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Contents

July 2011

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52

FiShErMAN’S FriENd

The aluminium fisher from BhG Marine

Boats For Sale

Newsline

Buying Advice

108 Canal / Narrowboats 111 Cruisers 115 Commercial / Fishing 118 Ribs 121 Sports / Speed Boats 124 Pwc 125 Trailer Sailers 126 Sailing Dinghies 126 Sailing Yachts 130 Engines 131 Chandlery / Equipment

12 UK News

30 Power for pennies

All the latest news from the UK boat scene

A used MG Mazury for just £3,000

36 The magical Mallard The lightweight dory for less than £300

40 Five boat buying options Sneak peek at the Piranha 5.8

16 Boating Accessories Top boating gear for you and your crew

Looking To Sell?

If You’re Looking To Sell Your Boat, Then Boat Mart (In Conjunction With Boatandyachtbuyer.co.uk) Can Help

48 Used tow car test In search of a used Jeep Patriot

52 Fisherman’s friend 24 Strange but true Irving Stewart scours the UK for some fresh and unusual boating stories

The Linder fishing boat is put to the test

58 Electric Avenue The all-new electric outboard from Torqeedo

W IN A GOLDEN BOAT JUMBLE TICKET SEE PAGE 21

58 30 On the water

Practical

64 Events Diary

78 What about wood?

Find an event near you in June and July

Used boats you may not have considered

66 Readers’ Letters

79 Classic DIY

The month’s best projects and buying advice

Old-school maintenance advice

70 Jumble Watch

79 Breakdown avoidance

All aboard for the Beaulieu Boat Jumble

Top 10 tips to keep you on the water

80 Practical Kit Four more upgrade options for the DIY boater

82 Practical Project Stage three of our Smartwave fit-out

87 Mini Project 72 The Good Life Is this the perfect liveaboard narrowboat?

74 Show Focus Six more show snippets under the Boat Mart microscope

Learn to use your grease gun

DIY

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88 Skipper’s tips The RYA guide to towing a boat

96 Trailer Advice The art of boat retrieval

92 Angling Expert In search of the mighty Blonde Ray

BREAKDOWN AVOIDANCE - TOP 10 TIPS TO KEEP YOU ON THE WATER SECONDHAND MG FOR JUST £3,000

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EDITORIAL Editor: Alex Smith Email: boatmarteditor@gmail.com Art Editor: Mark Hyde Contributors: Peter Caplen, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Jane Rickard, Stuart Field, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber

ADVERTISING Tel: 01223 460490 Sales Executive: Roberta Ruja Private Advertising Queries: 01223 460490

Teflon teapots Never in the history of mankind has there been more choice for the leisure boater than there is right now - and here at Boat Mart, we aim to show you the whole wonderful spectrum . . .

On page 34, David Webber caters for the needs of the modern boater with a look at that most traditional of building materials - wood; On page 52, Simon Everett puts a new aluminium fisher through a rigorous test in the punishing seas off Lymington; On page 82, Peter Caplen embraces polyethyelene, in the latest stage of his DIY Smartwave fit-out; And on page 78, David Greenwood examines the technical merits of steel, before I (buoyed

by David’s argument) head for Sheffield, the spiritual home of British steel, in pursuit of my perfect liveaboard boat.

So aside from GRP, polyethylene, wood, aluminium and steel, what do we have for you

this month? Well, we have 20 more pages of buying advice, 20 more pages of practical DIY and 20 more pages of Boats for Sale. In short, we have everything you need to get yourself on the water with a boat that’s right for you, your family and your wallet . . . www.boatmart.co.uk Practical Boating at its Best

PRODUCTION Studio Manager: Sal Law Ad Designers: Flo Terentjev Tel: 01223 460490 Email: copy@boatmart.co.uk

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Subscription Hotline: 01442 879097 Fax: 01442 872279 Email: boatmart@webscribe.co.uk Managing Director: Sue Baggaley Creative Director: Rich Olsen Web: www.boatmart.co.uk

PUBLISHED BY: CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HX Tel: 01223 460490 Fax: 01223 315960 © 2011 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat and RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines.

