First trip to Bembridge - advice please

[oggin]

Hi all,

I have a first trip to Bembridge planned for the 20th June, i've searched the forum and found some great threads on access to the harbour etc so i'm pretty comfortable (as much as i can be) from a pilotage perspective.

The only issue i have is that from what i've read it's likely we'll have to raft up, i've not had to do this before and i'm a bit apprehensive mainly about pranging someone else's boat in the process of coming alongside/leaving.

Any tips about how to come alongside and leaving a raft? For reference i'm on a 23ft Bilge Keeler so not exactly the QE2!

Any help much appreciated..:encouragement:

thanks

 

[l'escargot]

It's not much different than coming alongside a pontoon, in fact it can be easier as you often don't need to step down if the boat is a similar size - and Bembridge HM does usually match boats for rafting. Make sure you have adequate fenders out and fore and aft lines before you go alongside. Get those lines on and then sort springs - and shore lines if necessary, making sure that the masts don't line up - I usually go bow to stern, if wind and tide allow, as it affords a bit of privacy and prevents the masts lining up but others may have differing opinions.

Again, specifically at Bembridge, people tend to arrive and leave at the same time so the chances are that there will be people on the boat you are rafting to to assist with lines etc. It is courteous to then do the same if there is a boat coming outside of you. Remember when crossing to the pontoon it is polite to go round the bows of sailing boats, motorboats sometimes differ.

Edit: Do call up the HM as they do try to match boat sizes, departure times etc and then go alongside the boat you are directed to. I have seen them send boats off and round again who have not moored as directed and messed up their planning.

 

[VicS]

Hi all,

I have a first trip to Bembridge planned for the 20th June, i've searched the forum and found some great threads on access to the harbour etc so i'm pretty comfortable (as much as i can be) from a pilotage perspective.

The only issue i have is that from what i've read it's likely we'll have to raft up, i've not had to do this before and i'm a bit apprehensive mainly about pranging someone else's boat in the process of coming alongside/leaving.

Any tips about how to come alongside and leaving a raft? For reference i'm on a 23ft Bilge Keeler so not exactly the QE2!

Any help much appreciated..:encouragement:

thanks

One of those things you have to learn to do.

Get fendered up and warps at the ready well in advance.

Sensible to take a look before making final approach, to ensure fenders are where you'll need them and the right warps ready.

Ask permission before going alongside another boat if anyone is on board......if they are half decent they will assist but make sure your own crew know what they have to do.

Choose another boat about the same size. But Friday afternoon ? Get in as early as possible and theres a good chance you'll get alongside the pontoon if you are lucky

Watch out for masts clashing, esp with small boats that heel wit a person on the side deck. facing in opposite directions is a good idea to avoid trouble with masts when possible

I find a couple of short warps as breast ropes handy initially but then get springs and shorelines on .... might need one spring quickly if much wind ( or tide)


You can never win though.

Once ( going into bembridge as it happens) with just my son when he was quite small as crew. we got everything ready in advance. I put him on the foredeck with instructions to pass the warp to the person ( who I knew) on the deck of the boat we were going alongside as soon as within reach

Silly old fool refused to take the warp when my son tried to pass it to him because he had not heard me give the order to pass it across.!

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I did it on Saturday on a 40' boat drawing 2 metres, although not for the first time I was teaching and relying on others to get it right.

The Harbour chaps will wait until you are inside the channel before telling you where to go, but you will be able to choose port or starboard side to. You will have plenty of time and space to hold position or gill about until you are ready.

Once tied up with a cold beer in your hand you will realise it was actually very easy and you didnt need to worry in the first place!

 

[jac]

Only been in once this year but we love bembridge.

The final leg as you come in to the harbour looks very narrow and you do need to be further to starboard then you think but it's simple.

Radio in as you start running in parallel to the beach. HM staff will probably call out to you as you then appear by the pontoon.

Don't be afraid to go past, have a look and then approach.

Set your fenders at a higher position than if you were approaching a pontoon, probably with the top of you fenders just above your toerail (assuming you don't have large amounts of tumblehome.

Make sure your lines are outside of everything on both your boat and the receiving boat.

The other point re etiquette is that you should not leave vast amounts of line on the boat you raft to. Make lines fast and then have the spare on your boat.

Make sure to rig shore lines.

Finally - if you want shore power and are rafted, you may have to use a splitter.

