End of a chapter

[northeast1]

Well after many happy years with my boat Stingray it has been up for sale since the end of September and the asking price was met and the boat sold yesterday.

A sad day to see her go but a new chapter as i start the long search for a new bigger,faster boat with more comforts.....i wont be rushing into a new boat and happy to wait for the right one even if that means missing some or all of 2014 season.

Good luck to everyone in 2014, as i may not see you out there this time.

[Tadpoleman]

Good luck in your search Richie , I`m sure we will see you out there soon

[Norman]

Aye Rich good luck mate, I'm sure it'll pop its bows up soon .....


norm

[KeithB]

Thought you'd already found the new boat when I saw you asking about boat stickers. Good Luck with the search, you got anything in particular in mind?

[EddieS]

Nice 1 Richy - hope you get sorted soon for the 2014 season

[BestNest]

Isn't the old JFK up for sale ? Lol.
Good luck mate...

[northeast1]

I have a host of models i am looking at but not a great on the net at the moment better/younger than what i had.

Chomping at the bit to get a new one but must make sure its the right one as plan to keep it many years.

[big sid]

Bye Bye Stingray

I knew the day would arrive at some point and now that it has I feel rather emotional and sad to be saying Bye Bye to the little lady who has given me many happy days fishing. So after 5 or is it 6 seasons its a fond farewell, Bonn Voyage and I hope your new owner treats and looks after you as good as Richy.

[hulme6612]

I knew the day would arrive at some point and now that it has I feel rather emotional and sad to be saying Bye Bye to the little lady who has given me many happy days fishing. So after 5 or is it 6 seasons its a fond farewell, Bonn Voyage and I hope your new owner treats and looks after you as good as Richy.

send your branded stingray clothing with her, at extra cost though.

[big sid]

send your branded stingray clothing with her, at extra cost though.

Boats heading South they don't need warm clothing down there .
Other options are to un-pick the stitching or permanent black marker pen.
Or!
I'll carry on wearing it with pride.

[Kartonkel]

I sometimes wonder what would be the ideal fishing boat for a Northeast Wreck-angler

1. Size: I reckon an 18footer does the job considering the marina fees. We hardly ever are more than 3 anglers and also unlikely to get out in heavy seas or way offshore

2. Speed: I personally think, I would need a top-speed of over 18 knots to react to weather changes . I also would not want to need an hour to reach a 6 mile wreck

3. Outboard vs Inboard: As much as I hate carrying petrol down to the boat, I dont think inboards or diesels are viable for 18ft boats---too heavy. The solution seems to be a lightweight 60 HP+ new generation 2-stroke (e.g ETEC or Merc optimax) or 4 stroke

4. Marina Pontoon/Marina chain/ Open chain / Trailer: I would say pontoon, but I guess its down to money

5. Sunderland/North Shields:

NS: Great Marina, but the distance to the open sea is quite far. 5 miles return

Sun: Marina a bit shabby and for that quite expensive, but its 24hrs access to sea and also very close to the pier head

[canman]

Pleased you got her sold Rich. Good luck with any new venture you decide upon, and merry Christmas to you.

[big_sean]

Great news Richy

So now the search begins, whats on the list is it purely inboard or are you considering outboard?

Sean

[northeast1]

I am more for an inboard engine as thats what i have always had or been on but you cant rule out an outboard with the threat of full tax on red and improved MPG for petrol engines.

I dont have any experiance in servicing, driving, setting up drifts etc with outboards so at the moment they are not being looked at....that said not much out there at the moment the correct age, price and feaures i am looking for.

Most boats on the net seem to be 2000-2005 in age and i want one no older than 2008...Stingray was 2001 and looked almost as good as she would of done at ages 1 but the feeling something bigger, better, faster, newer needs to be met.

I will be driving Stingray for the last time onto the sling this week and away down to Sandbanks to start her life in a warmer area..spoke to the lad this morning, he was complaining how cold it was in Sandbanks, i said i had been down the boat today and it was 1.5c, he said it was 9 there and so cold ha. lucky sod.

[IANG]

New Boat

Good luck finding a new boat Richie,lots of spare time to try a bit pike fishing.