Mark Hyde

Roberta Ruja

Sue Baggaley

Stewart Suffield

Art Editor Mark is the man behind the layout and design of the mag, the website and the monthly newsletter

Sales Manager As the Ad Manager, Roberta strives to source fresh outlets for boats, engines and accessories

Managing Director The MD has in-depth knowledge and experience of every area of the UK marine industry

Technical Consultant As an expert on marine engines and obscure boats, he is all set to answer your questions

Peter Caplen

Simon Everett

David Webber

David Greenwood

Practical Writer Peter is a font of knowledge on all forms of boat improvement and DIY maintenance

Features Writer An expert on classic boats, Simon continually tours the UK in search of the big stories that affect you

Features Writer David is a big fan of inland cruising, with a column on how to buy, use and maintain a GRP cruiser

Features Writer David is the man for trailer advice, buying used, angling kit and engaging maritime anecdotes

Printed by Garnett Dickinson Distributed by Comag Specialist Tavistock Road, West Drayton UB7 7QE

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DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions.

They will however investigate any written complaints. CSL prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warrantee and makes no representation as to truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement. CSL accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relied either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. The advertiser warrants that the advertisement does not contravene any Act of Parliament nor is it in any way illegal or defamatory or an infringement of any other party’s rights or of the British Code of Advertising Practice.

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From books to bags and electronics to accessories . . .

New licensed café at Gosport Marina

The brilliantly named Annie Kettle marked the opening of ‘The Boat House Café’ at Premier’s Gosport Marina with a celebration evening of champagne and canapés. The cafe opened its doors just in time for the start of the boating season and is now offering boaters the chance to enjoy local food and fine wine in a relaxed waterside setting.

Besides freshly ground coffees and a range of teas and soft drinks, you can expect full English breakfasts, ‘homemade’ lunches, traditional afternoon teas and a bistro style supper menu.

The Boat House also offers food to take away.

It means that customers planning a day on the water can pre-order hampers, picnics, beer and wine, and even stock up on provisions through the café’s boater-friendly selection of easy to prepare on board meals. www.theboathousegosport.com

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Classic trawler looks ahead Excelsior, the East Coast’s famous Lowestoft sailing trawler, will be celebrating her 90th birthday in 2011 and is looking to the future, with the Excelsior Trust launching an appeal for £250,000 for the vessel’s longer-term maintenance and refurbishment.

The Trust has announced that for the first time, schools and young people from the age of ten can become formal supporters and actually get on board this historic ship in harbour.

The trawler, registered as one of Britain’s 60 finest tall ships, was restored by the Excelsior Trust in the 1980s. For the past five years, Excelsior has been chartered through the Cirdan Sailing Trust,

an Essex-based charity helping young people. Now in 2011, use of the Excelsior can be made directly with the Trust, as well as through various charter organisations.

Geoffrey Copeman, Chairman, says the Excelsior is in fine fettle and ready for years at sea, but adds: “We are seeking £250,000 for major work longer term.

Maintenance still depends on our past loyal supporters but we must now attract new investors and supporters to help keep up this wonderful ship.”

Benefits for paying supporters will include the opportunity to sail free when the ship is not fully occupied. You also get day sails at concessionary prices or longer term charter trips, subject to availability. www.excelsiortrust.co.uk

Buying Advice Buy a used MG for just £3,000

P30 P34 P36 P40 P48 P52 P58

20 PACKED PAGES

In search of a secondhand Mazury The wonders of a wood Bargain boat deals for every budget Five fresh boat-buying options In search of a ‘small’ used Jeep The aluminium fisher from BHG Marine Is it time to invest in an electric engine?

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48

52

Riva Iseo From the impeccable Riva yard comes a modern classic to add to your lottery wish list . . .

The peerless Riva heritage In 1842 on Lake d’Iseo, a young carpenter named Pietro Riva arrived from Laglio and opened a shipyard. This is where the very first Riva creations were built, bringing the company great esteem, which continued at the hands of Pietro’s son, Ernesto Riva.

