Great weekend (lots of pics)

[rickp]

I missed the helicopter fun with the Wokingham mob, as we were heading to East Cowes for a marina rally. Managed to sneak out early to overnight in Gunwharf:

Quite pleased with the new wifi setup I have onboard as I was able to use the Oceanwave setup in Haslar from Gunwharf once I'd put the aerial up. Reckon thats got to be 800m from where we were to the base station /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It seemed that Sealine were filming in Gunwharf that day, with an SC29:

Hmm - outdrives, and yet she's controlling it with an IPS-style joystick. Is this Axius?

Leaving Gunwharf, we saw the Luyang-class guided missile destroyer Guangzhou dressed as part of its goodwill visit

Saturday was a bit grey & misty in Cowes, so not sure if Phil_Chi decided to go to Alderney - but it was interesting watching the Sealift in action - as we were up next! Phil made the manoevering seem easy and was soon up and being scrubbed:

Once Phil was off the lift, a quick call to confirm width, draaght and keel arrangement. Then we kicked the girls off to go shopping and Dan and I headed to the lift. Was all very straightforward ferry gliding in to the berth and holding whilst the platform came up to meet the boat. The next lift wasn't for a while so we had plenty of time. I managed to change the bow & stern thrust props for the new more efficient 6-bladed vetus props - they are quieter and seem more powerful now, so mission accomplished. Very pleased with the service - and I hope the rumour of a Sealift in Portsmouth holds true - as the one in Cowes is getting very busy.

The marina rally was good fun with various power and sail boats from the Chichester MDL marinas turning up. A good chance to swap stories about our various summer trips /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The Fairey rally that was in was pretty impressive too - A few folks came over to talk to us about the Elling and do the "tap test" ("steel or grp?").

The run back on Sunday was good - just a couple of photos from that. One boat being towed in by the RNLI, so we slowed and went behind them rather than cause them any wake/wash problems:

And I'm not sure I'd do this on a planing boat:

Still - we had a great weekend - hope everyone else enjoyed "Summer" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers,
Rick

 

[BlueJasper]

Nice pictures Rick, the first of our boat out of the water I think. I hought I saw you in East Cowes Marina with a camers. No, never went to Alderney due to vis and a forecast 4/5 coming in from the NE on Sunday. As it turns out it was 3 and Less! I think we should have gone. Instead we did a circuit of the IOW. No photo's, but the South side of the Island is beautiful, aslo had a quick swim off Freshwater bay. Sealift - excellent service, I can't praise it enough. There is a planned installation at Portland next year, in addition it appears MDL do not like the competition. They are not happy bunnies!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Nice photos. rickp. Is that 6 bladed Vetus bowthruster prop a retrofit for all Vetus models? Is it plastic or metal? I've got a Vetus on my boat (8hp I think) and I was thinking of replacing the props as they're looking a bit tired

 

[rickp]

I think its retro-fit to all of their thrusters. Its made of plastic, the same as the current 3 bladed props - just designed to reduce cavitation (so less noise and more useful thrust). The 7.7hp is the 95KgF unit I think, which is the same units I have. Props were about 40quid each and I reckon they are worth it.

Rick

 

[oceanfroggie]

Great post - enjoyed reading it here in the office on a Monday morning.

 

[mjkinch1]

nice post - liked the piccies, always enjoyable to read when stuck behind a desk!

 

[rickp]

Oops, I broke the pictures of the SC29 with the fancy Axius gadget, so here is the important one again:



Joystick control coming to outdrives....

Rick

 

[Sneds]

Great pics, when is one of those boat lift things coming to Bristol, Portishead or Cardiff?
Looks interesting.