Isle of Man TT Weekend

[JamesTT]

Enjoyed a fabulous trip from Conwy to Peel setting off early last Thursday morning the 2nd June, we sailed with two other motor boats from Conwy, several other bertholders had sailed the previous weekend. We made the trip in just under 3 hours in a foreast of F3/4 fairly calm sea state, spotted 7 individual Basking Sharks between the Calf of Man and Peel.
We found Peel marina to be really busy, as expected for TT Week, the place was alive with boats from all over the UK, Ireland and Scotland, probably further afield too. The staff were helpful, the facilities clean and tidy and the marina very well sheltered and organised.
The weather was fabulous, for the three days, more like being in the South of France and the towns of Peel and Douglas were buzzing, motorbikes, classic cars and attractions everywhere.
We refuelled with petrol from a station a short walk within the town, i believe diesel is available but the berth is difficult and against the outer harbour wall. Pubs and restaurants all very handy and excellent.
We had planned to return on Saturday but the forecast was for a F6 and no other boats were planning to return so we stayed an extra night.
Sunday morning we awoke to calm overcast conditions, we had a briefing with the others from Conwy, checked the forecast N NE F4/5 and we set sail with 6 other much larger motor boats ranging from 28ft to 53ft. The run down to the Calf was fine, but as soon as we cleared the sound and the lee of the Island it became lumpy. We tucked in behind a Pal's T50, it wasnt much fun and we were battered for near on 5 hours, but all bar one boat, that returned due to engine failure made it safely into Conwy, just in time for the rising sill gate.
Some video of the experience here-

 

[Kipper]

Wow James 5 hours of that!. Im not sore that T50 was flattening the sea out that much.
Bet you had a few aches and pains after. Proves a point about US sports boats though, they can take it if you can. Great video by the way especially the bit showing your soaking wet mate.

Cheers

Gary

 

[JamesTT]

Hi Gary, thanks, the boat took it well, I haven't noticed any damage, yet. My soaking wet mate has his deck shoes, sailing jacket and lifejacket on Ebay now!

 

[Kipper]

fair weather sailor, how much fuel did you use at that speed?

 

[JamesTT]

That's him, the video is about an hour out from the Calf, maybe 15 miles offshore, we were making between 10 and 16 knts on the crossing, depending how it flattened, just didn't want to be slamming.
We used 160 ltrs returning and 172 going, it was flat on the way there and we pushed on, made detours to view the basking sharks. Boat carries 300 litres, refuelled with 120 in Peel. We were burning 35 ish lph on way back.

 

[JamesTT]

I didn't attempt to pull out of T50's wake, couldn't of made it without that little bit of comfort.

 

[Kipper]

That's him, the video is about an hour out from the Calf, maybe 15 miles offshore, we were making between 10 and 16 knts on the crossing, depending how it flattened, just didn't want to be slamming.
We used 160 ltrs returning and 172 going, it was flat on the way there and we pushed on, made detours to view the basking sharks. Boat carries 300 litres, refuelled with 120 in Peel. We were burning 35 ish lph on way back.

Thats not bad going for a big block is it, still best part of £500 quid though I bet.
Ah the joys of boating. Apart from that though it seems like you had a good trip.

 

[andy59]

Great bit of video James , 10 out of 10 for keeping the camara as still as you did . Did you have any of those not speaking , oh feck how much longer moments , or just laugh your way through it ?.

 

[JamesTT]

Lots of how much further moments, we are so used to clicking 10's of miles off in minutes when cruising at 40knts, I thought the gps had broken at some points, particularly with 30 to 40 miles left. The video was early on, there wasn't much more laughing after that, our faces and eyes were stinging red with salt spray, we were wet, cold hungry and needing a wee, but we just couldn't move from our seats. It was great!

 

[andy59]

. It was great!

Did it coming back from Alderney , SWMBO not impressed

 

[JamesTT]

Andy, I can assure you that if my SWMBO had been on board she would of been on the phone to Prince Wiliiam instructing that he pick her off the boat, immediately!

 

[Searush]

Normal Irish Sea weather then.

There are advantages to only travelling at 3-4kts & being able to heave-to for a rest/ pee or meal.

Glad you had a good trip.

 

[JamesTT]

Andy, my Pal was in charge of video, a little Flip HD, its my second one, the last one got wet too. 20 miles out from the Fairway to Conwy, I looked over at my mate, head down, gripping his seat, feet wedged, he reminded me of a travelling Ghurka.

 

[sarabande]

ah, mobos being used in anger - great


Lovely pics.



BTW. If you sit in someone's wake like that, does it act like a heading tidal stream and make you drive 'extra' miles ?

 

[JamesTT]

Hi Sarabande, I'm sure it does, but after having sailed for 3 or 4 miles fending the seastate and the experimenting with various distances between the T50 and us, it is where we sat best, being pushed up on the prop wash.

 

[JamesTT]

Video of the Basking Shark, just off The Calf of Man on a much calmer trip over.

 

[Kawasaki]

Video of the Basking Shark, just off The Calf of Man on a much calmer trip over.

Great stuff Jim!
Great to see that the exhaust/water leak and all that grief you had earlier is sorted
Shows you don't need a dirty great big boat to have some fun to mess about in 'our waters'!
Handy though-- to have a wave smoother ahead

5 hours of decent excersize!
Beat's the shiot out of beggarin about in a Gym
Were you thirsty after the trip?
Did you go to the Pub

 

[JamesTT]

Hi Richard, it certainly was an experience, we came back on a very similar weather forecast to that current when we departed Conwy, the difference in the sea state was incredible, but the weather is so changable. We were shattered, we berthed at Conwy, rinsed off the boat very quickly, put the covers on and jumped in the car back to Manchester, no drink after the trip unfortunately, but we did have a fabulous three days in Peel and Douglas, had plenty of drink there. Hope you are well.

 

[Boatinglifeaway]

Great video, and great speed. What attracted you to the area. Any pointers for others to visit? Can you also tell me more about the weather conditions in the area? Thank you.

 

[JamesTT]

Hi Boatinglifeaway, Conwy, my port is the closest to my home, fortunately. It has a sheltered well run marina situated on a river with close access to open sea in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Sailing from Conwy there is the stunning rugged island of Anglesey to explore within a few miles, the Isle of Man, about 60 miles away which is where the video was taken, Ireland 80 miles, Liverpool 30 miles and the whole of the North Wales coast via The Swellies, we are spolied for destinations, most days!
The weather is not so good, very few calm warm days in a typical summer season between April to October, but when it does all come together, there is no better place to boat.