Going Coastal in a Shetland 4+2

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Clive-D

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This is my year to try coastal cruising… I’ve used the Thames for years and recently the Wey Navigation. I have a Shetland 4+2 with a Honda 35 which we trailer.
Two questions.
First is the engine man enough (not planning to go to France or far offshore). It was full of crustaceans and sand when I flushed it to clear the tell tale so it’s been in the sea.
Second, reading about equipment required has left me daunted! The radio didn’t work so I removed it and depth finder is an old NASA which needs replacing, there’s no anchor or safety equipment other than life jackets. What navigation should I be looking at (minefield!!) Any pointers much appreciated. I’ve read the safety signalling guides and will carry one onboard, and get charts but would like some electric gear.
I’m planning Solent, Chichester Harbour area.
Cheers.
 
I don’t know if you are aware that a marina version of the AA operates in the Solent to tow you home for a reasonable annual subscription by a large yellow and black rib if you break down but that might be a worthwhile investment along with a small secondary outboard to use in case the Honda fails. I assume though before setting off the Honda has been /will have been serviced etc so I might be being unduly pessimistic. If needing help Emsworth outboards might be a useful contact though.
Turning to equipment you might just look on the rya website or perhaps sign up for a powerboat 2 handling course . There are a number of schools but one in Bembridge will give you an example and your instructor will teach you all this stuff resafety kit I guess eg /depth/flares/anchors etc. You don’t say if you a vhf certificate but if not you need to take the course to get you radio number so that 1 day vhf course might also be useful source of info on makes or get down to marine superstore in port Solent and look at the models etc.
 
Firstly make sure the engine is reliable, seastart membership is all well and good as a backup plan for a failed engine, but it shouldn't be used in place of good engine reliability.

Secondly the boat needs to be sea worthy, so no leaks, or hull integrity issues etc.

Assuming all of the above is good then in terms of equipment;

-a working vhf radio (handheld is fine) and the knowledge of how to use it/what channels to use
-an anchor with a suitable length of rope/chain and again the knowledge of how to use it
-good quality life jackets for all
-flares (laser or pyrotechnics),knowledge of how to use it
-a chart of the area and the knowledge of how to use it.
- a small handheld GPS with chart would be nice,but not essential.
-various length of spare ropes
-toolkit
-mobile phone


-i don't think an echo/depth sounder is essential at all,but nice to have.

The common thing in my list above is the knowledge of how to use things, no point in having a vhf if you don't know how to use it.

Only go out in very good conditions to start with,look at the weather forecast.

Start small and work your way up, so just go a short distance to start with and build your knowledge and experience.

Some sort of training ,either formal with the rya or informal with a more knowledgeable friend would be good.
 
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julians said:
-i don't think an echo/depth sounder is essential at all,but nice to have.
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Agree with julians except for above.
My guess is that most of us have got into unexpected/unplanned shallows and have been rescued from grounding by our depth sounder going off. Surely I’m not the only one :unsure:
 
DavidJ said:
Agree with julians except for above.
My guess is that most of us have got into unexpected/unplanned shallows and have been rescued from grounding by our depth sounder going off. Surely I’m not the only one :unsure:
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I think it's ok to disagree, and as I said it's definitely a nice to have in my book, but no I've never needed mine.

I've always known how much water is under the boat without needing the depth sounder (maybe not known accurately to the metre,but accurately enough to know if I had a problem) and I've never accidentally gone into water I didn't know was shallow. I guess when I started boating depth sounders were very much a luxury and not at all common on the sort of boats I was using ,so I never had one for a long time. I have one now, but it's just used for interest of how deep is the water here rather than as something to stop me straying into shallow water, I also use one as an aid to know how much chain to use when anchoring,but again if I didn't have one I'd just do it by judgement like I always used to.
 
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The Thames forum will have not a few boaters who have ventured into the salty bits and can probably offer some sage advice of what they actually should have spent money on.
Finding somewhere easy and safe to launch and recover might be the first task ?
After that , everything else will be weather weather and weather.
 
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In the days of yore when I was sailing a centaur I have seen a Shetland make it in a force 5or 6 from the Solent to Poole but judging by the feedback of the family crew not something I recommend. If however plans are to pottering around chi harbour and anchor up at east head then I’m sure it will all be fine, for longer trips you might buddy up with another mobo to cruise in company or go on a club rally which might help with learning the ways of lake Solent. You don’t say where you plan to berth but maybe joining Chi yacht club might be another source of guidance and advice,
 
We often went out in a Family Four from West Bay and would go along the coast towards Abbotsbury or across to Lyme Regis or Sidmouth. It had a 60hp outboard plus a 2hp with a tiller arm on a lowering device. The latter was handy as a backup though never needed for that but was good for manoeuvring when mooring up.
Never went out if waves more than 2 feet peak to trough.
 
35hp seems a strange engine size, a lot more than needed for displacement speed but not enough to plane. If you are happy at 5kn it will be fine but if you want to go faster probably 60hp or so needed. If you try and go more than about 5kn the bow will point skyward and you will drink fuel.
Power boat 2 course is well worth doing and I am sure the instructor will be able to give some advice.
You need a VHF radio, in such a busy area handheld should be ok.
Automatic lifejacket for each person.
A chart for where you plan to go. If you have a tablet with GPS buy the Navionics chart for it.
Anchor with at least a boat length of chain and rope to a length of say 5x the depth you may want to anchor in, or may have to anchor in.
Consider investing in a chart plotter/fish finder.
The boat needs to be seaworthy, structurally sound and at least a decent manual bilge pump but preferably an auto one. The RNLI will give yousound advice if asked.
 
whilst the kit lists etc I agree with I would just question if this is wise in a 6m boat with a small engine?

