MBM CRUISING CLUB-WHAT A NIGHTMARE

P

penpal

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Apr 2004
Messages
231
Location
Newbury, Berkshire
Visit site
Dear All

I would like to share my experience with the MBM Cruising Club last year. The purpose of this cruise was to build confidence in the sailors, instead a very bad decision by the one in charge broke confidence. This is an extract from an email I sent to a fellow Freeman owner.

Jimmy

I have a Freeman 32 Mk2, 1973, I keep it in Hythe, opposite Southampton. So I sail around the Solent. I try not do take her out in more than a Force 5, in the main I have taken on water in silly places, like the anchor chain locker and through windows, plus it is no fun. I have always had bilge pumps, but this year I invested in a pump for the forward bilge and another for the anchor locker.

Last year in July I went with the MBM cruising club to the West Country. Well, I started out to, the idea was that the 28 boats would meet up in the Hamble and set off for Weymouth. I telephoned them as the lock at Hythe Marina was closed due to an accident. There was a Force 7 blowing through so they said call the following day. Fine, we drove over in our car the following day to meet everyone, and they said it was still too rough but they would look to go the following morning so put your radio on at 6:00am

My instinct said, it was still too soon, the wind may have gone but the sea would be too rough. That morning the radio called calls started and the slow boats had to leave first to meet the fleet at 10:30 at the Needles. We set off, the journey to the Needles in the Solent was calm, misty, gloomy, but calm. We got to the Needles and all hell let loose. I radioed the lead boat, the MBM experts, and they said it would get better once we cleared the Needles. It didn't it got worse. all the boats had to slow to 4 or 7 knots, I found less than 7 knots and I did not have much control, I took masses of water on through the anchor locker, my wife was sick in her bed and my son just sat there in the water trying to mop up. It took 6 hours to get to Weymouth. We had only the GPS, you could not see the land or the harbour entrance. The following day the boaters refused to leave Weymouth. We needed to fit a pump and dry out. I had to hang on the entire journey and steer, then run round like a head less chicken to get towels in Weymouth to mop up and the next day to get parts. The next day was a beautiful sunny day, we said good bye and had a lovely sail back to Poole, then Lymington and just chilled out. Since then I am trying to build my confidence back up and have thought seriously about getting a new boat. The truth is the old girl handled herself very well. I am not so sure about me, I was was so upset and shaken over this I wanted to go home and leave the boat at Weymouth. I had been building up to this trip for years, both in trying to get Penpal up to scratch, new engines, new this that and the other. At the end of the day I should have turned around at the Needles and gone back, the experts were not that expert, they were more concerned with the schedule than our comfort. So one year later I am still trying to build up my confidence again. I think it will take replacing my boat for a newer one before I ever have that degree of confidence back again. I have a very pressured job and the boat has been a great release to me over the years, both in just taking my mond off work and the benefit of exercise.

It was interesting to see my wife's reaction at the thought of me walking away from the boat in Weymouth, "what about our plans to cruise the French canals" she was concerned that all our plans for the future would end there and then. It took her an entire day to convence me to drive the boat back to the Solent. The staff of the MBM who accompanied us were very good in coming aound and helping with the installation of the pump and getting us alongside the harbour, we met (briefly) some very nice people. It was all a geat dissapointment.

Oh well, that is life, at least I have my health!
 
?? slightly confused?? is this a pop at MBM staff or just letting us all know about your MBM cruise. Seems a little odd that you have waited nearly a year to write a report on an aborted / bad trip? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
It took a year to post this. The needles are always rough. Get past and it normally settles down.
It's always a shame when someone has a bad trip. I've had some. Once you have a good trip that's what you'll remember
 
It is always constructive to get pictures like this because it emphsises the importance of the skipper making the final decision for his boat and crew. Cruising in company can provide both real and psycological support but it can't flatten the sea. Equally individual route schedules can (and must) take into account the speed capabilities (and this includes condition limits on speed) but this will often lead to a very tough time for the slowest boat if they are a long way off the average ie you are going to be travelling when others are partying or even sleeping!

I read the write up of the cruise in tne mag and actually got a similar picture to the one you paint - although you actually raise another question in my mind as to the suitability of the boat given all the water ingress occuring. I am also not sure what confidence you were looking to gain from the cruise? (but didn't).

