Help Moving - Tentative at Present

derekbland

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Ok so there is the possibility that I may soon be the owner of a 45' Flybridge. It will have tender, in date life raft, spare belts, filters, life jackets, oil, VHF etc. not DSC - on the list to get changed at some point. Plotter, radar and log all work but would get a backup plotter on phone tablet anyway. Realistically she has a top speed of around 26kt but cruises at 17-18kt. She has been surveyed and sea-trialled and I have also been out on her. I intend to move her by sea with an Instructor but he may not be able to get the person I need at the right time. Will still do Day Skipper but later.

I have a reasonable basic experience and certainly competent to crew and helm the vessel on a straight run but would be looking to gain experience with the close quarters stuff.

If there is anyone who would like to help move her for the fun/experience from West Coast of Scotland down to the Solent or part of the way please PM me. You would need to be very experienced with fly bridge boats have a minimum of Day Skipper and be prepared to pass on your knowledge and skills. I would of course pay for food and drink, some on-board some eating out. I would like to do it in 4 - 5 days which I understand from several sources, sea schools and yacht delivery companies is doable. I have even been quoted 3 days if you're lucky with the weather and do very long days. However, Whilst I don't want to hang around, nor do I wanted to be sailing with matchsticks holding my eyes open or intravenous coffee being pumped into my system. to keep me awake.

Just to clarify;

a) no I don't want it moved by road

b) I don't want to use a yacht delivery company

c) I am aware that I/we may need to leave her somewhere if weather is pants

d) as in the title, this is a tentative enquiry but could be in the 2 weeks time if all goes well.

Again, please PM me if interested and we can swap numbers and have a chat.
 
I dont meet all your criteria but if free beer is offered Im willing to give it a punt. Failing that give Kwakers a pm. (Kawasaki)
 
all of it :p I only have a 34 foot sports cruiser. I may be able to help out once you confirm but really my post was to point you in the direction of Kwakers. Your job description is one of his many forte's and if you like wizened old demi gods of the sea with looks that will keep the gulls at bay, he's your man.
 
all of it :p I only have a 34 foot sports cruiser. I may be able to help out once you confirm but really my post was to point you in the direction of Kwakers. Your job description is one of his many forte's and if you like wizened old demi gods of the sea with looks that will keep the gulls at bay, he's your man.

Thanks. He hasn't got a big beard, a trident and a sea-chariot of dolphins has he? I have PM'd him and await....
 
No, he's short a few teeth and needs a step ladder to walk off the curb side pavement. Was inoculated with a gramophone needle and probably never seen the inside of a barber shop. But what he cant teach you isn't worth knowing.
 
I did Bristol to Southampton 2 years ago, and it took me 3 longish days, about 400 Nm, overnighting in Padstow and Plymouth. I had owned Rafiki for 3 years prior to the move, and so was fairly competent at handling her. I took 2 experience boater for the first 2 legs, and my lady wife for the third. Each day was about 8 hours long, and very tiring. You, as skipper, and new to the boat will be very anxious, I assure you. The sea conditions will be new to you, as will new berthing for fuel and stops. Note you will need to stop every 10 or so hours for fuel. If you plan to cruise for longer than this, then you will be at displacement speeds, so journey time much longer. Unless you go into a commercial port, you will only get fuel during marina open hours, say 8 ish to 6 ish. This will put limits on your route. I personally would not want to mix with trawlers or commercial vesseIs.
I keep myself reasonably fit, but I was absolutely shattered at the end of each leg, 120 - 140 Nm. A professional skipper will be used to the longer trips, not as anxious as you, as it is not their vessel, and therefore they will be capable of much longer watches (stints at the helm), although professional mariners tend to change watch at 8 hours.
Succinctly I am asking you to check your route, tides, weather, fuel berths etc, to ensure you have a reasonable passage plan.
I waited for forecast wind speed of less than 10 knots at Lands End. Above this speed then the passage is horrible, and no right minded leisure skipper would choose differently. Around Pendeen, Rafiki was at 5 knots, and rocking and rolling. One of my crew was distinctly green! Rafiki was totally happy with the conditions, and remember your boat will be more capable than you.
I could be persuaded to help out if the timing and conditions are right.
 
We have just completed more or less the reverse of your planned trip. The major difference is that it was all done in a stabilised semi displacement boat and pretty much all at displacement speed. We also had no time pressure at all so only went to sea when conditions were more or less guaranteed to be benign. Despite that we didn't enjoy the 40 odd miles from Lands End to Padstow.

In case it may help, here is our itinerary:

Chichester to Gosport 15
Gosport to Yarmouth 18
Yarmouth to Portland 40
Portland to Dartmouth 52 Fuel: 600 litres
Dartmouth to Plymouth 38
Plymouth to Fowey 23
Fowey to Falmouth 23 Fuel: 600 litres
Falmouth to Padstow 95
Padstow to Milford Haven 75 Fuel: 350 litres
Milford Haven to Greystones 105 Fuel: 500 litres
Greystones to Bangor (NI) 102
Bangor to Cambletown 50

Total: 613

Cutting out some of the intermediate stops will reduce the overall mileage a bit but, assuming you are starting from the Clyde, you have about 600 miles to do whichever side of the Irish Sea you choose. We chose the Irish side because of the unavailability of a stop at Hoiyhead and not wanting to divert into Conwy or Deganwy. Doing that in five days will be a significant effort especially if you only have one person to share the watch keeping.

Having said that it could be a great trip and you will learn masses about your new boat in a very short period of time.

Good luck with the trip and especially with the weather. By all means PM me if you would like any more detail about our passages.
 
I have herd him sing and he defo cannot yodel

Hactually peeps
All Welsh can sing (yodel, no I agree) plus my new dentures are on order
Bloody amazing what Amazon can provide!
Plus I have just tested
Got an old Gob Iron (ourmonica, to posh gits) out the cupboard, even with my dearth of molars I can still belt out a sea shanty or two might order a new un from Amazon too
Beware berth holders etc in the Conwy area!
 
I did Bristol to Southampton 2 years ago, and it took me 3 longish days, about 400 Nm, overnighting in Padstow and Plymouth. I had owned Rafiki for 3 years prior to the move, and so was fairly competent at handling her. I took 2 experience boater for the first 2 legs, and my lady wife for the third. Each day was about 8 hours long, and very tiring. You, as skipper, and new to the boat will be very anxious, I assure you. The sea conditions will be new to you, as will new berthing for fuel and stops. Note you will need to stop every 10 or so hours for fuel. If you plan to cruise for longer than this, then you will be at displacement speeds, so journey time much longer. Unless you go into a commercial port, you will only get fuel during marina open hours, say 8 ish to 6 ish. This will put limits on your route. I personally would not want to mix with trawlers or commercial vesseIs.
I keep myself reasonably fit, but I was absolutely shattered at the end of each leg, 120 - 140 Nm. A professional skipper will be used to the longer trips, not as anxious as you, as it is not their vessel, and therefore they will be capable of much longer watches (stints at the helm), although professional mariners tend to change watch at 8 hours.
Succinctly I am asking you to check your route, tides, weather, fuel berths etc, to ensure you have a reasonable passage plan.
I waited for forecast wind speed of less than 10 knots at Lands End. Above this speed then the passage is horrible, and no right minded leisure skipper would choose differently. Around Pendeen, Rafiki was at 5 knots, and rocking and rolling. One of my crew was distinctly green! Rafiki was totally happy with the conditions, and remember your boat will be more capable than you.
I could be persuaded to help out if the timing and conditions are right.
What he said!
 
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