SEASON PLANNER BEST EVENTS AND DESTINATIONS FOR UK BOATERS

SPRING SPECIALSPRING EARLY SEASON DIY TIPS TO KEEP YOU ON THE WATER

GADGETS GALOREBOAT ACCESSORIES TRIED AND TESTED

HARDKNOCK LIFE

THE SUPER-TOUGH LEISURE RIB

FROM REDBAY

BUDGET BEAUTIESGET STARTED IN BOATING FOR UNDER £1,000

CARDIFF MARINABRITAIN’S NEW BOATING HOT SPOT

BUYING USED

VALIANT RIB FOR UNDER £5,000

MAY 2010

VITAL MAINTENANCEGETTING SET FOR SUMMER

SPRINGFISHINGBLACK BREAM AND SMOOTHHOUND

BRUMMIE BARGAINSALL THE BEST FROM THE NEC

DINGHY ON TOURBEST BOAT-FRIENDLY UK VENUES

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PRACTICAL, AFFORDABLE BOATING

Incorporating Boat & Yacht Buyer May 2010www.boatmart.co.ukONLY £3.50

HUNDREDS OF BOATS FOR SALE - SEE INSIDE

BM MAY 10 COVER.indd 1 24/03/2010 16:05

EditorialEditor: Alex Smith

Email: EditorBoatMart@Boatmart.co.ukArt Editor: Mark HydeContributors: Jane Rickard, Peter Caplen, Angela Clay, Simon Everett, Adrian French, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Colin Jones, Phil Pickin, Irving Stewart, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber

AdvertisingTel: 01223 460490Senior Sales Manager: Samantha BroomeAdvertising Manager: Claire BroadmoorePrivate Advertising Queries: 01223 460490Designers: Flo Terentjev, Sarah Garland

Production Studio Manager: Sal LawProduction Controller: Anthony GibbonsTel: 01223 460490 Email: copy@cslpublishing.com

SubscriptionsSubscription Hotline: 01442 879097Fax: 01442 872279Email: boatmart@webscribe.co.uk

Managing Director: Sue BaggaleyWeb: www.boatmart.co.uk

Published by:CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HXTel: 01223 460490 Fax: 01223 315960 © 2010 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat and RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines.

Printed by Garnett Dickinson

Distributed by Comag Specialist

Tavistock Road, West Drayton UB7 7QE

DISCLAIMERThe 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.

For artistic purposes lifejackets are not shown in all of the photographs. Boat Mart strongly advises that lifejackets are worn at all times for watersports.

COPYRIGHTNo part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Photocopying or other reproduction without the publisher’s permission is a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs.

This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

CARDIFF MARINA IN FOCUS

46

BUY A BOAT FOR UNDER A GRAND

37

BM MAY_10_Contents.indd 2 24/03/2010 16:13

BOAT MART REGULARS

Throw us a line ..............09Newsline ........................15Subscribe ....................... 74Courses ........................ 120Boats for sale ................137Classifieds ....................149Next issue ....................160

BUYING ADVICEREDBAY STORMFORCE 650 ...............23A hardy new RIB from the workboat guru

VIKING FAN CLUB ...............31A long-term admirer visits Viking HQ

VALIANT V490 ....................44A great used RIB for affordable boating

BUDGET OF THE MONTH ....46Serious boats for under £1,000

GETTING HITCHED ............52Facelifted Suzuki Grand Vitara on test

EQUIPMENTTOP GEAR ......................... 56A fishing rod in a pocket-sized case

INSHORE SKIPPER ............ 65The art of camp boating on the continent

ELECTRONICS MADE EASY ....................... 71The all-electric power supply explained

