scubaman
Well-Known Member
We had a great three week holiday on our boat and I thought I'd share the highlights and some pics (I'm hoping not to bore you, there are quite a few). The weather was quite exceptional, apart from the first two days we had 27 - 32 C throughout our holiday. I'm glad that my decision to stick to deo-sprays is finally paying off... anyway...
We started our holiday from Mikkeli http://maps.google.fi/maps?f=q&sour...61.68857,27.270813&spn=0.225351,0.429153&z=11 where we spent a couple of days seeing relatives. The marina is nice and quiet and within walking distance of the city centre. Boats in the marina are a selection of new and old. The one on the back 'Tornator' belongs to the local dive club. The one in the front is a lovely new V70.
From there we continued to Taka-Ruuho http://maps.google.fi/maps?f=q&sour...1.350005,28.107147&spn=0.056955,0.107288&z=13 which is a lagoon shaped small island on the edge of greater Saimaa.
The marina is well sheltered from virtually all winds and has nice fireplaces and a very nice log Sauna made from quite expensive wood brought from Lapland. It's sponsored by one of the big forest companies here and the story goes that there were logs ready for two saunas. One for their guests and one for this marina. The first on the left side of the road and latter on the right, the driver was told. Fortunately for local boaters, the driver arrived from the opposite direction
The wood is supplied but has to be cut as per use with a saw that has lost it's best edge. I made many new friends with the chain saw I keep in the lazarette...
We explored the islands with the dinghy and kids were eager to participate.
Next stop was at the old bishops summer residence which is now in quite a sorry state. The place http://maps.google.fi/maps?f=q&sour...1.787896,28.770704&spn=0.028078,0.053644&z=14 is now used by boaters and again there was a nice sauna by the water. The door had a notice saying that the sauna is a home to a harmless snake and stomping feet before going in is advised. We didn't see it but the people who followed us did.
The following morning we cast off with a stiff breeze blowing us away from the pontoon. After stowing away all the fenders and ropes, arranging kids to the flybridge, etc. I was sitting at the helm with a paper chart on my lap. I quick check showed an above surface rock to my starboard, which I thought to be a safe distance away. Plotter showed no rocks (chart by Navionics, btw) and echo displayed 35 feet. Right, both engines on gear ahead. Some 5 to 10 seconds later "BUMP". Utterly astonished I had no idea what the strange noise was, and yet knew instantly what it was...
Without thinking I engaged both engines on neutral which was immediately followed by a screeching noise as the props reached the rock. The speed was around 3,5 knots but the boat had enough energy to climb on the rock and stop on the highest part. Props firmly on the rock I had no choice but dial 112 and wait for help. There were no leaks, so no big panic but it was quite a helpless feeling. I emptied the water tank and moved all the stuff from lazarette into the bow to take some pressure off the sterngear. So it seems that I have to take back some of the comments I made in the MBM cruising feature regarding how well charted the waters are...
Fireman Sam to the rescue.
A diver put a lift bag between the shafts which was enough to lift the stern off the rock and the boat to be towed away. Unsure of how bad the damage was we were towed to the closest shipyard to wait for a lift-off. As it was Friday afternoon the shipyard became our home for the weekend, which wasn't too bad actually.
We had a feeling that someone was watching over our shoulder...
A makeshift fender sock, the current kept swinging the boat constantly.
Boat was lifted at 05:30 Monday morning and it was back in the water by 2 pm. A minor abrasion in the antifoul and a few bent blades. Luckily the rock had a smooth surface.
We started our holiday from Mikkeli http://maps.google.fi/maps?f=q&sour...61.68857,27.270813&spn=0.225351,0.429153&z=11 where we spent a couple of days seeing relatives. The marina is nice and quiet and within walking distance of the city centre. Boats in the marina are a selection of new and old. The one on the back 'Tornator' belongs to the local dive club. The one in the front is a lovely new V70.
From there we continued to Taka-Ruuho http://maps.google.fi/maps?f=q&sour...1.350005,28.107147&spn=0.056955,0.107288&z=13 which is a lagoon shaped small island on the edge of greater Saimaa.
The marina is well sheltered from virtually all winds and has nice fireplaces and a very nice log Sauna made from quite expensive wood brought from Lapland. It's sponsored by one of the big forest companies here and the story goes that there were logs ready for two saunas. One for their guests and one for this marina. The first on the left side of the road and latter on the right, the driver was told. Fortunately for local boaters, the driver arrived from the opposite direction
The wood is supplied but has to be cut as per use with a saw that has lost it's best edge. I made many new friends with the chain saw I keep in the lazarette...
We explored the islands with the dinghy and kids were eager to participate.
Next stop was at the old bishops summer residence which is now in quite a sorry state. The place http://maps.google.fi/maps?f=q&sour...1.787896,28.770704&spn=0.028078,0.053644&z=14 is now used by boaters and again there was a nice sauna by the water. The door had a notice saying that the sauna is a home to a harmless snake and stomping feet before going in is advised. We didn't see it but the people who followed us did.
The following morning we cast off with a stiff breeze blowing us away from the pontoon. After stowing away all the fenders and ropes, arranging kids to the flybridge, etc. I was sitting at the helm with a paper chart on my lap. I quick check showed an above surface rock to my starboard, which I thought to be a safe distance away. Plotter showed no rocks (chart by Navionics, btw) and echo displayed 35 feet. Right, both engines on gear ahead. Some 5 to 10 seconds later "BUMP". Utterly astonished I had no idea what the strange noise was, and yet knew instantly what it was...
Without thinking I engaged both engines on neutral which was immediately followed by a screeching noise as the props reached the rock. The speed was around 3,5 knots but the boat had enough energy to climb on the rock and stop on the highest part. Props firmly on the rock I had no choice but dial 112 and wait for help. There were no leaks, so no big panic but it was quite a helpless feeling. I emptied the water tank and moved all the stuff from lazarette into the bow to take some pressure off the sterngear. So it seems that I have to take back some of the comments I made in the MBM cruising feature regarding how well charted the waters are...
Fireman Sam to the rescue.
A diver put a lift bag between the shafts which was enough to lift the stern off the rock and the boat to be towed away. Unsure of how bad the damage was we were towed to the closest shipyard to wait for a lift-off. As it was Friday afternoon the shipyard became our home for the weekend, which wasn't too bad actually.
We had a feeling that someone was watching over our shoulder...
A makeshift fender sock, the current kept swinging the boat constantly.
Boat was lifted at 05:30 Monday morning and it was back in the water by 2 pm. A minor abrasion in the antifoul and a few bent blades. Luckily the rock had a smooth surface.
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