BUDMAN
New Member
Just booked today for MBM cruise to france and the channel islands at spring bank holiday is anybody going or have been before ?
MBM Cruise
- Thread starter BUDMAN
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hlb
RIP
Been umpteen times, but on our Jack Jones. Dont like fixed times, as theres usually a storm going on. No offence to MBM.
Gemini
Well-Known Member
Have done 6 off these with MBM, Well organised, very sociable , takes the panic out of planing and will be there in an hour of needs, so re assuring.
If it your 1st channel crossing its the way to do it, and you will benefit from it.
Have a good trip and enjoy it.
If it your 1st channel crossing its the way to do it, and you will benefit from it.
Have a good trip and enjoy it.
gjgm
Well-Known Member
Havent done that one, but its well organised with that safety net if you need it, but plenty of freedom do to your own thing or deviate. As with any planned boating trip, you are at the mercy of the weather, and the chance of // days great baoting in UK is slim !
Bassplayer
Well-Known Member
Quite interested in these - but what exactly do you get for your £400 odd?
14May1995
Active Member
Have been on 3 of these over the past 3 years. Lots of people on here will "criticise/question" the value of the joining fee but don't underestimate it's real value.
The MBM team organise everything - routes, waypoints, berthing, some dinners, etc. Plus the occasional "outing".
However, the true value is in having the support team there when you need them - especially if you're a novice channel crosser! They work 24/7 on these trips - weather watching, advising, fixing. Having needed their help I can honestly say that I've had more than my monies worth.
Just go and enjoy - it's a great way of cruising in company...safely!
The MBM team organise everything - routes, waypoints, berthing, some dinners, etc. Plus the occasional "outing".
However, the true value is in having the support team there when you need them - especially if you're a novice channel crosser! They work 24/7 on these trips - weather watching, advising, fixing. Having needed their help I can honestly say that I've had more than my monies worth.
Just go and enjoy - it's a great way of cruising in company...safely!
KevB
Well-Known Member
But that's half the fun.
Bassplayer
Well-Known Member
Exactly. If I was wobbly about going alone, I'd pay an experienced skipper to show me.
BUDMAN
New Member
Thanks guys looking forward to it anyway meet new people and it makes the mrs happy crossing the channel in company as we have 3 small children just hope we get some decent weather for a change!
hlb
RIP
I've nothing against MBY cruises, other than they are planned months in advance, with liitle chance of changing them. Ok I'm sure they wont go if it dont look right.
But it dont compete with, boats got fuel, weathers dead settled, cant find any faults with boat. So lets go NOW.
But it dont compete with, boats got fuel, weathers dead settled, cant find any faults with boat. So lets go NOW.
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
MBY don't do cruises
MBM does.
Put simply they are a great way of gaining confidence or can be likened to a large cruise in company like many Yacht Clubs do throughout the year (perhaps with less politics!)
We know you are not a fan of them but then again you have never been on one!
MBM does.
Put simply they are a great way of gaining confidence or can be likened to a large cruise in company like many Yacht Clubs do throughout the year (perhaps with less politics!)
We know you are not a fan of them but then again you have never been on one!
hlb
RIP
Rickard dear. As I said. I have nothing against MBY cruises, I think there great. Most folk have to book time off work anyway, so the chances of good weather are still doubtfull.
All I'm saying is, it's better to go when the weather is right, or do some thing else. But MBY cant do that, for obvious reasons.
"We know you are not a fan of them but then again you have never been on one! "
NO I'd have to steam a few hundred miles, just to get to the starting line!!
All I'm saying is, it's better to go when the weather is right, or do some thing else. But MBY cant do that, for obvious reasons.
"We know you are not a fan of them but then again you have never been on one! "
NO I'd have to steam a few hundred miles, just to get to the starting line!!
[2068]
...
I've been on them because someone else (Neale) is spending his evenings poring over four different weather forecasts and phoning ahead to make sure that there will be something to tie onto at the other end.
For some, this might be "half the fun". For me, having someone else doing this makes it more of a cruising holiday, leaving more time for doing other things. Having pre-potted routes also helps, although I don't always stick to them.
For some, this might be "half the fun". For me, having someone else doing this makes it more of a cruising holiday, leaving more time for doing other things. Having pre-potted routes also helps, although I don't always stick to them.
Sneds
Well-Known Member
"NO I'd have to steam a few hundred miles, just to get to the starting line!! "
........... have to agree, there are boats north of Hampshire you know
........... have to agree, there are boats north of Hampshire you know
David of Essex
Well-Known Member
I have not been on any of the MBM cruises yet, but will one year go, just to get the friendship, experience and confidence especially for Mrs
David
David
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
And when
We did do one your side of the world we had very little response! and it was a stunning itinerary!
"NO I'd have to steam a few hundred miles, just to get to the starting line!! "
........... have to agree, there are boats north of Hampshire you know
We did do one your side of the world we had very little response! and it was a stunning itinerary!
DAKA
Well-Known Member
There have also been some run from remote parts of the East such as Hull in the past, which we went on.
I have also been on several MBM south cruises and I highly recommend them.
I found MBM organisers well aware of boat crews capability and would even cast off at 0600 to check the seastate before sending the fleet out.
There were a few little hick ups but nothing serious , and great support if things do go wrong.
Only issue is the delays at the fuel pontoons, bit like a BH August but in the past Tankers have been ordered in when fuel was otherwise unavailable.
Great well organised cruises , very enjoyable with a sense of security.
You shouldnt knock them Haydn, I remember one cruise there was an old guy and his wife 70 odd, he was clueless , had no concept of how to navigate (caught him 90' off course and had to go and pick him up by getting him to follow me) or moor, he thought once in harbour that was it and let go of the wheel, knocked it out of gear and drifted so the flotilla had to catch him and moor him up.
Baccacuda or something ??
I trust you are fit and agile now but wouldnt it be great to be still boating to France/CI/Holland when you are 70 , whats the alternative , selling up and becoming a forum grumpy old ....... !
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hlb
RIP
I did not knock them. I just said they were stuck to a time table, as any organised event would be. Ggggrrrrrrr.
Sneds
Well-Known Member
Would be interested to know what the itinerary was for the Bristol Channel cruise, when was that?
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DAKA
Well-Known Member
Its true to say they have a set week or two but MBM unlike other cruises like RYA do alter the schedule to suit the weather and constantly monitor weather (wind with tide etc) they are flexible and will stay in port if the weather isnt family friendly.
You should try one before you call the L out of them
There are loads of boats in the solent that talk/dream about the CIs and France, very few make it past Yarmouth / Old Harry on their own, once booked with MBM I would say your chances are over 85%.
We have just come back from CI on our own and I think I could find my way back but that doesnt mean I wouldnt enjoy cruising with MBM again, are there any spaces left next week Richard ? I thought it was booked up weeks ago but the op indicates he booked it recently.
You should try one before you call the L out of them
There are loads of boats in the solent that talk/dream about the CIs and France, very few make it past Yarmouth / Old Harry on their own, once booked with MBM I would say your chances are over 85%.
We have just come back from CI on our own and I think I could find my way back but that doesnt mean I wouldnt enjoy cruising with MBM again, are there any spaces left next week Richard ? I thought it was booked up weeks ago but the op indicates he booked it recently.