LIFESTYLECLASSIC CORNER ............. 81The best classic events of 2010

DINGHY WORLD ............... 85Ideal UK destinations for dinghies

ANGLING ADVICE .............. 89Get your hooks sorted this season

BRUMMIE BARGAINS .........93The best on show from the annual

NEC exhibition

DIARY DATES ....................99Two months of must-see boat events

PRACTICALTECH TALK ...................... 105Keep yourself safe from fire

PRACTICAL MONTHLY .....107Impellers and thermostats in focus

PRACTICAL PROJECT .....111Vital maintenance for early-season boating

GETTING IT RIGHT ...........117Take your boat abroad this season

BOAT MART FEATURES

FIND YOUR DREAM BOAT

PAGE 137

9731

IMPELLERS AND THERMOSTATS SORTED

IN BUILD AT THE VIKING FACTORY

107

BM MAY_10_Contents.indd 3 24/03/2010 16:13

NewslineCompiled by Irving Stewart & Alex Smith

www.boatmart.co.uk Boat Mart I May 2010 I 15

NEWSLINE

BUDGET BOATING WITH BIC The world of lightweight tenders and small

standalone runabouts seems to be more open

to the idea of design ingenuity than most,

and that’s not particularly surprising. After all,

they need to be stable, durable, easy to carry,

simple to manoeuvre and affordable to buy.

It’s a tough job and in this case, the answer to

that challenge is the new BIC 245.

The 245 incorporates various carry handles,

making it easy to carry - and at just 39 kg in

weight, it’s a job that can be accomplished

by just one person, particularly in view of the

stern configuration. Here, you will find two

wide roller wheels integrated into the design

of the hull, enabling you to manoeuvre the

boat over beaches, banks and jetties without

undue effort. The design of the wheels also

means they do not substantially affect the

performance of the boat when on the water.

With a choice of four colours, the package

includes oars, rowlocks, rope and a seat and

is priced at £549. How’s that for affordable

versatility?

01332 813150 www.ultrasporteu.com

EXE WINS RYA CLUB OF THE YEAR 2010The Exe Sailing Club has been crowned RYA

Club of the Year 2010 by new RYA CEO, Sarah

Treseder, at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show. The

Devon-based sailing club was selected from

among five strong finalists courtesy of the

extent to which it encourages people to get

out on the water, the range of quality and safe

activities it provides and how well it manages

to engage with the local community.

The club has a full membership and a current

waiting list, plus a year-round racing and

training programme for both dinghies and

cruisers. It also has a wide range of social

activities for club members, including a

Christmas pantomime.

Jackie Bennetts, who coordinates the RYA

Club of the Year competition, explained the

logic behind the decision: “The success

of Exe Sailing Club is down to its ability

to attract and maintain a well qualified

and motivated band of volunteers. It is an

excellent club, offering fantastic activities and

it’s a worthy winner of this award.” The other

clubs on the shortlist included Bury Lake Young

Mariners, Donaghadee Sailing Club, Spinnaker

Sailing Club and Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club.

www.exe-sailing-club.org

TEMPEST TO DEBUT AT SB SHOWHockley Marine has added to the increasing

number of product launches at the Sports

Boat and RIB Show in May, by committing

to exhibit its new Capelli Tempest 770 WA

Cabin RIB. Making its show debut, the

Tempest 770 WA uses the same fantastic sea

hull as the famous Rubson Raid endurance

craft. The difference here is that the space

is manipulated to incorporate a cabin with

double berth and separate toilet compartment.

This has been accomplished by raising the

deck area and making a hard superstructure

with a walkaround cabin

and stainless steel guardrail

around the forward deck. As

on the larger 900 and

1000 WA models, the

aft cockpit has ample

seating with a table

for entertaining and incorporates a cooking

hob and freshwater sink under the helm

seat. It also comes as standard with a stern

freshwater shower and bathing ladder. The

demo boat will be fitted with a Suzuki 250hp

outboard engine, which should give the boat a

top speed of around 45 knots. Come and see

her debut appearance first hand at the Sports

Boat and RIB Show from 22 to 23 May 2010.

www.sportsboatandribshow.co.uk

Manageable for one man and priced at just £549, the new BIC looks like excellent value for money

The Exe Sailing Club stands out for the way it has engaged with the local community

www.boatmart.co.uk

activities for club members, including a

Christmas pantomime.

Jackie Bennetts, who coordinates the RYA

Club of the Year competition, explained the

logic behind the decision: “The success

of Exe Sailing Club is down to its ability

to attract and maintain a well qualified

and motivated band of volunteers. It is an

excellent club, offering fantastic activities and

it’s a worthy winner of this award.” The other

clubs on the shortlist included Bury Lake Young

Mariners, Donaghadee Sailing Club, Spinnaker

Sailing Club and Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club.

www.exe-sailing-club.org

hull as the famous Rubson Raid endurance

craft. The difference here is that the space

is manipulated to incorporate a cabin with

double berth and separate toilet compartment.

