great white

That a bit typical of the mixed messages we get. I am not sure what the weather has been like today afloat, but from where I have been it seemed much better than the forecast. Tight lines Charlie

Hi Gordon I have just googled this and it sounds like Alun is right we will have to change to slimline belly busters. Or find a few fishing spots where we are to busy to get the frying pan out. Get well soon

Hi mate I will have to keep an eye on what bait you are using next time we go eeling. Wishing you a speedy and total recovery from the op Charlie

Happy birthday Derek and Dave I hope you both have a great one Charlie

You are spot on GW used to get a bit slower towards the end of a season, but on bringing her ashore I used to have to make two trips with a granada estate to get all the gear home. I always vowed to carry less but eventually it worked its way back onboard When I put her on the market and took all the extras and spares off, her performance was almost as good as when launched each spring and she had been afloat 9 months. Charlie

Its all food for thought Alfresco seems to handle the extra weight well, in the weather that we choose to try and fish in. After launching we sea trialed her to check we had the correct props, she was at 100% Fuel [100 Gal] 100% water [20 Gal] 3 spare anchors, tools, oils etc onboard together with a crew of 5. Aim was to set her up as close to her operating weight as possible. keeping the tank at 2/3 seems to more than compensate for any additional weight added in her first year. And the additional weight added to the crew by making use of the fitted galley and guests cooking abilities The slime on her hull makes a lot more differance than filling her fuel tank. Charlie

Hi Adam I tend to Fuel up at work. Due to the low demand at this time of year and most boats filling up prior to Nov 1 we are still on last delivery prices 70p plus the extra 43p for propulsion fuel. 60/40 split at about 95p from memory. [Cheaper at shell for rd diesel] but other places with more turn over should beat that. As to the harbour dues you should get them through Parkstone Bay Marina if you are staying there in the summer, I will check prices when at work if you can not get it from them. Charlie

Hi Peter It was very full on Nov 1st and although it did not make a lot of differance you could feel it. I now keep her about 2/3 she holds 450 ltrs, and did the Alderney trip last May all three days without a need to top up during the trip, [had about a day to spare] every delivery is getting cheaper so its not just costs, that said when every delivery was getting dearer I kept her full Charlie

Thats good news Adam Although you needed a tow at least there should be no damage to the Volvo and your nice new boat. My sender has also played up from new, it was changed recently and now at least it reads, even if a little high. I have direct access to the top of my tank through the filler so I have monitored the fuel by dipstick. I do not keep it full because of the weight, but maintain it well above half full. See you out there when the weather allows Charlie

Happy Birthday Peter I hope we see you on the water often in 2009 Tight lines Charlie

Duncan, Nice to read your comments on here again matey Your experiance of these trips is valuable to all. I think this year many will wish to go and I hope we all get there at some time, but Duncans words are wise, please be aware that the enjoyment is also balanced with effort and long days on the rods and hours at sea. A good forcast, safe boats, keen crews and sense of humour are probably far more essential than a well filled wallet. Costs incurred last year were food/refreshments carried onboard, fuel burnt, socialising ashore in the evenings, berthing fees. water taxi's and of course for those living ashore accomadation. Costs somewhere between Paul and Adams at a guess Charlie

Hi Adam /Bob Gutted for you guys, glad you got back in OK, sorry I could not help more. Well done Humphrey and the Ow Much crew. As I also have a D series Volvo I am very interested in the outcome. Good luck on Monday Charlie

Its all about getting to know the boat/engine what is the best cruising speed for comfort and economy?? generally the last 1000 revs are the ones when the OBM really gets thirsty for fuel If you can maintain the boat on the plane 1000RPM below Full throttle revs you should cover the ground fairly efficiently. allow about a ltr per mile, until you know exactly. but it would go up in poor weather. About 15 miles to St Albans a few more to Chapmans Pool. and a lot more for searching for marks etc etc. You will be surprised how many miles you do when looking for marks and drift fishing. Charlie

