AHoy

Tony, Forgot to mention, you probably won't be able to get a plastic tube down the Nanni drain pipe, there appears to be a restrictor or one-way valve part way down, hence the adaptor/tape I use. The tube supplied with a Pela pump will go down the dip stick tube (just) but this method leaves a drop of oil in the sump. Alan.

Tony, The pump referred to is for oil changes. On my Nanni 4.390 the manual also mentions an oil drain pump but nothing was supplied with the boat (not purchased new). What you should find is the oil drain pump connection, a metal pipe running from the base of the sump up the RH side of the block to somewhere level with the rocker cover. It should have a rubber cap held on by a jubilee clip. I use a Pela vacuum pump with an adaptor sleeve (or duct tape ) to connect pump pipe to engine pipe. Alan.

As some serious planning is now under way can I pass on an essential consideration from my experience last year - FUEL MANAGEMENT. For boats with limited fuel capacity: In addition to the the trip over ensure you add plenty of fuel margin for the additional distance to/on/from the marks and possibly punching some strong adverse currents. I like to finish any trip out with at least 30% fuel left in the tank but had a lot less than that by the time we arrived in Braye on day 1 last year (less than 20 miles worth). I carry spare fuel for cross-channel trips but refuelling at sea in less than calm conditions is an iffy process so best avoided. Please bear in mind that the fuel point at Braye is tidal and will only be available from late morning to late afternoon with the neap tides during the visit. My plan is to stop into Braye and refuel before going on to the marks on day 1. Also the tidal flow in the Swinge will be running south (adverse) for any evening return to Braye. Apologies if I am stating the obvious but better to have a reminder here than need a tow in. Alan.

Just to confirm the fuel penalty with a SD hull (admittedly going over 4 tonnes), Marsel 2 uses around 2 litres per NM in typical F3-F4 on-the-nose weather cruising at 16 knots or so. Probably less difference when it gets lumpy though and speed comes down.

I'm still planning on going with Marsel 2 but will not be able to confirm until nearer the date. Crew not confirmed yet, so I may have room for one or two. If any club members are interested and can work around a late yes/no on going please PM me. Alan.

Alun, According to my Admiralty chart the southern most tip of Portland Bill, as defined by the white obelisk is at Longitude: 2deg. 27.40 mins West Does that mean whatever prize catch it was won't be a club record Close enough to debate the possible GPS tolerances ...... Alan. Edit: just checked again, 2 deg 28 puts you clear of the western edge of the Bill, never mind.

So that's why the OAP coach trips are so popular! I notice several club members travel a lot under the guise of fishing holidays as well

Answer to my original post - YES, it was worth taking the rods with me, no fish aboard but it gave a purpose to the trip. Revised family arrangements and a very promising weather forecast meant that Saturday became the boating day. I didn't get out until late morning so stayed local in Poole Bay trying a couple of marks. In brief, excellent weather, flat calm sea, so quiet with hardly another boat about - and the pleasure of just being out there, finding the marks and setting up the rods (for the first time in ages). Back in again just as the light was fading. My usual lack of success wasn't a disappointment considering the predicted scarcity of fish, my poor bait supply and a slack tide for virtually all the time I was on the marks. Got the enthusiasm going again though. No fish pics so a mood shot instead. BTW, I hope it wasn't a club boat the Coastguard was requesting assistance for off of Hengisbury Head during the late afternoon - reports of the crew of said boat waving for help. I did head off to assist but heard on the VHF that a RIB had taken it in tow to Christchurch.

Sat or Sun 14th/15th Feb For the first time in ages it looks as if I may have a combination of some free time and reasonable weather this weekend , so ... are there any fish still out there? I plan on taking the boat out anyway but I'm not sure if it is worth taking some tackle and trying to kick off my species list. Sunday looks better for wind direction (W at the moment) so what to try for and where? AHoy.

Marsel 2 will get through around 300 litres as well, 200l after the trip over and first session, another 100l ready for the return leg after those productive day trips out onto the banks. Last years log shows: 03/05/08 83.5 NM; 8hrs 45 min at sea; 7hrs engine run; 177 litres fuel (trip over and fishing time) 04/05/08 39.2 NM; 7hrs at sea; 4hrs engine run; 80 litres fuel (fishing time) Note: some boats spent a lot lot longer on fishing time - with the results to show for it

Zzippy, We were heading out of the harbour, slowed down to get a good look at you and snap the pics at about 12:45. Two of my crew (son and his partner) are also into kayaking so interested in your setup. Seemed to be a kayak gathering

I am interested in making the trip again with Marsel 2 and building on the experiences of last time (and maybe catching some fish as well). A 4 day trip would also be preferable for me. Room for 2 crew (fishing and overnight). Much as I like Alderney I am also considering Guernsey harbours as an option. Alan.

