great white

Only my second ever Trigger Catch and release, boy this one fought well 3 lb 1.5 oz

Well done Skipper 😀😀

That sounds very good Andy. Obviously the delivery man ran at a good RPM for effieciancy and means that you have that you have a nice boat that will not break the bank. I would burn a lot more than that from Jersey, We average about 1.5 ltr/Mile. We burn about 120 ltrs diesel getting to Alderney via a few wrecks

I had mine changed earlier this year, as I had been running with my change over switch [inside the engine compartment] set to "Both" most of the time and because loads of gear goes on top of the engine box during a trip the switch stayed there. On two occasions I flattened the batteries and had to get assistance. The new control switch was fitted that has an on position, which prioritises after an engine start to recharge the start battery then swings on to the domestic pair. This means that the switch does not need to be changed during the trip and more importantly the start battery cannot be flattened by the domestic load. Great £350.00 well spent. Until last week when we slept onboard and found out that the auto switching does not work if you let the domestic battery voltage go too low. It charged the start battery but nothing to domestic. The switch does have an manual all battery position that allows normal charging. Good news that we could start the engine, bad news we deep cycled the domestic set again. It sounds like you may have similar switching , so be careful of deep cycling on the domestics. I only had a voltmeter on the instrument cluster that showed start battery volts, I added a second one that now shows volts of the domestic set [£9.00 Amazon and a little bit of wire and work]. Then last week I trickle charged the batteries as slow as possible. Yesterdays trip was good, fingers crossed I have not buggered up two large batteries Charlie

Great lines and must go well with that lump on the Transom Let me guess that it was a quick crossing, but how much fuel? She looks great, have lots of fun with her

Still not told us what the boat and engine package is. That info would help

Hi Andy You may need to give a little more detail of the boat and equipment carried so that we can help you out, but Mikes advice is very solid. What size boat No Engines Nav Equipment onboard safety equipment onboard Tried well maintained and tested Have you the knowledge? Is the boat and engine fit for the journey without a buddy boat The direct line from Jersey to Poole takes you up through the passage between Alderney and France, tides are fierce in those areas, as can be the seas. We do not usually do straight passages, and the fishing adds a lot to the fuel consumption, but it is a long way from Jersey to Poole or the Solent so that has to be one major concern. Bad weather one year on return from Alderney added 50% to the expected time for the crossing and fuel burnt. So much so that one boat ran out in Swanage Bay. Using a more direct line from the North end of the Race to the East end of the Isle of Wight may mean that you could pick up more of the Flood tide to reduce fuel burnt, but it makes that leg a long one if I was going that way I would go into the outer harbour at Cherbourg and top up. Alderney and Cherbourg are currently closed to visitors so adding fuel on route may be a very hard. calling in to a sheltered bay while adding from drums just prior to crossing may need to be added to your passage planning. I have done that passage many times on a training boat, it is not something to take lightly Do not want to be doom and gloom, but my son has just bought a boat that appeared in very good nick but has some gremlins with the engine and fuel system that were not expected. Fine in Swanage Bay, not good in the Alderney race or mid channel. Plan well and stay safe Charlie

This summer our son Sam decided that it was time to bite the bullet and purchase his own boat. Last Friday saw him and Eileen drove all the way up North to view a very good candidate, they viewed it, liked what they saw and bought her This week he is like a kid waiting for Christmas, arranging a few things ready for her delivery ASAP Well done Sam, something that you have wanted to do since you were a little boy. We know that you Eileen Jayden and Jack will have some fun days on her. Cannot wait to get together in the bay and beyond.

they were emulators Jim

Good point terry When we want to get a big one onboard in nice weather we soak the deck with sea water first to cool it down. same afterwards to clean up before the blood and slime cooks on

Try this one Colin Nice to see you and Bobbi out there yesterday teaching your Nephew how to fish

Hi Ray It depends what you have onboard that has to stay live overnight Fridges heaters etc draw a lot of power, but bilge pumps and fresh water systems on auto do not Overnight I only really need the GPS for an anchor alarm and an anchor light [ I keep meaning to change that lamp to an LED]

Thanks Adam Very wise words from a lot of experience on the boat, in the field and in the kitchen.. Over the years we too have learned, especially from having Will onboard, an executive chef with 40 years experience of food handling. Which boxes to take pretty much depends on how long we go for, as we have a variety. I have a large Igloo 6 day one but it takes organising to transport it to the boat and takes an awful lot of ice, so it really only goes on multi day trips in the summer. We have a slightly different regime, 1. We knock them on the head, cut the gills with scissors and put them into sea water to bleed out, we have found that by using the live bait tank and pumped water it keeps them cool and the water clean. 2. At various times through they day they get gutted and heads cut off, all goes overboard. This is to save doing it at home , makes the fish easier to fit into smaller coolers and what is the point of keeping the heads cold. 3. put them on Ice in a cool box, keeping the lid closed as much as possible through the trip, and draining the box of excess melt water. After getting home the fish are left in the box if the ice is good or transferred to my garage fridge. Will's advice is to let them settle before filleting, so we no longer fillet onboard. Its much easier and you get a better job when its done at home.

went to the boat show with a mate who wanted to buy a new Lochin 33 [Not Cheap but in budget] They were not at the show so he was looking at an alternative, he was in his scruffs to give the boat a good looking over and the idiot salesman kept telling him off for opening lockers and asking questions. Last words from a well known ex Member were F### this as he stomped off up the jetty. In the words in a famous movie "Big Mistake"

Great report Thanks Jim I think that is a bit of a standing joke about triggers by the pier Charlie

Surprised XP Rigging could not do it, but perhaps they are overbooked. You may need to check with Pete at Quay West, he is on his own at the Chandlers at the moment.

Glad a rigger could help sort you out Steve

good luck did that a few years back out late afternoon for a bit of fun then inshore in the dark for sole, had a couple but did not enjoy dodging pots on the ledge on the way home in the dark, so have not done it again.

Bloody typical Weather great and we have a couple of things we need to be home for Saturday evening May have to go out early on Sunday Good luck Adam, have a good trip we may see you on your way back

I would be interested or even a very long one day trip

Hi All Any decent rigger should be able to crimp up the hard eyes on your SS wire cable. they do that all the time for stays for masts. XP rigging Rig Shop etc

Good luck with your search It is so hard to find a boat that meets requirements that I have designed and fitted out my last 2 myself. It is also why several other Members have boats built bespoke. But both take time and patience. 12 years on still very Happy with Alfresco [an offshore Pro Charter 30]. We have diesel power for efficiency and a top speed of over 30 knots, so no problem towing toys. The boat will be a compromise so take your time choosing and get as close as possible within budget. Like other I would suggest that if you want to take ladies and kids onboard you should not discount beds, toilet and galley They are the things that make my boat so enjoyable to be on for long trips out and multiple day trips away. Try telling your Mrs to invest serious money then have to P in a bucket. LOL Charlie

A couple from Wednesday returning from Swanage 20200624_210621.heic 20200624_210706.heic

Classic nice one Neal Boy has he [and his hair ]grown