plaicemat

Go for it, I'm ready! Terry.

Ha, Ha, Ha!!! Can't resist an invitation. Terry.

If you want something simple yet bomb proof for thicker, stiffer lines, this is one I picked up in the States years ago, no idea what it is called but it has never let me down. rather than try to explain it, I found this vid and it describes it perfectly.

Also, did you still get your early settlers discount? I had an email from them this week reminding me that I hadn't settled and that the cut off date was approaching, this despite the fact that I had paid on the 8th January and sent the contract in the day after. All sorted with a phone call. Terry.

I do the same with fly tier's UV glue, if you get the medium it doesn't go hard. I would add that I only use it when joining braid to nylon for which I use the improved FG knot. Terry.

Yes, I agree, I shouldn't be surprised. However, the thing that got me the most was three days for experts with all the tools, jigs and patterns available to fit a windlass. Have I missed something? Terry.

O/k, here's the thing, I've been thinking about fitting a windlass. Been online and found that I can buy a Lewmar V700 model for about £550 and this is the recommended one used by Jeanneau and, despite being an old fashioned engineer (no computerised machinery in my day) I thought I might get it fitted as I do not live in the same place as my boat. However, I looked at it in detail and can't believe it is that difficult so got a quote from a Poole firm who specialise in this sort of thing and are Lewmar agents. Imagine my shock when I get a quote which put the purchase price of the unit at £873, o/k, I know you pays your money and takes your choice. What really shocked me was the fitting charge of £996 plus £20 for 'other stuff', this being based on 3 days work. Really, three days for an experienced company to fit a winch? Total bill, £2242 including VAT. I may be thinking again. Terry.

Ooh! I think we all know you're qualified, Jim. Terry.

A very happy birthday Paul, my goodness, it's been a long time. A very happy cake day Ian, hope all is going well down there, I miss our occasional get togethers and looking forward to when they allow the covaxxed to socialize, not holding my breath though. Terry.

I'm certain my wife doesn't realise what I go through to put a bit of food on the table. Terry.

No Pete, it's today, like the Queen, tomorrow is probably his official birthday. So, happy birthday old chap, don't be wasting all that pension money on frivolous things. Terry.

A very Happy Brian day to you, don't miss an opportunity to remind everyone you meet, i.e. she who must be obeyed. Terry.

And keeping safe so there is a next birthday. Happy Cake Day youngster. Terry.

Obviously one of life's optimists. Terry.

I have yet to refine my technique, this will be saved for when I can practice. As you know Martin, I am a very amateur wrecker having only done odd trips on clement days in my Warrior, with a certain amount of success, I have to say, As the screens will be banked one behind the other, I imagine I will navigate with the nearer one being on chart and then when arriving will change over so we can see the nearest one from the cockpit, they will both be 9" screens, big enough on my small bigger boat I think. Terry.

My thoughts exactly. Terry.

All good points chaps, Andy after speaking to the tech fellows at Navico, I had almost decided to fit the sonar to one unit and the card in the other, thus designating purposes; further research will continue as I have nothing else to do. With regard to the smartphone, the Elite Ti 2 will indeed talk to my phone and I can upload or download data from the Navionics app. However, using the 'phone as a sonar device whilst drifting would not really be an option as I am having to gradually increase the size of my displays so I can see them on the move, a disadvantage with age. Terry.

Returning to this topic briefly, I have almost certainly decided to go for two units mounted as Andy has shown. However, as always, there is a conundrum which I can't fathom. I have decided upon the Lowrance Elite Ti 2 9" units as they have a few benefits based on the fact that they are fitted with wifi. Once paired, they will run from one Navionics card which cuts down on the expense of an extra card and they will also run on one transducer, pretty handy. I have also been looking at running off a shoot through hull transducer but, unfortunately, this will only give me standard sonar and 2D display, no downview or sidescan so, back to basics. Another option was a 12" display which I thought I could probably manage with on split screen display but here lies the conundrum I spoke of, for the same model, one 12" display costs almost double what two 9" displays cost all but about £4 so, no brainer! An additional benefit is. being wifi, I can mount an additional bracket and power cable in a convenient spot for displaying the sonar whilst drifting wrecks. Cool! Nothing else to do so deliberations continue. Terry.

