The individual page is all updated now with some great trips. As you will see I have cut down on the number of Channel Island Trips.
When we were hit with the massive diesel increases this year it was my intention to increase the prices on wrecking trips, to help to cover the extra cost of fuel. Thankfully diesel price has dropped again so I am happy to tell everyone wrecking and inshore trips will remain the same price as 2008.
When the vessel is based in Weymouth, accommodation is available at £15.00 per night, for up 12 people.
Facilities in Weymouth are just so much better with shore power, excellent showers you really can not beat having a BBQ on board on a nice summer evening.
Breakfast can either be cooked on board or for a short stroll of 50 yards down the quay can be pre-ordered or breakfast rolls can be picked up in the local newsagents.
Also the night life in Weymouth takes a bit of beating in the summer; there are 2 pubs within 50 foot of the berth.
Southern Sea Fisheries as a lot of you know and for those that don’t.
I was boarded by The Fishery Officers during the European Championships 15 months ago. I was informed that it is illegal to fish inside the 6 mile limit with a vessel of over 12 metres. Even though there were three other vessels over 12 metres fishing the competition. The Chieftain was the only vessel boarded. Over the last 25years or so since this by-law was introduced it has never been used against a passenger vessel.
Since this by-law was introduced there has been scores of vessels charter and private over 12 metres that have operated with no problems or harassment. Over the last 15 months we have tried to negotiate and to some sort of compromise with the Chief Fishery Officer and his committee, but unfortunately we have just been met with hostility. These people just seen to regard Charter Skippers as some sort of scumbags that are not entitled to any representation on this committee and it is quite obvious that Anglers are regarded as second class citizens.
It has been no pleasure having this worry of The Southern Sea Fisheries doing their best to put me out of business. I have decided in 2009 that I must carry on as normal or go bust.
The only assurance I can give you as a passenger is that if I am boarded and prosecuted it will only involve me as skipper/owner of the vessel and not my anglers.
*Stop Press*Channel Chieftain V...
At last , after three long years in the planning, After all the hassle the last couple of years, I have finely got the boat I have always wanted. She is something very special, a beam of 22ft, with top speed 25 knots the wheelhouse is 17ft by 18ft and has full fitted galley, cooker fridge microwave hot and cold water etc, there will also be comfortable seating for everyone on board, pulse dinning table, TV, DVD, stereo, down below there is accommodation for up to ten.
Out on deck there is still plenty of room, to give you some idea there is enough to put two Volvo estate cars !!! We are also loading doors fitted in the side and stern to make getting on and off a lot easier.
Out side the wheelhouse there is an area for people to sit in the dry under the fly bridge, we also intend to have some seating on the deck so you do not have to stand all day, on top of the wheelhouse is the fly bridge we should be able to get seating for 8 there I don't know if you have ever travelled, this way believe me it’s the DB’s the rougher it is the better the ride. The whole boat is designed to handle well in rough weather giving a dry and stable ride at high speeds
New Fladen Sponsorship Deal for Channel Chieftain V
Tackle giant Fladen and I have teamed up with a great sponsorship deal for the Chieftain and my old mate Chris Caines who runs the Tiger Lily. Fladen's UK boss, Mike DeBear, has kitted out both with all the latest Fladen gear.their new range of Carbon Rods are awsome and fitted with ther new Maxximus reels...Fladen's fantastic fine braided lines and some serious new hooks and lures too.
we have all this gear is on board both boats free to use, try before you buy.
As most of you know, this is not my first live aboard. Channel Chieftain IV was an old 60ft Tuna boat, good fun but too slow for the kind of fishing we do.
Channel Chieftain V is a whole new ball game, designed by Arthur Mursel of TT Boat Designs, to my specifications. The hull and wheelhouse are built in aluminium by a local company Castle Marine with local boat builder Ivor Janson in charge of the building of the hull and wheelhouse.
Why a live aboard people keep asking me. As most of you know in the summer, we operate a lot of long range charters. Mainly to the Channel islands. having everybody living on board allows me to offer people the varity of fishing and to visit different ports ie: Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, Cherburg, everyone will need a passport to go into the french ports. On a typical 4 day trip it's possible to do 3 different ports, as for the fishing this boat will allow people to get the maximum fishing time, we can now leave harbour when it suits us to get the best of the fishing. As you know in most guest houses breakfast is normally at 8'clock and you are lucky to get out of the harbour by half eight. With the new boat we leave early to get the best of the fishing and have breakfast on site.
Last Updated: Tue Nov 24 2009