This has been accomplished by raising the

deck area and making a hard superstructure

with a walkaround cabin

and stainless steel guardrail

around the forward deck. As

on the larger 900 and

1000 WA models, the

aft cockpit has ample

seating with a table

top speed of around 45 knots. Come and see

her debut appearance first hand at the Sports

Boat and RIB Show from 22 to 23 May 2010.

www.sportsboatandribshow.co.uk

Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

See the Tempest 770 at

the SB Show in May

BM MAY 10 newsline.indd 15 24/03/2010 16:18

ORKNEY 592REdbaY StORmfORcE 650-S

www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classified ad service Boat Mart I May 2010 I 23

Stormforce for leiSure boaterS

Q: What do you get if you make a 6.5-metre Redbay RIB lighter, quicker and prettier? A: You get the Stormforce 650-S. Alex Smith reports.

There are very few brands with a reputation

for solidity so profound that the brand name

becomes virtually synonymous with it. Arguably,

Humber has achieved it and so too have the

likes of Ribcraft and Ocean Dynamics. But up

on the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, there

is a company that has been knocking out boats to tackle tough

Atlantic seas since 1977. Redbay Boats started out building

traditional wooden clinker boats, before developing a range of

GRP fishing boats, from 12 to 21 feet in length, that would

make their name both with day fisherman and the commercial

workboat market. As for their RIB range, well that didn’t actually

emerge until 1990 but, since then, it has become renowned for

its unerring resilience in tackling the often wild stretch of water

between Northern Ireland and the Scottish west coast. It seems

that, for Redbay, build quality is not just a fanciful sales pitch. It’s

a routine necessity . . .

REDBAY.indd 23 25/03/2010 12:33

ORKNEY 592ViKiNg - thE cRuisER’s chOicE

www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classified ad service Boat Mart I May 2010 I 31

Viking powerboatsthe cruiser’s choiceDavid Webber visits Viking Powerboats for a look at the latest developments in the world of the modern family cruiser . . .

Viking Mouldings started life

in modest surroundings in

1973. In 1981, following rapid

expansion, they transferred to

their current premises in Great

Dunmow, before buying the

rights for Seamaster boats in the early 80s. They

introduced some tried and tested improvements

to this already popular boat, which they would

eventually start producing a few years further

down the line.

The current owners, Vinny Clayden and

Wayne Goodwin, took control of the company

in 2006 and it is from that same HQ in Great

Dunmow that they now manufacture and fit out

the entire Viking range. And while these cruisers

are most famous for their popularity on the

inland waterways, they are also now beginning

to appear in increasing numbers on our estuaries

and coastal regions.

The current Viking range includes wide

and narrow beam craft from 6.1 to 9.14

metres in length. The larger boats can be

driven by inboard shaft drive or by single or

twin outboards (which, curiously enough, are

claimed by the builders to offer better handling

than the inboard version). The company is also

willing to tailor the specification of any of its

range to suit the customer’s needs. Common

requirements include interior and exterior styling,

air conditioning and even the individual’s own

choice of entertainment system. In fact, it is

really a case of just telling them what you want

and letting them set about making it happen.

Obviously the spec has a direct impact on

the price but what you end up with is a very

individual boat, designed to satisfy whatever

criteria are important to you.

Today, Viking is well known and respected

for its durable inland waterways craft and has

garnered a substantial UK following among the

boating fraternity. In fact, as a long-term admirer

of the brand myself, I was delighted to get a

chance to visit their production facility in Essex to

see what was new from Viking in 2010 . . .

The Viking fleeTIt was clear from the start that the Viking

premises is home to a skilled set of craftsmen.

It took only a few minutes to perceive that

The famous riverboat builder has been making headway into our coastal and estuary regions in recent years

The Viking factory is exactly how an admirer of the brand would hope to find it

BM MAY VIKING.indd 31 24/03/2010 16:27

DEALER PROFILE

Boat Mart I May 2010 I 37www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

CARDIFF MARINE VILLAGEAs whispers of a new boating Mecca begin to circulate in earnest, Stuart Field visits south Wales to discover just how far the regeneration of Cardiff’s marine quarter has come . . .

