Left or right ?

[joanne2]

Thinking of a trip for next season . Just got a shiny new day skipper certificate, much enthusiasm, next boat arriving soon (should cruise at 20 knts) and keen to make plans. What trip should we undertake from Bray on Thames to gain some coastal experience with 7 - 10 days to spare. Should we go left or right when we hit the sea at the end of the estuary?

 

[EME]

Seriously .... straight on (or at least across)...but I'll let the Southerners and Northerners fight this one out.

Congratulations on passing DS and acquiring your boat so soon after your Day Skipper , it's already 9 years since I passed mine !!!...and still no boat.

<font color=blue>I was invisible too once

 

[hlb]

I've been crossing the sea for ten years. But still only half way through day skipper!! But yes. Straight across sounds much more fun and err straighter.

<font color=red>The X Invisible White Man/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif<font color=blue>Haydn

 

[coliholic]

Agree with Steve Davis and haydn, straight across. We did our first ever sea trip from Dover, having had the boat trucked there and Dave Steward said he'd escort us on our first sea trip.
"OK", says I pouring over the map, "where we going?"
"Calais' the nearest" says Dave.and that's what we did.

Fantastic for a first sea trip, X channel too. And nothing to it. Just don't try to burn up the ferries, they're faster than you think. From the Thames just follw the Kent coast to Ramsgate then Goodwin lightship (I think) and straight across to Calais.

Cheap booze too, so double bonus.

 

[TerrifiedTony]

Came on here to ask advice about my next boat and spotted your post. I will be doing exactly the same trip as my first experience of none Bray/Thames travel and I don't even know if will like 20 knots !! So when you get the new boat and I finally get mine watch out for someone following you.

Current boat is a Shadow 26 based at Bray Marina so I don't think I will be following you in that !

Good luck and keep a look out for me passing you at 20.5 knots if I build up the courage.

Cheers
Tony

 

[mike_kolling]

The others are right to a point, Straight across is by far the best trip but also the longest distances with the added risk that you might get stuck over there if weather turns bad..

With a new and previously untested boat, do you want to go for it on the first run?

Even with twin diesels, I personally would prefer to do my first trip with company, just in case...

The East Coast offers plenty of stopping places with very short hops (at least at 20knots they would be).

If you are going to be based in Bray, why dont you join the club on our Whitsun trip to the Medway? This is a weeks trip and good place to make a start. You will get to know your boat and you still have time before the summer to plan something more adventurous.

The club are also planning summer trips to Holland and East Coast next year so you should be able to find something to suit you.

 

[byron]

Don't go left Joanne, that leads to trickier waters . Try a trip down to the Medway. If happy with that then go on to Ramsgate. From Ramsgate you have the option of a number of continental ports some of which are less than 2 hours away at 20 knots.

<font color=red> ô¿ô</font color=red>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.freeware.mcmail.com/435.htm>http://www.freeware.mcmail.com/435.htm</A>[/b]

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Go left AFTER you have crossed rather than coming back straight.
Keep left till you hit the spanish coast is my advice. ;-)

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[Mike_Gates]

I agree with Mike Kolling, the cruiser clubs on the Thames are an ideal way for a "First Outing" Without trying to plug our marinas too much, the first timers we had this year have gained so much confidence being escorted both on the Tideway and on the sea. Having Chatham also gives our Berth Holders the added benifit of free moorings.



Mike
Thames Marinas
Bray Windsor Penton Hook

 

[joanne2]

Thanks eveyone - The Medway beckons !
Joanne

 

[byron]

Now that you have joined Bray CC I hope to see you at the 1st rally of 2003 namely the Thames Valley Rally which has gotta be the best bash of the year.

<font color=red> ô¿ô</font color=red>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.freeware.mcmail.com/435.htm>http://www.freeware.mcmail.com/435.htm</A>[/b]

 

[joanne2]

Picked up the application form from Bray today! We are on our way. Just need a proposer from within the club which I hope won't be a problem. I thinks we might ask Mike in return for a quick look at our Princess 37 brochure !