Seamouse

Jim, As stated, WOT range for the 75hp e-tec is 4500-5500rpm. The earlier e-tecs came with a 17" semi-race prop pattern which put a 165 squarely into the middle of the rev range. The later pattern 17" prop (circa 2006 onwards) gave me 4100 max rpm under perfect conditions. Warrior reckoned the low rpm would afford good fuel economy and not bother the engine, all other sources said it would strain the drivetrain in the long-term I did find (late 2007) the older style Evinrude props still for sale but they were more expensive than a simple Solas 15" prop which gives me 5200rpm WOT. Top speed on the 17" prop about 30 knots, on the faster spinning 15" prop 28-29knots. You takes your choice. Your current prop is actually faster on top speed than the 15" and may be more fuel-efficient cruising, but may also be argued to be accelerating engine wear and possibly negates the warranty (??). The 15" puts it all right, at about

You could easily rig a retaining clip on a length of rope, to just hold the tabs up out of the way while you launch. Steve

I have them on SeaMouse (165 with 75hp e-tec). They allow a greater range of trim control from the engine tilt, as without them the engine is pretty well fully trimmed in at all times just to keep the bow under control. I'm on 40lb units with settings for thrust and angle at 50%. This is quite mild, I'd probably get an even smoother hole shot with a harder setting but I'm happy. No change at all in top speed or in fuel economy, just instant transition onto the plane and a far more civilised ride. Downside, as said, they're vulnerable on a shallow launch and clutter up the stern rather. An easy retrofit - I had Warrior supply but not fit so that I could get a feel for the hull before I added them. Steve p.s I've also run a Warrior with 80lb SmartTabs for a while. It was a nightmare. If you get recommended the 60lb units, start out on very light settings at first!

Hi Barney, Couple of useful ones: Drill drain holes in the gunwhale pocket bases (if you have them), also under the lip of the bucket seats if fitted. Bolt stainless eyes to the back of the console and the anchor locker bulkhead and stretch bungee ropes between them as a luggage restraint. Tape pipe insulation around those stupid face-level grab handles on the edge of the cuddy - someone is going to lose their teeth on them one day Pipe insulation is good on all the rails - protects the rod rings - but most people prefer their shiny stainless steel to be visible Take the seats off their bases and pack the bearing race of the swivel with waterproof grease. Once you are used to the boat, you can relocate the seats on the base to give more space between them if required. Have fun with her! Steve

After a bad experience with over-powerful trim tabs, I had the small 40lb ones fitted. They make a huge difference to the handling but they are also soft enough that I can trim the bows up in a following sea. Having run for home this spring in a tail wind gusting 7 (don't ask), I can say for sure that they don't enforce broaching. On the other hand, you do have to live with two tea-trays sticking out from the stern. I like the way a 165 with tabs handles but I have to say, this whole porpoising thing on various forums has started to get tiresome. The bare 165 hull handles perfectly well, is inherently safer with the slightly light bow and even on a dead flat day when you've got the hammer down, the porpoising is no big deal and minimised anyway by some intelligent weight distribution. What, me? Tetchy? Steve

Looking at the website pictures, I'd guess the 170 is actually a Pro Angler hull. Same outer shape as the 165 but different construction completely. Interesting splashwell shape, looks like they've tried to claw back some extra deck space. Steve

Pete, Just a warning note - if you've changed the datum on the GPS, it will have automatically adjusted all the numbers already in there i.e it will have kept the original error. You now need to go through and re-enter all your WGS datum numbers that you had entered under thw wrong datum. Steve

Hi folks, Useable slip at Minehead despite a slight dogleg, low water means going out onto sand with some muddy patches - be wary. Blue Anchor has two slips onto the beach, both a bit too tight. Good slip at Watchet Marina but you'd be restricted by lock times for getting in and out. Porlock Wier is probably pushing a bit too far down the channel and only accessible 2 hours either side high water. Steve

Hi Jim, SeaMouse is a 165 with Smarttabs. They make a big difference, she planes earlier, is less sensitive to lateral shifts in load underway and porpoising is eliminated. They do, however, occasionally get in the way of lines running under the stern and they are right where you don't want them on a shallow launch. For a drying mooring, beach launched, or one that regularly gets tipped out shallow enough to touch the stern down, I'd avoid them. The thrust rating is important. My Pro Angler had 80lb tabs on it and it was plain evil in a stern sea. I think 60lb is the usual issue, but I've put 40lb ones on and they work great. On midway thrust and lift settings I get the bow nicely down with the engine dead level, but on a following sea I can get the bows well up. Steve

