AHoy

Mike, Looks like you are sorted now, but if plans change and you do need crew for Frisky Fox give me a call (zero7818 418218) or PM. I am currently boat-less and would be prepared to cross back over to the "dark side" and handle those bits of string and flappy canvas for you. Alan.

toerag Thanks for the informed comment, I looked up the engine weights on the Volvo website and the D3 is only about 60% of the weight of a D4 or the old TAMD units - that is a saving of about 180KG or 2 kitted-out average crew members! Looking to the future and increased diesel costs I am hoping that the D3's reputed fuel economy will also pay dividends, especially running at reduced speeds (semi-displacement boat in mind). I have a sea trial coming up soon on a boat fitted with a D3-190 so will have some first-hand experience to judge it on. AHoy

Graham, Good Luck and tight lines with Foxy Fisher Too. AHoy

Doubt it will be anything quite as nippy as yours Martin Looking at 23 - 25ft LOA, cross channel capable solo, diesel - preferably with shaft drive, Cat B rating, easy to manage when single-handed, around 18 knots cruising speed. Needs to have winter weekend comfort and enclosed heads so more cruising emphasis than QS640, but still with good fishing setup. Balance of budget and age/condition of available boats will influence final choice as well as standing costs on moorings/maintenance. Hoping that boat show trade-ins will increase choice. Been checking out spec of boats like Rodman 700, MF695, Antares 760, Ocqueteau 715/735 etc. Did like the Orkney 24 I saw at the show, but they are too pricey and have stern drive. Did have fleeting dreams of a MF805 but Tom isn't giving them away at a loss just yet Bit big for single handing anyway ..... AHoy

Boat sold - now looking to buy a boat. Hopefully will not miss too much fishing time.

Thanks for the info. I managed to get hold of a copy of the magazine article and also get past the rumour and gossip level. As stated, seems like a good engine if properly installed and sorted. I like the "frugal" bit It will most likely be a shaft drive if at all. AHoy.

Thanks for the suggestions and interest. I have been really pleased with the 640 but sooner than expected require more than basic cruising facilities. Early days yet, but expect to remain at Cobbs. Also understand that other parties would not be looking for a percentage in the event that I trade on or sell privately and do not use the marina facilities in doing so. Not expecting my catch rate to improve by changing boat though AHoy.

Does anyone have any experience or hard facts on the reliability/performance/economy etc. of these engines, especially the higher power 160hp and 190hp models? Any info welcome. AHoy.

Due to a change in boating requirements my as new QS640 is for sale. Not be placed with any brokers yet so some savings to be had. Model year 2007, commissioned January '07. Balance of 3 year warranty remaining. Engine is latest Mariner efi 80hp unit, recently serviced, <60 hrs running. Balance of 2 year warranty remaining. Navman fishfinder, Navman DSC VHF radio, Standard Horizon CP180i chart plotter with C-Map Max chart, Ritchie compass. Anchor and 100m anchor warp, fenders, boathook, spare prop, single burner cooker. Full log of engine hours and boat use. All in as-new condition (still have factory covers on bunk cushions). Price for above package

A 1 metre wave height at 3 second period is likely to prove uncomfortable in a small boat when going to windward or at anchor. If my sums are right a 3 second wave will be travelling somewhere around 5 to 6 knots (2.5 metres per second ish) with a wave length of something like 7 to 10 metres in shallow (non-ocean) water. i.e. a wave peak about every 1 and a half boat lengths. A boat travelling at 10 knots is covering around 5 metres per second so heading into the sea there is a true speed of 15 knots into the waves and hitting the waves every 1 to 1.5 seconds. Lots of bump and splash p.s. take my figures with a pinch of salt as I am no expert on the theory behind this For reference CHIMET was showing 0.1m height and 7 second interval for Monday (Bank Hol) which was a fairly good day. AHoy.

Mike, sorry we couldn't manage the RV for coffee - good avoiding action on your part We also went west from Poole and our day could be summed up as pleasant boating and rubbish fishing (results and skill level). From leaving Cobbs at 09:00 to returning at 18:00 we managed one macky and a few cuttlefish between us Plus a small scrape on Marsel's hull from the fuel barge due to some large wash while we were refuelling We spent the time trying for any likely species on the Whitehouse Grounds, off Dancing Ledge and also Durlston Bay but all seemed equally unproductive, that was despite trying all tide states and the vast selection of baits that Clive brought along. Very few other boats out as well which seemed strange - must have all gone way offshore. The incident with the Condor ferry is similar to one I experienced some weeks ago, see here: http://www.pbsbac.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=6133 Considering the wash I think the ferry passes way too close and there appears to be no attempt by them to indicate their avoiding action. No doubt they are running on auto-pilot and don't want to upset it or the passengers with "unnecessary" changes! Maybe we could approach the operarators and ask them to provide their route details for us to post on this site as a safety measure? AHoy

So that is how you keep the catch rate up - aerial reconnaissance before deploying the rods! I hope to be out in the same area on Saturday, will look out for FF and the coffee

As described in the title, I am looking for an auxiliary outboard. Anyone have or know of a good condition recent model for sale or any "special deals" going at the moment? Would it be worth waiting for the S'oton boat show? AHoy

What did you set the trim to in order to get that shot Mike?

