Messing about on the ....

[Sixpence]

First off, Clive and Bernie, please accept my apologies for the recent sense of humour failure

But now for today /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

For the second weekend in a row, I managed to get the outboard started and we went for a look at our last hurdle.

The river is much better now so although we still fouled up quite a few times we did have plenty of clear water too

Quite a few others out and about but surprisingly loads tied up and people cutting the lawn /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But at least I got the chance to relax /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

While Louise decided to see how fast we could go /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Who said a Debutante 21 could only do 4kn ? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

That was after she slowed down a bit too /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But then we arrived at this

Here you can see our last hurdle, and the source of so much frustration for us. The rain a short while ago caused the river level to rise so high that it's been impossible to get through the tunnel on the left due to the height clearance, and the exit has to be timed perfectly because the lock keeper can only open the lock at certain times because it opens up the river to the tidal Welland, which he can only do when the water level is the same both sides. We only just clear the height and width so when the water level is up it's impossible to get through.

So then it was time for the deck candy to pose as we headed for home again /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Two hours to get there, two hours to get back, excluding the stop for a couple of pints of rather tasty Bombardier /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Thank you Mr Pipedream, the pep talk was much appreciated, or was it a bollocking ? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[CPD]

Twas a "bollocking" - seems you ar being too sensitive by far /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif.

Great pics, 86kts at 051deg is rather impressive and the problem with the tunnel is clear. Is it not possible to partially lower the mast to give a greater safety margin ?. Almost certainly a faff I know but may help you get through ??.

 

[Sixpence]

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

No way of getting through with the mast on the boat at all from what we could tell, might even have to take off the pushpit and pullpit but hopefully not. I'll be having a chat with the lock keeper in the week to see how low he can take the river level to but it's mainly down to the tide height the other side

 

[Hunson]

Good to see Cool Shades Dave and Louise out on the water.

Was a good day.

That definately looks like a small obstacle (NOT). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sarabande]

nice work, you must be pleased with progress.

Very admirable admiral's lady, too.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[simplesimon]

looks like u both had a great day buddy,
did the outboard behave today then ?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i dunno buddy full ramming speed and a ncie pointy end taped to the mast and u'll get through that gate alrite... lord knows it worked the other week /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Maybe I should refit the torpedo tubes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Thanks Tim, much appreciated, on both scores /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Hiya buddy, started within the first few pulls then behaved all day, apart from when some numptie refused to move over and forced me into some reeds /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif must remember to shout COLREGS next time I see him /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[simplesimon]

[ QUOTE ]
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif must remember to shout COLREGS next time I see him /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

... i think id be shouting something far worse .... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

I got that from the maggot murderers on the river bank /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[simplesimon]

no cow calling this week then ..?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Nah, only saw the two legged variety this time /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Off again in the morning, got to see how fast we can get there and have a word with the squatter on the tidal mooring /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[CliveG]

Dave

The solution used on the Norfolk Broads to get a boat under a low bridge is to empty the nearest pub into the boat.
All you would need is 20+ people crammed in down below and you would slip through nicely.
You would have to stand a round for them all of course.

 

[Sixpence]

I like the thinking but hopefully it isn't going to be needed. I am reliably informed that she will go through so I'm off to try and get hold of the man that says I can to find out the way the locals normally do it. Apparently they get about twenty similar boats through in convoy at least twice a year, so things are looking up. This pic hopefully gives a better idea of the problem, but looking at the forecast for next week it's looking a bit rough out there /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[JKay]

We were out in the Welland/Wash and Witham yesterday and you could not see further than 25m in the fog until about 1.00pm
The flow in the Welland is awsome you'll get at least 8 knots out of Sixpence(even more with the engine going /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)
cheers Joe

 

[Cantata]

Dave, pardon my silly question but where is this? And what is beyond it, are you committed to the open sea after it or are there other places to stop?
(I know, I know, Kentish ignoramus......)

 

[JKay]

The Welland,a very tidal river thence to the Wash(11M) and infinity and beyond.There are tidal moorings just outside the gates and a marina at Fosdyke bridge

cheers Joe

 

[MoodySabre]

Glad you had a good day Dave & Louise. If you couldn't get to Man overboard at least you did man and lady onboard /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

We'll chuck you in next year.....

 

[Sixpence]

Can't add much to Joe's description, it's pretty spot on, so here's what it looks like when the tide is out (from the lock, looking towards the Welland) the two rivers meet at the far end of the moorings, mine being the nearest one on the right, with low tide access down a vertical ladder

From the Tuesday Night Club website, approaching the lock through the moorings when the tide height is just right

Then approaching the open lock

Then out the other side you can see how it works

When really high tides arrive, this area is flooded, and yes, those are moorings, but only for when you want your boat high and dry for long term work, we call it Sailorman moorings (don't know why Roger /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Which is a bit of a boat graveyard for project boats, a bit like Sixpence once was