DEALERPROFILE

FURTHER INFORMATION

� Cardiff Marine Village� 02920 343459� www.cardiffmarinevillage.com

DEALER PROFILE

CARDIFF MARINE GROUP

A few years ago, conscious of the ambitious

plans for local regeneration, the Cardiff

Marine Group acquired a marina in the old Ely

Harbour, which contained 50 berths, and an

adjacent parcel of waterside land on which

there were old buildings housing Cardiff

Marine Services. The company also acquired

a second parcel of land, just a short distance

up the Ely river, on the Penarth Road - an

extremely popular retail area - and drew up

ambitious development plans.

The first phase of the plan, now complete,

has incorporated four major features. Firstly,

there has been an increase in the number

of berths in the marina from 50 to 350.

Secondly, the Penarth Road site has been

developed as a new operational HQ, itself

with dry berthing for craft of up to 30 feet in

length, plus hard standing for boats, a

boat launch and lift and a new location for

Cardiff Marine Services in modern purpose-

built facilities. Thirdly, some dedicated retail

showrooms have sprung up, alongside two-

storey accommodation for workshops and

offices. And finally, there is additional hard

standing at Roath Basin for 200 boats of up to

80 feet in length, plus a fully mobile marine

Shops and offices in purpose-built facilities at Cardiff Marine Village

The new dry stack facility is already proving a big hit

Over the last half a century Cardiff

has changed dramatically from a

major industrial port to a centre

of culture, sport, commerce

and recreation. Today, with

devolution in place, Cardiff is also the seat of

Welsh government. More to the point, the city

has already hosted a Commonwealth Games,

the Rugby World Cup and countless other major

international events. Even as you read this, Cardiff

is gearing up for the 2012 Olympics and, given the

vigour of its commitment to major events in the

past, it is likely to make a great job of it.

Yes, Cardiff is a place with a buzz, which, in

stark contrast to some of the more staid and

traditional areas of the principality, is rarely shy

of taking a flier, or of making almost wilfully

controversial decisions. A classic example is the

erection of the huge barrier that transformed

the tidal Cardiff Bay into a massive ‘lake’. This

has already created a new (and very popular)

waterside lifestyle for the city and has inevitably

attracted vast investment at Mermaid Quay and

other prime locations around the bay.

The latest phase of the ongoing regeneration

is focussing on the Cardiff International Sports

Village. Here, both Cardiff International Pool and

the Millennium Stadium will be prime venues for

the coming Olympics. So what about goings on

down at Cardiff Marine Village itself . . .

BM MAY 10 PROFILE.indd 37 24/03/2010 16:30

BUYING ADVICE

46 I May 2010 I Boat Mart www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

WHAT WILL BUY YOU? £1K

As you may have spotted in the last issue we’ve decided to go back to square one and start this popular series again, from

scratch. So this month we’re going to look at a few ways in which you can get afloat for £1,000 or less.

LINDER INKAS 465 / 525

WETLINE 260 ECO PLASTIMO 2.6

Linder’s aluminium Inkas canoes are light in weight, beautifully

made and last a lifetime, so why not consider a 465L? If there

are just two of you, at around £50 under our budget (and a

mere 28kg) a 465L is superb. If you’ve got a couple of kids, or

like to carry camping gear or a lot of clobber, the larger Inkas

525 is designed for family fun. Unfortunately this model is a bit

over our budget but it’s certainly worth every penny.

■ BHG Marine

■ 08456 446645 / 01590 613600

■ www.bhg-marine.co.uk

Over the past few years we’ve seen literally dozens of small,

affordable inflatables appear on the market, many of them

well under the £1,000 mark. One of the most popular and

long established of these comes from Wetline. The Wetline

260 Eco is a great way to get afloat for the first time and

compares very well to the competition for value. This light and

easy to handle roll-up slatted floor inflatable will easily take

two people and can be rowed or fitted with a small petrol or

electric outboard. At just £349 the Eco is ideal to chuck in the

boot or carry in a caravan when you go on holiday.

