great white

If you have had 20 years out of a lift pump, you have done very well. Its usually the diaphragm's that go weak or leak, you can get service kits with all the parts you need from Keyparts or Volvo. As my engine got older on Great White I added one to my onboard spares box, just in case. Well done for the DIY repair, although a little concerned that you did not isolate the fuel. I would have to agree that as a long distance sailor you need to rethink access to the isolation valve in case of fire. Knowing you Mike you probably have by now. Charlie

I was right then, she was in such good nick that it would be a quick sale A sad moment, but one less thing to take up time, space and dosh. I will keep your seat warm on Alfresco Charlie

Thanks Paul seems strange not to be in Alderney, Yet. Have a good one Dave Wendy and Dan are joining me on the boat after lunch, I am hoping the rain hold off and we see a few bream Charlie

its like fishing come back in fishless and there are masses of people to ask you how the fishing is come back in with the fish of a lifetime onboard and there is nobody about. Charlie

Thanks Adam I check those too and some others next week. Re Monday Unless its hard for those traveling, Quite happy to stick with it, Bakers Arms 1900. I for one would probably not cancel as early as Monday, just in case it changes Oli If it does have to be postponed, I would have to go 2 weeks later due to tides/work lets still hope to go as planned Charlie

Looking at Metcheck [not my favorite] it looks a no go at the moment However we will not know until monday. What time are we meeting at the pub to discuss? /drown our sorrows. To be honest if its looking bad I would rather rearrange after a two week postponement but how does that effect accomadation for those staying ashore? even this weekends weather is changing constantly. Charlie

I wonder what he thought the land was on the port side, France? Isle of wight? The boat in the picture looks a bit dodgy , even for a cruise around sheppy.

My brother emailed me that earlier hard to believe, what a dick. Charlie

I have a seat like that on the boat, comfy even after a long passage to Channel Islands. I have found spray white grease the best lubricant Nige , WD 40 would drip off everywhere and make hell of a mess. [well it did on Alfresco] Nice Modification Charlie

Getting very close to seeing more than 1 weather site now Who can resist checking them at every opportunity? Mrs. Sea Awol Abode Sweet Chariot Joint Venture Wight Magic Alfresco Serenity Phaeton Yellow Quest I will contact Mainbrayce and the harbour office after our get together on Monday, but if weather plays ball it looks like a good turnout again. Can I ask who are taking dingies over? I may yet borrow one just to reserve a mooring, or ask someone taking one to do that for us on the Thursday, as we are usually last boat to arrive at Braye [anyone willing to do that for us, by leaving tender on a vacant buoy until we get there??] Charlie

Cheers Terry Sounds great

Knowing how Gordon looks after his kit Graham , I bet enticer is spotless. and well worth a look Charlie

I have spoken to Dan Will and Gordon All of us are up for it too, sounds a great idea. But after two days fishing we would rather the normal menu than a la carte. I will leave you to guess what a 6ft 4 teenagers comments were about a 4 oz steak and a drizzle of balsamic dressing Dan is more of a half a cow and chips sort of guy We will go with the majority though, What time are you booking it for Terry? Charlie everything now crossed for the weather

Terry I discussed it Briefly with Gordon last night and it sounds like a good idea to us. I think all of us are shying away from too many definate plans until the weather can be checked more accuratly. The same seemed to happen when I asked about buddy boats this far ahead Charlie

Dave I have an upright fridge freezer available free of charge, if that suits my old bait one, both parts working fine. need to collect from Broadstone Charlie

Nice one Tom Just a thought ask him if you could drop off the big cooler and just get him to half fill it, that is unless you want the boxes. good contact mate cheers Cheers Charlie

Nice one Dennis Look forward to seeing you afloat and hope that your job and the boat can both get some of your time. Charlie

Well done |Tom Nice to hear the engines well and that there are some fish about were the wrecks en route to the islands or further west? Charlie

A bit before my time [Honest I did not serve with Nelson] Charlie

Hmm diesel prices in Guernsey are or where on the 9th April at 56p per litre in St Peter Port and only 50p per litre in Beacette see link http://www.digimap.gg/boatworks_fuelling_times Maybe next year we should broaden our horizons and have a new base? its certainly more comfortable for sleeping on the boats and with cheaper fuel might work out overall similar cost. Martin Thanks Martin, I found that last August the price with discount at Alderney was 10p ltr dearer than boatworks at St PP without discount, and if we had booked I am sure we may get discount at Boatworks. However the marina we stayed in then had a sill, so it would have been a pain to come and go from. Might be another good venue, I am sure between us we can get some marks Hi Kev welcome back mate Are we sorting buddy boats on the Monday , or on here?? When the crew get together at the weekend I will ask about a dinner at the harbour lights. anyone heard anything about the fishing?? Charlie

After a call today saying that not many moorings were in at Braye, I called mainbrayce. The good news is that they are all going in this week, and although mainbrayce has changed hands they will still offer the discounts agreed with Rupert on fuel and water taxi. The bad news is fuel has just gone up again, now 85p ltr minus a discount [7p ltr ] getting close now Charlie

Hi The steering problem you discribe in not that uncommon on engines left standing for a long time. Once you have disconnected the connecting rod and soaked with lubricant you sould be able to get a spanner on to the flats and rotate it a bit to get the lubricant in. then you need to ectract it, usually by tapping out with hammer and drift. After undoing the main holding nut from the other end of the pivot tube of course. The good news is that once you have finished cleaning the outside of the rod, of old dried grease and dirt, and the inside of the pivot tube, with a lubricted rag and piece of stick. They usually go back together all greased up and work fine. keep cleaning it untill it slides freely through the pivot tube, it may go part way and jam on the first few attempts and come out really dirty again, but keep going it should clean up ok. Charlie

Well you wrote it! All true of course.... did I ever tell you about my 20lb+ turbot that I let Dan wind in?? I have taken the dents out of the cabin bulkhead, where you banged your head when you thought we wern't looking. seriously I still think you took it rather well. and Dan still gets told to step away from the rod quite a lot Lets hope we get some good ones this year Charlie

Surely a briefing is not required for a "seasoned veteran of many trips" mate Charlie