plaicemat

Well, I've looked most carefully and there doesn't seem to have been much effort in the past week, chaps. Nobody been out walloping those bass into submission? I can't understand why, the weather has been warm and balmy with clear skies every day. And the sea, it's been flat calm with that inviting look about it. Oh, I was forgetting, you haven't been where I was. Shame! Terry.

I might be able to sort something if the weather God's remain in the ascendant. I will be missing the Saturday comp as I have to work as interpreter for some German friends hoping to buy a Sunseeker. As I have to be down anyway, perhaps a day's fishing before will make up for not having a chance to win the comp! Terry.

If this is any help, though, you'll need to be quick as I'm off on hols Monday. Terry.

The best way is to go to a diesel engineering establishment (supply, repair, recon) and ask for a reconditioned unit. If you mention cash, they sometimes have one 'under the counter' that hasn't gone through the books. Not that I condone this practice in any way. I have a very amenable chap locally so, if you can give me the part number, I can get you a quote to either give you an idea or get one for you. Not ideal, I know, as I live a fair way away but if it is a decent saving, it could be worth it. Terry.

It will be alright for a back-up whilst under way but don't rely on it alone. Take it from someone who has tested this system extensively, I even have one of the American Keep-Alive tanks, courtesy of the company that makes the system as I was considering importing them at one time. You will find you get a lot of scum on the surface which cuts out any natural oxygenation (mackerel poo) and in warm weather the temperature will rise quite quickly to the detriment of the mackerel. They really do need the water to be changing constantly. This is not the case with other bait fish, such as sand eels, as they seem to live in this situation very satisfactorily. How far do you intend travelling with the bait in the tank? I've done 5 or 6 miles and they have been fine for that length of time and I know others that probably travel farther on the bigger boats. They may get a bit lethargic but, as long as they have no damage (refer to the thread re handling mackerel) and there are no bleeding ones in there, they will quickly revive when the water is turned on again. Terry.

Don't say I didn't warn you! Terry.

Thanks very much, Simon, arrived today. I owe you one. And thanks to Dave and Charlie who also responded. Dave, I have checked out yours and have it as a back-up. Terry.

Thank God I'm going away, this could all get very nasty! Terry.

It took and moment or two. Really Gordon, you should get a hobby, one that can keep you occupied on a regular basis. Not like fishing! Terry.

Right, plans finalised so I should be able to make the revised date. I will be in Madeira in between so should be refreshed and ready for the fray. If anyone is going to be looking for crew, I will watch with interest as I will probably not have time to prepare my own boat beforehand. Terry.

Thanks, Simon. Done. Sent to your aol email address. Hope this is still current. Terry.

Alternative, if I can get a paper one, is to laminate it. Terry.

Does anyone know where I can obtain/download the aide memoire that one can stick up in the wheelhouse for when one needs to make a mayday call? I had one but it had the old details from the previous owner. Any help appreciated. Terry.

Reduces the odds in our favour, though! Terry.

Go on then, but let us doubters know how you get on. I'd hate to miss out. Terry.

Bit early, I would have thought. May be wrong though, this year seems to have a mind of it's own. Terry.

He's obviously suffering from delirium at being allowed to go! Terry.

We've all been there, done that. It's not an excuse for not doing it. If you have a fuel leak, check all the unions where it joins things like filters, etc., and if nothing there, it will probably be at the injectors or the common rail. If oil and you're not losing much, refer to the previous comments. Remember always, a little oil goes a bloody long way! You are correct, though, that a good clean up will make things much more obvious. A good brush up with Gunk (other engine cleaners are available) and a blast off with a pressure washer will soon reveal the culprit. BTW, if you're doing it on the road, park upstream of a drain. Terry.

Myself and Mike Hyde will be out on Hideaway. Can we book in please. Terry.

If the oil is coming from the top of the engine (you should be able to see the trail) then the rocker cover is a very good place to start. Easily fixed with a new gasket and some gasket seal. Make sure you get all the cruddage out of the grooves the gasket will fit into; cleanliness is next the godliness with engines. If it is dripping from the underneath with no obvious trail coming from above, check under the gearbox. It could very likely be the main bearing oil seal (where the crankshaft comes through to the block and into the gearbox. There is usually a drain hole in the front, underside of the gearbox housing for this to drain out. Again this is not a difficult repair as the ring oil seal is a strong push fit; the only slight problem is getting the old one out but not insurmountable as it doesn't matter if you damage it. Failing that, you need to determine the variety of oill; engine, geabox, power steering, etc. Usually, with the rocker cover, the top of the engine is covered in a black film of oil where it is blown around and it will usually continue to run downwards when the vehicle is parked and leave drips on the drive overnight. This will happen with the main bearing oil seal in a small way but the bulk is ditched whilst driving through the drain hole. Best of luck and more details if none of the above. As you know, I'm not down too often but if you get stuck, I'll look in when I am. Terry. p.s. Sorry, I didn't spot this post earlier.

A priest and a rabbi are seated together on a plane. After a while, the priest turns to the rabbi and asks, "Is it still a requirement of your faith that you not eat pork?" The rabbi responds, "Yes, that is still one of our beliefs." The priest then asks, "Have you ever eaten pork?" To which the rabbi replies, "Yes, on one occasion, I did succumb to temptation and tasted a ham sandwich." The priest nodded in understanding and went on with his reading. A while later, the rabbi spoke up and asked the priest, "Father, is it still a requirement of your church that you remain celibate?" The priest replied, "Yes, that is still very much a part of our faith." The rabbi then asked him, "Father, have you ever fallen to the temptation of the flesh?" The priest replied, "Yes, rabbi, on one occasion I was weak and broke with my faith." The rabbi nodded understandingly. He was silent for about five minutes, and then he said, "Beats a ham sandwich, doesn't it?" Terry.

Oops! Sorry, my mistake, I thought this was all friendly banter in a ribbing sort of way. I'm outa here. Terry.

Pensioner, George Miller from Bolton, Lancashire, was going up to bed when his wife, Mary, told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go and turn off the light but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. He phoned the police, who asked "Are any of them in your house?" To which George replied "No". The police said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available. George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police back again............"Hello", he said "I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, I just want to let you know that you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them." Then he hung up. Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response Unit, and an ambulance showed up at the Miller residence and caught the burglars red-handed. One of the Policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!" George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!" Terry.

Do you think when it is bright, the bass are lower in the water, Alun? Avoiding the glare? Terry.

Anyone who can get that excited when they have their engine serviced should really get out more! Terry.