Popular Post GPSguru Posted May 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2023 (edited) The first trip was with James (brother-in-law) to the Skerries, and we were tasked with catching Plaice. That was on Saturday 29th April, and it was the first trip to the skerries that we have made this year as the sea conditions have been poor due to the East winds. It was a neap tide and a flat sea, so the trip down was done in about 35mins at a steady 35kts. Alan in his Offshore 25 had already left as I was launching, so he had a 10 min head start on me, but we both arrived at the skerries bell buoy at the same time 😉 Fishing was OK with a drift of 1kt, and we managed 14 Plaice of which 9 were keepers. Although the Plaice MLS is 27cm, we don't keep anything under 35 - 40cm. James also hooked 2 big spider crab, the biggest being just under 4lb. It is annual shagging time for the spiders, and they come into the coastline of Beesands, Hallsands, Slapton, and Balckpool to breed. No rays, only one Grey Gurnard and no Mackerel or Launce. TBF a good day, and we got back at about 3:00pm, however, on the way back I noticed a whistle from the engine and a quick check on the smart craft showed that the Alternator was not charging. When I flushed the engine, I confirmed the Alternator was running very hot and no output. This is a common fault on the Mercury 150, and it has now been replaced under warranty (a superseded part number). With 200Ah of battery, and the engine / electronics probably only drawing 10A max, we had 15 hours of runtime, so no bother really. Birchell Marine at Torquay harbour came up trumps again, by sorting it out, even though they were busy with bank holiday stuff. To change the alternator on the Mercury is a 10 min job, as it is on top of the engine and just 2 bolts hold it in place. The next trip was with Kyle out to the 12 mile wrecks on Sunday 7th May. It was a short trip as we needed to catch the tide on the slip (spring tides). Launched at 7:30 and returned at 12:00 midday. Another successful few hours with 6 Pollock, all around the 5lb mark. It was interesting as I was getting a few Pout on the slow jigs and Kyle was just getting the odd tap on a Vibro shad. Kyle changed to a 115mm dark Red Gill and was straight into a Pollock. Once on the deck, the Pollock was spitting out a load of tiny whitebait and sandeels. A good example of 'matching the hatch' and we both went with the small Red gills and took a further 5 fish. Also, Kyle got bitten off twice, with the line completely frayed, So I assume there might have been some Ling in the mix. Looking for a nice calm day now with a 10sec plus wave pattern, as I want to get out to the Gateway wrecks in the mid channel (about 47 miles), out there you are closer to Alderney than the UK mainland. That is always a 100 mile plus round trip and I have to carry extra fuel as the inboard tank is only 90L The stamp of the Plaice, that one was a plump 40cm The stamp of the Pollock, it has lost some colour as it had been in the fish coolbox for an hour or so with loads of ice. Edited May 9, 2023 by GPSguru Hoop, suzook12, Malc and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 You got lucky with the engine fault Ian. Most of the time we have to wait weeks for parts!! GPSguru 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPSguru Posted May 9, 2023 Author Share Posted May 9, 2023 36 minutes ago, Saintly Fish said: You got lucky with the engine fault Ian. Most of the time we have to wait weeks for parts!! I expected 10 days, but they got a replacement from Barrus ( merc uk) in 2 days. suzook12, thejollysinker and Saintly Fish 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daio web Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 great report again mate GPSguru 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 1 hour ago, GPSguru said: I expected 10 days, but they got a replacement from Barrus ( merc uk) in 2 days. My friend (imaginary) has a 150 mercury. The alternator failed and blew a fuse that was ridiculously inaccessible, inside clear shrink wrap so it had to be cut open to change. I think he fitted a breaker afterwards. GPSguru 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 Top dangling Ian and crews 👍 GPSguru 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 Well done @GPSguru glad the engine was a quick fix 47 mile 😮 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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