Hi Peveril ledge is just off swanage and once clear of the harbour is about 20 mins or less for you> Be aware of the overfalls in the middle of the tide and the pots. Easy to go around the overfalls staying outside the buoy. St Albans is probably a steady hour to the headland. Staying in close to rocky shore can keep you out of the tide but be aware of the pots, also a lot of overfalls especially on bigger ebb tides. These overfalls extend well offshore, but there tends to be quieter water close to shore. Chapmans Pool only a few mins past St Albans with some interesting marks between the two, Nice quiet spot in all but SW-W winds, again some pots close in. Hope that helps Charlie Charlie

"Thanks for all your kind wishes, although there seems to be an error in the dates as I'm only 40 " That must be on the Moore scale then mate You wish

Nice picture Martin It sounds like we could get a convoy going over. and a real chance to get most of the interested/available Members an opportunity to join in. I will try and look out a pic of Braye in 2008 charlie

Shame it took 3 years How many dead fish is that??

You need a Dean What for? to help the island with its beer consumption If Sam is around he may give Dean more of a hand this time after all he has been in the Navy for 6 months now and has been practicing hard on the Guiness. I would love to head over for 4 days/nights, but may have a problem with work and with FPO as 1st is my birthday and she may not want to be up at 5 to give me a pressy. or come down to load the food requiired for that sort of trip. However if that is the general consensus and the weather plays ball we may have to see what we can do, I feel sure Wendy would rather us go in company than alone. I had better get Dan working on his Mum Charlie

We are thinking of going on Sunday [away Sat], good luck on Sat I may call to see how you are getting on. PJ I just resisted a cruel message, I hope the convalescing at home is going well, but lets not hijack the thread Charlie

Hi Gordon Happy 50th Mate from the rest of the Alfresco Crew I hope you enjoyed your birthday treats with the girls at the weekend and they spoilt Dad rotten. Have a good one Charlie Sam and Dan

Paul 1 old fashioned but very efficient tool is the whistle, They can be heard from a long distance over water. Adam your hand held VHF sounded very clear on Sunday, obviously restricted in range but much better than no VHF, I ought to carry one onboard and will now get one. I also have coastguard and Poole Harbour Commissioners numbers set in my mobile, but I will admit that it was done as a result of work not me being safety conscious and organised. PHC office 01202 440233 Marine Police 01202 222222 Portland Coastguard 01305 760439 As you say on bigger boats we have the space to carry plenty of gear, we have spare food in the way of boil in a bag rations [Thanks Sam] and tins, some bottled water. Clothing in the way of overalls and spare waterproofs [i think I will add some warmer gear as well this week] It does make you think, Its already been over a year since Alfresco had her safety check. Lets all stay safe Charlie

Thanks Tom, Volvo at Salterns agree They are going to look into what the message on the tacho means and why it does not read out as it shows in the manual. The most frustrating thing is that with the engine at running temp, it can not be topped up. In hindsight I should have remembered to top it up yesterday after it cooled down whilst fishing and before we came back in. it will only take about 1/2 a cup full. I would rather return carefully as we did, than cause future problems. Charlie

Well done Paul A very worthwhile excercise. and good skill to practise in a shelterd berth when not rushed I know it would make a differance if tried for the first start of the day, but it is possible. For a start like at the car park just prior to Christmas it would be fine. and I do not think you have to put on all the covers if it was choppy. Charlie

Hi Adam she looks good even in the dark. Thanks again for the escort up the harbour, it sounds like the fresh water needs a slight top up, just could not do it with the engine at running temp. It will take a couple of trips to get used to looking throgh glass but a nice snug cabin is appreciated on a day like yesterday. Good news on the fuel consumption, I am sure you will find it slightly higher in rougher weather and once a few more spares are loaded, but running costs less than the warriors sounds good. I am going to see Volvo later if I get an update on that warning we have both experianced recently, I will update you Charlie

Well guys if you were afloat this weekend in a kyak I take my hat off too you [but not for long as my head will get cold ] we were out yesterday and even with fresh tea and curry lunch it was a cold one Stay safe Charlie