Fair weather dangers!

[Jelly]

Having read the previous post about confused seas off the east coast, we came down that stretch of water Sunday morning (22nd of Aug, 6am) and it was so calm the boat we were travelling with was breaking the surface tension of the water. Anyway, the point is, I hit a submerged railway sleeper a couple of miles south of the main shipping channel at Felixstowe. Because the water was so calm it floated just below the surface. Had there been a bit of a chop, I'm sure we would have seen the edges occasionally coming out of the water. Just as I was thinking that this was the most perfect boating day ever...CRASH!

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[adarcy]

Oh dear, I am sorry. Any real damage?

I think most Corniches ride very bow-up, is the non-flybridge better? I.E. do you have a good forward view?

Personally, I prefer to drive from the flybridge, to get a better view down, wearing Polaroids (unless it is dark) as you can see through the surface much better even in an oily calm. Missed a couple of ropes and bags that way even though the crew who were also looking out shouted "whatddya do that for?" - they had been quite unable to see anything through the surface reflection.

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[Jelly]

It can ride bow-up, but a little trim tab gives a good view. We are normally very vigilant around there as the Lobster pots arent very well marked. I've only ever had sports boats with a relatively low field of view, so I dont know if the shadow below the surface could have been seen from higher up.

There was no damage really. It removed a line of antifoul, cleared a nice corkscrew shape in the barnacles on the shafts and bent one prop. The sleeper was resplendent with 9 inch bolts, so I think we got off very lightly. The gel coat was unmarked.

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[Dave_Snelson]

Wow, by the sounds of it, you did indeed get off lightly!!

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[adarcy]

All I can say is "Phew"

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