derekbland
Well-Known Member
Sunday arrived at boat with SWMBO, son, daughter, foster boy and Rosie the staffie. There was no intention to venture out until Tuesday and so spent the afternoon cleaning and then went to Port Solent for a meal. Waited ages to be served at Friendly Phil’s not what happened last time we went.
Monday, more cleaning and SWMBO dropped off Rosie at a lady who takes dogs into her home in Havant. Russel popped his head through the door to do a couple more jobs. I gave some basic training, ropes, lifejackets, Mayday call along with some other safety stuff and then off to the beach on Hayling having stopped at Decathlon to buy those full-face masks. We then checked into the caravan on Hayling, booked before we knew we would have the boat.
Tuesday, the moment of truth. Could I take her out, anchor in Alun Bay and return without drama? The good news was yes. We had an uneventful cruise to Alun Bay and anchored there. I didn’t put out enough chain, I knew what I should have put out but……. We swam off the back of the boat and tried out the full-face masks not bad for basic snorkelling but not much good if you want to dive down. The return journey was a little tricky around Cowes with a line of yachts racing and barely 20’ between them. I did a 360 at one point to wait for a suitable gap and then motored through. I managed to berth her without drama. My son said he reckoned he could do it and I told him it was harder than it looked. He replied, “you made it look easy”. A compliment indeed from my son and he didn’t see my knees knocking. The feeling of relief and the sense of achievement after engines off engulfed me and I stood in the saloon for a couple of minutes elated and exhausted.
Wednesday’s forecast was F4-5 and so decided that being very much a novice we would not go out. We went to Gunwharf quays for some retail therapy and generally chill out. We ate on the boat and had a quiet evening.
Thursday, off to Studland Bay, my old haunt from around 18 years ago when I had by beloved Regal Commodore. I loved that little boat with a massif berth. Of course, 51’ compared to 25’, twin engines instead of single sterndrive and a gap of around 18 years means I am very much a novice again. We anchored in Studland Bay, this time with the correct amount of chain. I went in for a swim and even wifey swam all the way around the boat. I felt that I should have a badge to sow onto her cossie as quite some feat for her. I ended up giving the strapline and as far as I could reach a good brush. I was surprised that apart from the green beard, she is pretty clean underneath. Not bad considering she hasn’t been antifouled for 2 years although she did have the jet wash when surveyed. The return was uneventful again with fewer yachts in a race but still had to do some slow speed manoeuvring to get through a gap. The berthing wasn’t as pretty as yesterday but still did ok and didn’t hit anything and didn’t run aground so days a goodun.
I was to change berths today as I am probably the longest boat in our row but when I looked at the alternative I realised that with a massive Trader in front of me I would actually have less room to manoeuvre. As far as I was concerned, if I could do it without hitting anything where I was then uber kudos to me.
Friday, wifey left early to pick up Rosie and I left my beloved (My Gem) to go back to the caravan for one night.
Saturday we had no intentions of going out but decided we might, depending on the weather. Our foster lad surprisingly wanted to go to the pool rather than the beach and so we indulged him. The afternoon was spent cleaning the boat and ended up eating at the Slug and Lettuce in Gunwharf Quays What a pleasant surprise that was, food was great.
Sunday, pack up and home and looking forward to my next trip down. For me, it isn’t just something to go out on but my pied e terre by the sea. Living in the East Midlands, as far from the piggin sea as you can get, I miss the sea and this is just the first step to get back to it. Having spent my teenage years by the beach and having been a voluntary lifeguard, I miss the beach. I also remember that back then I could run across the stones rather than my old man, hunched shoulders and jerks as though I am getting electric shocks through a pair of legs that barely work.
One thing I am a little sad about is the middle classsation of Portsmouth; the removal of all the nightclubs by South Parade Pier and haunts of my misspent youth. The family room at the Still & West pub not as rough and ready as it used to be is also a little sad but still think the sea front with it’s mile of common at the back is one of the nicest ones I’ve seen. I know, old git, blah, bah, changing times, blah, blah.
Only two days out but a total success and the crew performed well for a first time. As for technical info, cruised between 24 and 26kt at around 18-1900rpm. That’s all your getting cos that’s all I know.
