I really like John's comment/suggestion for a thread. I would throw out that my "flopper-stoppers" are the best addition to the boat since the radar and autopilot. They work! Sometimes so well that I can't get them back aboard. Last year (I think) in Bellingham Bay the wind (50+) made me drift so fast I could not retreive them and motoring into the wind/swells to alleviate drift was in an operational range and seastate where the AP was not happy. I finally entered Squalicum with the poles up and the fish still in the water. I have seen some nordhavens with a tackle set up to retrieve the fish but I have never seen it used. Unfortunately, with the demise of commercial trolling in my area there are no operational fish boats to talk to. So ... The flopper stoppers really work but how do I get them back if the conditions are nasty and I need to go into a narrow, shallow entrance? Jim Slocomb M/V Sea Otter 40' Skookum San juan Islands -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.7.1 - Release Date: 1/19/2005

Jim, RE: > So ... The flopper stoppers really work but how do I get them back if > the conditions are nasty and I need to go into a narrow, shallow > entrance? >From the details of the question you are asking, I assume that when you use the word "flopper stoppers" you are using what I refer to as "para vanes". I reserve the work "flopper stoppers" for the large panel device that is used to reduce roll for a boat at anchor only. If I am correct in your use of the word - then here is an answer. The best solution is to have two electric windlasses to do the retrieving, my are each 1,000 lbs units that are permanently mounted to the mast boom and run their cables through two rollers at the end of the boom. They are each equipped with a controller on the boat deck and on the interior surface of the transom from the cockpit. The cables are attached to the tow chain about 3' below the water line on the paravanes (about 9' above the vane). The paravane is used with the lift cable attached but always slack, until it is time for retrieval. I either stop the boat or reduce speed to about 3 knots before pulling in the retrieval cable. The electric winch is able to lift the weight of the paravane all the way to the holder which is mounted on the top of the transom wall. The last few feet require a little guidance by hand to keep the paravane away from the gel coat. On two occasions I have had to retrieve a paravane without the help of the electric winch. My paravane arms are equipped with a 1/2 nylon block and tackle (3:1 advantage) that runs from the upper part of the mast to the tip of the paravane support arm. With a lot of pulling and zero boat speed the paravanes can be lifted with this block and tackle, but since it is only accessible from the boat deck it is not a place I would want to be in heavy seas even with a harness and tether on if I could help it. I hope this helps. John Harris "World Odd @ Sea"