There was some talk awhile ago about taking some photos of a PBSBAC Fleet Review (well we probably have more boats than some navies). Did it happen, or did the weather also thwart that event. Did we have a "Queen" taking the salute at the sail by? I have never got dressed overall before (usually one side or the other) but I now have a club pennant to fly if the occasion occurs again. BTW, is there a camera lens that can include both the inshore boats and Tom at his usual mid-channel station at the same time?

Tom, You can make that little rubber dinghy go THAT fast!

As a trial I have replaced the original 19in prop with a "TurningPoint" Hustler 17in prop (intended to be my spare). I have not been able to do a WOT test yet but under fairly good sea conditions with self and 1 crew got 21 knots (GPS) at 4,600 rpm with plenty of throttle left so should comfortably get 5,000+ rpm at WOT. As the boat has been afloat for the past six months I expect a couple of knots are being lost to a "dirty bottom". As expected, manoeuvring "kick" was down a little but this was made up for with a better cruising rpm at harbour speed and quicker acceleration onto the plane. The 80 hp motor seems to have plenty in reserve at a typical 20 knot cruising speed so I will probably stay with a 17in prop and just have to put up with second choice on the marks when I lose the drag races with you guys

I've been following the Species Hunt threads in awe of all you expert folk actually intending to catch specific varieties of fish .... and not the slightest bit of luck involved I think I will run a single entrant "Not a Species Hunt - Novices Lucky Dip" competition on the same day, with the only prize going to the entrant who 1) catches a fish then 2) correctly identifies it against a reference chart as flat/round/oval then 3) catches another fish a different shape to the first one. This should put me well on the way to competing on equal terms with you lot next year Seriously folks, good luck with the competition and may the best man/woman win (I may be the "shadow" boat, taking notes from a discreet distance)

Update wanted on some old/ongoing local news. I have not come across any published figures for the air draught of the planned new Poole Bridge, other than it will be a lot lower than originally expected Despite the authorities not considering the bridge boat queues a safety issue I prefer to avoid the bridge lift times and go under where possible, generally safer, easier on the boat controls and nerves plus far less risk of damage to boats and crew in the event of any close encounters. Just wondering what sort of routine to allow for in the future. Also this will probably impact on the local economy as it may disuade me from buying one of Tom's el-cheapo flybridge MFs

The engine hours quoted are from the engine hour meter and the distance log from the integrated fishfinder/data unit (it compares fairly well with the GPS log). As mentioned this record includes the idle time etc. but from my perspective reflects the overall use of the engine and helps with planning trips and the overall boat budget. For passage making and long distance marks then the cruising consumption becomes the critical figure and is the one subject to most variation. This is where a fuel flow meter would be handy - if it wasn't the price of a lot of fuel! That is why the answers here have been useful. I also follow the "more use = better value" theory as the majority of boat owning costs are fixed, it is only engine/transmission servicing and fuel that are usage dependant. My engine unit requires a service annually or every 100 hours, so anything less than 100 hours per year increases the per hour cost; 35 hrs in 4.5 months is on target Similarly, marina costs are high but looked at as a daily charge of around

Good relevant and concise advice, thanks. Based on the above and available "offers" I now have a couple of decent quality reels and rods to my name. I have also decided to go over to braid line so have some new knots to learn Don't expect any dramatic improvement in the catch rate yet - skill takes a bit more obtaining and the available time to practice. AHoy.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I have a few longer runs coming up soon (Solent area, old haunts at Cowes/Folly) so will take your predicted fuel consumption into my planning. I still have to check prop sizing and options. Will post an update at some stage. AHoy.

At the last club meeting got to talking about fuel consumption figures for boats but hadn't checked my boats figures recently, so couldn't confirm my "2 gallons an hour" guesstimate. I have a Quicksilver 640 fitted with a Mariner 80hp 4-stroke engine. I decided not to fit the more common 100hp engine as it gave me a better price package and I felt that the 80hp would be "adequate" for my use. As far as load is concerned, it is equipped with the normal domestic/live aboard gubbins and standard coastal boat equipment, with a crew of 1 (me single-handed) for about half its use and 2 or 3 crew for the remainder of the trips. Usual personal gear, nav/electronics and fishing kit carried back and forth as needed for each trip, typically a trolley load! Usage figures from February this year to date are:- log distance: 279 NM engine hours: 33 fuel used: 251 litres litres/mile = 0.9 litres/hour = 7.5 to 8.1 gallons/hour = 1.7 to 1.8 These figures were obtained travelling at the prevailing Poole harbour speed limit or 16 to 24 knots as appropriate in open waters in generally slight sea conditions. Working area has been between Christchurch ledge and the Peveril marks for fishing plus some general "motorboat" blasts in company with my sons sport-cruiser boat. I obviously expect worse figures on more extended high speed runs (if conditions ever allow it) and in more adverse conditions. Also the engine is a bit "over-propped", it is relatively slow onto the plane and has not achieved the expected top speed of around 28 knots. Correcting this will probably result in slightly higher fuel consumption if it happens. Overall I am satisfied with the fuel consumption achieved so far but have no idea how it compares with others. BTW, with a fuel capacity of 135 litres I quote a range of 7 hours on my CG66 to allow for worst case motoring. AHoy.

Another link/view here: http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/fullscr?...070607_1030.flv More comment on the YBW forum http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat...&page=2&fpart=1

For those that don't have or watch satellite news channels have a look here for a boat with a purpose. http://www.rtl.de/news/rtl_aktuell_videopl...p?article=10467 Don't show Dorset Police Maritime Unit. Not sure what grade of skippers ticket is required.