GC1
N/A
The trip to Yarmouth from the Hamble was truly scary, once out and committed to the journey the winds lifted and we found ourselves in the middle of a Gale Force 7 going on 8. We had started to follow Col in his 39ft Sunseeker but his weight could not eveb flatten the rough stuff for us, we were on our own, and how true that felt with peaks and troughs bigger than the boat.
Swmbo and my 4yr old were down below, I had racylady and GeoffS on board, the waves were lashing over us, we were soaked to the skin! Geoff decided to go below to check on those inside, as he went through the sliding door it was as if a huge bucket of water had been thrown in after him.
We did consider returning but the waves were so huge I feared that we would be swamped, I headed to Newtown Creek for shelter, but crossong was hampered by the very real possibility of being hit broadside and being tossed over. We crabbed over taking huge amounts of water on deck. Keith (racylady) was spotter and radio controller. The EDC delay on the throttle didn't help at all when driving the huge waves, the delay vaused some stuffing and I gave up with that idea, survival was my only thought!
We eventually got into the safish haven of Newtown Creek, dropped anchor and were relieved to be alive. We then received a call on the VHF from call to say that things were not so bad now, we had a vote and decided to go for it. We fought through more rough stuff, not as bad as we had faced and eventually arrived shattered, the boat had been magnificent, it was us that were near breaking point.
Mooring up was another bit of fun and games with Gale Force winds in a small marina, I did some piroets and seemingly fantastic moves but it was sheer luck with that dreaded EDC and me being led by it rather than the other way round. We eventually moored up without a single scratch, it was time for a beer and to meet the huge turnout of forumites. We all went to a pub later and did some bonding, what a fantastic and diverse bunch too, the fun is just starting, all I need is a skipper to take the boat home as swmbo is never going out on it again!! Poor woman, maiden voyage and we seemed DOOMED.
Further updates to follow.
Swmbo and my 4yr old were down below, I had racylady and GeoffS on board, the waves were lashing over us, we were soaked to the skin! Geoff decided to go below to check on those inside, as he went through the sliding door it was as if a huge bucket of water had been thrown in after him.
We did consider returning but the waves were so huge I feared that we would be swamped, I headed to Newtown Creek for shelter, but crossong was hampered by the very real possibility of being hit broadside and being tossed over. We crabbed over taking huge amounts of water on deck. Keith (racylady) was spotter and radio controller. The EDC delay on the throttle didn't help at all when driving the huge waves, the delay vaused some stuffing and I gave up with that idea, survival was my only thought!
We eventually got into the safish haven of Newtown Creek, dropped anchor and were relieved to be alive. We then received a call on the VHF from call to say that things were not so bad now, we had a vote and decided to go for it. We fought through more rough stuff, not as bad as we had faced and eventually arrived shattered, the boat had been magnificent, it was us that were near breaking point.
Mooring up was another bit of fun and games with Gale Force winds in a small marina, I did some piroets and seemingly fantastic moves but it was sheer luck with that dreaded EDC and me being led by it rather than the other way round. We eventually moored up without a single scratch, it was time for a beer and to meet the huge turnout of forumites. We all went to a pub later and did some bonding, what a fantastic and diverse bunch too, the fun is just starting, all I need is a skipper to take the boat home as swmbo is never going out on it again!! Poor woman, maiden voyage and we seemed DOOMED.
Further updates to follow.
