Bray Marina to Penton Hook Marina (1st time out))

BobMod

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Mar 2011
Messages
126
Location
Essex upon Thames
Visit site
When - 2nd May

Time taken - 4hrs ish..

Challenges - Wind... Locks and incompetence (mine) oh and how narrow are Penton hooks berths??

Incidents - Romney Lock aft wind hook into lock gate.. Busy lock.. Needed a bit of power to correct but had lots of boats in front of me and about 12 turns on the wheel lock to lock!!! So awaited the small crunch with resignation.. Lock keeper was deadpan and advised that it wasn't the gate that would take damage...

High's - Apart from the wind a perfect day.. High praise from another boat owner on my reversing into new berth with a nightmare gusting wind beam on.. I think he was probably the least critical person I have ever met...

Low's/Laughs - Missed Penton Hook Marina... Left the lock and looked for a sign.. It was behind us as we found out about 20 mins later when we were sure we had missed it and returned...
- Forgot the ketchup and brown sauce for the burgers!!!

Locks - were particularly stressful because of the number of spectators.. I messed up a few times but only in front of packed audiences.. When it was just me and the lock keeper.. it went fluidly.. Also I am thinking solo is a no no.. which is a shame.. Oh and the Swan Pub is the other side of a lock!!!! damn..

Findings - My awning.. Every seam is just waiting for an excuse to tear.. bugger...

Conclusion - We arrived in one piece and caused no distress to anyone else so it was a success.... and we are gonna have fun.. and a day finished on ice cold G&T's is a good one... :-)
 
All part of the learning process, the main thing is you enjoyed it.

On Sunday I had three goes at reversing into my pontoon in a strong wind which kept swinging the bow round at a greater speed than I could maneuver safely so after the aborted attempts I went in bow first....nicer view when sat on the back with a glass of wine. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it lol.
 
Ian-it is nice to know I am not on my own.. My mat had a lovely 60ft narrow boat and I could thread that puppy through the eye of a needle but this is a killer and 6 turns lock to lock is a monster too.. Must get more practice but for that will need more mates crewing lol.. Solo is not an option..
 
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