AHoy

As threads on anchor issues have popped up again I thought I would hop on the bandwagon and seek some advice following my recent change of boat. I have two main anchor set-ups on my MF805: 1) the "cruising" anchor (Jeanneau package) with 10Kg Brittany anchor + 20(?)m chain + anchor warp all stowed in the forward anchor locker and handled by an electric windlass with gypsy (no capstan) controlled from bow and helm. I may at some stage replace the Brittany with an alternative type (Delta?). This is fine for the cruising anchorages I would expect to use. Also suitable for emergency deployment provided sea conditions allow access to the bow. 2) the "fishing" anchor of 7.5Kg Bruce(alike) anchor + 10m of 8mm chain + 120m of 12mm anchor warp, used in conjunction with an Alderney Ring arrangement when in deep water. I may upgrade to a heavier anchor subject to experience as the 7.5Kg is a bit light. This is also stowed in the forward anchor locker - there is plenty of space! Cannot be used with windlass unless I add a capstan drum. This is also suitable for emergency deployment with the same limitations as the cruising anchor. Problems: A - yachtie background so not much deep water anchoring practice B - I am often single handed C - access to the foredeck is a bit tight along the side decks, so going forward in poor conditions requires special care (lifejacket and harness natch) combined with B above D - bow roller can only take one anchor at a time so one has to be stowed in locker, preferably before setting out! E - need to be able to deploy anchor safely in emergency/poor conditions. Obvious solution - store "fishing" anchor/warp in cockpit and work from there, but .... anchor warp needs to be made off at bow when in use, otherwise stowed out of way; anchor warp length in use needs to be changed according to depth; a "lazy line" from the bow needs to cope with 4 ton boat in tide/wind; need to be able to work anchor from either side of boat depending on conditions. So, what do you advise/do in these circumstances? A.

Well I went out for the afternoon in the hope that the vis and temperature would improve, which it didn't until I got back into the harbour Think fog in the Western Solent according to the VHF chat. I didn't bother wetting a line but did the give the engine some exercise in the calm conditions, then enjoyed a potter round the harbour taking advantage of the extra low water to learn a bit more about the mud/channel layout. Almost had the harbour to myself. I did try on the VHF to raise a couple of club boats that might have been about, but nothing heard. Was it anyone from the club fishing the Swash Channel? A.

Pleased to hear your insurers are so responsive, helps to ease the annoyance. Shame you have to carry the XS for someone else's lack of responsibility. Hopefully the cod was some compensation. A.

Looks like your F4 tallies with this "not-so-brave" bunny, but I would definitely want a forecast for F4 and decreasing. I am not familiar with Alderney so would opt for Cherbourg as my first stop if at all concerned about conditions. Just need to make sure all buddy boats know everyone else is secure and where. A.

I carry a 2.3m inflatable dinghy on Marsel 2 which can (just) cope with 3 "reasonable" sized adults. No outboard as yet though so only useful for short distances and slack tide, light winds - unless Popeye is rowing. A.

In general, for this sort of trip I would limit myself to F4 headwinds or F5 from astern with forecasts showing decreasing winds. The previous conditions, sea state and tide would also be factors. A. Looks some consensus here

Getting the hours up for YM then Tom?

I hope to be taking Marsel 2 on one of the clubs cross-channel trips. Subject to sorting out family interest in the trip I should have room for one or two crew. Should be fairly flexible on dates with enough notice. A.

I read elsewhere that the timber can end up floating in the vertical position once waterlogged, with the top just on or below the surface. In this position the vertical movement of the timber with wave action concentrates a lot of energy into a small area and can easily punch through a boat without the requirement for a high impact speed. Not very encouraging Best we encourage the scavengers out there ASAP. A.

I won't be fishing the comp but will probably be out with the boat so will also try and get some photos of the action.

Similar credentials and requirements to Rich, feel the time is right to loose my (competition) cherry with someone experienced and sensitive - maybe even more than one person at the same time I am intending to fish the Open Comp on Marsel 2 (MF805), departing Cobbs Quay in time for the 08:30 bridge lift and returning for the 14:30 bridge lift (can't sneak under on neaps). This limits fishing time but should leave time for signing-in and weigh-in, or am I under estimating the queues that will be present? Space available for 2 crew (possibly 3 but cockpit space would be a bit tight). Boat is set up for cruising rather than fishing so would appreciate domesticated folk willing to work around limited fishing facilities (i.e. only 2 rod holders at present, no ice box or live-bait tank, probably limited anchor scope). To offset my minimal fishing ability and poor knowledge of local marks/conditions it would be good if the crew could provide all those skills Share cost of bait/fuel w.h.y. Fishing area open to suggestion, subject to conditions and time (cruising speed 16 knots, max 20 knots). Please PM if interested (Club Members only). Alan.

Sorry, Tom, I didn't catch your definition of "a little while later" ... still after my first bass and wondering if it will come before my pension Good luck sTTu, may your little while be shorter than mine

With the boats documents I also inherited a sheet of fishing marks for the Plymouth area, might be worth auctioning off to recover some fuel costs

Duncan, I would definitely like to join one of the cross channel sessions next year, but will need to get to work on my fishing skills (or lack of) beforehand. Either that or press gang someone for crew who is more proficient at fishing. On the trip back it was half an hour shift changes between lookout and helm duties as it helped us keep alert for pot buoys in those conditions. Every shift change included a biscuit ration and water top-up, didn't need to break into the Mars bars though The ignition key fob/float was actually out of my line of sight when at the helm, but looks very obvious in the photo. AHoy.