Ernesto introduced technical innovations that raised the quality of his craft - not least, by putting internalcombustion engines on his yachts.

And after WW1, the motorboating emphasis was reinforced, bringing a number of records in both national and international competitions during the 1920s and 30s. And by the 50s, Carlo Riva’s brand had become a synonym for elegance and status.

With sumptuous materials, painstaking care and decades of artisan experience, Rivas were sought after by royalty the world over, as well as A-list actors and celebrities - and today, the glamour, the desirability (and the prices) remain very firmly intact.

Riva makes some exceptionally beautiful boats - and while they could easily build an ugly duckling and still find us beating down their doors to own it, the new Riva Iseo is likely to be every bit as gorgeous as we have come to expect.

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● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

Due to be launched in the summer of 2011, the Iseo is designed to combine the classic beauty of the post-war age with the integrated technology of today. So how do they strike that balance?

Well the hull is made from GRP as opposed to the classic wood which, as the company says, ‘is no longer practical or economical’. But the top deck still gleams, thanks to mahogany finished with no fewer than 20 coats of varnish. In terms of style, Riva says the 27-foot Iseo will be similar to its classic ‘Aquariva’ (pictured, right), which was built with all the characteristics of a 1950s luxury American car, plus the typical Riva raked stern and recessed sundeck.

However, move beneath the glossy veneer of this classically styled boat and you get a modern Yanmar 6BY2 Diesel attached to a Duoprop ZT350, designed to push her up to 34 knots. And while there are additional options, Riva is also developing a hybrid drive for the Iseo, which will allow the Iseo to cruise along using only electric power. The system, based on Ferretti’s Zero Emission Mode engines, promises not to tarnish the Riva’s performance at all, leaving that 34-knot top end untouched.

Riva has also taken the opportunity to design an interactive on board ‘infotainment’ system with GPS chart plotting and entertainment features, all built to be compatible with the Apple

platform. Thanks to a range of new apps, Iseo owners will be able to access the boat’s system on an iPad, enabling them to view MET forecasts and information services while listening to the radio.

So there it is - old and new combined. Do you want one? Of course you do. Can you afford one? Of course you can’t. But it’s lovely to know that such boats exist . . .

Specifications LLOA: 8.24 m Beam: 2.5 m Weight: 2,560 kg Deadrise: 15 degrees Max people: six Power: 260 - 380hp Standard engine: Yanmar 6BY2 260hp Fuel capacity: 330 litres Range: 180 nautical miles Price: on application Contact Ventura Europe 17 Queen Street Mayfair, London W1J 5PH Tel: 02074 952330 mnw@venturaeurope.co.uk www.venturaeurope.com

Get Hitched

with Paul Guinness

Looking for a compact 4x4 that’s capable of hauling a decent load and carrying plenty of kit without costing a fortune? Paul Guinness takes a look at Jeep’s smallest offering . . .

Launched in 2007, the new Patriot was smaller and lighter than any other Jeep in the range. In essence, it was America’s take on the compact SUV and it worked, with classic Jeep looks, clever four-wheel drive and impressively low list prices.

Despite being no bigger than most family hatchbacks, the Patriot looked every inch the classic Jeep, drawing its influence from the bigger Cherokee. It had the flat bonnet, the upright windscreen and the unashamedly rectangular profile - and it was practical too, boasting a roomy and easy-to-use interior packed with clever touches. Crucially, the boot was a useful 536 litres in size, expanding to 1,357 litres with the back seat folded.

Like all ‘proper’ Jeeps, the Patriot was also an accomplished off-roader, boasting automatic four-wheel drive called Freedom Drive-I. In ‘normal’ mode it was decoupled,

Specifications

ENGINE:

2,360cc in-line four-cylinder petrol MAX POWER: 168bhp @ 6,000rpm MAX TORQUE: 162lb.ft. @ 4,400rpm PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.7 secs top speed 113mph ECONOMY: 33.6mpg (official ‘combined’ cycle) CO2 EMISSIONS: 200g/km ENGINE:

1,968cc in-line four-cylinder turbo-diesel MAX POWER: 138bhp @ 4,000rpm MAX TORQUE: 228lb.ft. @ 1,750rpm PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.0 secs top speed 117mph ECONOMY: 42.2mpg (official ‘combined’ cycle) CO2 EMISSIONS: 180g/km

48

● Buying Advice ● Boat Mart

meaning that only the front wheels were driven. But whenever any slip was detected, the rear differential (and 4WD mode) was activated automatically and this was backed up by an array of electronic gadgetry, including ESP, ABS, traction control and a brake lock differential system.

