Adam F

Nearly time to start the 21 day forecast countdown on met check! I'll be released not to have the sleepless nights worrying about the weather this year.... But jealous as hell! And I'll have the sleepless nights for a different reason!

Lots of posts about food! Where's all the fishing planning gone? At least you'll eat well!

Wow! Monster! Fish of a lifetime!

It did come from NZ. Ian's out there at the moment, I'll see if I can get him to bring one back

A new addition to JV this year courtesy of Mr Russell...

Were leaving at 7am too - so likely we'll follow you out of the harbour. Forecast is looking sexy!

You going on yours or Ow Much? I'll catch you on Ch6 - good to know at least one other boat will be out.

Tomo, How many is she coded for? Look forward to seeing her in the flesh. Adam

Im taking JV down to Weymouth to fish the Shambles on Friday if anyone fancies buddy boating and tagging along? Leaving Poole 7am

It's all down to budget really. Cat's are an awesome option but the price over a monohull must be +30/40% at least i'd have thought. A cat with outboards would suit Xchurch very well. Do you need berths for sleeping? Another deciding factor?? Another thing to decide is 'commercial' vs factory built. The Cougar Cats / Offshores / Cygnus etc are all hand built and quality will vary hugely - often they have been finished very sparcely with little attention to detail, or asthetics - they are working tools. The Starfishers / Rodmans etc are built to a production standard and you will get factory engineered consistancy...all the same and not flexible to individual needs but a reasonable finish. It's great fun searching though!

It's a tough one Nige - as I'm sure you know by now, and all about compromise. Personally I wouldnt let speed dictate the boat too much - as long as it will maintain a cruise of 16-18 knots in moderate conditions then that's plenty enough - Charlie and the others will support me I'm sure that the days when you can open it up are far and few between... and when you can you often dont as it costs

Thats some impressive figures. Like others I'd be intrested to hear how she runs and what she burns once she's loaded up with kit and anglers in a reasonable sea (ie how we run most of the time) if its half as good as those figures above youve still got a super machine.

Thanks Rob - basic but good to be able to see a few years forward

Speaking to Gerry when I bought mine they always struggled to turn a profit on these. They said it looks as long to fit one out as a 40 footer and the bigger ones turn a bigger margin. I believe the 23 was a bit of a pet project for Gerry. Sad news though. Still think they are a cracking boat and don't have much competition in the 23 category.

Tom Smith is also going on Thurs taking his boat Illusion down to the Shambles, leaving Salterns at 7am. He has space for 2 anglers. Ive PM'ed Fail-O - but if anyone else fanies it PM me and I'll give you Tom's number. Adam

Sorry guys - space went to Ben who dropped me a line just after I posted this. I'll let you know how it goes. Cant wait to get JV out again it's been months!

I've got a free space on the boat for a run down to the shambles on Thurs if anyone fancies it? Failing that if anyone wants to buddy u that's also good. Adam

James, scrap that - Weds will be tricky with the dog and reub - lets look at Thurs and I'll reschedule my diary.

James - Weds is still free in the diary. I'll check it out and get back to you.

Very impressive - she looks cracking, and well finished too. Id love to see some pics of the interior fit out? I also imagine alot of the charter skippers will be watching her with interest to see how the pair of V6 outboards perform in a working role. How will you fuel her up in Alderney?

Cant make the 16th but if you go on the 15th I may steam JV round from Poole.

No need to go to the Dinner dance now??!!

Hello Mr W, I have had a boat (23') at Parkstone Bay for the last 3 years. The first 2 years I had a swinging mooring as you suggest - worked very well for me. Access it pretty much at most state of tide as you dont need to enter the shallower marina, altough LW Springs can be a bit tight. They offer a free Taxi servicen which is a HUGE boon and saves rowing out - however tenders are Free and available if you wish to access your boat outside of office hours. The marina has a fuel berth - very helpful for me. Security is good, although you are obviously a little more exposed on a swinging mooring. Bear in mind the swinging moorings are only available during the summer - all boats come out onto drystack (or take it home) from Oct onwards. Last year I opted for the more expensive trailer and forklift mooring - it was about 30% more expensive but I dont have to worry about antifouling, less maintenance, better security, 24 hour, 365 day acess and free water, wash down and shore power facilities. Hope this helps? Adam

Sadly I wont be making the trip this year - gutted as it's become an annual pilgrimage for me, but I have good reasons - we are expecting a new arrival on May 15th, a brother or sister for Reuben. Great news for us, but poor timing on my behalf! JV of course is available to go but not sure what plans the other have and if they can manage without No.1 skipper! I'm hoping things will settle down enough to enable me to do a 2 or 3 dayer to Cherbourg later in the summer, maybe July time.

We've been deliberating this one for a while - do we dont we etc... Well I took the plunge this week and just went for it - in my eyes it's an essential for the boat - a simply must have. I must say it's pretty high tec - it's taken me all morning to work out how it works. In all seriousness - this is exactly what I have bought! A bargin at 99p from Ikea. I have bought 2 LCD clocks this year and within 3 months the cold in the wheelhouse seems to kill them - this is a low tech solution. I have found that having a clock in easy view in the wheelhouse is so helpful especially when doing long journeys and or passage plans. Adam