Adam F

We now have a number of boats in the club capable of making the run across the channel, so for those who havent done it or dont know what exactly is involved, here is a rough idea: The run from the chain ferry to Braye Harbour is about 60 miles. Apart from the last few miles Poole end, this is in exposed channel and sea conditions. Hugely dependant on sea conditions, but in reasonable conditions the run can be done in just over 4 hours, however most times we are hopping across the various wrecks in the channel to break up the journey. If it blows up it can get really nasty - esp. Alderney end making the journey alot slower. The run over and back is just a part of the trip though. Fishing around the island usually invloves a reasonable amount of steaming, so this needs to be factored in. Even in fair conditions, it is usually the tide that causes big seas around the islands. Hugely varing bottom contours, rocky outcrops and massive tides can cause 'interesting conditions'.... This is'nt meant to be scaremongery to put people off just to give an idea of what can be effected. In flat calm conditions the whole trip is a real joy.... if it blows up you can feel a million miles from home in our small boats. Accomidation on the island is available, but needs a little prior planning anf booking. Staying on the boat is easy enough if you dont mind roughing it. Bear in mind getting to and from the dock needs either a tender or the water taxi.

Another update on the radar: Used it again yesterday and it was the first time JV has been out after dark, it was also new to me being in a wheelhouse in the dark and not being able to use the MK1 eyeball to steer home (twas toasty warm though! ) The Lowrance radar really proved it's worth as we neared Poole, showing up 3 potential collision course boats, numerous small pot and marker boys and then finally the start of the East Looe channel. I'm a definate convert. Tom and Charlie - both Quest and Alfresco showed pretty signficant targets on the screen. Fuel consumption -- she seems to be using just under 1 litre per mile. We did about 35 miles yesterday on

Another update on the radar: Used it again yesterday and it was the first time JV has been out after dark, it was also new to me being in a wheelhouse in the dark and not being able to use the MK1 eyeball to steer home (twas toasty warm though! ) The Lowrance radar really proved it's worth as we neared Poole, showing up 3 potential collision course boats, numerous small pot and marker boys and then finally the start of the East Looe channel. I'm a definate convert. Tom and Charlie - both Quest and Alfresco showed pretty signficant targets on the screen. Adam

Nope..... Welcome back!

Frans, Not sure where you are based, but if you want a ride out in ours you are more than welcome, just drop me a line. Adam

Completey agree Pete. I'm just saying that they are damn ugly and given a choice would have one of the enclosed versions. What are the regs on having a reflector - should every boat have one?

That's great news Martin. I was only reading through some old posts last night and found my similar post to yours above when I had the problems with OOTB and PMS sorted that. Glad to hear she will get sorted and hopefully in time for Alderney!

Well we had a long running thread for Alderney 2007 and 2008, and now finally after years of dreaming and waiting I'll be in a position to make the trip for myself this year! The logistics are better known by those who have been before now, but I still think its a good idea to log the trip here. Date wise, I guess we will keep an eye on the catch reports but as per previous years will aim for the May bank holiday weekend or close to it. I'd suggest as previous we aim to leave early one day 1, fish the wrecks over the channel, with maybe a few hours on the banks before in to Braye for beer and food. Day 2 fish around the island, day 3 reverse of day 1. I'll stay on the boat, but I'm sure a few will want to use the accomidation above Alderney Angling. Adam

Jim, Actually I think they are. One of the oldest and most basic reflectors cost sod all. They perform pretty well, but the downside is they look dead ugly!!

Anyone got oen knocking around before I buy new? Thanks

Thanks Pete. That is the size of a radome!! Plus at 7.7kgs it is a fair lump. Take your point re. performance etc.... Adam

I downloaded the software but found it to be the most useless piece of software Ive ever used!!.... Maybe I need some tuition??

Looks like a choice between these two: http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit/sh...partno=99110154 or http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit/sh...partno=99147518

Thanks Charlie. helpful info. What reflector to carry though - this old chesnut again? I dont care what the regs are I cant see the point of carrying and installing the useless tube type. What are our options?

At the moment we are running the 10" main screen as a whole screen map with data down the RHS. The 2nd 8" display is used as 80/20 split Radar and Sonar when steaming, or 100% sonar if the radar isnt required. I agree, both show clear data though. The Garmin had the menu option to pull up a tide page and change the port in a menu without having to find it on a map (quicker and easier) We havent worked out a way of loading weypoints on the PC and then transfering to the unit via SD card. Ive a whole book of numbers I'd like to move over - any idea? Adam

NICE.... Thank you that man!

We will try to get another trip in before back to work - weather dependant..... might have a go for some eels next trip out Radar - Bob has worked with these things for years, but they are pretty new to me, I know the basics, but not how to set them up etc... We had a quite a long discussion re. reflectors on the way out. I'm still very sceptical, but did have to conceed that the cardinal buoy around the needles which do have relectors on gave huge targets on the screen, and the needles light almost blocked out it's section of the dispay, so they do have a use. Saying that boats without reflectors seems to show well too. Next time we are out, I'll try to get a few screen shots to show those without radars what their boats show like. Finally, what really helps is the colour diplay - like a sonar, the harder the target, the darker the result, so a rock or steel ship shows as red, green next softer, with the likes of blue usually showing wave tops etc... Much to learn!