■ Unipart Marine

■ 01929 551138

Plastimo are wizards at sourcing extremely affordable and useful

marine goodies and, with hundreds of chandlers and boat

shops stocking their products, you don’t have to go far to see

what’s on offer. If you need a little boat as a tender, you have

the urge to explore the occasional river or canal, or you simply

want to get afloat for a spot of fishing or bird watching, look no

further. Plastimo’s tough little rigid tenders come in either grey

or dark green. The 2.1-metre rigid tender has a suggested price

of around £395, while the 2.6-metre double-skinned D-rated

version is a touch over £600. OK so the boats are not exactly

streamlined but they are extremely roomy, safe and stable. They’ll

float in a few inches of water, can be rowed or paddled, and

are absolutely great for children. Whichever you chose, when

you’ve finished boating, simply chuck it on your roof rack, take it

home, fill it up with water and you’ve got a totally indestructible

paddling pool. What more could you ask?

■ 01489 778850 ■ www.plastimo.com

While it’s nice to savour the joys of a luxury cruiser, a quick RIB or even a large yacht, it’s a fact that people (especially kiddies) get more fun from just playing around on the water and relaxing afloat. Some of us like to motor, others like to sail, and a growing number of people like being able to paddle their own canoes. Little craft like these can be easily carried on a roof rack and launched virtually anywhere there’s water – even in just a few inches. There are literally hundreds of different canoes and kayaks to choose from, each offering different characteristics and requiring varying levels of skill. So let’s start with a couple of traditional Canadian style boats that would make stunning entry-level family craft . . .

For a small family a Linder Inkas 525

is ideal

At just £349, the 260 Eco is a steal

The Plastimo is a broad, stable, durable, child-friendly runabout

BM MAY 10 WCIB 1K.indd 46 24/03/2010 16:33

EQUIPMENT

60 I May 2010 I Boat Mart www.boatmart.co.ukPlease mention Boat Mart when replying to advertisements

Dogs are great companions on the water but, just like people, they are not all strong

swimmers, so remember to protect your canine friend in the same way as you would

other members of your crew. The dog buoyancy aids featured here are both high-quality

products. Choose one to suit the type of waters you frequent.

EXPENSIVE VErSuS BuDGET

BudgetCrewsaver PetfloatPriCe: £29.95 - £34.95

Petfloat is a simple cat or dog buoyancy aid

that will keep your pet safe and comfortable in

the water. Suitable for riverside activities and

sailing, features include built-in lifting handle, a

D-ring for attaching a lead and retro-reflective

tape for high visibility. It is adjustable, quick to

fit and available in four sizes (measure from

collar to base of tail).

Available from Lifejackets UK

Tel: 01202 625256

www.lifejackets-uk.co.uk

STaINlESS STEEl BoaT fITTINGS

Us boaters who favour stainless

steel fittings on boats don’t really

care what name is given to its

grade, its technical makeup or

its abilities. All we really want is a

stainless fitting that looks the part

and will be resistant to rust.

There are in fact many different

grades of stainless steel that are

used in items such as cutlery,

surgery, industrial equipment, fire

arm components and, of course,

the marine environment. But all

we need to know is that the grade

we are using will do the job. In the

case of marine leisure, the items

we see on the shelves are normally

marked with the stainless grade.

Known as type 304, this classic 18/8

or A2 stainless steel will do most

of what we want it to, both above

and below the waterline, in salt and

fresh water.

Type 316 is the next most

commonly used grade, and is also

the most prolific type in use for

marine purposes, because of its

increased resistance to corrosion.

This 316 steel is also used

extensively in the building of nuclear

reprocessing plants.

But if you really want to go the

extra mile and get yourself the best,

then 316L is what you should be

looking for. This grade is often used

in marine applications because of

its high resistance to corrosion.

Years down the line you might just

consider it money well invested.

exPensiveruff wear Big eddy float Coat PriCe: £67.50 - £70The Big Eddy Float Coat is designed for

aggressive swimmers in rough or fast-moving

water, day or night. The strategically placed

PVC-free buoyancy cells support dogs in a

natural horizontal swimming position, allowing

them to go further for longer with less fatigue.

Features include abrasion-resistant ballistic nylon,

contoured neck straps for comfort and fit and

3M Scotchlite reflective trim for better visibility.

