Andrew38
New member
Hi\'s and Lo\'s of Thames to Solent
I've just spent nearly 3 weeks doing this trip and you maybe interested (or not) in some of my experiences.
HIGH Hampton Court Flower Show
Moored straight outside (about 10 spaces free around 11.00am). Great show, nice to be able to leave after a couple of hours, rest up on the boat and the go back in.
HIGH Outside Hampton Court Flower Show
Sitting in the cockpit enjoying a nice bottle of white wine. People stop and ask to take our photograph. Beautiful boat? Handsome skipper and crew? No - the wine importers who were pleased to see their wine being enjoyed. Sending me a free case though to say thanks for the photo!
HIGH Rowers
We counted 10 acknowledgements from them indicating that they appreciated us making the effort to slow down for them. It's a pain to do but it makes it more worthwhile if it's at least appreciated.
HIGH Dover and Solent Coastguard
Been having trouble with my DSC set for a long time. Their patience in assisting with testing very much appreciated. MEI finally sorted it out (cable had got trapped and damaged in the arch hinge - which gets a lot of use on the Thames)
HIGH Salty's at Yarmouth, IoW
Great meal - even took some crab back to the boat which was enjoyed by our sea-going, 21 year old cat!
LOW Solent Radio Checks
Does nobody read the alamanacs or listen to the coastguard when they say no radio checks on 16 and initial calls should be on 67?
HIGH
Fuel at 27p a litre at MDL on the Hamble (30p less Outlook members discount)
LOW Boat Salesmen
A real low and waste of time was the boat sales team on the Hamble who despite making an advance appointment still couldn't find the keys for the boat I was interested in and still haven't made contact to say they've found them. I pity the owner of the 18 month old, £250k boat who thinks they're doing a good job trying to sell it!
LOW Boats Salesmen 2
How about one of the major mfrs selling direct whose sales team couldn't show me a boat, new, used or belonging to an owner and who frankly didn't seem to care because delivery is 2005 anyway. They didn't even ask for my contact details.
HIGH Boat Salesmen 3
Dealt with very professionally at Chichester and was shown everything we wanted with no pressure but much good advice.
HIGH Southampton
Dinner as a visitor to the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. Very much welcomed and enjoyed a good meal in wonderful surroundings.
HIGH Bottom Cleaning
Were in Port Solent and saw Boat Scrubbers. I'd been unhappy about fuel consumption on the trip round so decided to make the investment.
It took about an hour mainly because Adrian (the inventor) was showing how it should be done and it was being filmed for their promotional video. Cost £76 (apparently there are discounts for regular users). Worth at least half of that to have the boot line clean again but....
Back in the Solent I could feel an immediate difference in acceleration and had picked up at least 1.5 knots on top speed. I reckon it saved about 30 galls of fuel on the return trip.
HIGH Ramsgate
Always like the port but the town is great - but we got a table at Surin's Thai restaurant and agree with the reports.
LOW Outside St. Katherine's
Picked up a rope around my stbd prop. St Kat's were very helpful getting us into the lock and finding us an easy mooring
UNBELIEVABLE HIGH
My thanks go again to Albert, the owner of a Fairline 36 Turbo who volounteered and spent nearly an hour diving under my boat (no tanks - just a snorkel) cutting the rope off. I hope he reads this as there was no adequate way of expressing my appreciation.
The guy was an absolute saint.
Apparently no damage to the p brackets and no nasty vibrations - touch wood as haven't been able to really open her up since as were going upstream on our final leg.
HIGH The Thames
Back on the Thames. Relaxing peaceful, great restaurants - we both love it.
HIGH Back at Bray
Got back in time for the annual berthholders party. Our first time there and we were very much welcomed by all other I pontoon berthholders. A great night with good food, wine and company.
The rumour of Mike fixing the quiz so that a 27' boat won the free lift and scrub rather than a 38' is, I am certain, malicious without an ounce of truth in it....
A very good night and we thank Mike and his team.
A great trip and proof of the ability of our Broom 38 to be extremely capable both at sea and on the river.