Last year I made a crossing to Alderney that took me nearly 7 hours and there is no way I would have even set out with any family member on board - however with my old salty sea dog fishing partner we just slugged it out chatting about this that and the fishing to come and cleared up when we got back from the pub on arrival!
 
Hi penpal, my only thoughts about this are why did you contemplate putting to sea in a boat that you knew leaked and since when are any of us able to predict the weather, as even the weathermen can't get it right?

A flotilla cruise is scheduled for a particular date and you take the risk that the weather may, or may not be good on that day, but as skipper, it is up to you to make the decision whether to go to sea or not.

[ QUOTE ]
The following day the boaters refused to leave Weymouth.

[/ QUOTE ]

On the other hand, they may have just taken the decision that on that particular day, their boats and skills were not adequate to cope with the conditions that other boats and skippers could deal with.

If, on the other hand, you wanted the entire criuse to stay in port, just because your boat wasn't up to the task, I would question your gamble that the cruise would be conducted soley in good conditions.

As to SWMBO being sick. Very unfortunate, but it happens to all of us at one time or other.
 
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

going to be down to the weather m8............however for an introduction to some great ports of call you can't beat it. The odd drinking partner will be available from time to time (24hr) and phenominal logistical support.

I feel for the team because over the years they have been under pressure to accept smaller boats, slower boats, newer crews and, in parallel, deliver to a solid bunch or regulars.

They were my introduction to boating in company - I had done 4 years never having spoken to another boat before - and if nothing else (but there was loads) they convinced me that boating in company is 10,000% more fun for both me and the crew.

Now SWMBO jokes that she doesn;t understand why I make plans before setting off as within a mile of leaving the berth we have new ones with people called up or waved down........
 
there is another way to look at it.. experience that you would never have valuably gained without the safety of the other boats. Agreed, it was a terrible trip, and in conditions that you would perhaps never contemplated on your own. Still, you and the boat pulled through. I m not one to advogate all this modern management b/sht about how we should all push our comfort zone to grow etc etc,but you have experience that I confess I dont have. You would probably handle such sea again better than I would. I m sorry to hear that you still have a lack of confidence. Hopefully it all returns soon. Still, a reminder that even an organised cruise in company cant guarantee plain sailing.
 
Hi John

I'm sorry that you have had such a bad experience with your first MBM cruise.

I can only relate that my one and only cruise with MBM was one the better calls in my boating life.
It was several years ago and aimed at those of us on the Thames who had never ventured further than Teddington and wanted to do a Channel crossing. The team was led by Tom Gregory - a very experienced YM instructor.
The trip was all I hoped it would be. The slowest boat was capable of 7 kts and some managed 30 kts. It was well organised and well run. The main gain for me was the confidence I gained in my boat and my own abilities.
Now based at Ocean Village I make several Channel crossings a year - either to the east - Calais etc or due south to the CI, St Malo etc.
Don't give up. Try again. Regain your confidence with experience/training/own boat tuition etc. It IS a great way of relaxing and enjoying yourself.

Peter
 
In MBM's defence, It is very difficult to actually organise any sort of cruise in company.
You are ALWAYS at the mercy of the weather.

The best way IMHO is to take things easy - just as you have been doing.

Another way is to join in some informal groups that dont have the same restrictions that MBM are bound with. For example there is an excellent group of enthuiasts on this forum that meet together and boat on a "suck it and see" basis.

In fact the group I refer to is meeting tonight in Wokingham.
I see from your bio that yo live in Bracknell - why not join us for a beer - I'm sure we can help you build your confidence and speeking personally, I'd be happy for you to come along with me - we all have our boats on the south coast - mine's in the Hamble.

Come and join us.
See here for details
 
It is a crtitism of MBM as the majority of the cruisers, including much newer and bigger boats were unhappy with the journey. It has to be remembered that this was a family holiday for the cruisers and not only the comfort of the skipper has to be taken into consideration but the family who sit there hour after hour with nothing to do.
 
My boat does not leak under normal conditions, it was a cse that water came through the anchor chain locker, which is below sea level. Once this filled up it moved into the bilges. Normally the opening to the chain is covered over but the sea uncovered this. The rest of the baot was fine.

