2016 Scuttlebutt Cherbourg Cruise

LiB is home, had the wind up the chuff all the way

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Well it left Dropbox in portrait !
Nice clouds over Old Harry

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Looks like nobody is going to bite, the 8 knots was achieved with the help of Weymouth life boat. I was not going to be out done by Sailfree.

Good to hear you got back safely and it sounds like you, the Coastguard and the RNLI all handled a tricky situation with textbook efficiency and forethought. If your shaft coupling is not damaged (doesn't sound like it) you should be good to go once a diver has cut the net away.

But you're not out of danger yet mate - a post which is complementary about both the Cosatguard and the RNLI ....around here! ....you're a brave man ;);)


Edit: just seen the pic; that's the worst fouling I've ever seen!
 
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Good to hear you got back safely and it sounds like you, the Coastguard and the RNLI all handled a tricky situation with textbook efficiency and forethought. If your shaft coupling is not damaged (doesn't sound like it) you should be good to go once a diver has cut the net away.

But you're not out of danger yet mate - a post which is complementary about both the Cosatguard and the RNLI ....around here! ....you're a brave man ;);)


Edit: just seen the pic; that's the worst fouling I've ever seen!

Thanks Dom
Firstly let me say it was good to meet you, and Andrea.
The Weymouth harbour master was there when we tied up, told us only a nominated diver authorised by himself was allowed to dive in the harbour.
The area taped off, and a risk assessment done, there was more but he had lost my attention by then.
I went round last night with a club boat, and towed her back to my Portland harbour mooring.
This morning I used one of our ribs and took a diver friend out with me. He said there may be issues, as cutting fine nets can be tricky as the diver can become easily emeshed underwater himself.
As it happens he said it was so tightly wound it was easy to cut, and had it off in about ten minutes. A further fifteen minute check showed everything to be good. I fired up the engine and drove it in reverse and forwards and all seemed well.
We took the net ashore laid it out, and it measured 23 meters.
No fish though.


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Well we got back Monday night deciding that there would be slightly more wind than would be the case on Tuesday. Some motor sailing
at times as the wind came and went. But wouldn't you know it as we got within sight of the Isle of Wight the wind picked up to a 4 and occasionally a 5!

A big thank you to Mark and Andrea for the splendid hospitality especially Andrea for making the wine glasses smudge free before serving them!
As usual we all had a great time despite the Saturday afternoon rain. Roger and Jane finally made it to Cherbourg, so well done them.

For Tom (Snark) we were there on Sunday morning as well as Nigel and I saw your boat still there and assumed were staying too but you left before I had time to come and say hello.

Chubby, sorry for the wind up on the route home, the phrase 'are you really sure?' always works a treat. Only with the drink and other conversations I completely fogot to come back to you. So I owe you a drink next time we meet.

Roll on next year's Scuttlebutt rally with hopefully far less drama than this years.

The 2nd September 2017 is fine by me also.
 
Well we got back Monday night deciding that there would be slightly more wind than would be the case on Tuesday. Some motor sailing
at times as the wind came and went. But wouldn't you know it as we got within sight of the Isle of Wight the wind picked up to a 4 and occasionally a 5!

A big thank you to Mark and Andrea for the splendid hospitality especially Andrea for making the wine glasses smudge free before serving them!
As usual we all had a great time despite the Saturday afternoon rain. Roger and Jane finally made it to Cherbourg, so well done them.

For Tom (Snark) we were there on Sunday morning as well as Nigel and I saw your boat still there and assumed were staying too but you left before I had time to come and say hello.

Chubby, sorry for the wind up on the route home, the phrase 'are you really sure?' always works a treat. Only with the drink and other conversations I completely fogot to come back to you. So I owe you a drink next time we meet.

Roll on next year's Scuttlebutt rally with hopefully far less drama than this years.

The 2nd September 2017 is fine by me also.
 
it is good to have your nav plan challenged but one reason to go via the Bembridge end was to pop into Bembridge, the only IOW port not visited this year and to have a short trip back to Portsmouth as due to pick up Mrs Chubby from a meeting she was going to at 1230! All achieved, the early west going tide had a slight bit of north as it came round Barfleur and the eastgoing at the end had enough north in it to sweep past Sandown bay at up to 8knots SOG not hindered by the UKBF who were clearly more interested in Ireland`s eye! Anyway that drink next year.....
Well we got back Monday night deciding that there would be slightly more wind than would be the case on Tuesday. Some motor sailing
at times as the wind came and went. But wouldn't you know it as we got within sight of the Isle of Wight the wind picked up to a 4 and occasionally a 5!

A big thank you to Mark and Andrea for the splendid hospitality especially Andrea for making the wine glasses smudge free before serving them!
As usual we all had a great time despite the Saturday afternoon rain. Roger and Jane finally made it to Cherbourg, so well done them.

For Tom (Snark) we were there on Sunday morning as well as Nigel and I saw your boat still there and assumed were staying too but you left before I had time to come and say hello.

Chubby, sorry for the wind up on the route home, the phrase 'are you really sure?' always works a treat. Only with the drink and other conversations I completely fogot to come back to you. So I owe you a drink next time we meet.

Roll on next year's Scuttlebutt rally with hopefully far less drama than this years.

The 2nd September 2017 is fine by me also.
 
Found this one on Sue's tablet - impromptu Friday afternoon gathering on Sea Reach.

Must re-arrange the instuments - they spoilt the cockpit photos!

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Looks like nobody is going to bite, the 8 knots was achieved with the help of Weymouth life boat.

Glad it all worked out ok. When you mentioned the speed you achieved I did wonder whether outside assistance was involved.....

It was good to catch up, and to chat to your crew. See you again next year.
 
Glad it all worked out ok. When you mentioned the speed you achieved I did wonder whether outside assistance was involved.....

It was good to catch up, and to chat to your crew. See you again next year.

I wonder if one of the crew slipping, and breaking several bones in his foot loading the boat Wednesday night was an omen.

I felt a bit bad, as it would have been nice to have made it home under our own steam. The only sensible sailing option would have been Poole.
Even then, having restricted and stiff steering to starboard, and an unknown quantity of netting hanging down from the stern I would have wanted assistance to go up the harbour and onto a berth.
Had a chat with good acquaintance who is a member of the Weymouth crew lifeboat crew. He said they would rather do a search for a vessel by day than night time.
Well if I can keep my crew in one piece I hope to be there next year.
Yes, I really enjoyed our chat, it was great to discover that our French ancestors had so much in common.
 
This is a bit late but like others we failed to get to Cherbourg on the appointed date.

We left Gosport at 5AM Friday, three and a half hours later we decided it was too uncomfortable. Like motorcycling, sailing is to be enjoyed, not endured.

Big seas, plenty of green water over the bow and rolling like a pig. Seconds after we turned back, by comparison it was almost peaceful. The boat would have taken it-but they are always better than the crews!

Thanks for the time spent in organising, and for your personal commitment in getting the ferry after your troubles.

We went to Cowes, then Newtown River. Our owners association rally started Tuesday at Bembridge, going on to the Folly and then Southampton Town Quay and a visit to the boat show followed by dinner at the RSYC.

We did get to Cherbourg-last Monday. Had a very pleasant three nights on Q pontoon, did the essential shopping, had a Moule Fritte and lovely pastries plus half a kilo of Crevette Grise and a bottle of fizz for lunch on the boat-c'est bon!

We wont be able to attend next year-back doing the bits of Ireland we missed last time and will probably winter the boat in Bangor again.

Thanks again for all your effort.
 
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