Tom, Thanks for the tips. I traced the fuel gauge fault to a dodgy connection on the back of the gauge, much easier to find when moored up! Now fixed. Any Nanni dealers/engineers in the Poole area, I haven't found any listed? I bought a load of spares/service items at Plymouth but would prefer a local source. Alan.

Can anyone recommend local suppliers of marine automatic fire extinguishers (for engine bay use). Looking for gas rather than powder type. AHoy.

According to the forecasts the sea state was variously: slight or rippled or smooth Good job we did our own assessment of what several days of SE winds would produce. Mike Fox had also sent me a PM with his weather assessment, which as usual was spot on

Thanks Bob. I have amended my profile to include the MMSI. Alan.

It's the stiff wiper blade that gets to you after the first hour .... early replacement for that. Didn't get the chance for a brew on route. Using the heads was also a challenge in those conditions! I managed 21 knots on sea trial, but loaded up I reckon around 19 or 20 knots max and 16 knots cruising at 20l/hr. The rope cutter takes best part of 1 knot off the speed. The good thing is the ability to keep going in a sea at a reasonable speed without the slamming of a planing boat. My son reckoned his boat (a typical US 26 ft sport-cruiser) would have been running a lot slower in the conditions. The master plan allows for cross-channel trips of around 4 hours, or close enough to the faster boats to follow them to the marks without deliberately holding back

"Should have had more patience and realised MF805 meant Merry Fisher 805" Thats ok Pete, sounds like you have been keeping your focus on the rod tips rather than the PC screen Unlike some, still no boat cabin heater yet though - not enough left in the piggy bank for that. Alan.

Having to reject the boat I was originally going to buy (bad survey) turned out for the better, as I took the opportunity to re-assess the choices and went in search of a Merry Fisher 805 instead. The change of boat was undertaken to get the benefit of more cruising use in addition to fishing, the selection of the MF805 followed a visit to the recent Southern Motorboats viewing weekend. Many thanks to Tom and co. for the opportunity to view at leisure. The boat I eventually purchased was moored at Plymouth so, after survey and purchase formalities last week it was a case of doing the delivery trip on the first suitable weather window, bearing in mind the extended bad weather at the end of last year. It was also an opportunity to check-out the boat's cruising potential a bit more. With my eldest son as co-skipper we decided on last Friday and Saturday for the trip, with the Friday morning set aside for travel to Plymouth and the final prep of the boat for the journey - it hadn't seen a lot of serious use recently and needed a few tweaks and kitting out with spares/safety items. The trip went well, but as always the last minute tasks took longer than planned and we didn't depart Plymouth until 15:00 on Friday. With the SE winds and head sea we cruised at reduced speed, taking just over three and a half hours for the 43nm leg to our overnight port of Brixham, requiring a night entry to the harbour - fortunately we agreed on the pilotage :>) We didn't see any other boats at all on this leg, just us out there, obviously out of season. Plymouth (shoreward) Plymouth (seaward) Brixham The start of the Saturday leg from Brixham to Poole was delayed a little as the fuel pontoon doesn't open until 09:00 (also note, no petrol available only diesel at Brixham). Our planned passage time for the 72nm leg to Poole was five hours, but again with the SE winds and a 1.5m head sea we cruised at reduced speed, sometimes down to 10 knots, taking eight hours to get to Poole entrance. Again, no other boats about other than one powerboat going west across Lyme Bay and one yacht making heavy weather towards Portland - not even a PBSBAC boat in sight! put videos on repeat for 8 hours for true effect! Lyme Bay (forward view) Lyme Bay (stern view) Poole entrance at last, and some revs on the engine. I am most impressed with the sea keeping and comfort of the MF805, even when pushing the water over the top of the cabin roof! The only concern we had was failure of the fuel gauge on the first day - it permanently showed empty so lots of rev counter checks and consulting the fuel consumption chart (worst case scenario). It turns out we had plenty of margin as the fuel consumption for the whole trip was 14.8 l/hr. Moored up and ready for a clean. Now to get the boat fitted out properly for both fishing and cruising. AHoy.

Thanks to those who contacted me, my regular co-skipper managed to free up some time and join me. Boat safely delivered according to plan. AHoy.

"and my eyes were watering with the wind coming over the short screen" Thats nothing to the eye-watering that happens when you ask the price Sorry Tom - still excellent value of course!

My newly acquired D3 knowledge won't be needed now - the boat I was intending to buy didn't come up to spec on survey so purchase cancelled (didn't get as far as the sea trial). I'm down a survey fee but it was money well spent. The boat I have bought instead is fitted with a Nanni 4.390 200hp engine which is a new model to me but comes with a stronger reputation. AHoy.

My co-skipper might not be available so looking for a standby crew for following trip. Collect my boat (MF805) from Plymouth next Friday or Saturday or Sunday (19th or 20th or 21st) subject to weather and final arrangements and deliver to Poole, 2 day passage. Day 1, Plymouth to Brixham, overnight at Brixham (Torquay alternative port). Day 2, Brixham to Poole. So as I can have the odd rest (and as back-up) crew needs to be a competent coastal skipper and boat handler. Boat will be fully equipped for coastal passage making. Travel to Plymouth either evening before trip or on morning of first day. All expenses paid (assuming no exotic tastes or extreme habits ). Probably no time for fishing (no tackle on board either). Bearing in mind this is all to be finalised is anyone interested? Alan.