Available from Muddy Paws

www.muddypaws.co.uk

In a world increasingly commited to ‘virtual’ pleasures,

Avanquest is likely to do very well. Here, they have

released a watersports game for Wii fans. Gamers can

jump on their Wii Balance Boards and experience the

feeling of kite surfing, wake boarding, windsurfing and

PW racing in various locations around the world. The

multiplayer mode allows one player to drive a PW, while

the other is towed on the board behind. Relying on the

driver to set up runs, the boarder must concentrate on

executing big tricks to rack up points. Players can choose

from a number of characters, ranging from a tattooed

muscle-bound wakeboarder to a laid back surf dude. If

you fancy taking to the water from the comfort of your

own living room, this is a fine way to achieve it.

Price: £24.99

www.avanquest.co.uk

SofTwarE rEVIEw - wakEBoarD SuPErSTar

whaT To look for

BM MAY 10 top gear.indd 60 24/03/2010 16:36

INSHORE SKIPPER

INSHORE SKIPPERwith Colin Jones

Colin Jones learned his seamanship with the longshoremen and fishermen of Swanage, driving their passenger launches, sailing boats and outboard motors for hire. A short spell in the Royal Navy gave plenty of sea time and was followed by several years of serious cruising and diving from a RIB. Since 1989, he and wife, Rita, have taken their Colvic Watson 29 to several countries. She is currently based in the French canals and the Med. (www.colvicwatson.co.uk)

Boat Mart I May 2010 I 65www.boatmart.co.uk Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

TIME FOR A CHANGE OF TACK?Colin Jones shakes things up with a trip to the French Alps for a committed spell of camp-boating.

We all deserve to jerk our

lives out of lethargy by

enjoying the adventure

and challenge of change.

To that end, we have put our motor sailer,

Abemama, up for sale so she will not be

launched this year in case somebody

wishes to inspect her. But that doesn’t

mean we will clip our wings. On the

contrary, following on from our pleasant

experiences of 2009, we are again planning

a boating expedition to the French Alps.

Our vessel will again be the Tinker Foldaway

RIB and our cabin will be the caravan. The

masterplan began to unfold last October

and could well serve as a model for your

own adventure. Whether you just dream

about it or you actually make it happen, you

will discover that it is almost as much fun to

plan as it is to carry out. Here’s how you go

about it . . .

PHASE ONEThe excitement began by scouring the big

map of France. I was looking for the blue

blobs, which denote lakes and estuaries big

enough for sailing. I then located each area

of my shortlist on one of the more detailed

pages of the Michelin Road atlas of France.

Even if a magnifying glass is needed, you

can still find areas where there is more than

one possibility. After much discussion, we

also decided to get away from the coast

for a number of reasons based on our

Grab a map, pick a blue bit and get stuck into some

concerted research

�

about it or you actually make it happen, you

will discover that it is almost as much fun to

plan as it is to carry out. Here’s how you go

blobs, which denote lakes and estuaries big

pages of the Michelin Road atlas of France.

Grab a map, pick a blue bit

My compact, collapsible boat and trailer combo will be my weapons of choice once again

BM MAY 10 skipper.indd 65 24/03/2010 16:38

Untitled-1 1 25/03/2010 11:54

www.boatmart.co.uk Boat Mart I May 2010 I 89Buy & sell for FREE with Boat Mart’s private classifi ed ad service

ANGLING

ANGLING

TED TUCKERMAN: I bought my first boat in the mid 1950s with my friend, Gerald Smith. We used to fish together in the Solent. I then moved to Torquay in 1961 and, after obtaining my boatman’s licence, I bought a 36-foot harbour launch which was the first angling charter boat in Torquay. Since then, I have fished in a variety of boats all around the UK as well as around the world, from Sweden to New Zealand and North America to Mexico. I have also enjoyed beach launching many times into big swells in South Africa in my friend’s ski boat.

ANGLING

TED TUCKERMAN: I bought my first boat in the mid 1950s with my friend, Gerald Smith. We used to fish together in the Solent. I then moved to Torquay in 1961 and, after obtaining my boatman’s licence, I bought a 36-foot harbour launch which was the first angling charter boat in Torquay. Since then, I have fished in a variety of boats all around the UK as well as around the world, from Sweden to New Zealand and North America to Mexico. I have also enjoyed beach launching many times into big swells in South Africa in my friend’s ski boat.

May is here and with it comes an

upsurge in fishing. By the end of

the month all the regular summer

species should be lining up for

your baits but already two of

the most exciting fish will have set up camp in our

waters - black bream and smoothhound.

