Fiddlesticks

[vyv_cox]

We moved the boat north on Saturday, from Hellevoetsluis to Ijmuiden, as the preparatory stage of our summer cruise. The distance is about 55 miles and the tide started north about 1630, so we planned to start at around midday. The wind early on Saturday was SW 6-7 but by 1130 had moderated to 5-6. Motoring SW out of the Slijkgat channel at about 1400 with tide under us and into the wind was a slow business, very short steep waves slowing us to a couple of knots at times. Once turned north at SG1 we took off, boat speed 6-8 knots under genoa only. Swells were about 1 - 2 metres, short and steep and on the aft quarter, but the whole process brilliantly controlled by the Windpilot. Crossing the Maas entrance was the usual heart-in-mouth affair, shipping coming thick and fast but only one course change necessary, two gybes to avoid a tug and tow west-bound.

At this point the tide turned, seas moderated a little but remained significant, and we began to really move - 9 or 10 knots over the ground. Time for a meal. In these conditions the chef declined to prepare one of her usual cordon bleu offerings, and instead we had tins of stew, peas and potatoes in a single pan, heated up and served in our deep bowls, eaten with spoons in the cockpit.

Which got us talking about boat reviews and criticism of tables, in particular. Why, oh why, do reviewers always comment on the absence or low height of fiddles on saloon tables? In all our years of cruising we have never, ever, eaten off a table on passage. In port, fiddled tables are nothing but a pest. Fiddles on chart tables or in the galley, fine. On tables? Not on my boat.

 

[Sinbad1]

Vyv, I suspect that the journo's have a tick list of good and bad points and the fiddles are just one of them....thus they always get mentioned.

Yep, they are a pain in port and mine have never been used. Usually sit in the cockpit and eat out of deep bowls or prepared sandwiches and dream of restaurants and bars just over the horizon.

Did you have any sunshine. Bit rare in Holland!

 

[vyv_cox]

Saturday was overcast in the morning but crystal clear blue skies by the time we started. Some cirrus by about 2000 and more general cloud by 2200 when we berthed. Sunday was very strange, windy again and wet periods but very warm. Glorious today, back at work of course, forecast is 32 degrees.

Overall we find it drier here than in UK, warmer in summer and sometimes colder in winter, not the past two though, when it has been very mild. There do seem to be many overcast days, sometimes many in a row, unlike the west of UK where it rains more but usually clears up later, giving at least some brightness. This year, in common with most of Europe, weather poor and temperatures low.

 

[Mirelle]

Please may I NOT have fiddles on the chart table - at least not in both directions - I would like to be able to open the chart, and I would like to be able to use a parallel ruler/Douglas protractor/rapporteur Breton/pair of triangles. The Bennies I saw at the London Boat show had over-fiddled chart tables. Ships have a rail just below the table top height so you can slide the unwanted bit of chart down it, but that is too shippy for a boat.

Conversely, we do use the fiddles on the saloon table. One leaf folds up and over and has fiddles on it for sea use, and the table can be "tacked" to suit the angle of heel. Not for sitting and eating at but for putting things (plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery) down on.

 

[Eudorajab]

Couldn agree more !!!!!

 

[iangrant]

Table fiddles direct childrens (or drunken seadogs) spilt drinks to one corner of the table to a rapidly deployed glass for collection!!

Ian

 

[claymore]

Vyv - its not often I find myself at odds with you but I suppose it had to happen. We have a pack of plastic (waterproof) playing cards and the only way I can pick them up is by sliding them up the fiddle on the saloon table then getting a finger grip on them.

regards
Claymore

 

[Langouste]

Boats pottering from port to port may find little use for fiddles. What about at anchor, you know that metal thingie on the pointy bit. With a swell running or with the potential for wash in a busy anchorage fiddles then come in to their own.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have anchored once or twice. Also had a mooring in a tideway for 10 years. Never found the need for fiddles but have used lee cloths to stop being thrown out of bed.

 

[billmacfarlane]

I've never felt the need for fiddles on the saloon table. Round the galley area yes but the saloon table no.I can't remember ever eating a meal on the saloon table at sea in any boat I've had and if it's that uncomfortable down below I'll have a bowl in one hand and a fork or a spoon in the other. Any rougher than that and I'm only eating bananas , chocolate and water.

 

[AndrewB]

That sticky-feeling matting material which has been available at boat shows in mat or cloth form for about 5 years now, has totally eliminated the need for table fiddles IMHO. Holds plates to 45 deg.

Except that I'm with Ian - fiddles steer the spilt booze away from my lap and into that of the person sitting at the corner.

 

[Mirelle]

What a damning indictment of modern yacht design!

So...everybody with a modern boat eats off their laps at sea!

Not so us on our old lady..knew she was good for something!

Indeed, on a real Bristol Channel pilot cutter, admittedly 50ft LOA and 28 tons, I have eaten soup with a spoon when hove to in F8!