Adam F

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

Jamie - if your struggling I'm pretty sure Ive got an old one same style in the box of bits in the workshop. PS: Regards re-threading it - simply tie and ducktape a length of heavy mono or strimmer cable to the old one as you pull it out - them you can attach the new cable and pull it back through. Adam

Ooooo! Famous again... the skipper / angler that just keeps on giving! Or maybe living off past glories! Must go and grab a copy!

I miss Big Bob. He'd have been proud today though! A good turnout - some 15 anglers fishing and reasonable weather too - warm out of the wind and in the winter sun, and plenty of fish! Martin had circa 12 fish for the day! Some good sies in there too.... Final Results: 1st Kev Couzins - 4lb 12oz - 190% - WOW! NEW CLUB RECORD 2nd Dave Evans - 3lb 4oz - 130% 3rd Mick Pike 2lb 15oz - 117.5% 4th Alun Jones - 2lb 7oz - 97.5% 5th Adam Franklin - 2lb 1oz - 82.5% 6th Martin Burt - 1lb 15oz - 77.5% 6th Gary Austin - 1lb 15oz - 77.5% 7th Charlie Chapman - 1lb 14oz - 75% 8th Paul Frey - 1lb 9oz - 62.5% Well done all, but a HUGE well done to Kev - the best % specimen Ive ever seen caught, a true MONSTER of a fish, breaking John Peck's 2001 record of 3lb 15oz but a massive margin, I'd put money on that never being beaten!

Yes please! Happy to make a donation to the rnli. Let me know how to get hold of you / it?

I'm fishing I'll bring my scales. Weigh in 4pm Baiter. I'll take the list from last time as fishing to save everyone reposting. If you weren't on the list please add your name here.

Chaps, I'm sure you have all seen the forecast. It's not pretty, most sites agree that F5 gusting 6 with heavy rain. In theory it's fishable but with the kayak boys also out I think it's better to err on the side of caution and postpone the comp 1 week to the 18th Dec.

Chaps, I'm sure you have all seen the forecast. It's not pretty, most sites agree that F5 gusting 6 with heavy rain. In theory it's fishable but with the kayak boys also out I think it's better to err on the side of caution and postpone the comp 1 week to the 18th Dec.

As the comp is held in the harbour (either Xchurch or Poole - up to you) then the sheltered nature will allow us to fish it in most conditions - launching and retreaving will be the most hazardous I'd guess. Most forecasts are giving a F5 during the day. I'd say if we start to see any F6 or more in the forecast I'll discuss with the Safety office / comittee and we may re-schedule. Adam