Adam F

Duncan, OK - looks like I calculated the hours after Dover wrong, looking at the tidal flows on the link Rob put up, the channel is Ebbing to the west all morning, HW mid-channel around lunchtime, then a flood in the afternoon? So reverse my above plans - head off West in the morning, then catch the flood into Braye for the PM?? Correct?>

To hold the rod and feel for bites? Instead of just picking up the rod with fish attached?! I like to use my other senses - sight, sound etc (and let the bite develop!!!). Anyway, better than giving my rod away with a 20lb turbot attached!!!! Ouch!!

To hold the rod and feel for bites? Instead of just picking up the rod with fish attached?!

Ah ha! Rob my good man - I'm one step ahead. Whilst I do have bilge cleaner onborad now, this very morning I have ordered an 12v inline pump to transfer the diesel from cans to the main tank - voila' no more spilt diesel whilst trying to pour it through a 8" funnel in a F4!

For those who havent been before some usueful info here: http://www.alderney.net/documents/SAILNEW.pdf http://www.sailalderney.com/yachtguide.pdf (tides out of date on this one) http://visitalderney.com/files/managed/pdf...tables_2011.pdf (these are the 2011 tides - bear in mind you need to add an hour as these dont include BST) It is also worth getting a Chart of the island in detail, and one that covers the channel as a whole.

Thanks Charlie. To use the tide that really means taking in an Easterly route, and then getting a push in the afternoon into Braye on the Westerly going Ebb. 10.00am is too late for me, I like to make the most of the trip so I suspect we will leave the marina between 5-6am and make a plan around that. I'd rather fish wrecks on the way back than on the way over and have fish sat on ice for 4 days. Dont think these have been posted yet: http://visitalderney.com/files/managed/pdf...tables_2011.pdf Looks like plenty of water all afternoon in Braye for re-fueling. Has anyone dropped a line to Mainbrayce yet to advise of how many boats / sort discount etc?

You presume correct. Ive dropped you a PM. Basically it is one of the mid-channel wrecks that we usually fish if we take a Westerly biased route over, and might make a good ren-des-vous For me, the tides will dictate weather I go out east or west on the way over - after pushing against it last year, I wont bother again! Anyone - know what the tide times are for Thurs 12th May?

I was pondering my next boat today.... certianly another home build, certianly bigger.... until.... I cut and polished JV for the first time top to bottom all the way round - 23' is plenty enough for me thanks! Got blisters from holding the polisher!

Good news Tom.... another nail in Quest II's coffin?? Bought a pair of 6lb Kenzaki's today from Mark @ AA - to be collected the day we arrive - my new Turbo tools - just need reels now!

Not sure of my plans yet Charlie - Ive got the pass - but it may involve Alderney, or France... or I might stay inshore and have a chance of winning something! Put me / JV and Crew down as a maybe...

Really? Was thinking Ebay US - posted as a warrenty return? Shouldnt incur extra fees?

The other thread has got me wanting a set of these now! Seems Rok-Max is one of the only places in the UK to get them... but anyone thought of buying fromt the US? - Seems they are about the same price in dollars?

Mike - youve got my juices flowing! Ive fancied a 6lb Kenzaki for a while now - the only thing I dont like is the 2 peice split - but apart from that they are the best 6lb class rod Ive seen. Problem is 1 is never enough.... so I'd need a pair, then reels - well it looks like Avet's are the way to go - so 2x

I'd love to... ... but if I suggested a trip to Cuba ontop of 2 trips to Alderney and 1 to cherbourg in the same year - I'm not sure I'd like the consiquenses! One day!

@ Tom - Good news mate! @ Greg - Yep - the latter! You can sleep you you get home! After going over best part of a dozen times I NEVER got bored of this trip and am already so excited! BTW - who is planning on staying onboard? As beds on the island are tight I'm toying with the idea of staying onboard..

I'll be sneaking out midweek if anyone wants to come.

Hehe - same here Charlie - JV is sat gleaming ready for a run out, but the big tides will keep here in for another week. You fancy wrecking the week after? Would be good to buddy each other - neither of us have been out since engine work?

8 WEEKS TO GO!! Peter - we usually try to meet a week before the trip at a pub in Poole to discuss voyage plans, so dont worry we will sort something that mean's youre in company. PS - how about towing the boat down to Poole the day before?

The Lazy Line is superb - for the small boat / cuddy boat user it cant be beaten for saftey. Take up the offer of boing shown - it's hard to explain but easy peasy to do!

Unless you want to add a good few extra miles to your crossing, Charlie's suggestion of the Hurd Deeps isnt far off... your direct route over from Portland takes in quite a different route over the channel. The other option is to come down to Poole the night before?

Tomo - wont the new cat be ready in time? Peter - as others have said - it's less of a formally organised trip more of safety and more fun in numbers. You'll need to arrange your own accomidation. I expect we will meet at the Baker's Arms one Sun eve early May to arrange passage plans etc Ive not informed Braye yet - I'll drop them a line shortly just to give them the heads-up. Although as Martin said - most of us just radio in on ch16 and advise of arrival on the day. Adam

Where's Rob going to sleep then Al??! I'll stay on the boat if beds are an issue.

Continuing from Graham's theme - JV has had a well earned Spring clean and overhall the last few weeks. She had a through going over from the warrenty manager at Sunseeker on Thurs - who gave her the full works on the hull - every single nick, ding and dull was polished out of the hull and then waxed - christ she looks better than when she came out of the mould! The hull was like a mirror when he finished! Engine & leg serviced (I can throughly recommend James Haws!) 2nd seacock added, deck fillers for bait tank and deck wash relocated, engine lid refurbed (taken a hammering the past 2 years) cutting board and mount added (youve GOT to see this one... it's awesome!) Every scrap of stainless has been re-polished and all the gel has had the same - she looks great! Roll on the spring and our shakedown trip for Alderney!

She looks well kitted out now Graham! Nice one...

Mike - Dont forget we will be in Alderney in a few weeks and can bring anything you buy back??