Back in the land of the living!

[Matthewb]

Well, what a few weeks!

Haven't been on the forum for ages so I've got lots of catching up to do.

SWMBO and I went to Sealine Sea School in Swanwick and did our Day Skipper Practicals. I can thoroughly recommend the course to people who want to either start boating for the first time or who need a confidence boost. I have never allowed SWMBO to put our 24 footer into her berth, but by the end of the 4 days she was quite merrily chucking a Sealine 34 into a tight space (and without the aid of the bowthruster).

Sealine Sea School were efficient and friendly and the trainer was excellent - got my other half to overcome her fears of manoeuvering in between other boats and navigating at night. There is a downside of course! She now wants to berth our boat everywhere we go, and she has decided that we "need" a Sealine S34 (I've been telling her we need a bigger boat for months but she wouldn't listen). So now we are actively looking for the right one, though there is some debate whether we should get KAD32's or KAD43's.....

Armed with confidence and greater appreciation for the sea, we have been far more adventurous in our trips around the Solent over the past few weeks. And now I can route plan on the paperchart with accuracy so I know I'm OK if the Chart Plotter blows up.

Went to the SBS. As usual, two of our four quality British mobo manufacturers were very friendly and welcoming (both names beginning with the same letter). The other two "biggies" were desperately snobby and unwelcoming - when will they ever learn that the "window shopper" of today is a cash paying customer tomorrow?

For those who remember my performance problems with my S24 (losing revs, hard to get on the plane in any kind of lumpy sea etc etc), the answer was simple. Had her lifted out, 2 coats of antifouling on the hull and 2 + primer on the outdrive. She's like a different boat - straight onto the plane, cruising at 24/25 knots and 30.5 on the GPS flat out. Revs don't drop, doesn't fall off the plane at low speed - behaving perfectly.

Other news? Just back from a trip to Sweden - bought a little something which everyone except Moose will appreciate - will post a picture shortly.......

Saw my first Forum burgee in the flesh last weekend - where do I get one?

Have I missed anything important on the forum?

Matt

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Oh dear, the Sealine sea school is persona non grata following a spat with our very own tcm. I expect he'll fill you in after he's finished buying a yacht on Scuttlebut

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[Alistairr]

Sounds great, Glad you had a great time.

I know the feeling about SWMBO wanting to drive all the time. She and i did our PB2 training last month, and since then she is always trying to beat me to the helm...

Out of interest did you do the Day skipper theory first, and do you mind if i ask how much the practical cost for the 4 days? If you don't want to tell me online then feel free to pm me.

I think if you are looking at a S34 then it has to be the bigger engine option, you have the KAD 32, and i wasn't very impressed with it on the S28 we tested, IMHO Underpowered.. Ideal for the S24 but not anything bigger..

Its good that you sorted out the problem with your own boat, i bet you're enjoying it all the more now..

If you are looking for a burgee then send hlb a Pm, he deals with it.

Cheers

Alistair



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Petrol Rules..

 

[hlb]

Better still, just look at my profile where everything will be revield.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Alistairr]

Are you following me???????



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Petrol Rules..

 

[Matthewb]

Hi Alistair,

You're right about the engines. Several people have said an S34 with KAD32's is underpowered, especially if it is not perfectly clean and is heavily laden.

No, I didn't do the Theory course first - I wanted to gain hands on practice so I felt more confident on my own boat. The price is on their public website so I can't see any problem in telling you here. It was £825 each - that included fuel, lunch and accommodation on board. A bit more than many others but I was comfortable with them as a "reputable" company and I was specifically after training on an S34 which few people offer. I was going to use SunCoast in Spain (beleive in supporting Forum menbers if I can) so I could combine it with a holiday in the sun but unfortunately we couldn't get the dates we needed. Others in the Med only offered non-tidal which was no good to me - we did loads on tides on our course and the weather in the Solent was almost perfect all week.

My boat - yes, I'm chuffed to bits with her now. She's going really well. It was well worth the hard work (I did the antifouling myself. That way I knew the job had been done properly). And what do I do as a thank you to her for behaving perfectly and giving us a few great trips out over the last few wekks? Threaten to sell her.......!

Matt



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