Trevethan
New member
This weekend saw my maiden trip (200 whole yards each way) in Gayle Louise.
First time with a wheel steered boat, first time with a boat over 27 foot, first time with an inboard engine.
First impression was that it was like driving a whale. The slow response compared to the small light stuff I am used to is scary.. as are the consequences of hitting something - 17 tonnes of boat tipped with a bowsprit makes a formidable weapon capable of doing bad things to other peoples' boats!
Anyway our objective, properlay laid out in a regulation passage plan was to move down the boat down the canal basin to illustrate problems with using the place as a visitors marina.. i.e. masts have to come down to get under the motorway bridge so a visistors marina where the only maintenance allowed is washing the boat is an exercise is lunacy - even if the canal remains clear after 3 years no traffic to cut up the weed. Anyway....
Pretty nerve wracking experience - lots of boats, lots of very experience people watching. It went pretty well. Didn't hit anything. Rounded up up pretty well to tie up to the end of the quay avoiding freshily painted wood and steel boats tied up close by. No call for the roving fender at all.
What amazed me was the stern thruster effect you can achieve using short blasts of power and the rudder. I literally managed to spin round on the spot (wind helped!) but she is a long keeler. (Helpful series of articles in Sailing Today sorry to mention it) on handling boats under power.. invaluable theory guide)
Problems I felt..
The wheel... lock to lock is about 8 turns - hopefully the hydraulic system I am about to fit wil chamnge that to about 4. There was also a fair of slack in the linkages (1/5th of a turn)
Second was the engine control. (morse single lever) found it quite hard to get back into neutral. some sticking between forward and astern.
Does the panel think new cable would remedy this?
Third was visibility: Cure.. wash pilothouse windows.
Now I guess its just a question of practice... will wait until there is a less of an audience/witnesses!
Anyway should stop going on now.. but still a little high on my (very minor) accomplishment.
First time with a wheel steered boat, first time with a boat over 27 foot, first time with an inboard engine.
First impression was that it was like driving a whale. The slow response compared to the small light stuff I am used to is scary.. as are the consequences of hitting something - 17 tonnes of boat tipped with a bowsprit makes a formidable weapon capable of doing bad things to other peoples' boats!
Anyway our objective, properlay laid out in a regulation passage plan was to move down the boat down the canal basin to illustrate problems with using the place as a visitors marina.. i.e. masts have to come down to get under the motorway bridge so a visistors marina where the only maintenance allowed is washing the boat is an exercise is lunacy - even if the canal remains clear after 3 years no traffic to cut up the weed. Anyway....
Pretty nerve wracking experience - lots of boats, lots of very experience people watching. It went pretty well. Didn't hit anything. Rounded up up pretty well to tie up to the end of the quay avoiding freshily painted wood and steel boats tied up close by. No call for the roving fender at all.
What amazed me was the stern thruster effect you can achieve using short blasts of power and the rudder. I literally managed to spin round on the spot (wind helped!) but she is a long keeler. (Helpful series of articles in Sailing Today sorry to mention it) on handling boats under power.. invaluable theory guide)
Problems I felt..
The wheel... lock to lock is about 8 turns - hopefully the hydraulic system I am about to fit wil chamnge that to about 4. There was also a fair of slack in the linkages (1/5th of a turn)
Second was the engine control. (morse single lever) found it quite hard to get back into neutral. some sticking between forward and astern.
Does the panel think new cable would remedy this?
Third was visibility: Cure.. wash pilothouse windows.
Now I guess its just a question of practice... will wait until there is a less of an audience/witnesses!
Anyway should stop going on now.. but still a little high on my (very minor) accomplishment.
