You know it's bad luck to not go to the Maris on the first night. Long walk yes, but you need it to build a hunger for a fish soup starter, then a pepper steak and then a guiness or 5!

Anyone running or tried a 4 bladed prop? I read that they can offer an advantage on heavy offshore boats spending a lot of time cruising? Are they worth looking into?

This trip must be loosing it's edge, its March and we only have 2 pages of posts!..... or are we all now sufficiantly aware of the weather constraints to avoid getting out hopes up!?! I'm slowely getting JV up to scratch after a winter of little use and buying new tackle ready for the trip. Cant wait!

I'm going to start making plans around the 22/23rd March. Down on Friday back on Sat - leaves me Sun with the family. Anyone else?

James, The slipway is marginally better than Kimmeridge, and as Paul said at LW you are launching on the shingle / stones. I thinks you can leave your trailer on the beach. Parking is in the CP next door or on the road if you get there early enough. The big benefit is that you are about 15 mins further out that if you launch at the Town Quay, and it's nice and sheltered unlike Kimmeridge, and it's free to use. It's right next to the Aqua Hotel if you look up the postcode for that for the satnav. If not cross the fleet into Portland and take a left at the 2nd roundabout. Don't head up the hill. Adam