Graham, Can you give some info on model, style (one/two piece) and size. Alan.

Paul, A fully charged hand held VHF is the easiest option for calling up support. I always keep one in my grab bag along with a spare battery pack. Alan.

Would this be our kayaking club members? Brownsea Sunday 4th Jan '09

Probably out with the family on Marsel 2 on Sunday for a few hours, not likely to be doing much/any fishing but will keep an ear on CH6 for any club boats.

Sorry to hear about this, I had very good service from them. Pleased to know Claire has joined your "team".

Topped up with 100+ litres yesterday at Cobbs (@62ppl) so best part of

It might be worth checking for some RNLI politics and press "interpretation" on this as I believe the RNLI use of VHF marine radios by the lifeboats is exempt from the proposed charges. It is the use by the RNLI of "other radio services" that are subject to charges. It has been queried elsewhere why the RNLI have a big (ish) budget for private radio services that appear to be nothing to do with S&R. BTW, not a direct criticism of the RNLI but an observation that maybe not all the details are visible. Alan.

Charlie, No other opportunities for me to get out over the weekend either so I wouldn't mind taking Marsel 2 out to buddy up. It depends if I can get free of work in time to make the 16:30 bridge lift. I will also need crew with (night/some) fishing skills! MF805s don't have the cruising speed of Alfresco - any thoughts on how far out and probable return time? I would need to return for the 23:45 bridge lift or find an overnight mooring/anchorage. Alternatively, if I can't get crew and you still have space I could learn a lot by joining you on Alfresco Alan. Late thought, are you planning to get to the haddock before the weekend rush

Well the French wine and cuisine trip (with bonus mid-channel fishing) changed to a beer and pub grub trip! The steady F3 to 4 SW winds mid week had increased to F5 by Friday and as expected had fetched up a bit of a snotty sea, with the channel buoy showing 3.5ft waves at 8 sec interval. With Cherbourg as the destination and a Plan B in hand we decided to check out the conditions in the Channel. We had already decided to postpone any channel fishing until the return leg . After 40 minutes motoring out from Old Harry, with decidedly lumpy head seas and speed down to 9 knots, we decided we didn't want to repeat an earlier 8 hour trip in such conditions and Plan B was actioned. We turned East and we ran off down wind to the quieter conditions of the Solent . Lunch was taken at anchor in the calm of Newtown Creek, although the wind was registering F5 on our anemometer (in the the creek ) and the channel buoy was now showing 4ft waves at 7 sec intervals (obtained via my son's Blackberry device). Decision justified we felt. We carried on to Cowes then up the Medina to Island Harbour for an overnight stop, with the beer and pub grub obtained at the Folly Inn The moorings and pub have changed somewhat since I used to have moorings there in the 1970s! A lazy start on Saturday waiting for the fog to clear gave us time for the "Full English Breakfast" before locking out of Island Harbour and making our way back to Poole. A lunch stop at Totland Bay set us up for a slack water run out through the Needles Channel and the run back to Poole in good conditions in time to join a large queue for the 16:30 bridge lift. No fishing action for us and not a lot of other angling boats out that we could see, one boat on Lymington Banks, a couple visible through the mist south of the Needles and two or three boats on the outer Poole Bay marks. Thanks for the tips Charlie. If the late season good weather keeps showing up then there may be another opportunity to follow them up. Alan.

With some forecast reasonable weather I am planning a late season cross-channel jaunt (Cherbourg or CI), out this Friday and return on Saturday. As the "cruising crew" has agreed in principle to a bit of fishing is anyone else likely to be out and about that we might meet up with (or home in on for a good mark ) Alan.

Just make sure you are a good student and learn well Rich. I am in dire need of some skills transfer via your good self!

A second recommendation for the TurningPoint props, I bought one as a spare for the Mariner 80 on my QS and kept it as the main prop as performance was slightly improved over the standard prop.

earlier post here http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/forums/index.php?s...c=7347&hl=props