bit wary.

[powerskipper]

we

Really appreciate all your advice and words of encouragement, thankyou. Having not taken her out for a while (been way too windy for my liking) thought I would take advantage of a reasonably quiet marina while the saily boats are strutting their stuff round the island and get a bit of 'parking' practice in. Wanted to reverse in as I'd never done it before, big mistake!! All I can tell you is my confidence is taking a real bashing at the moment...reversing in was looking like a disaster waiting to happen so abandoned that idea, then 3 bl**dy attempts with the boat being blown all over the place, finally got her into place. Gotta get back on the horse as they say but wow, really having a crisis of confidene here.

we all have days like that, look on it as a practise day, as long as your still talking to each other [ good berthing] and no ones hurt [ brilliant berthing]and boat still floating [ superb berthing], don't worry about it.

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

We've been doing this boating lark a couple of years now and love it more and more as each month passes however, still the furthest we've had the courage to go is Whitecliffe Bay which I'm sure sounds really tame to many . We really fancy a trek to Poole and have done the chartwork etc but it's niggling at me that we may be biting off more than we can chew. Am I being over cautious here? Was thinking it may be wise to get someone to come with us first time round (Julie????). Thoughts people please?

Lisa

hi lisa.....as long as you have confidence in your boat, pick your weather window carefully and do ALL your preperations BEFORE departure, ITS GRRRREAT !!!!!!....see hear pt1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdrx_M2e9Qo .. pt2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stu2F3xPHVA&feature=related

 

[longjohnsilver]

I'd probably be as bad as you, how often do you plan on betting stern to? I've almost never done it. And in a single engined boat it's not easy. Don't worry, be happy!

 

[hlb]

I wont go to a stern to berth either. Even with two engines, less theres no where else.

A stupid way to moor, and a stupid way to get out. I dont go back.

The pontoon paid for. needs to be for length of boat. If not as long, youve been done.

 

[lisilou]

hi lisa.....as long as you have confidence in your boat, pick your weather window carefully and do ALL your preperations BEFORE departure, ITS GRRRREAT !!!!!!....see hear pt1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdrx_M2e9Qo .. pt2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stu2F3xPHVA&feature=related

Enjoyed that, thanks Steve.

 

[PRH]

Can't tell you how much better that has made me feel . Have to admit I was thinking about grabbing a day with Julie to get some handling tips. If I'm still cr*p after that...then some rather large bow and stern thrusters might be ordered!!!

You will be amazed at how much you will get from just a day with a professional, I would thoroughly recommend it.

Not sure what training you have done to date but even better would be the Day Skipper's course on your own boat - well worth it.

Don't loose faith, get back on that horse. Today will be much better once the fog has been burnt off.

 

[lisilou]

You will be amazed at how much you will get from just a day with a professional, I would thoroughly recommend it.

Not sure what training you have done to date but even better would be the Day Skipper's course on your own boat - well worth it.

Don't loose faith, get back on that horse. Today will be much better once the fog has been burnt off.

Done the PB2 a couple years back and just now doing the online Day Skipper theory. Totally agree, a day with a pro will at least get me my confidence back . Poole on hold for today I think so a poodle over to Osbourne Bay will do for us when this fog clears. Enjoy the pending heat wave people

 

[gjgm]

We've been doing this boating lark a couple of years now and love it more and more as each month passes however, still the furthest we've had the courage to go is Whitecliffe Bay which I'm sure sounds really tame to many . We really fancy a trek to Poole and have done the chartwork etc but it's niggling at me that we may be biting off more than we can chew. Am I being over cautious here? Was thinking it may be wise to get someone to come with us first time round (Julie????). Thoughts people please?