Two engines were offered - the 168hp 2.4-litre petrol and a 138hp 2.0-litre turbo diesel, the latter from VW. But whichever you chose, you’d find your Patriot could pull a braked trailer weighing up to 2,000kg. It was, however, the diesel that would be the most popular version in the UK (despite its rattly nature), largely thanks to its official ‘combined’ fuel consumption of 42.2mpg.

Two trim levels Two Patriot trim levels were initially offered.

The basic Sport had all the safety kit you would expect, including side and curtain airbags, air-con and electric windows, while the posher ‘Limited’ version added leather seats, cruise control and chrome exterior detailing.

Changes have been made over the last four years, including the launch of a Sport+ trim (sitting midway between Sport and Limited), plus a major makeover of the Patriot’s interior in 2009. Prices

were reduced at the same time (to a start point of £14,995). In short, nobody could knock the Patriot’s value for money . . .

So what about the problems?

The VW diesel uses a six-speed gearbox, which is preferable to the five-speed on the petrol. But many Patriots are used for towing, so make sure the clutch is good. The optional automatic should be checked, as it’s a complex CVT auto (not a torque converter), which means it can be costly to fix.

If it’s been properly serviced, rust should not be a problem, as there should be a good period of the anti-rust warranty left, even

BUYING ADVICE ELECTRIC ENGINES

incorporating a GPS receiver and LCD display into the tiller handle. This does not offer conventional waypoint and other traditional navigation assistance, but simply calculates speed and distance over the ground. It then relates this to the electric outboard ‘s rpm and uses the findings to calculate (a) how long the battery will last at present settings and (b) how far you will travel in that time. If you throttle back or increase the revs, both parameters will change to reflect this.

First road test of the Travel 1003 On Day One, using our Tinker Foldaway RIB, we cruised the 1003 for 1.5 hours at 4.0 mph, at the end of which the battery still had 40 per cent of its capacity remaining. This is not far adrift from the manufacturer’s own data (see the table at the end). Realising that we could have stayed out for at least another hour at that speed, we did the

test again several times. On a still day, we cruised for 2.75 hours and, even punching into some wind, we stayed out for two hours, 20 minutes, at which point the battery was showing 12 per cent charge remaining. This, unlike the performance of wet batteries, is not a problem, because you can totally flatten the new breed without doing them any damage.

Interestingly, we achieved about the same figures on a heavy Wayfarer dinghy and on a well loaded, hugely built ten-foot fishing boat. The performance on these lumpier boats was due to their having a much finer hull entry than the bluff bowed inflatable RIB, which also stops dead in strong gusts of wind and in the troughs of chop.

Once inertia had been overcome, these finer craft carried their way much more easily.

This equates to the performance to be expected of a 4 hp internal combustion (IC) ➧

The uprated Cruise units can offer remote control, twin installation and lots of useable power

Boat Mart ● Buying Advice ●

59

Events Diary Two more months of must-see events are about to take hold of the UK boating scene. Here are some of the standout dates in June and July . . .

JUNE JULY

17-19 June South Wales Boat Show Find a jumble near you

Prince of Wales Dock, Swansea Having moved to its new coastal location in 2010, the sixth South Wales Boat Show is to enjoy a revamp of its hard standing display, plus the honour of the Royal Navy’s patronage, in the form of HMS HUNWORTH. ● Adults: £8 ● Families: £20 ● www.southwalesboatshow.co.uk

June

10-12 June Beale Park Boat Show The Beale Park Boat Show is one of the most enjoyable and inventive events in the calendar.

