A nautical bouquet, Tinker (RCIYC?)

[Chris_Rayner]

There seems to be great deal of apparently justified criticism of our fellow seafarers in here, so I would like to post a contribution to the other side of the balance.

On the Sunday the 18th I was booked to take my boat, a Sonata named Sea Symphony to have her (filthy) bottom scrubbed at the boat scrubbing machine in Gosport Marina. Since she was launched with the fag-end of last year's antifouling, which had not had a full season's use, she has fouled up something wonderful, and makes about 1.5 knots under outboard. We left Chichester Harbour about 12.30 and whirred purposefully across Hayling Bay, aiming for the main passage in the submarine barrier as the shortest route. The tide was with us up to the bar, but even though it was not too strong in the bay we found it slow going up to the gap in the barrier.

As we approached the barrier I noticed that the tank, which had been near enough full at the outset was getting ominously light. Once we were through the barrier it was clear that there was no more than a few ounces left, and that we would run out before we got there. Despite my long-suffering mate's suggestions that a spare can would be a good idea I had been certain that there would be enough to get us to Gosport. What to do? The tide was now setting us back towards the barrier, and according to the chart the bottom is covered with cables and so anchoring is not a good idea. In despair I hailed a number of boats asking if they had any outboard 2-stroke mixture to spare. After a couple of blanks, the skipper of Tinker, a pretty little sloop with, I think, RCIYC, or possible RCISC on her transom, galantly offered us a gallon or so which was gratefully received.

Circumstances prevented me from doing other than swearing my undying indebtedness to his generosity and skill in effecting a transfer of fuel at short notice. If he is reading this, or any of the audience know of him, I would be grateful for an e-mail giving contact details so that I can make my gratitude felt in more tangible form, a cheque to the charity of his choice would be easy, but any other form of restitution, boon, favour etc. has only to be asked.

Chris Rayner

Incompetent blundering skipper of Sea Symphony

 

[steve_cronin]

RCIYC =

Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club.

However you probably already knew that!

A very friendley bunch in my experience.

Steve Cronin

 

[steve_cronin]

RCIYC =

Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club. Bases in St Peter Port, St Aubin, Gorey & St Helier.

However you probably already knew that!

A very friendly bunch in my experience.

Steve Cronin

 

[JeremyF]

Great story Chris. I'm convinced that at least 95% of the Solent fleet would have done the same as Tinker.

What did you make of the boat scrub? Cheaper than a lift-out at Gosport Boat Yard? As effective?

Jeremy Flynn

 

[Chris_Rayner]

Re: Bottom scrubbing

Ah!! This is the second part of the tale. Although I had made an appointment and had an e-mail confirmation there was a cock up in the office of the boat scrubber organisation. On our slightly belated arrival we found the machine to be whirring away but bereft of crew. The FRIGHTFULLY nice chap who runs it was finally tracked down, and was effusively apologetic as the machine had broken down on the Saturday. He had called to postpone all the booked appointments, but our name was unaccountably absent from the list. The boat should be being scrubbed today, and we will be back on Friday to sail our newly smooth bummed beauty home.


As it was, on Sunday we were in Haslar Marina with a severely fouled boat at 4:30 and no prospect of getting her clean. Given our experience on the way there I had no doubt that a return journey would take us until after dark with a chance that the tide would turn foul before we got clear of Chichester Entrance. Our car was at HISC car park, and we had about £20 in cash. It's beginning to sound a bit like one of those seamanship test thingys isn't it? Except it's about landsmanship, or public transportmanship. Initially I thought of a taxi from Gosport to Hayling Island. I had brought a cheque book and cards to pay the boat scrubber bloke, so I hoped that when we found a taxi he would accept virtual payment. The boat scrubber bloke suggested that we take the ferry to Portsmouth to economise on taxis, so we did. We then spotted the Portsmouth Harbour station from the deck of the ferry. My utterly brilliant wife then said, "The London train stops at Havant doesn't it? So we can take that and get a taxi from Havant." Very good. So the return trip took us about an hour, and cost no more than about £25.

On Friday we shall drive to Guildford station, take the Portsmouth Harbour express, having cunningly retained the return tickets on the ferry, take the ferry to Gosport. FILL THE TANK WITH PETROL AND TAKE A SPARE CAN. Sail/motor whatever back to HISC, call for a taxi from HISC to Havant station, and return to Guildford. Ulysses eat your heart out.

So I won't be able to tell you about the efficacy of the boat scrubber, but, for a Sonata they have threatened me with a bill for £25, which makes hauling out, or drying out on the posts look like too much cost/trouble by far. I'll let you know the effectiveness when I know meself.

Chris

 

[JeremyF]

Re: Bottom scrubbing

For all the transport woes I hope the scrub works well. I hope you are not being stung for mooring at Haslar, considering it was Boat Scrubber's fault that caused the problems.

Good thinking about the train; I would never have thought of that. The Gosport Ferry is a great facility. We park up at Campers in Gosport if we want to go shopping/cinema/eating at Gunwarf Quays and take the ferry across

Jeremy Flynn