“The Sea hates a Coward” – Eugene O’Neill

While the weather continues to impact on everyones moods, we all are hoping that in the not too distant future the first green shoots of spring will start to pop up all around us. Those first signs should also indicate a change of fortune for all fisherman and boat owners alike, with the change of seasons slowly bringing with them some of the more desirable fish species that we like to target, and the chance, for those not inflicted with the fishing bug, to get out on the water after what can seem like an eternity of winter jobs and maintenance.

The works on my own boat have been progressing, albeit at a slower pace than I would have ideally liked. During my time at work the engine was removed, only to discover that the exhaust riser and elbow were in a very sorry state and were long overdue for being replaced. The riser in particular would have been rather difficult to remove and replace with the engine in situ, given the lack of space and thought given to those of us that have to do this maintenance, as is all to common with many boat designs across the world! While the engine has been out many parts have been stripped off and cleaned, the sump has been removed and the crank shaft and bearings checked, none of which gave any cause for concern which was good news. New seals on the turbo, intercooler, oil cooler, heat exchanger, checking the valve clearances and then a lick of paint and then she should be ready to rock and roll for another few years.

This will all be going back together in the next couple of days, the engine space will be cleaned and painted, and in the mean time the new electronics (autopilot, Multifunction display, AIS and transducer) have been installed and are ready and waiting for the engine to be lifted back in. The stern drive will also be put back together, with a complete new set of seals, bushes and oil, and my hope is that toward the end of next week the boat will be back afloat and ready for a sea trial. I will also be cleaning, treating and waxing the gelcoat, giving the hull a new coat of antifoul and trying to make the vessel as spick and span as is possible! All of these things are certainly adding to the overall cost of what had been laid out initially, but the cost of not doing these things would almost certainly be far more dramatic at some point in time.

In related but also completely separate news, I have been invited to “The Big One Show” by Andy from tunagear.co.uk and will be on and around his stand on Saturday 1st March. I have never been to a show like this, and am very grateful at the invitation, and am really looking forward to meeting some of the other guys he has invited down and also getting to meet loads of like minded anglers!