Oh, yes - we were discussing Alderney yesterday. Cant wait! After all it's only a few week now! Plotter - Bob knows it like the back of his hand, it's a first time with Lowrance for me. I'm getting there. I really, really miss the full alpha/numeric keypad my last Garmin had, and I miss the detailed tidal info format the Garmin gave, but I'm starting to like the 'Windows' style format of the Lowrance. For the basic facilities it is dead easy.

Also - dont forget that the hull designs are different. Isnt Alfresco more of a planning hull compared to Imagine's Semi-displacement?? Good vid's though.

A few people have asked about our boat, so having now run a few hours on her I thought I'd share a few thoughts and observations.... In no particular order.... She runs about the speed we expected with the 190hp D3 - 3000 revs gives us 22 knots unless tide is pushing / helping. 2600 gives us about 17/18 knots - which seems to be a really nice crusing speed even in a moderate chop or swell. We are over proped by 2" and running flat out at 3600 rpm gives 32 knots. She runs flat as a die when well balanced, but crew moving around does effect lateral stability - careful positioning of weight buckets and crew solves this - it is easy to forget that she is only 23' when onboard and thus expect more from her! When well balanced she runs true regardless of sea state (so far) today in a 40 min run back from the island I had to alter course about 5 times, point and go - the deep vee really does perform well. Like many boats a sea on the nose is a little bumpier, but she seems to stradle waves/chop well - today we had these conditions and the bumps occured every 7 or 8 wavelets. With the sea on the stern she is a dream and doesnt broach or lean at all. Nice. Underway a beam on sea is also fine and doesnt effect the boat. The worst conditions seem to be at anchor with a beam on sea where the deep vee seems to roll a bit. Always a trade off..... but one we can live with. We look forward to testing her in a proper big sea. At anchor she also sits quite bow down, which feels a little weird, but isnt an issue. Underway this is corrected and she had a nice slight bow up run which feels stable and safe. The bow is a little precarious (sp) when going forward even with high bow rail and cabin rails. The tight head room in the wheelhouse isnt such an issue as we thought it might have been. The hydraulic helm seat is something to fall in love with...... Although we need to sort the passangers out with something other than standing (alrrady underway!) Stern drives are a basta$rd to manouvre into a tight berth We'll get there!! The Volvo is awesome! The Lowrance radar is fecking amazing. We wernt expecting much from it, but after running down to the island today and the radar picking up EVERY buoy, vacht, fishing boat and rock we are both amazed. We picked up Gastronaught ( an open Orkney 520) from 1.5 miles away - before we saw her - well done Lowrance! All in all, she is better than we hoped / expected. There isnt anything we would change or add, and we look forward to many happy hours in her in 2009. Adam

Nothing like a new boat to raise the eagerness levels!! For some crazy reason Bob and I decided that it would be a good idea to get out of a warm bed whilst it was still dark and venture into the darkness that was -4C in Shaftesbury this morning... Anyway - the marina was frozen with cat ice, the screen was frosted over, the hose on the pontoon was frozen solid and the gas decided that it was too cold to heat a kettle, ho hum! After a brief fuel top up at Salterns, off we went to the Island.... 40 mins of steaming saw us settled on the Car Park fishing in the coldest conditions I've ever fished in - artic tundra like.... no joke! All in all a shite day - about 6 dogs and 2 pout, nowt else, but who the hell cares! Bob and I had fun on the new boat, the kettle and frying pan started working - we spent most of the day inside a warm(ish) wheelhouse which is a real novelty for us and it sure beats xmas sale shopping! Happy New Year to all!

Very good. I want one..... can I have one.... have I got one??

I also agree. I'm surprised after the reports we have been having of 3 or 4 fish a trip, mind you, today was even slower - didnt hear a single cod over the radio and all we had was a few doggies. Yes - it was chuffin cold!

What's the format for this comp guys? Ive not fished it before, but with such a good forecast I am considering.... Do we need to book in? Where, when how much etc??

We had our PDI with Volvo this morning - the helpful guys from Salterns spending an hour onboard to make sure we had fitted it correctly, and then a short run up the harbour to check temps and revs - a little short of WOT at 3600 rpm - 4000 is max, so it seems we are 2" over on the prop - still we hit 32 knots, which was pleasing! Both getting used to the larger boat and the new novelty of a mooring and marinas, so off to Salterns to fuel up - another first. And so off for the first fishing trip. Just a close inshore trip as Bob needed to get back, so we settled in on the Dolphin bank about 4 miles from the chains. In 3 short hours we managed to christen the boat with a plump whiting, and ended up with half a dozen plump whiting, a few dogs, 1 pout and the star of the day to me..... a COD!! What a way to break in a new boat! Not a big fish at 4/5lb but a good start! A nice fast run home, washdown and off home - god I love marina berthing! Merry Christmas to all!