First Trip and River channel Markers

[Frontier]

I purchased a boat in September that turned out to need new fuel tanks, having spent the time since then working on engine problems and removing the old tanks I finally got her going this weekend. Decided to be brave and take her down the river a bit from Chichester marina. (This is my first boat) Only problem was the tide was out. It was Ok following the posts from the marina out to the channel in the river then heading downstream. But then the posts seem a bit sparse. I could see a red one off in the distance but no obvious route between the yachts in the way, that seem to be moored all over the place.

I tried to go around some and the sounder alarmed, going between another couple it did the same. In the end I just went back, I only wanted to test the engines so it was enough, (for now) but I was wondering if all rivers are so poorly marked.

I suppose if I go next time at high tide I will have a chance to get a bit further, the channel may be more obvious looking back up the river. I suppose it's more a case of me being poorly experienced rather then the channel being poorly marked.

OH one last thing. When returning into the lock I tried not to go too fast, I found I could not get the gear to disengage. i.e. tried to drop her into neutral but she still went ahead, pulled back a bit harder and she stuck astern. Seemed to be happening on both engines, so she began to turn in the lock as I struggled to get neutral on alternate engines. Is there a trick to this? Meanwhile matey on the lock was waiting to throw me a rope and no doubt having a laugh, glad it wasn't summer. There are always lots of spectators at the lock in summer. I am not looking forward to that /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Should I have put more throw on the leavers? I was a bit worried to put too many revs on due to the restricted space but maybe these controls don’t take to gentle use. Its twin Volvo diesels on stern drives. Everything seem fine later as I reversed her into the berth, but I may have been a bit more brutal with the controls, I didn’t bother with steering much, having read some tips on the forum to just use engines in fwd and rev. Worked well and we gently berthed, didn’t hit a thing. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[jacksoc]

Had a similar problem with the same throttles/set up you mention when we got our boat. If you take the cover off the top of the throttle levers you may find a simple squirt of release oil (I used Finlube - which is teflon based and remains on the surfaces a bit longer) does the trick. I had to appply a couple of "squirts" followed by operating the levers - you'll notice as you work the throttles a couple of plates seperate and then meet up again - I believe it's these that cause enough friction to stick. The cables sometimes stick as well I'm told, but these are a bit beyond my knowledge so far!!

As for the markers on the river etc, I think you would be wise to seek advise from someone more experienced in your area/or do the navigation classes etc. It will mean you/your boat/family will be a lot safer when you go out next.

Happy cruising /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BrendanS]

Take out someone locally experienced as a first step, just ask around locally for someone that knows area and is willing to show you around the area and tell you obvious pitfalls

Then get yourself on a course to read charts and how to work out when tidal areas are navigable

 

[oldgit]

What is the tickover speed of your engines should be around 400rpm or so .If idle speed is to high will be difficult to engage and disengage drives smoothly and without lots of thud clunk lurch type results.If you have to apply lots of pressure to levers is easy to miss neutral.

 

[No1_Moose]

see Pm

 

[hlb]

Hmm. Loosing track of channel is not unusual. Though a pilot book helps alot. Whenever I loose track, I aim for moored boats, on the grounds that, if there going to stay afloat, I will also. Not failed yet. Aim for the big boats!!

 

[fireball]

Can't help you with your engines - but I know what you mean about the channel - at first it looks like there are moorings all over the place - but they do follow lines and there is (honestly there is!) a clear central channel that can be followed.

The image below is an extract from the chart - it shows where the posts are - other than the Birdham Tidal gauge and the Chichester depth gauge you shouldn't be heading for any posts until you get to Chalk Dock, much further down the channel (not on the extract below)

 

[KevB]

If you think finding the channel between the yachts is a bit tricky wait till you get further towards east head and out towards the bar. Seriously though, if you need someone to show you the way, drop me a pm.

Kevin.

 

[PAULSTEWART]

Do you have a chartplotter? A new colour one is not all that expensive, there is loads of previous threads on this subject.
Believe me, it makes everything so easy, especially when zoomed in, shows exactly where channels are, and more to the point , where you are! Try playing with the ones on show in Peters Chandlery... they don't mind!

 

[PCUK]

But bear in mind that a plotter is an aid to navigation, not a substitute!

 

[Frontier]

Many thanks for all the offers of help and advice. I will make sure I have a bit more tide next time and the chart to hand. I foolishly thought in the heartland of English boating the markings would be a bit more obvious. I hired a boat while in Captiva USA in the summer and I hardly needed the chart. In fact I found they sell the charts they provide with the hire boats in the gift shops as table mats /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The channel marking were very good over there.

I do have the Day Skipper cert, but I did the course about 10 years ago, and many years before that my late Father had a trawler, so as a lad I used to take her out and back no problem. It’s just knowing your area I suppose and this area is new to me.

If I had a bit more tide, and a bit more time on Monday I think I would have been happier. There was 1.7m on the lock display on the way out and a much bigger boat than me had just come in, that is why I thought I would just have 20 mins down the river. But with rain on the screen and light failing and only a few feet on either side to very shallow water, (3 ft) I thought it best to just go back.

In reply to one post I can’t remember the revs but I am sure its fairly low. She behaved well on the throttles getting back on the berth, I was guessing I was perhaps to timid with them in the lock for fear of putting to much speed on. What I really needed was a bit of space to get used to how she handles. So I will go out at high tide next time.

Thanks again for all the help and advice.

D