As well as a race for homemade boats propelled by power tools, there will be a spell of opera singing on board a classic 1965 Meakes cruiser. This is not one to miss. ● Adult ticket: £7 ● Family ticket: £15 ● Mooring charge: £10 ● 01189 767498 ● bealeparkboatshow.co.uk

11 June 2011 Littlehampton River Revival Littlehampton Harbour and River Arun Water-based family day with deep-sea fishing and a charity bathtub race. ● Entry - free ● 01903 721866 ● www.littlehampton.org.uk 11 June 2011 Marlow Town Regatta & Festival The Marlow Regatta has a rowing programme set against a garden party atmosphere in the beautiful riverside town of Marlow. It is also set to feature a dragon boat event on Sunday 12 June. ● Entry - free ● marlowtownregatta.org

29 - 31 July North Wales Boat Show Vaynol Hall, Bangor, North Wales The North Wales Boat Show will be the fourth event of its kind and, for the second year running, it will be welcoming some highprofile big-hitters like Sunseeker London, Fairline, Cranchi, Bayliner, Chaparral, Seadoo, Avon, Zodiac and Bombard. More than 100 companies have reportedly confirmed their attendance at the event. ● Adult ticket: £7 ● Family ticket: £16 ● www.northwalesboatshow.co.uk

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● On The Water ● Boat Mart

There are no fewer than nine UK boat jumbles in May and June, in places as widely spread as Paisley, Suffolk, Humberside and Cornwall. To find an event near you, visit ww.boatjumbles.org.uk. And to find out what a modern jumble is all about, turn to our regular Jumble Watch feature on page 70.

19 June 2011 - Wellesbourne & Shakespeare Raft Race Annual charity event with a 7.5mile course down the river Avon from Wellesbourne to Stratford upon Avon recreation ground. ● Entry - free 19 June 2011 - Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival River Nene, Town Bridge This is Britain’s largest dragon boat event, with races every ten minutes throughout the day, enjoyed by more than 50 crews and 10,000 spectators. Expect food and drink, a beer tent, live music and continuous activities on the bank, including mini hovercraft, aeroball and paintball. ● Entry - free ● dragonboatfestivals.co.uk

24-26 June 2011 - Whitehaven Maritime Festival, Cumbria As one of the largest maritime festivals in the UK, this involves activities on the water, in the air and on the harbourside, with tall ships, air displays, street entertainment, music, drama and re-enactments, plus fireworks on the Friday and Saturday. ● Entry - free ● www.whitehaven.org.uk

The Good Life . . .

In the third part of the series, the Editor’s attempts to relocate to a liveaboard narrowboat take a distinctly positive turn . . .

It’s a long way from Dartmouth to Yorkshire for a breakfast appointment - especially in a Vauxhall Corsa, which makes 75mph feel like a death-defying Mach 3. Nonetheless, a couple of months of fruitless (if educational) boat searching had left both me and the missus feeling that the most extreme measures would be fully justified if it meant finding the right boat. And when we had seen a beautiful Jonathan Wilson 57-footer appear on the internet at about tea time, we had been pretty certain that she would be a serious contender. Paranoid that she would be sold within minutes, we booked an immediate viewing with Rugby Boat Sales and prepared ourselves for a breakneck 4am dash for West Stockwith

Who is Jonathan Wilson?

Jonathan Wilson began building boats nearly 30 years ago, as an apprentice to his uncle - the late Mike Heywood. Even at an early age, Jonathan showed real talent for developing the line and style of a boat and it was not long before he set up his own boat building business. In 1985, he took on Tim Tyler as a young apprentice and in the 26 years since then, the partnership has taken on a select number of like-minded craftsmen who take enormous pride in putting their signature on boats that capture the graceful lines and artistic detailing of a bygone era. It might sound like a rather florid account of a boat builder, but the more you look at narrowboats, the more you appreciate the care and style that goes into a Jonathan Wilson hull. Small wonder we were so keen to get a viewing. www.tylerwilson.co.uk / www.wtnbc.co.uk She has a very distinctive Jonathan Wilson bow shape

The external detailing needs a lick of paint but the general condition is excellent

The first impressions As we arrive at the boat, the first impressions are all good.