Hi Charlie I've PM'd you numbers for the 68m hole. Steve

Hi Charlie, If you do plan to plug all the way east to St Caths, you really do need to plan it on a neap. The tide push is very heavy and the overfalls are something else. When the tide is pushing a bit too hard to anchor the deeps, its just right for drifting the rise for pollack and bass though Let me know if you go - given the right conditions it is just about at the limits of my range. Steve

The clue is in the depth, Charlie. Most probably St Caths and at 260ft probably the 68m hole. There seem to have been a few boats doing well there, looking around the various forums Steve

Hi Charlie, I've tried the same rig the other way up, with a small baited circle rigged BELOW a big hook, but it wasn't too good at hooking the bait fish up with the upper hook nicely presented. Have to try it your way Steve

Hi Dave, For my 4hp auxiliary, I found I could easily backflush with Salt-X using a 50ml syringe and filling tube. I see no reason why that could not be scaled up to a bigger engine, especially one with an existing hose adaptor. On a more general front, Salt-x's intentions are clearly to get the Salt-x circulating then shut down the engine, i.e they are leaving it in to 'soak'. Wouldn't get the engine warm enough in 30 seconds to open the stat, as pointed out, and requires huge volumes in a barrel. For those with flushing adaptors, I'd suggest warming the engine fully on earmuffs so that the stat is most definitely open, shut off the engine then gravity feed warm Salt-x in through the flushing port. That way you'll get past the stat and only have to use a litre or two of the stuff. The gravity feed is easy, just a hose to the flushing adaptor, a funnel at the business end and fill it from as high above the engine as you can reach. Steve

With my wife's porridge, you'd just feed the mullet then wait for the tide to drop and walk round picking them up. Stuff is like lead-loaded Aralidite, they'd be nailed to the seabed Steve

Hi folks, Whilst I agree with the KISS application, I tried out a cod rig similar in a way to Zed's last season that worked very well. That was a pennel on the main line and a second pennel as a short dropper off a very short boom. The dropper was set so that the dropper bait sat just above the top hook of the main pennel. That let me load up two pennels worth of squid with decent hook points presented but the baits lined up in the tide and were effectively one bait. I expected it either to tangle or the baits to stand too far clear of each other but in practise the dropper generally took a turn or so round the main trace and they came up as one continuous bait without balling or masking each others points. I'll not mention the booby beads or the muppets though Steve

???? You are late harvesting Rich? We did OK this year but there was a glut of stinky Ivy honey at the end of the flow so we'll be cooking with the stuff for months to come. Steve

Pete, The disc option on the Rapide trailer is an extra 500 quid and I'd guess you could retro-fit it to a Rapide, quite possibly any other make. I've only had it nine months so not yet in a position to comment on failure rates. Two points I'd make straight away though. Actuation is mechanical, not hydraulic, so there is a spring-loaded Z lever with multiple pivot points that could potentially seize. I've got the whole assembly slathered with waterproof grease but I can see trouble ahead there The hub doesn't take a bearing saver, not sure why not, I guess I should ask Rapide. That's a seriously retrograde step. Last run out, I was getting some odd gratings and rumblings transmitted through the tow hitch on slow speed braking that I need to check out. I think it is a dry hydraulic ram (someone has been lax about using the grease points ) but if not, then it could be brake adjustment. Steve

Adam, I'm intending to be out on friday from Eastney, subject to work and wife approval. Welcome to crew if you need a fishing break. Steve

FWIW, I've not found that braid degrades much with sunlight. It does gradually abrade with time and use so chopping a few yards out or reversing the spool is wise, but stuff I've had on reels for 4-5 years is still reliable. Mono of the same age would be completely stuffed. Steve

Nah, too light, It would crab like crazy in a cross-wind Steve

Hi folks, I'm launching from Langstone tomorrow and heading for the banks off Selsey if anyone fancies a day out. Not the most productive time of year or the most user-friendly tide but it should be a nice day afloat. PM me for details. Steve

Coming down from Swindon, launching from Camber Dock or either of the two Langstone Harbour slipways would also be an option. You can range from the eastern back of the IoW across to Selsey Bill. PM me for details, not expensive to launch and park. Come to that, I'm out tomorrow and currently crewless if you want a guided tour. Steve

That's good service. Hope you are not out of action for too long. Steve