Late Season Day Trip

[GrowingLad]

Morning All,

I thought I'd do a public service and put up a few pictures from yesterday showing blue sky's and a bit of Sun in the hope that they'll see you through the cold days (well, the peeps in the UK).

My local slip is a bit of a nightmare to launch from and what with my wife not being overly confident driving the Land Rover I've been a bit concerned about the logistics of using the boat with my wife and baby....So, there I was chatting to the guy in the yard when he mentioned another yard that can launch you from the beach with a tractor....super says I!

Checked the weather F2-F3 (turns out it was like a mill pond), sunny...right, we're off for a day trip, took the boat down to the other yard, hitch her up to the tractor, we all jumped on-board and in we plopped...piece of piddle.

Popped out for a little jolly and some fishing, got loads of bites but didn't pull anything in except sea weed.

Here's a good as place as any to pull up:

Nice Clouds:

Greek wife wondering why her silly husband wants to swim in the cold sea:

Dad, you've got a bite:

The other Captain's Chair:

All in all, a nice little relaxing trip...unfortunately the little'un is starting on the teeth front so she was a little grumpy which kept mum busy...thankfully we didn't have the added hassle of launching and retrieving on our own.

Looks like I'll be moving the boat to this new yard....bit more expensive, but I can get rid of the Land Rover (which is on it's last legs anyways) so I'll be saving on running costs and insurance....I really like the idea of being able to shoot down there on my bike, on my tod and just have a man drop you in, saves all the hassle and cuts down on time, getting to and from the slip. Roll on the spring!!

 

[lewi]

sir you are a cad
dont you know its foulies, big jumpers and fleece pants
when boating in november

posts with pictures like this always brighten a dull sunday
cheers, keep up the good work,

 

[GrowingLad]

dont you know its foulies, big jumpers and fleece pants
when boating in november

So I suppose you don't want to hear that I did a bit of skinny dipping

I'd just got changed out of my swimming trunks and was wearing my jeans...tidying up our stuff ready to head back and I dropped one of my snorkling fins in the drink....tried to grab it with the boat hook, but there was a bit of a current and it was being taken away...plus they start to slowly sink...oh bugger...no time to change back into swimming gear, strip of and dive in....the wife did make a couple of comments when I got back to the boat...something along the lines of the water being rather chilly!!

 

[Nick_H]

Yep, the temperature of sea water is measured in inches

 

[Kawasaki]

sir you are a cad

Seconded!


dont you know its foulies, big jumpers and fleece pants
when boating in november

AND Thermals!

posts with pictures like this always brighten a dull sunday
cheers, keep up the good work,

Ah, well, I suppose so

Nice One GL











































Cad!!

 

[AndieMac]

GL

How does the retrieval process work?

Do you come alongside and tie off, then get the tractor organised, or can you do it from the phone or vhf?

How does the boat load on the trailer...easy or awkward?

The weather must still be ok, if you are even considering going for a swim.

 

[GrowingLad]

GL

How does the retrieval process work?

Do you come alongside and tie off, then get the tractor organised, or can you do it from the phone or vhf?

How does the boat load on the trailer...easy or awkward?

The weather must still be ok, if you are even considering going for a swim.

We just give the yard office a call and they have a labouring guy (Who funnily enough is the brother of the Pakistani guy in my yard).
Ali backs in the tractor, to my surprise, jumped into the waste high water and guided the boat back on the trailer. Not sure what he'll do when the sea gets even colder...chest high waders ??

On other slips, there is a bit more of a slope, so although the back of the trailer is submerged the front is at an angle so you can use the trailer and the bunks to guide you in and keep you square.

Because we are going off the beach the angle isn't so great so it would be a bit tricky without someone pushing the boat into place.

Because I'm not normally at this yard you have to slip Ali a drink (if you are based at the yard, launch and retrieve is thrown in with the monthly price).

Our normal slip is a nightmare, they have boats moored right up to the slip edge....not to mention actually moving the trailer about....

Mr Kawasaki of this parish can comment on the lack of slips out here...real shame as great boating is to be had.

 

[AndieMac]

Your tractor man seems like a gem, and deserves a drink.

BTW nice family pics, looks as though you are getting the boating thing organised.