Volusia is a Traditional Josher style 57-foot narrowboat built in 2006

by Jonathan Wilson - and she is every bit as beautiful as you would expect from a boat of her type. In fact, the steelwork is considerably better than anything we have so far seen . . .

The long bow is beautifully shaped, with concave, sculptured angles, pronounced chines and a very fine, elegant entry. As your eyes wander aft, you see portholes running the entire length, with a pair of skylights increasing the ingress of natural light and a traditional stern configuration maximising the internal space.

Better still, everything, from the paintwork to the window frames, the chimney, the fenders and the rope hook, is clean, tidy and professionally appointed.

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● On The Water ● Boat Mart

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Trouble-free towing Emma Slater of the RYA shows you how to tow a boat . . .

Like most boating manoeuvres, towing can be a big test of your skill and your confidence as a skipper. It’s not complicated once you know how it’s done, but there are a few things you need to learn if you want to avoid getting caught out.

Fortunately, the RYA is in a good position to help - not least because the average RYA dinghy instructor is compelled to tow whole fleets of dinghies as part and parcel of the day job. In fact, the RYA’s many years of experience (getting into horrible towing muddles) has meant that its techniques have been usefully refined. And while there are obviously lots of forms of towing, both for commercial and leisure boaters, we’re not talking here about towing a tanker with a tug. We’re going to keep it simple and realistic, enabling these basic rules to apply to small open boats like dinghies and RIBs.

Two towing methods There are two basic methods of towing - either with the towed boat tied alongside or with the towed boat trailing astern. For longer distances, towing the boat astern is generally the accepted method, as it is better for fuel consumption and generally more comfortable.

But tying alongside is generally better if you are going to be manoeuvering in a tight space or getting close to a marina. Having

Round Turn and two half hitches This ‘knot’ consists of two parts - the round turn to take the strain

another boat swinging behind you in a tight channel or a busy harbour could easily end in lots of crunching fiberglass.

In terms of equipment, you need to make sure your line is up to the job and stretchy enough to absorb a bit of strain without snatching. If you’re going to use a knot, make sure it’s a round turn and two half hitches, as this doesn’t jam under load. For details on how to tie this, see below . . .

and the two half hitches to secure the line.

To tie it, simply go round the object twice (more for a big load).

Then go over and under the standing part twice in the same direction in a pair of half hitches.

With a heavier load, use more turns and with the half hitches, remember

Towing astern This is very simple, as you simply have the other boat swinging off your stern, so what can go wrong? Well, not much, but you do need to ensure that the tow is pulling from the centre line on both boats. This means if you just attach the tow line to, say, your port cleat, your boat will skew horribly to port as you drive off (as you can see from the picture to the right). You therefore need to set up a bridle line between your two stern cleats. Many RIBS will already have one of these, so by attaching your tow line to the middle of this bridle, you will make a towing operation a much more directionally stable affair.

You also need to ensure that the towing line is attached to a secure strong point on your tow. In small boats, generally the painter attachment should suffice, but if it looks a bit flimsy, look for a good strong point. On a dinghy, the foot of the mast tends to work well. If there are two of you on board, then it’s worth getting one person in the towed boat to steer it, helping to provide far greater control.

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Angling

Unfazed by last month’s Conger, Ted Tuckerman takes on another UK giant - the Blonde Ray.

Hunting for Blonde Ray The Blonde Ray might not be quite as big as the mighty conger, but it is nonetheless a very powerful predator, guaranteed to test your tackle to the full. Better still (and unlike the conger), almost any angler - even those with small boats - are able to reach and fish most of the popular marks for this top quarry.

The Blonde Ray profile

The hardware demands

The blonde ray (Rajidae), is a member of the cartilaginous family. In other words, it’s a flattened shark and the biggest of the short-nosed rays in our waters, with the current British record standing at an impressive 39.10.2.

Identification, especially of smaller fish, can often be rather confusing, but the simple way to identify it is to look at the spots. It is the only ray in our waters where the spots go all the way to the edge of the wing without a margin.

