Balaton Bottoms all clean

With the start of the SAMM race season looming, members of the Balaton boat share group worked hard to get their three 6 meter Sailfish 18 boats race ready. The project was led by group chairman Julian, helped by various members, Bob, Jurgen, Paddy, David, Jez, Willie and Rona, over the course of a week.

Starting with Sirocco, they sailed her to Los Urutias marina to be worked on.

First task being to lift her from the water and remove the weed and barnacle growth from the bottom of the hull. This is excessive in the Mar Menor, probably due to the higher water temperature, and greatly reduces the hulls efficiency and boat speed.

The easiest way to remove it is by a hot water jet wash as soon as the boat is lifted before the encrustations dry out then, after being allowed to dry, a quick rub down and a fresh coat of anti-foul paint can be applied.

The upper hull and deck were then lightly sanded and repainted with epoxy marine paint and new decals applied. Finally a check was made off all the rigging and ropes before she was returned to the water.

She was followed by similar work on both Vision before the first race day and Ginetta soon afterwards. They should now all sail well and give the smaller dinghies a run for their money.

Interested in the Balaton Group? Find details and contact information at https:// www.facebook.com/thebalatongroup

Photo: Before, during and after the work on Sirocco

Abbey Angling

On Tuesday the 14th March we small the short journeÿ to Murcia town centre to fish the highly unpredictable Rio Segura. Nine anglers turned out on what was a very warm almost summers day with brilliant sunshine and almost no breeze.

Winner on the day from peg 7 was a very smiley Trevor Howard. Trevor fished braed , corn or maggots on the hook to catch eight carp for a very exacting 8kg.

In second place was Barry Smith from end peg nine who only caught 3 carp and a few bleak on the maggot using a cage feeder for 5.50kg.

In third place was Graham Patterson from peg 5 who used similar tactics for 4.22kg.

All 3 of these anglers were in the top section with the first section after the bridge fishing particularily tough, although everyne caught.

Winner of this section was Bob Robinson on peg 1 with 2.98kg and second was Alan Priest with a single carp for 1.35kg.

Rods N Reels.

The following day we returned to what has now become our spiritual home , El Bosquet at Crevillente.

The weather was once again set fair, which was a good job as half way through the match I had to take to the water to retrieve a lost top 3 section of my pole.

Fifteen anglers took part and we fished on three sections of 5 spread across pegs 1 to 7, 17 to 24 and 36 to 40.

Winner on the day was the Welsh Wizard, Doug Hornblow, drawn on peg 17 he caught carp on both the pole and feeder for 18.70kg but also lost a lot of big fish.

In second place was the leicester playboy, Steve Higgins. Drawn on the hot peg 1 he made no mistake to catch carp and mullet on the pole with maggots for 17.48kg.

In third place was Max on the adjacent peg B1 with a very respectable 15.72kg.

The other section was won by Alan Preist from peg 38, who used the method feeeder to good effect for 11.20kg.

Match fishing is all about small margins and just a word of advice to all anglers, always check your net when weighing in, as sometimes fish get stuck in the net and they are overlooked, which at times can be very costly.

Although we do have over 50 members in our clubs we are always on the lookout for new members and everyone is welcome. For further details please visit our website www.abbeyangling.es

Ian Brown

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