Lisa

Cant say I find Poole harbour the least bit interesting- always seems to be running out of water.. So, decide a reason for going there. Choose a marina. Alot to be said for the town quay, as its right in town, and saves you all that nonsense with the bridge up to Cobbs- and saves a taxi ride. Cobbs and the taxi is fine, but maybe not what you need after your first "crossing".
As Deleted User has said , come out REALLY close to Hurst - its deep so dont worry.
Follow the shingle bank down to the right a bit and then turn out. Assuming its a calm day, its an easy passage. Otherwise, keep a fair clearance off Christchurch ledge- its seems to run out for miles and can get a bit surprising if you are not expecting it.
As your first time, take one of the outer markers for Poole- they are a LONG way out, so dont just head for the entrance. Can get a bit busy. Then just follow the bouys in, and you have sort of established your course. Remember the chain ferry has right of way.
Once into the harbour, you swing right (following the bouys), and then its a big (1-2miles) arc over to the left, and then a hard right to the town quay. Dont cut any corners, come all the way til you are 90 degrees and turn in. Locals may cut all over the place, but its a big area, and not at all obvious first time.
Few personal thoughts.. it can be mayhem waiting for the bridge if you are not used to the jostling; there can be a bit of swell in the harbour entrance;Christchurch ledge can throw up a surprising kick for a bit;there is a bouy once out of Hurst castle for a reason..follow that swing away from the shoals;if this is your biggest expanse of open water to date, give thought to wind and tide together. On a good day you could probably waterski the whole way; On a bad day, it can be a surprisingly nasty trip (usually back).
But, as always, have no plans til you read the forecasts and tides.
However, this is alarmist, bcz I have got it totally wrong in earlier days and we didnt find it funny No reason it cant be as easy as Whitecliff, it just needs a bit more thought. You dont need anyone with you, just choose a calm day. BTW, Alcatraz is a good place to eat in the town, anything from maybe £10 for the pasta, and upwards.
If you are MDL, its a very friendly marina. Just ask about the bridge opening times
Edit: been some other replies- this something you CAN easily do on your own-keep it in a back pocket til we get some easy seas, and you will enjoy the "adventure".

 

[lisilou]

Hi gjgm, thanx.
Tbh, I have plotted using as many buoys etc as possible from start to finish just to be on safe side so probably going farther out and round the houses than I need to but hey, would rather that than get caught out. Had planned to do it yesterday but the fog A.M put paid to that so just gonna have to wait for a day when its not 'blowing a hooley'. Thanx as always for your advice, it's greatly appreciated .

 

[rbcoomer]

Interesting thread.

I'm in a similar situation and want to make more of the boat by going further afield etc, but with responsibility for others in the boat, I get put off quite easily! As others have said - doing so in stages and going a little further makes a lot of sense, just ensure you always have enough fuel to turn back.

If you don't push yourself a bit sometimes, you never know how you'll cope, but likewise going too far beyond your 'comfort zone' could entail putting yourself off altogether! I had arranged to meet a friend yesterday on the water but 'bottled out' due to the mist! Torbay where we were going to meet, was clear and sunny later on, but along the coast from Teignmouth (where I launch) was very hazy with a looming bank of mist about a half-a-mile out. I could have made the trip anyway as near visibility was reasonable and I have charts & a GPS fix on the VHF so wasn't going to get 'lost'. However, I decided that if the visibility dropped significantly, being inexperienced I could easily get in trouble so didn't go! Your boat is supposed to be for enjoyment and I take the view that whilst tricky situations are always likely to pop up, I'm not about to go looking for them!

My advice would be don't feel pressured to do the trip, but be prepared for it every time you go out. No harm in turning back, but when you're out there on a fantastic day (we do get them occasionally ) you'll have your course etc ready and you'll just go for it! Then you'll probably wonder why you didn't do it 6 months earlier, but better that than over-confidence IMHO.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Interesting thread.

I had arranged to meet a friend yesterday on the water but 'bottled out' due to the mist! Torbay where we were going to meet, was clear and sunny later on, but along the coast from Teignmouth (where I launch) was very hazy with a looming bank of mist about a half-a-mile out.

Thats not 'bottling out', thats sensible seamanship. Far better to be tied up in your marina beating yourself up for not going out than going out and scaring yourself and your crew witless in zero viz. There's always another day

 

[rbcoomer]

Thats not 'bottling out', thats sensible seamanship. Far better to be tied up in your marina beating yourself up for not going out than going out and scaring yourself and your crew witless in zero viz. There's always another day

The day turned out ok and I did kinda think we should have gone whilst I was sat on the beach with my son looking out at all the boats that did... But pretty pointless to risk an unnecessary 'bad experience' when there was a good chance of the mist returning inshore. I was trying to illustrate that lisilou needs to take more of a "I'll go when the opportunity arises" perspective than feel it's a must to go further - as you say, there's always another day and it'll be all the more enjoyable not under pressure.