Its habitat is sandbanks, or more accurately, the pits or the drop-offs, where it has a plentiful supply of big launce, one of its favourite meals. It also feeds on pout, squid and cuttlefish and (some say) sprat, herring and mackerel - though quite how these fish, with a mouth on the underside, are supposed to catch swimming fish I am not sure.

These ray demand sturdy tackle - and that means a rod that is not only able take the strain of a big ray with its wings spread wide to catch the full force of the tide, but also a rod that can edge it to the surface and then plane it to the net. A reel to cope with the pressure is another necessity, as the soft metal gearing of cheap multipliers is prone to stripping under such stress.

Braid line is best, as it cuts down on the weight size, and spring tides are the most productive for fishing. Hook size depends on your bait choice. Mine is usually 6/0 or 8/0, although 10/0 would also be appropriate for a big cuttle bait. A single hook tied to about six to eight feet of white nylon of around 100lb BS is a popular rig.

Launce is a popular bait and it is easy to catch a day’s supply on shrimp feathers at the mark before you start fishing. Launce can be

NEW FISHER PROFILE Solent Fisher 540 LOA 5.4 m Beam 2.2 m Engine Suzuki DF40 Package price £9,995 More Information Fairweather Marine 01329 823927 www.fairweatermaine.co.uk While the name ‘Solent’ might still be primarily associated with big seagoing RIBs, it is well worth noting that you can also get fishers from this same excellent boat builder.

Fairweather Marine’s tough little no-frills Solent Fishers come with traditional trihedral hulls and cuddies, plus huge cockpits, great stability and fine efficiency on fairly small outboards.

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The Solent Fisher 540 possesses all of these merits at a package price of less than £10,000 - and that includes a frugal and refined Suzuki DF40 outboard engine. So how can they be built at such a price? Well whenever a big RIB hull is in production, it is extremely cost effective to lay up a fisher at the same time. The fishers can then be finished off at leisure and put into stock at very competitive prices.

With a traditional open fisher layout, it’s not a one-trick pony either. Every inch of its diminutive dimensions is well used, so whether you want a fast runabout, a fisher, a family day boat, or even a harbour taxi, the Solent Fisher 540 might well fit the bill.

E READ MOFRILES BOAT PRGOE 40 ON PA

Potential difficulties Some slipways have shallow angles that don’t allow the trailer to be immersed far enough without getting the tow vehicle wet. In these cases, you need either an extension bar or a rope, so the trailer can go deeper.

Both methods work but you have to remember that when the trailer is attached to the vehicle, the weight of the car holds the nose of the trailer down as the boat is driven on.

When it’s not there, you need o to be able to float the boat ont do ’t the whole trailer. If you don e that, its weight on the back edg iler tra the of can force the front upwards.

A lee shore (when the wind is blowing you onto the beach) can also be very tough. If there is a n decent sea running, it can eve , ous ger dan make recovery quite by as the boat can be picked up a wave just as you are about to es get it onto the trailer. It requir the get an experienced team to boat out in these conditions, so if you are a beginner, you will need to use a different slipway.

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Trailer Advice Retrieving Your Boat

You may feel that your first recovery from slipway to trailer is full of pitfalls, but with a little thought and planning it is relatively straight forward. By David Webber and Jon Mendez.

Recovering your boat is usually quite easy, especially if you return to the slipway from which you launched. And while there can be complications (an uneven slipway gradient for instance), we will concentrate here on recovery from a standard slip with a consistent gradient, where the trailer can be immersed without getting the tow vehicle wet.

The preparation On your way back to the slip, prepare the boat for recovery by stowing any lines and kit you don’t need. Then drop the car driver off so he can get the vehicle and trailer. If there is nowhere local and you have to drop him on the slip itself, approach slowly with the leg trimmed well up to give maximum clearance in shallow water. But remember that when trimmed up, you have less grip on the water and therefore less stopping power.

The vehicle driver will need to prepare the trailer for the recovery and this will depend on whether you have a roller trailer or bunks.

If it’s a roller trailer, you can get away with less of the trailer in the water. As long as you can get the bow on and the winch strap