Adam F

That's it.... Blue Warrior has gone, on her way down to Plymouth as we speak. End of an era... I feel quite nostalgic really...

FOR SALE: Mariner 2001 5hp 2 stroke - long shaft Would make ideal aux engine or for tender. http://www.marinedirect.co.uk/pages/outboa...r_5_2stroke.htm This engine came with BW, but had never been used, I have never used it in anger, so it has done less than an hour since new - only been run up on occasion to keep it in use. Comes with integral fuel tank. The decals on the engine are slightly faded and worn as it has spent time in storgage and on the aux bracket , but I can assure you the mechanical side of it is 100% - A new set of decals would be available from Mariner if required for a few quid. From what I can see these go for about

Hi Al, My guess it that they'll need to go back to Raymarine. I dont think the screens are repairable. My Garmin colour unit went like this last year - I dropped it back to Garmin who informed me (and pointed out the small print in the instructions) that whilst the screens are daylight viewable, they shouldnt be cleaned with any chemicals and shouldnt be touched with bare skin as this breaks down the screen coating. They actually replaced the whole unit (under warrenty as I pleaded ignorance). I got hold of a screen protector from the states, as I couldnt find them in the UK. In the US they make they them to suit every unit concievable. Hope this helps?

Yep, They are correct, AS models come with a windlass as std. Dont worry about this, they are easy to fit to any Arvor.

What!!! Tom advertising an Arvor!!! Must be an alterior motive...the guys not moving onto a Gay Fisher is he?? Jas: The livebiat well uses an angled direct feed pipe which faces towards the bow, the motion of the boat undreway forces water in - pointless if you ask me. The offset wheel house takes the view that rather than having 2 narrow walkways, it has one big one, safter and can be used for fishing - useful on the drift if you have a few anglers aboard. I think you'll find that the electric windlass is fitted as standard to the AS - your comment isnt true - an electric windlass can be fitted to almost any boat. Adam

Mike, I work on the principle of 3:1 as a min, if rough or bad weather this increases up to 5:1. Also when anchoring a wreck plenty of excess warp is a god send, more room for error allowing for more accuracy.

I like that Mike... What is the program? Is it available FoC over the web??

The final sting in the tail is that having practically sold BW, and arranged transport, new engine, insurance change, a mooring and finances for the new boat - I get a call this morning from the broker who has sold the boat over the weekend at LIBS. My fault ultimatly for not leaving a deposit, but it was a gentlemans agreement and they had prmoised to phone me before agreeing anything on it. Aparently a guy rolled up at the show and paid full whack their and then without even seeing it. I'm now practically boatless and back to the drawing board.

Mike, Youre right!! However having been fooled by the small weather window last week, my plan today was to go piking instead. I spend a lovely relaxing day sat by the lake at Broadlands. I managed 2 pike, the best just into double figures. Made a nice change! Adam

You have a point gay badger.... I have no objection to being vetted though. I sort of had in mind doing a collection run, dropping the kids off and helping supervise and teach and then dropping them off on the way back, also willing to lend gear etc. This aside I think it is a superb idea - fishing is a big part of my life and always has been - my father gave up a lot of time when I was small (yr 5 started) and those memories are firmly embedded and will always be. Many, many kids (esp nowadays) dont get these oppertunities for many reasons so anything we can do to put something back would be good. Have you considered getting BFM and the local papers to run a piece on this, I'm sure they would be more than happy to. Let me know if you want me to use my contacts.... Adam

Billy, I'm sure you are not short of helpers, but I would be prepared to help out with transport once a month down to Weymouth if a few of the lads were struggling. Adam

I'd probably have the canopy up by then. The kettle would also be away....

Another

Saw these on Alderney Angling's website today...shots of the breakwater during the F9 gales that hit the channel yesterday. For those of you who know the harbour will know how big these beasts really are! The two boats the in foreground are a Targa 27 and a 33' Aquabell!!

Warrior 165 MKII 2001 Blue Hull Special Edition Mariner 60hp EFI 4 Stroke 2005(manufacturer's warrenty still remaining) Indespension Roller coaster trailer (plus spare wheel) Fully equipped and ready to go fishing - Full tonneau cover and Warrior half cannopy - Twin Warrior Bucket Seats on pedestals - Garmin 182 Colour plotter with English Channel Blue Chart - Garmin 240 Fishfinder - Icom DSC VHF Radio - Furuno GPS32 GPS - Plastimo Compass - Smart Tab - Trim Tabs - Deck and Cuddy lights - Front cushions - Rear bait rail and rod holders - Twin Gunnel Rod holders - Professional 60l live bait tank fully pumped - Deck wash system - Twin battery system with isolation switch - Twin Quicksilver Fuel tanks & guages - 'Tek Tread' Decking (as fitted to Warrior 175) All in superb condition. Boat has been kept on trailer and washed down after every trip since new. Sale due to new boat arriving. For more pictures see: http://pbsbac.co.uk/photoalbum/thumbnails....album=38&page=1

Yes Trev - quite agree. I was mentioning this tip as an addition, and not advocating just bleeding them to death.

Get yourself a pair of those H/duty kitchen shears/scissors - the type that can cut through chicken bones - they are pretty cheap, my last set cost less than a fiver. The make short work of even a big fish. For flatties, you are correct, a slash on the tail root does the same trick. Timing - I just bang em' in the fish box, then wash the blood out at the end of the day.

Superb!!

A good tip is to snip the gills of the fish once landed. This drains the blood from them quickly and avoids tainting the flesh red - esp. cruicial with Bass and Cod I find.

WH Smith - always have a copy unless you are late in the month. Failing that, just ask your newsagent, they will get one in for you no problem!

Same as bob - that was fun! Needs to be harder though this time (a little) as now we know the format it might be easier...

I use 40lb+ braid for a very simple reason - abrasion resistance and kindness to my hands (ok 2 reasons! ) I have tried 15lb braid for bassing, and whilst on a stright pull it is more than strong enough it breaks like cotton when it touches the reef. Knotting 15lb braid all day takes it toll on your wet hands and I constantly found I have a braid cut on the outside of my right index finger.. I now use a 40lb bulk braid from tackle bargins which is cheap as chips - this is use for 95% of my fishing.

...Gotta change the piccy though?? You just need a decent mid flight shot..? As an aside (and completely off topic!) maybe we should look at organising another 'teach in'?? Its that quiet time of year again....

Gord and I chanced our hand yesterday morning having seen the weather window... Launched at 8am - xchurch bay looked OK, and the wind was barely a F3 if a little grey... Decided on Xray to tuck in as much as possible from the SW-erly. Fishing started with dogs in the between the rain, but sitting comfortably under the canopy, hand made rolls and bacon with hot tea made things seem alot better. Anyway, by the time we had the 2nd round of sarnies, we stuck ou head out and in less than 20 mins the F3 was a good F6 and white horses everywhere - the swell even picked up... We made the call to head back before it got too worse, and a slow 8 knot run home with a big tailing sea before a bumpy Run and fun getting the boat on the trailer in the driving rain and near gale wind. Anyway back home by 11am - about a dozen dogs the only result.

....Aquafish, not Aquastar.