Going into coastal waters - no issue as long as the weather is nice - but crossing to France is a fair way that is going to take a fair time . It is a small boat that is slow. Wakes from ferries etc can be very large and I cant see it being great day out.

Re the kit I would add a handheld EPIRB. They are only £200 odd and I find it comforting to know that if I push the button a helicopter will hopefully be hovering overhead not long after.
 
jrudge said:
whilst the kit lists etc I agree with I would just question if this is wise in a 6m boat with a small engine?

Going into coastal waters - no issue as long as the weather is nice - but crossing to France is a fair way that is going to take a fair time . It is a small boat that is slow. Wakes from ferries etc can be very large and I cant see it being great day out.

Re the kit I would add a handheld EPIRB. They are only £200 odd and I find it comforting to know that if I push the button a helicopter will hopefully be hovering overhead not long after.
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he did say he's NOT planning to go to france or far offshore in the OP
 
Thanks for all your replies - yes jrudge, a trip to France in a 4+2 with 35hp on the back would need an escort! I agree the 35hp engine is a bit of a neither nor size, but it came with the boat and is in good condition despite not being new. I should have made it clearer, I am strictly a fair weather boater, my previous boat was a 16ft Mayland used on the Thames. If it's cold, wet or windy I don't go out as I'm after relaxing not a boating challenge. The boat was is in good order when I bought it in 2019 and I spent a year of lockdown sorting bits on the GRP, replacing the helm and steering, flushing and cleaning the engine waterways, renewed the wiring (almost finished) and replacing the water system tank and pipework, and toilet pipes and seals (Jabsco compact with holding tank). Windows and portholes replaced, it is a very nice boat now (for me).
I will get some additional training. I agree with the lists. The old NASA depth finder and Sting Ray speed and distance logs aren't working, tho they switch on and the depth finder spins. Not been in 2m of water yet, so may work in deeper water. Is it worth trying to fix or shall I just replace?
Cheers, Clive
 
The boat will be fine, at least. There have been and are, countless Shetlands frequenting the coast on just about any given day, during the season. The 4+2 is larger and more capable than most Shetlands too, within reason and weather.
limiting factors would be around the fella at the helm or the health and maintenance standard of the engine, hull and fittings.
 
It all sounds very exciting. Go for it, you will have a wonderful time.

Julians pretty much summed it all up. I would do the RYA powerboat 2 course if I were you as it will get you used to coastal boating. Also, I would definitely go for a small chartplotter/sounder. I currently have a Yamarin 59HT and I bought a little 5inch screen Raymarine Dragonfly they are not expensive. It's brilliant. It shows on the chart if the area where you are dries out for example, where hazzards are and if fog comes down you can make your way slowly home. Given that you will be mainly coastal boating in a small craft then the depth sounder gives you a big piece of mind - especially in murky river or creek water. It enables you to explore backwaters away from the crowds - but check the tide times to, always go up rivers on a flood tide. The transducer just screws onto the transom just below the water line, a bit of gunge to seal it.
Also, if you really want to be belt and braces you could buy a basic personal locator beacon for about £250 but I wouldn't bother. If you have a good handheld radio, a decent anchor with a length of chain then rope, flares, phone and lifejackets you have all the bases covered.

Have fun.
 
In perfect weather any boat is good to go anywhere - so to speak.
shetland-570.jpg

For a first trial I'd wait for the sweet weather moment and take a short trip along the coast, well clear of it. If OK repeat a couple of times, still short.

If you like it, go for the needed and/or suggested upgrades etc.
 
My first boat was a Norman 18 with a 40hp outboard and that was more than capable of coastal work when the weather wasn't too awful. It was great fun and with basic safety gear (life jackets, vhf, flares, basic gps nav, small backup outboard on a stern bracket etc), I'd be happy to whizz across the Channel on a calm day.
Good times.
 
Hi Clive……..the other guys have all given some great advice about safety equipment and mechanical reliability.
Especially Montemar‘s suggestion about doing an RYA course.

As they’ve mentioned, your Shetland is unlikely to have enough power with a 35hp engine to achieve planing speed.
I’m sure you’ve never tried to do this on the Non-Tidal Thames or River Wey?

It means you’ll be limited to traveling at speeds of max 7kts (I’m guessing) This is fine as long as you are aware of the tides.
Sometimes the tide will be running at 2 or 3 kts…….even on what seems like ‘that most perfect boating day’.

Tides can be your friend…….and also your enemy!

In certain places in the Solent or Chichester (especially if the tide is running against the wind) they can set short, sharp waves that will seriously upset a small and light boat like your Shetland.

If you’re taking friends or family with you it’s good to be aware that if your boat is bouncing around with spray coming aboard, they may not share your ‘confidence. Unfortunately I’ve been there!

I wish you well in your plans.?
 
Corona Mia said:
In certain places in the Solent or Chichester (especially if the tide is running against the wind) they can set short, sharp waves that will seriously upset a small and light boat like your Shetland.
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I have no expectation of planing and trying on a canal (The Wey Navigation) is naughty to say the least! May well open up on a quiet stretch of the Thames.
The boat is 8m overall, 21ft plus engine and frame. 1100kg plus 90kg engine, water, fuel and 2 min adults another 200+kg. It feels stable, not as light as a 535!
 
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