plaicemat

Tom, your comment has prompted me to send a link for this thread to Marathon Leisure so they can see the amount of discussion this sort of topic can lead to. Any reason why not?

Thanx, Kam. It was that last bit that threw me. Terry B.

Sorry, silly last question, just spotted it. Terry B.

Martin, I did use the forum as extra muscle and that was probably a contributary factor. Dave, I got the radio from Piplers. As I was there, it seemed a good price and no P&P. I have used it a couple of times and over the distance we're usually at, it worked as well as the fixed radio. As far as plotters are concerned, I think Cobra is a fairly new entrant into the market and for something as critical as navigation, I think I would be tempted to stick with the tried and tested. I do agree, though, that the 12v plug in is a good feature. Perhaps some of the more established manufacturers should take this on board. What software does it support? Terry B.

.........and can somebody tell me how to put in links to web pages!

I've checked with a friend, and he doesn't know of anything, but everywhere else in the area does have clubs. Try this link www.escis.org.uk/list.asp?a=0&ssc=308

I would like to highlight a problem I had with my Cobra MR F75 EU DSC radio and the successful outcome. Back in December, I had a problem with with the radio in that, when I transmitted on the microphone/speaker handset, all I go was a loud buzzing sound. After Christmas I reported this, through Piplers of Poole, to Marathon Leisure of Hayling Island, the UK distributers. Their diagnosis was that the microphone was faulty and, even though the warranty was just over, supplied a new mike under the terms of the warranty. I tried this in January when I went to sea again and the original problem still persisted. Again I contacted Marathon about sending it to them for repair and was informed they only replaced faulty units. However, the warranty was now 2 months out of date and this would mean paying for a new radio. I did point out that it was only out of date due to the original mis-diagnosis, but this didn't wash. Again I asked the question about getting it repaired as I don't consider

From my limited experience, there is no real shortcut to gaining the experience you want. HOWEVER, having been a member of this most excellent club for about 18 months, I can tell you that my knowledge and skill base has increased exponentially with the amount of time I have spent mixing with the members and fishing in their company, sometimes on a buddy basis. The more effort you put into meeting the members and being an active club member, the more you will get out of it. People have been kind enough to share techniques and marks with me, and I'm sure they will do the same for you. This will mostly be done in the secure club area of the site. Good luck from one learner to another and I hope to meet you on the water sometime. Terry B.

Surely it is today, Dave?

Mind you, those things he sells probably have central heating and jaccuzis. I mean, it's not like REAL boating!

A lot of this is obviously due to the increase in watersports generally. Another interesting point would be a breakdown of the types of craft and percentage increase in rescues. How many PWC's and windsurfers contributed to this figure, for example. From my experience around the beaches of Cornwall, probably quite a few. However, there is no excuse for us to feel complacent. There is always something more we can do to improve our own safety, whether it be equipment or education, to save becoming one of the statistics.

If anyone wants to see examples of the Lowrance mapping, go to www.lowrance.com/Mapping/NauticPath/default.asp (sorry, I don't know how to do links), they can be expanded. To me, being used to Navionics, they look rather confusing and 'graphic'. Bob, I only got the small chart of Poole area with my 3500c but have now decided to go for the larger Navionics Gold, two of which cover the country.

I wouldn't think the transom is in the wrong position. It's usually found just sitting there at the back of the boat!

I apologise if this appears twice. I did it once and it didn't appear so did it again. There seems to be a toy I don't have. I have seen ad's for warrior 165's which include a bait rail and table. Where do I get one?. I've tried a google search and it only comes up with ad's for boats. It would have to be better that a piece of board on the deck. Terry B.

I have to say, though, that for those of us who make occassional forays to other parts of the country, in my case Norfolk and Suffolk (& Burnham), The Lowrance is a cheaper alternative. As a second option, it has to be better than spending another

Thanx. Bob. I've now checked further and find they are compatible with my 3500C and are available from these two sources. www.redcar-fish.co.uk/ at

I see from this month's BFM that Lowrance are producing charts, that are compatible with all their products, called NauticPath. The UK one covers from the Netherlands to Portugal, including ALL of the UK for

Can anybody use my spare ticket that I got as a bogof. This is for Saturday 4th March. Terry B.

I rather fear, not until they have joined the dole queue!Businesses used to be run by people knowledgeable in their particular discipline. These days they are run by bean counters and they accept no other right, moral or otherwise, that can't be counted in a ledger. Government works the same way.

At 0.3 of a knot, you probably wouldn't notice the anchor dragging. Try letting out more warp and see if this cures the problem. Do you have sufficient chain between the anchor and the warp? Usually, if a gps say's you're moving, you are!

Dave, according to my Mariner Maintenance Manual, the prop nut should be torqued to 55 lb.ft (75 N-m). Hope this helps. Terry B.

Interesting about the membership card. Pete Harris and I have never had one! What's the secret?

Incidently, I didn't click on the 'Book on Line' button, I used the 'Save 20% Online' one!

O/k, the in-crowd are obviously going Saturday so I will try to join up with you. I bought my ticket(s) on line as a BOGOF promotion. Being a subscriber to Trout and Salmon, I took advantage of their offer. When I booked the ticket at wwwgofishingshow.com, in the promotion box I put the code MTF (case sensitive) and selected Trout and Salmon in the next window. This gave me 2 tickets for

Anyone planning on going to the Go Fishing Show at the NEC. I have got 2 tickets for the price of one for the Friday, 3rd March. If anybody would like to join me, let me know asap. Should be a good 'do'; check it out on www.gofishingshow.com Could do Saturday 4th in extremis but was trying to avoid the crowds.