I'm sure you're correct Steve but my first impression was that they were not prepared to confirm that they actually had a policy on this and filled with waffle about other fish related issues. I wait with bated breath. Terry.

Like a lot of you, I'm sure, I signed a petition regarding banning super trawlers from our newly re-acquired waters. I now have the Government response to this and am confused about what their response is, Are they going to do something or not? I append their response. Government responded: Now that the transition period has ended, we are reviewing our policy on access for supertrawlers. This review will be driven by evidence. We are reviewing our policies for supertrawlers. Any action needs to be evidence-based and in line with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. There is no agreed definition of what a supertrawler is. In the media it has come to be known as a vessel that is over 100m in length. ‘Supertrawlers’ generally target pelagic species of fish within the water column and are unlikely to damage the seabed habitats, such as reef and sediment habitats, for which most Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated. Prohibiting these vessels will not protect MPAs from the fishing activities known to be damaging to some of them, such as bottom trawling. The creation of MPAs is not generally an effective way to protect and conserve pelagic fish species which these vessels target. This is because these species are not stationary within the boundaries of the MPA where management measures would be applied. Management of stocks through the setting of quota limits has been shown to be a more effective conservation measure for pelagic fish species. The UK is a global leader in the fight to protect our seas, with 38% of UK waters in Marine Protected Areas. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has restricted our ability to implement fisheries management measures within offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The UK is now an independent coastal state and is no longer bound by the CFP. Leaving the CFP gives us the opportunity to introduce sustainable, responsive and resilient new fisheries policies. In October, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) issued a call for evidence to inform the management decisions of five MPAs. The call for evidence closed on 15 December and the MMO are currently reviewing the responses. The evidence provided during this process will help shape and inform the MMO’s assessments and options ahead of formal consultation on site management measures early in 2021. Now we have left the EU, the implementation of the Fisheries Act helps to protect our marine resources and develop plans to restore our fish stock back to more sustainable levels. The Act strengthens the MMO’s powers in a variety of areas, ensuring that they can restore and enhance, as well as conserve, the marine environment in the offshore zone, and to continue to support the delivery of the Government’s Blue Belt Programme. Any new measures to protect MPAs are likely to use the new byelaw powers in the Act. The Fisheries Act prohibits any commercial fishing vessel (including foreign-registered vessels) from operating in UK waters without a licence. It also provides powers to attach conditions (such as the areas that can be fished, species that can be caught and the type of fishing gear that can be used) to fishing vessel licences. Foreign vessels operating in UK waters will have to follow UK rules. Where vessels do not comply with these rules enforcement action can be taken against them. We will need to consider how any measures fit with our obligations under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU and avoid taking any action against individual vessels which could be construed as discriminatory. The MMO continues to monitor fishing activity in English waters – with dedicated enforcement and surveillance work to protect fisheries, including offshore patrol vessels for at-sea surveillance. The forthcoming consultations, new byelaw powers and the protections from licensing, mean that the UK’s MPA’s will have greater protection than before. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Any thoughts? Terry.

I think I may have been convinced to bin this idea, I already have a Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 and am tempted by Andy's setup. I was going to fit a Raymarine unit and have the Lowrance free standing but I could save some money on a second unit by following this path. Thanks everyone for your input, it's good to talk things through Terry.

In years gone by, I would never have admitted that I couldn't sort something being an engineer. However, I am past the age when I can be arsed so was hoping to find a talented fabricator to do it for me. I may change my mind if it proves too difficult. Terry.

No, it's to go on the area where the current chartplotter/radio are Charlie. I want to put a larger 12" Raymarine unit in there but you will now see my problem as regards visibility, that area is virtually horizontally level. I could obviously knock something up out of wood but I want it to be cosmetically appealing and consistent with what's there. Terry.

Right, I can't play with my new toy as I can't get it back to Poole so what to do. Of course, plan what I'm going to do and how I will spend some money. One thing I want to do is fit a new chartplotter/fishfinder and flush fit it into the dashboard. However, the dash is almost flat which will make seeing the screen whilst seated virtually impossible so, what I want is an angled plastic/fibreglass moulding to fit on the dash to give me an angled surface. Question, do we have or know anyone who could fabricate one for me? Terry.

Let's all hope yours doesn't pack up then. Terry.