Fancy a sail in the Solent tomorrow (6th)

[BlueSkyNick]

I've been planning for sometime to go for a sail tomorrow, but without boring you with the details, I am now in need of a crew or two.

If you would like to come along, please PM me with a phone number and I will call you back asap.

The weather is looking OK - NE/E 4/5 - depending which website you believe.

Basic plan is to leave Hythe Marina 0900, return about 1630.

Moondance is a Moody 346 in sound condition with all essentials on board. You just need to bring your own sandwiches - and warm clothes. Waterproofs are available.

Hope somebody can make it

<hr width=100% size=1>I would give my right arm to be ambidexterous

 

[Steve Clayton]

Nick,

I'd like to be bored with the details - WOT; has Karen left you then??? Perfect opportunity for you to practice single handed!

Sadly I have to do VAT returns whilst Liz will be in Paris doing shopping; (ouch!!!!!) so can't make it. Not sure that I could cope with your jokes about Christmas either

Have a good one,

Steve

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[BlueSkyNick]

She has decided that there is too much to do at home in preperation for her parents arriving on Friday for 16days !! In order to prepare for that same visit myself, I need to go sailing to reduce my stress levels in advance. Also intend to go a few times while they are here - 25th might not be a bad date !

Am contemplating going on my own - the boat is not a problem, I usually do everything anyway. I don't fancy the Hythe lock in the cold/dark/maybe wet.

Will decide later, depending on responses.

<hr width=100% size=1>I would give my right arm to be ambidexterous

 

[duncan]

why don't you join up with Sailfree - see posts around here somewhere - and join us in Poole Saturday night for a meal?
would be great to see you again

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[BlueSkyNick]

Thanks for the suggestion Duncan. I would have enjoyed joining you all, but have to back for a social engagement on Saturday night.

Hope you have a good weekend,

<hr width=100% size=1>I would give my right arm to be ambidexterous

 

[nicho]

Nick,

Don't worry about the lock, if you tell them in advance you are single handed and need assistance, they'll have someone ready to help you. Sorry, I'm still stuck at home at present, or I'd join you.

Cheers

Mike

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[aztec]

here it be... aharrrr

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=adhoc&Number=436819&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&vc=1#Post436819>http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=adhoc&Number=436819&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&vc=1#Post436819</A>

sorry 'bout the pirate impression... but i'm getting ready to go to POOLE...

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[BlueSkyNick]

With the encouragement of forumites, and a madly keen desire just to go sailing whatever, I went out on my own on Saturday. First time on the current boat, and out of Hythe lock. Learned quite a lot though.

Arrived at boat an hour later than planned due to trouble with my back - couldn't get it off the mattress before 0830. Disconnected mains, stowed dehumidifier and heater, checked engine etc etc. Donned life jacket before even starting the engine, as a matter of course for single handed boating. Turn igniition key - engine turns over once, then does nothing - both batteries decide they're having a lay-in too!

Options - go home? Go buy a charger, then go home? Decided to call SeaStart as I'm paying them over £100 pa anyway. The guy turned up by road in less than 30mins, clipped on his portable battery and up she starts. Great service - definitely pay again next year.

By now, I've missed the free flow out of the marina - no problem, only needed to drop down about a foot anyway, so out through the lock with ease.

Decide to check all is in order before deploying sails - quickly discover that Autopilot is also having a lay-in too ! It says our heading is 190, when main compass shows 140 which I know to be correct. Never mind, if it keeps us on the same heading it will still do its job - quickly learn that it doesn't - very confused autopilot and even more confused skipper. What the heck, not too much wind and I can sail the boat on my own, so I did. Just had to make quick dashes below to grab the flask, etc when necessary.

Wonderful beam reach down to HillHead, where it was a bit windier and signs of rain. Simple tack and another beam reach all the way back. This time the Autohelm says 240 when we are on 320 so its definitely got a tendency to head South for the winter! Start thinking - should I replace it, in conjunction with other new instruments on order - Not if I can help it. Its only a problem with the compass - maybe I can just replace that, possibly with a second hand one.

Got back in through the lock - this time had to go up about 8ft, but no problem with help from the lovely Pam, so now know I can get out and back in single handed. Had a few problems getting into my berth as a brand new bloody great Southerly has reduced my turning angle, and the chap was on board so I couldn't get too close. With the headwind now F5 I had to abort and go right round again, got it right at second attempt though.

Sunday morning, decided to read Autohelm handbook. Maybe it needs recalibrating but why would it go so far off in a short space of time? Decided to give it a go next time, rather than commit to expense unncecessarily.

Then part of the way through the day, the penny dropped - some numpty stowed the dehumidifier behind the bulkhead where the Autohelm compass is mounted !! What idiot crewmember did that??!! Oh, that will be me then - hurrumph.

Never mind, another lesson learned and more importantly I now know I can go sailing on my own - might try it a few more times with SWMBO's parents around for the next two and a half weeks.

(PS for nicho - Bad news, I'm afraid. I found 3 blobs of bird-sh** on your decks. Worse news - they're still there!)

<hr width=100% size=1>I would give my right arm to be ambidexterous