 

[Pete7]

At 23ft and with bilge keels you might get special attention and have your own mooring on the East side of the pontoon if there is space. However, you need to let the harbour staff (who are very good) know when you arrive that you can float on wet grass by giving them not only your length but draft too.

 

[Seajet]

One thing, be prepared for a long ( but very pleasant ) walk either to the famously friendly sailing club or a bit further along, the pub.

Both do food.

Alternatively turn right on walking through the residential marina and go up the hill, there's a pub on the green there which is said to be good nowadays.

In the other direction across the golf course by the visitors' pontoon there's a very pleasant walk along the beach.

Bembridge is a very interesting place, not least for the houseboats which include a couple of WWII Motor Gun Boats, and there's some lovely scenery.

The showers are a bit basic but adequate.

There is a ferry across the harbour but not at low water which is probably when you'll need it...

I think you're going to have an enjoyable time.

 

[onesea]

A whilst since I have been there but on a 23' ask and you might be able to go round the other side of the pontoon no rafting required. Just keep close to the pontoon it gets shallow very quickly.

 

[SimonFa]

Making sure masts aren't lined is really important, not just when you raft up but don't forget to be alert if someone comes alongside you. I had to get a school boat to shift a bit when he came alongside me in Lymington.

 

[l'escargot]

At 23ft and with bilge keels you might get special attention and have your own mooring on the East side of the pontoon if there is space. However, you need to let the harbour staff (who are very good) know when you arrive that you can float on wet grass by giving them not only your length but draft too.

There's water on that side too since they dredged. To my surprise they sent me round there last summer and I'm 38' and draw 5'.

 

[NealB]

I haven't been to Bembridge for years.

We used to dry out on the beach (in our Wharram cat days).

Is that still a possibility for suitable boats?

 

[l'escargot]

I haven't been to Bembridge for years.

We used to dry out on the beach (in our Wharram cat days).

Is that still a possibility for suitable boats?

Yes, on the eastern side just inside the entrance.

 

[lpdsn]

Set your fenders at a higher position than if you were approaching a pontoon, probably with the top of you fenders just above your toerail (assuming you don't have large amounts of tumblehome.

I'd emphasise the point about the height of fenders. In all likelyhood, the toe rail of your boat is the bit that would make contact with the other boat so that's where the fenders should go. If you're the exception then position the fenders accordingly. I'm surprised (well actually I've got used to it) how often crew put the fenders at normal height for pontoons when told to put them up high to cover the toe rail for rafting up. I think it's one of those mental block thingies, so make sure you double check when they start putting fenders on.

Shorelines are expected, especialy if there is any tide running (which there will be a bit at Bembridge). If you can't get a clear lead to a cleat on the pontoon, tie a bridle between two cleats with a bowline on a bight in the middle and tie your shoreline to that. An old sheet is perfectly suitable for the bridle.

 

[LadyInBed]

Any tips about how to come alongside and leaving a raft

SLOWLY

 

[NealB]

Yes, on the eastern side just inside the entrance.

Ta!!

So a no rafting option for the OP.

 

[VicS]

Ta!!

So a no rafting option for the OP.

Provided he is happy to dry out and does not mind not having access to the bogs and showers.

 

[Gone sailing]

Provided he is happy to dry out and does not mind not having access to the bogs and showers.

He does not have to dry out and can still have access pontoon, showers etc

The North side of the pontoon has been dredged in the last year or two so there is plenty of depth on that side where they don't raft the boats. There are also about 12 fingure pontoons on the north side also. None of which dry out.
The 20th is a Friday so I think you will have options as it will not get stacked out until the Saturday espeicially if you get there before high tide.
I always ask for a fingure pontoon, no rafting, closer to the shower and a lovely uninterrupted view aft. Enjoy its a nice harbour.

 

[VicS]

He does not have to dry out and can still have access pontoon, showers etc

The reference was to the beach on the eastern side of the entrance !

I haven't been to Bembridge for years.

We used to dry out on the beach (in our Wharram cat days).

Is that still a possibility for suitable boats?

Yes, on the eastern side just inside the entrance.

 

[Gone sailing]

The reference was to the beach on the eastern side of the entrance !

Yes I got that. Just pointing out a option where the op doesn't have to raft, dry out and have a access to showers etc.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

This is the day before the RTI race - depending on when you come out just be aware that it could be a tad busy......