Smoothhound may be one of the smallest of

our sharks but it’s a real tiger of the sea. As for the

bream, well they arrived off Portland weeks ago

and will now have spread along the coast to Dover

and, if the usual pattern is followed, they will also

be appearing in many northern areas. One of the

hotspots for bream is the eastern end of the Solent

and along the Sussex coast. Be aware that they are

shoal fish, so if you catch one, more will follow. And

one of the very best bait to get them interested is

hermit crab.

I have said for a few years now that black bream

are getting bigger and moving to new grounds and

that still applies. Find a feeding shoal and sport will

be fast and furious. Fish have to be quick to grab

food before others snatch it first, so bites can be

quick and vicious. Baits are varied but some of my

best results have come from mini squid, which are

available frozen from your bait supplier. Ragworm,

peeler crab and mackerel strips are also worth a look.

As with all fishing, keep rigs simple. Three hooks

up paternoster-style is popular. Another is two

hooks up and one on a longish trace below the

THE RETURNOF THE FISH

Jason Tucker bags a beautiful spring smoothhound

Roger Bowring is no stranger to the early season bounty

BM MAY 10 ANGLING.indd 89 24/03/2010 16:47

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SHOW REPORT

BirminghamBoat Show Stuart Field heads for the

NEC to uncover the fresh product news from the

marine exhibitors . . .

This year, Birmingham’s Boat and Caravan

Show opened its doors with queues of

eager punters at the pay desks. Perhaps

the trimming of the event by the length of

a weekend had encouraged a little more

enthusiasm but it was certainly a good sign. And the fact

that it snowed like hell for much of the first day did little to

dampen the public’s enthusiasm or cause any delays on

the truly excellent Midland transport systems. If ever proof

was needed that the boating scene north of Watford is

more vibrant than most Solent dwellers imagine, the annual

Birmingham event is surely it.

THE BIRMINGHAM NAVY

Occupying no fewer than six of the NEC’s massive halls,

this event really is huge. The caravan exhibits drastically

outnumber the boats but, significantly, the area occupied

by the marine element at the NEC is ever expanding

and this year the extra demand for boating space in Hall

One prompted the organisers to move the camping and

outdoor displays into the Pavilion. Perhaps in 2011, these

unfortunate exhibitors might actually be forced outdoors.

Remarkably, Birmingham, which is about as far from

the sea as you can get in Britain, has more miles of canals

than Venice and is at the very heart of our inland waterways

system - so it’s hardly surprising that canal boats and canal

holidays always feature strongly at the NEC.

Birmingham is also the home of the ‘Birmingham Navy’,

comprising literally thousands of very keen and determined

trailer boaters who like nothing better than to hitch up

their craft and head for the coast, or their favourite ski

lakes. This probably explains why boat dealers from all

over the UK have traditionally supported and attended

the Birmingham show, offering everything from canoes

Dickies are on hand with a fresh Beneteau range

BHG demonstrates just how tough an inflatable canoe can be

Cobra has never missed a show yet

The robust and wokmanlike Aquanaut Drifter CS makes its UK debut here at the NEC

It’s all smiles as the Boat Mart stand opens up

BM MAY 10 BHAM.indd 93 24/03/2010 16:50

PRACTICAL MONTHLY

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PRACTICAL MONTHLY

ProPellersApart from the smallest dinghy, all

boats need a propeller for either main

or auxiliary propulsion and this is the

point where many DIY renovators make

a fundamental error. The propeller is the

final link in the chain between the engine

and the sea and it is the design, type and

size that decides how well the power

produced by the engine translates into

thrust to move the boat.

The final part of any renovation

scheme is to ensure that the prop is

perfectly matched to the boat and

engine. It is perfectly okay to buy the

prop secondhand at a boat jumble if

it is the correct type and size for the

job but the only way to decide this is

to calculate what is required, using a

computer-based propeller program.

lancing Marine sells a program on disk

that is very well regarded in the industry

but at £50 it may prove too expensive to

buy for a single calculation.

If you are buying a new propeller then

the company making it will be able to do

the calculations for you at the ordering

stage, thereby saving the cost of a

calculation program. The details required

for an accurate propeller calculation

are always the same (see below).