I am not a risk taker.
 
I'm sorry too that you had such a bad experience. It must be worth getting the windows and anchor locker water proof in case you ever get caught out in big seas again.

Technically you are right in that it always the skippers decision to go out or not to carry on, but don't beat yourself up over this - I remember our first serious cruise (which was with MBM) to the CIs. Such was the gap between our experience and that of the cruise leader - I think that was Tom Gregory that if he had said we had to reverse all the way out of the Solent we would have probably done it.

Going on these trips does have drawbacks - the schedule, trying to refuel 30 boats together etc, but on the othe hand you get to learn such a lot in a relatively safe environment, with back up, and meet lots of people who will beome firm friends.

Having now done 3 of these including Paris and St Malo we feel we can now plan and undertake trips anywhere in the channel.

Go on - give it another go!
 
Having not been on an MBM cruise I can't comment on their way of organising things.
I have, however, been on a number of cruises in company. We have always made sure that each skipper makes the decision for their particular boat. A group of us were on our way back from Holland last year. We had boats of varying speeds and crews with different tolerances. We had planned to go from Flushing to Neiuwport, but on the journey some of the slower boats decided to pull into Blankenberg as they had had enough rocking and rolling and seeing their breakfast again! They realised their crew had had enough and took the call to pull into a bolt hole. A couple of us planing boats had a more comfortable ride and carried on. This is all part of passage planning and you should always have a contingency.
If you had decided to pull into Lymington I'm sure one of the other boats on the cruise would have offered to keep you company, but in the end it is your responsibility to make sure your boat and crew are ready for the trip.
 
Fair point but probably better if put to MBM at the time, not sure what is to be gained by writing about it now , other than to stir up discussion. Which no one else can really comment on, unless they were on the trip. I guess also difficult fo MBM staff to fully know /understand each skippers/families requirements and capabilities. As I am sure there were some on the trip who will have loved it all and would happily of gone out in the conditions?
 
again fair point, perhaps it was the way that it was written that appeared that you were just having a pop at MBM. As I am sure generally they do a good job on these crusing in company trips.
 
When you say that your boat does not leak in normal conditions, I assume you mean when there are no waves.

[ QUOTE ]
I try not do take her out in more than a Force 5, in the main I have taken on water in silly places, like the anchor chain locker and through windows,

[/ QUOTE ] ...tells me you knew there were issues and that your disappointment with the organized cruise was that there were waves and your boat leaked in lumpy conditions.

The choice was simple. Weather nice: you all go. Weather not so nice: individual skippers make individual decisions on whether to go.

It appears to me that your criticism was that because you and some others decided to stay in port, that the rest of the flotilla should also stay in port.

Sometimes I organize a trip out with family and friends and when we get to the boat after a two hours drive, find the conditions are not 'as advertised'. So, we don't leave harbour, but others do because their skills and boats are better than my skills and boat.

I would prefer to have read your report on the cruise as accepting that your boat was not up to the current conditions whereas others were, so were entitled to continue. I sincerely hope that you do join another cruise, having attended to the leaks, but have it firmly set in your mind that conditions can change and that you may have to abandon or postpone your part in the cruise, whilst more able boats can continue the trip.
 
Penpal. I'mgoing to be blunt, mainly cos I have not got alot of time at the moment.

Contary to others, and maybe MBM, I think a cruise in company is no place for a novice, especially with an older and less seaworthy boat. By it's definition, it will (if possible), keep to scedual, which will be fine for many of the boats. But who can decide, apart from individual skippers. Whats comfortable or not.

Personally I would not choose a cruise in company, full stop. It's fairly imposible anyway, with boats of different abilities and speed.

The other problem I see, is the difficulties of novices, who on there own, would not have gone out that day, feeling pressured to follow the pack.

IMHO an organised, fixed itinery cruise in company, booked months in advance. Is a bad idea, and bound for failier eventually.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
How much does re-upholstery cost?
Replies
11
Views
487
Dino
Dino
Bouba
Port-Cros tomorrow
Replies
17
Views
466
potentillaCO32
P

Share this page

Top