Absolute newbie so be gentle please

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sidaorb

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So we have finally taken the plunge and bought our first boat, a Shetland 570 and are going to keep it on it's trailer at MDL.

Hoping to have it on the water for the first time at the beginning of July and hoping to spend many a weekend on the river.

Despite being a volunteer lock-keeper for a few years I'm not looking forward to doing them as a 'customer'.

So if you see us wobbling around the river give us a wave......wondering if I should fit the boat with a Novice Cross like they do in motor racing.

Carl
 
Enjoy!

I find that just wearing a wide-eyed, terrified expression (it comes quite naturally) signifies me as a novice and ensures people keep safely clear :D
 
I usually steer clear of anyone who has to stare through a pile of lager cans to see where they're going:ambivalence:

Congratulations on getting your boat, Carl. And welcome:)
 
I first had a Shetland 570, it was very 'beige' and narrow beam, so too wobbly unless everybody on board understood balancing.

Apparently these are a superb hull in the estuary with a 70hp Mercury however!

The toilet was interesting, being a bucket in the centre of the V berth, but I reckon you could fit in a decent Thetford Porta Potti (Talk to me, I have one which was literally used twice when my electric one failed!) and assuming you have curtains, it's all fine. The cold water system is basic, but with a portable gas cooker, you will,have hot water (DO NOT USE THIS IN-SITU UNLESS ALL DOORS OPEN AND CANOPY SUBSTANTIALLY UNZIPPED!!)

Mine had a 20hp Mercury, which I replaced with a 9.9hp, and was fine! A very economical boat. Electrics virtually non existent given the outboards output though, so a line Genny would be handy. The 570 is good for a week given some very careful planning (MDL Bertyholder!? Commute between Bray and Penton Hook with free showers, WC etc)

Enjoy.... :encouragement:
 
Welcome Carl. Reminds me of how I starting my boating lol.... It will all become natural to you in quite a short time. Just never panic and never be afraid to stop and start the whatever you were doing all over again. Its when folk are too pig headed to stop something that is going wrong for fear of looking foolish and then look even more foolish by messing it up completely. And always do everything as slow as you feel comfortable with (or should that be 'only as fast as you feel comfortable with....'). Never be rushed. I think I'm labouring this point now lol....
Re the loo - we used to have a Fjord 27 many years ago - the missus (who had a broken leg at the time) was on the Portaloo which was posh as it actually had walls and a door, whilst we were in a lock on the Thames, tried to get up, leant on the door, pulled the door off its hinges and was in full view of the spectators all around the lock with very little clothing and even less dignity. I was taking us through the lock so even once I heard the screams it was too late to do anything as I was already occupied with sorting out the lines etc. Boating is great fun even though this was at someone elses expense. We often have a chuckle about it although I think my wifes 'chuckle' is more of a grimmace! Enjoy boat and welcome to the club! On the dark side now eh....
 
It's more white than it is beige thankfully and comes with curtains, a chemical head and an inbuilt hob.

Thinking the outboard is a bit overkill for the Thames but don't want to start spending money changing it at the moment.

Andhria 2.jpg
 
Just out of interest the Shetland range was the brain child of John Hardy who, in my opinion, brought motor boating to the masses with his first boat the 535. At one stage they were churning out over 400 of these a month and they sold world wide. Shetlands were later sold out but John went on to produce the 'Hardy' range which as we all know are boats just loaded with character.
 
My first boat was a Birchwood 18 which probably had similar facilities to yours. I had great fun with it and many happy memories. Avantages included easy mooring, low airdraft and often called into locks ahead of larger boats in the queue to fill a smaller space that they could not get in. Enjoy your new boat and the River.
 
joejo said:
My first boat was a Birchwood 18 which probably had similar facilities to yours. I had great fun with it and many happy memories. Avantages included easy mooring, low airdraft and often called into locks ahead of larger boats in the queue to fill a smaller space that they could not get in. Enjoy your new boat and the River.
Click to expand...

No. no, no, no, no.......I don't want to be called into small spaces I want the whole of Hambleden lock to myself when I get it seriously wrong ;)
 
Well that was an interesting day bringing the toy down from Stourport, we'd calculated the weights and although we were above the magic 85% we were belong the max towing weight, however that bloody great 65hp on the back definately made the tail want to wag the dog a few times, coupled with what can only described as monsoon conditions on the M40, I'm shattered!

at windsor just.jpg
 
Out of interest, anyone know what the charge is for storing a boat & trailer. I guess size will not affect things much as most craft will be between 16-25'
 
£10 per week is pretty good depending on the facility/access/security. For most average sized trailer boats (18-20ft) you are looking at £1000 to £1300 per year for a hard surface in a marina. Where are you in Berks as a friends wife is suggesting the drive is no longer suitable. He was looking at Theale Water Ski as they charge around £700 as a family membership fee which lets you keep the boat next to their lake (and use the lake during certain hours)
 
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