Breakfast in Nice, Lunch in Calais

T

tcm

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Just back from a 2 week visit to the boat. It's this leopard 23. And all went jolly well. Niggly things like er the chart plotter doesn't show position so it's just a chart and rather expensive depth display. Also the radar is colourful but unuseable, but otherwise a bunch of small things.

Missed entire doom fortnight re dear departed Q Mother. But crap rain for several days.

On the way home I was going to arrive in calais far too early for lunch, so the gendarmes kindly stopped me for speeding. I've learned my lesson now, and the lesson is that it's 90 euros cash on the spot for about 110mph. Radar detectors work ok for lazy cops who sit with it on all the time, but these guys pick you out and do a short burst. The only audible warning is when they've measured you. Actual warning is the distant car at the side of the road. Also, post-nicking, none of this sanctimonious "now then sir, here's some advice..." as with uk cops, just took the money wrote receipt and said "bonne route".
 
Missed you while you have been away - The good news is that I have bought a 23 FOOTER ;-) too.
Byron has gone walkabout and hlb has done a runner, apart from that is really quiet.
Adrian

Don't call me "Sandra"
Cleopatra - yellow hull called Court Jester. Have you seen her ?
 
Welcome back, tcm. Just be warned that if you are caught doing over 100mph over here, it's a night in jail + a very big fine. I've had a couple of near misses........
 
Re: oho new boat

Its a Fairline Holiday - down in South Wales at the moment on a trailer. When the deal is completed I will leave her down there for a few weeks while I sort out a Tow Car then I will tow her everywhere and anywhere.
Burgee ordered so I can fly it on the M4 / M5 / etc ....
I could even move the boat to where the action is ........
Doesnt matter what boat you buy it still has the same excitment doesnt it !!!!
Adrian
Adrian

Don't call me "Sandra"
Cleopatra - yellow hull called Court Jester. Have you seen her ?
 
Welcome back, we had a few crap rainy days in Wales but quite a few sunny ones as well! Difference is the Welsh Police are extremely keen on speeding so just as well you were in France, still, on the Easter Saturday my daughter and I did the 170 mile trip in 2hrs 15mins, trick is to leave at 5.30am. Where did you get to on your travels and will you be posting any new piccies of of Leopard?
 
Re: leopard trip, speeding

I went to St tropez, and came back, and goofed around and then went to st tropez again. I have no new piccies whatsoever, as some may be relieved to hear.

You're right about the speeding - as PM my first move would be to remove motorway speed limits between midnight and 7 am. But I got done at 10.30 so no excuses their. Mrs tcm said she though I'd seen the car at the side of the motorway - she did. Also, headlights blazing north of paris is a bit of a giveaway for the radar shootists.

Have you gione and bought a new sailyboat yet?
 
Re: leopard trip, speeding

Quite enjoyed the piccies so don't hold back. I now look at the powerboats in the marina in a different way, slightly interested in what is what. The Phantom 46's and Squadron's etc all look big so yours must be bloody massive!! Pwllheli seems to be dominated by Fairlines at the big end and Chaparals at the lower.

Not bought one yet, still looking, the one in Brittany I was keen on was sold by the time I started making final enquiries, not in a rush. Put mine on the market three days ago and had a few calls already, the purchase is not dependent upon the sale but it makes life easier if I don't have two boats. Still can't finally decide on which one but getting closer all the time, I have no doubt that it will be a bargain that decides it! (it's called the Yorkie factor)
 
€ 90 for 110mph sounds like excellent value to me, compared to UK Plod. Is there an unofficial limit like the UK or is the official limit enforced? Is it just we ros-bifs who get our collars felt or locals as well?
Re weather, thanks to unremitting high pressure, UK's had all the Med's normal weather recently. Sorry.
Still pleased with Leopard?
 
they had no idea whether i was foreign or otherwise when they laser-gunned, so it's everyone. They radio ahead for a car with flashing lights to stop you. The car that they radio to doesn't have any radar gear in it, and neither car was capable of catching anythng doing more than 110. When we did stop I said sorry for dummying to the inside as though as was going to stop immediately, and then accelerating and trying to get past the outside, and they said ok. If you do get clear of them, turn off the moroway before the last peage and that's that. Anyway, they said it's 90 Euros, cash for you cos we know that you can stiop the visa payment. So i paid them and they went in their car to write out a receipt. I didn't say well, come on be quick about it, just sat in my car throughout. 10 minutes all done and dusted, very good value as you say.

I will hope for repayment of weather in due course. Boat is fine, cept for jfm-recommended chartplotter and radar. I wonder where he is? No point in me looking cos the gps reckons I'm always in the same place and the radar reckons theres alway a load of boats all around, which er since the plotter thinks is alway in port i suppose is consistent....
 
Welcome back! Weather was a bit inclement in Portugal aswell. I'm back in NOrway for three weeks or so, then back to Portugal and the big move to the Ballearics for summer, Barcelone for winter, from October. Next year french and italian riviera and hopefully winter in sardinia, may see that humongous leopard of yours down there, I dont look anything like a fish farm, so will probably get run over, tee hee. Good to have you back!!
 
Re: oho new boat

We have just purchased a Fairline Holiday Mk 3 called Kittiwake.

On the river test we found the boat very erratic to steer in a straight line, having to continuosly correct the line to port and starboard. The dealer said "Oh they all do that" but I find it hard to believe. Does anyone have any experience of that effect in a Fairline or any other type of craft?

I am sure we can cure it but input from owners would be helpful.

Regards to all

Michael
 
Re: oho new boat

Your dealer was probably right. Most, if not all, deep V hulls tend to wander at low displacement speed. Not sure what hull the Holiday has, but suspect a fairly deep V from what you say.

My 19ft. Fletcher wanders quite badly at 5 or 6 knots, getting better at 8 or 9. By the time it's planing, fine.
 
Re: wandering

yes agreed.

Kittiwake, weandering will be esp bad down river. This is cos it has not got "way on" - the water isn't pasing over the hull fast enough. As geoff says, once planing, steering is much sharper. But the brakes are worse...
 
Re: oho new boat

Wheres PGD when you need him.
Give me a few weeks and know first hand the answer to this one !!!
Adrian

Don't call me "Sandra"
Cleopatra - yellow hull called Court Jester. Have you seen her ?
 
Re: Wandering

Thanks to all the posts regarding wandering steerage on my Holiday 23. I have fitted a new prop as the original had quite bad damage to one of the blades. I also fitted a new trim anode on the outdrive as this, I am told, should help to counteract the prop walk.

I will let you know if this makes any difference when we relaunch next week.

Regards

Mike

Michael
 
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