Gather these together and take them

to your local dealer and you can look

forward to a life of better efficiency and

performance:

n length overall

n Waterline length

n Beam

n Displacement (in cruising trim)

n Max engine power

n Max engine revs

n Gearbox reduction ratio

n Max clearance beneath boat for prop

to be installed

The next few pages are packed with maintenance, upgrade, restoration and DIY news, plus tips and advice from David Webber, Peter Caplen and Jane Rickard. Let us know what projects you’re currently working on and we’ll do our best to help out.

GREEN BOATINGEASY WAYS TO BE GREEN n Use environmentally-friendly cleaning productsn Dispose of hazardous waste properlyn Spill-proof oil changes and refuelingn Minimise cleaning and maintenance in the watern Recycle your waste and take rubbish ashoren Use the right prop for your boat

GreeN TIP oF THe MoNTH

Chart your course

WHY? study your waterways to prevent

boat propellers from damaging sensitive

sea floor habitats or injuring marine

life. Also, avoid consuming excess fuel

and plan your trip in advance to avoid

confusion and misdirection.

HoW: Plan your trip in advance, making

use of local knowledge and charts. You

could also use an autopilot, which can

steer better than most captains and

maintains a longer attention span.

DID You KNoW? In the uK we have

the second largest fish in the world, the

basking shark.

our thanks to the Green Blue for their help

with this tip.

resTorATIoN esseNTIAlsWhat to do, how to do it and the right equipment and materials to use.

It’s often best to let the experts choose the right

prop for your needs

BM MAY 10 PRAT MONTHLY.indd 107 24/03/2010 16:53

PROJECT

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PRACTICALPROJECT 102#

BatteriesBatteries have a habit of dying round about

the middle of summer. Having spent the winter

languishing unloved and uncharged in a cold

damp atmosphere they are no longer able to

maintain their charge or provide the power for

engine starting or prolonged stop-overs. Of

course if they were regularly charged throughout

the winter they shouldn’t be giving any problems

but if they were allowed to run right down they

will probably resist taking a full charge unless a

high-powered alternator and marine charging

regulator are fitted. It is sometimes possible to

revive a flagging battery, albeit temporarily, by

having it charged at the battery suppliers on

a powerful garage charger that can overcome

resistance to charge and return the battery to its

full capacity. But rather than chance a failure on

holiday it is sensible to fit a new battery before

the trip begins. Batteries in good condition

should have received a service during the winter

lay-up but if they were missed then cleaning and

re-greasing of the terminals and topping up of

the electrolyte level will ensure they behave while

cruising.

PRE-SEASON CHECKS

With the onset of spring turning our thoughts to the big summer cruise, it’s high time we got those practical pre-season jobs done. Peter Caplen runs us through the vital checks.

By now, you will probably have completed a few longer runs already so the boat should be

performing nicely and be prepared in most respects for the big jaunt. But if any equipment

has been less than co-operative during the last few months, now would be a good time to

check it out before the main holiday begins. For a start, we should be thinking about the

on board tool kit. Is it comprehensive enough or was something missing the last time you

attempted to complete a repair? Now is the time to fill any gaps in the inventory.

Top-up the batteries with deionised

water

Clean the terminals and grease them with Vaseline to keep them corrosion-free

You will need to consider new batteries if the old ones fail to hold a charge

BM MAY 10 PROJECT.indd 111 24/03/2010 16:55

GETTING IT RIGHT

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PRACTICAL

GETTING IT RIGHT

You have decided that you want a foreign holiday with a difference. Well just before you head for the ferry, let’s have a quick look at the things you need to consider. By Jon Mendez.

FoREIGN FIElds THE aRT oF boaTING abRoad

➧

If you want to go boating abroad you need

to do some homework. How long can

the trailer be? How wide? How heavy?

How fast can you go? Are you allowed on

all lanes of the motorway? Is your boat

weight allowed with those brakes or do

you need an upgrade? All of this information

is needed before we leave domestic shores

behind.

The boat itself should obviously be seaworthy

for the area you intend to visit. Although many

foreign destinations offer unrivalled sunshine

and a million sandy coves, there are often local

weather considerations. Hotter climates for

instance often have strong sea breezes that

pick up during the day. And if you’re heading for

Be aware that your battery has a limited lifespan

The Gendarmes are friendly but they will expect appropriate documentation

BM MAY 10 GETTING IT RIGHT.indd 117 24/03/2010 16:57