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I've just spent nearly 3 weeks doing this trip and you maybe interested (or not) in some of my experiences.
HIGH Hampton Court Flower Show
Moored straight outside (about 10 spaces free around 11.00am). Great show, nice to be able to leave after a couple of hours, rest up on the boat and the go back in.
HIGH Outside Hampton Court Flower Show
Sitting in the cockpit enjoying a nice bottle of white wine. People stop and ask to take our photograph. Beautiful boat? Handsome skipper and crew? No - the wine importers who were pleased to see their wine being enjoyed. Sending me a free case though to say thanks for the photo!
HIGH Rowers
We counted 10 acknowledgements from them indicating that they appreciated us making the effort to slow down for them. It's a pain to do but it makes it more worthwhile if it's at least appreciated.
HIGH Dover and Solent Coastguard
Been having trouble with my DSC set for a long time. Their patience in assisting with testing very much appreciated. MEI finally sorted it out (cable had got trapped and damaged in the arch hinge - which gets a lot of use on the Thames)
HIGH Salty's at Yarmouth, IoW
Great meal - even took some crab back to the boat which was enjoyed by our sea-going, 21 year old cat!
LOW Solent Radio Checks
Does nobody read the alamanacs or listen to the coastguard when they say no radio checks on 16 and initial calls should be on 67?
HIGH
Fuel at 27p a litre at MDL on the Hamble (30p less Outlook members discount)
LOW Boat Salesmen
A real low and waste of time was the boat sales team on the Hamble who despite making an advance appointment still couldn't find the keys for the boat I was interested in and still haven't made contact to say they've found them. I pity the owner of the 18 month old, £250k boat who thinks they're doing a good job trying to sell it!
LOW Boats Salesmen 2
How about one of the major mfrs selling direct whose sales team couldn't show me a boat, new, used or belonging to an owner and who frankly didn't seem to care because delivery is 2005 anyway. They didn't even ask for my contact details.
HIGH Boat Salesmen 3
Dealt with very professionally at Chichester and was shown everything we wanted with no pressure but much good advice.
HIGH Southampton
Dinner as a visitor to the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. Very much welcomed and enjoyed a good meal in wonderful surroundings.
HIGH Bottom Cleaning
Were in Port Solent and saw Boat Scrubbers. I'd been unhappy about fuel consumption on the trip round so decided to make the investment.
It took about an hour mainly because Adrian (the inventor) was showing how it should be done and it was being filmed for their promotional video. Cost £76 (apparently there are discounts for regular users). Worth at least half of that to have the boot line clean again but....
Back in the Solent I could feel an immediate difference in acceleration and had picked up at least 1.5 knots on top speed. I reckon it saved about 30 galls of fuel on the return trip.
HIGH Ramsgate
Always like the port but the town is great - but we got a table at Surin's Thai restaurant and agree with the reports.
LOW Outside St. Katherine's
Picked up a rope around my stbd prop. St Kat's were very helpful getting us into the lock and finding us an easy mooring
UNBELIEVABLE HIGH
My thanks go again to Albert, the owner of a Fairline 36 Turbo who volounteered and spent nearly an hour diving under my boat (no tanks - just a snorkel) cutting the rope off. I hope he reads this as there was no adequate way of expressing my appreciation.
The guy was an absolute saint.
Apparently no damage to the p brackets and no nasty vibrations - touch wood as haven't been able to really open her up since as were going upstream on our final leg.
HIGH The Thames
Back on the Thames. Relaxing peaceful, great restaurants - we both love it.
HIGH Back at Bray
Got back in time for the annual berthholders party. Our first time there and we were very much welcomed by all other I pontoon berthholders. A great night with good food, wine and company.
The rumour of Mike fixing the quiz so that a 27' boat won the free lift and scrub rather than a 38' is, I am certain, malicious without an ounce of truth in it....
A very good night and we thank Mike and his team.
A great trip and proof of the ability of our Broom 38 to be extremely capable both at sea and on the river.
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