Sorry for no pics still but seems a bit emotional trying to load the buggers.
Monday, more cleaning and SWMBO dropped off Rosie at a lady who takes dogs into her home in Havant. Russel popped his head through the door to do a couple more jobs. I gave some basic training, ropes, lifejackets, Mayday call along with some other safety stuff and then off to the beach on Hayling having stopped at Decathlon to buy those full-face masks. We then checked into the caravan on Hayling, booked before we knew we would have the boat.
Tuesday, the moment of truth. Could I take her out, anchor in Alun Bay and return without drama? The good news was yes. We had an uneventful cruise to Alun Bay and anchored there. I didn’t put out enough chain, I knew what I should have put out but……. We swam off the back of the boat and tried out the full-face masks not bad for basic snorkelling but not much good if you want to dive down. The return journey was a little tricky around Cowes with a line of yachts racing and barely 20’ between them. I did a 360 at one point to wait for a suitable gap and then motored through. I managed to berth her without drama. My son said he reckoned he could do it and I told him it was harder than it looked. He replied, “you made it look easy”. A compliment indeed from my son and he didn’t see my knees knocking. The feeling of relief and the sense of achievement after engines off engulfed me and I stood in the saloon for a couple of minutes elated and exhausted.
Wednesday’s forecast was F4-5 and so decided that being very much a novice we would not go out. We went to Gunwharf quays for some retail therapy and generally chill out. We ate on the boat and had a quiet evening.
Thursday, off to Studland Bay, my old haunt from around 18 years ago when I had by beloved Regal Commodore. I loved that little boat with a massif berth. Of course, 51’ compared to 25’, twin engines instead of single sterndrive and a gap of around 18 years means I am very much a novice again. We anchored in Studland Bay, this time with the correct amount of chain. I went in for a swim and even wifey swam all the way around the boat. I felt that I should have a badge to sow onto her cossie as quite some feat for her. I ended up giving the strapline and as far as I could reach a good brush. I was surprised that apart from the green beard, she is pretty clean underneath. Not bad considering she hasn’t been antifouled for 2 years although she did have the jet wash when surveyed. The return was uneventful again with fewer yachts in a race but still had to do some slow speed manoeuvring to get through a gap. The berthing wasn’t as pretty as yesterday but still did ok and didn’t hit anything and didn’t run aground so days a goodun.
I was to change berths today as I am probably the longest boat in our row but when I looked at the alternative I realised that with a massive Trader in front of me I would actually have less room to manoeuvre. As far as I was concerned, if I could do it without hitting anything where I was then uber kudos to me.
Friday, wifey left early to pick up Rosie and I left my beloved (My Gem) to go back to the caravan for one night.
Saturday we had no intentions of going out but decided we might, depending on the weather. Our foster lad surprisingly wanted to go to the pool rather than the beach and so we indulged him. The afternoon was spent cleaning the boat and ended up eating at the Slug and Lettuce in Gunwharf Quays What a pleasant surprise that was, food was great.
Sunday, pack up and home and looking forward to my next trip down. For me, it isn’t just something to go out on but my pied e terre by the sea. Living in the East Midlands, as far from the piggin sea as you can get, I miss the sea and this is just the first step to get back to it. Having spent my teenage years by the beach and having been a voluntary lifeguard, I miss the beach. I also remember that back then I could run across the stones rather than my old man, hunched shoulders and jerks as though I am getting electric shocks through a pair of legs that barely work.
One thing I am a little sad about is the middle classsation of Portsmouth; the removal of all the nightclubs by South Parade Pier and haunts of my misspent youth. The family room at the Still & West pub not as rough and ready as it used to be is also a little sad but still think the sea front with it’s mile of common at the back is one of the nicest ones I’ve seen. I know, old git, blah, bah, changing times, blah, blah.
Only two days out but a total success and the crew performed well for a first time. As for technical info, cruised between 24 and 26kt at around 18-1900rpm. That’s all your getting cos that’s all I know.
Sorry for no pics still but seems a bit emotional trying to load the buggers.
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