great white

Great day to be out on the boat again. Except for the early morning fog. We had constant fish all day, but no COD. Well done to all of the Members that either caught Cod and won prizes or got one on their boats. Charlie

Well done Neal IMHO This has been a great addition to the forum for 2012 . Its nice to be able to keep an eye on this. Even if 2012 was the Alun and James show. Oh and of course a huge well done to all of the Members listed. Charlie

My unit is as Rob describes, for "shooting through the hull" rather than "mounting through the hull" in a special tube. It is bedded on epoxy [Glued inside the hull] works fine up to 20 knots and readable above that just like Martins. Best way to test the right spot, or the transducer I know of is; Take the boat to a bit of deep water, then compare the display from where the transducer is normally mounted to the display after it has been moved to a temporary position when it can be placed directly into the sea. Not easy to do as any speed, unless it can be temporarly mounted to the transom or attached to a pole. Another method may be to take your unit onto a boat with an identical set, go to sea and compare the boats set display, with yours after swapping the units while the boat is in the same area. Good luck in finding the problem, especially as this weather is far from perfect for sea trials Charlie

You are not the only one Jim. I really need to get a little dry weather to paint a couple of coats on my stern drive. but even that is proving impossible. Charlie

Thanks Mark Nice Facebook photo of Julie enjoying her Christmas Hope you all had a good one in much better weather than here in the UK

Thanks Dave and Sue We hope you have a Great Christmas and a happy New Year. Charlie and Family

Thanks for the heads up Martin Hopefully the boat should be afloat by then

We fitted a prop guard as a trial this year It is fitted to a 15hp on a jennaux commando. It used to plane but struggles now

Thanks Jim Charlie

Thank you Nigel

Due to this wet weather I have had to accept that Alfresco will not get afloat for Christmas. I have not been able to antifoul the leg since we put it back on yesterday in the rain. To be honest I do not have many days over Christmas where she could be used anyway. So if anyone sees a weather window and is looking for crew please get in touch, if I am available it would not take much persuasion to get me afloat. Happy Christmas Charlie

How easy it is to forget and get the priorities wrong. I have been fretting about how I can beat this weather to get the boat launched before the Yard closes at Noon tomorrow. Earlier I accepted that to do this I would not get her antifouling done to the usual standard. Now I have decided that not having the boat afloat at Christmas is not that important. It will give me more time to enjoy Christmas and Wendy's 50th birthday on the 27th with family and frends. If the weather turns cold and calm, I will see who is going out and see if I can crew on friends boats. have a great Christmas everyone Charlie [looking after the golf balls, for a change]

I am not sure that is correct Martin I am sure in the past it was confirmed that fully ladening the car while towing, just to minimise the trailer weight would get you into trouble with the feds

Counts the Chapmans out then

Hi terry Send Dilys my best wishes and hopes that the arm heals well. I also hope that she can stand her nurse after a few days. I think the balance will still be in her favour after last year. All the best to you both Charlie

Well pleased for you Jim She seems to be an ideal boat for your needs Tight lines Charlie

Sounds great Mal I too had a nice family day out. In the boatyard anti-fouling Alfresco with Sam We did have a cofee between coats and a pint of Ringwood on the way home to celibrate getting that awful job done. Have a good hoiday Charlie

Recenly I have found wind guru to be reliable and accurate, where XC weather appears to be less so. At work we use the Bournemuth surf report [magic seaweed] as well as the live Poole Harbour weather Charlie

No mate - I'll be getting you some driving glasses!!!!!

Nice to hear from you Fred Well done on all those fish, some good Cod and big eels It just goes to show that out that way it pays to stick with it.

We have all had this problem at some time. It is always a pain when it happens. On some days the damn things do not want to go in, even my 15kg one on occasions. Made worse if the tide is running hard as you attempt to anchor, or usually re anchor after a pull out. Using the engine to slow the boat as you pay out the warp is good advice, it prevents the snatch. Before you upsize the anchor try adding an extra length of heavy chain between the existing chain and warp. This can be rigged/derigged easily on two shackles and only used in deep water and strong tides, so you are not heaving the extra weight when you do not need it. Always ensure that you have enogh rope out, that seems to be where some people get it wrong it should be 3 to 5 times the depth of water, depending on tide and weather. Charlie

Cracking vid Lee Really gets over the true feeling of a winter cod trip except it does not show the red weed and all of the mess that cuttle makes of a white boat. Nice one mate Charlie

Naughty boy

Welcome Peter I am sure your comment was aimed at Honest Al, so I will not take offence mate. Good to have you in the Club. Charlie

Wow what a fish, especially from in Kayak range. I am sure I saw a post somewhere recently that had a picture of the biggest cod caught on a Kayak, landed from the Bristol Channel I am sure that this one is bigger Well worth writing to the mags about, I was given loads of tackle for that ray in Feb Great fishing , well done