New boat. Dog with 2 danglies

[henryf]

Right then, Portland.

When people drive round with stickers on their cars which say Portland, keep it weird you know its going to be a bit odd. Chesil beach is the most noticeable feature from the marina but I also like to take a walk into Castletown. Something of a shadow of its former glory I like that you feel grounded here. I also rather enjoyed the best scallops I've ever tasted in one of the somewhat shabby pubs one lunch time.

A long way from home

Castletown's Castle

Simple pleasures

The coastguard helicopter is based at the marina

 

[henryf]

Skipper training (Dinghy & outboard for sale now by the way due to impending arrival of larger direct replacement -I love aluminium hulled tenders)

Had a great meal at the Cove Inn

 

[henryf]

The Weymouth boat race. No swimmers in the water, no broken oars and no distressed crew members

Sorry the picture isa bit wonky, I've got a better one but uploaded this by mistake !

Had to navigate the lifting bridge

A hard day at the office

 

[Alistairr]

Excellent pics Henry, thanks.

Many congrats on the new boat, she looks stunning. Enjoy.

Cheers
Al.

 

[henryf]

I'd take wind over tide in preference to 3 minutes on this any day

More my scene!

Friday's spot the fairground ride?

Rather unusually we are cruising with the new owners of our Princess 42 as part of the Haslar Yacht Club rally. A photo opportunity I couldn't resist

And a change of lens to make the new boat look huge!

A good film and popcorn

The journey continues to Yarmouth, Lymington and possibly Bucklers Hard briefly if we get time.

Henry

 

[Powersalt]

Fantastic. Brings back many memories of that area. I also note the weather change. Are you ever going to come home or is it perpetual travel on the new boat???

 

[scubaman]

Another set of great pictures! Thanks.

Out of curiosity, to which lens you changed into? IIRC you had a Canon?

 

[henryf]

Unfortunately we have to be back on Sunday so I can fly off to Taiwan on Monday.

I swapped to a 10-22mm wide angle lens. It is a Tamron lens and at the moment I have a bit of a problem with it. The iris sticks when you close the F stop down so I have to use it wide open.

Henry

 

[Richard Shead]

On a different note that is a truly awful film you are about to watch...I like the popcorn though..

 

[henryf]

Are you kidding? Johnny English reborn - we loved it. Proper good family entertainment. You arty carry types

Henry

 

[erik_plus8]

I understand the pictures are great, but I can't see them...

I only see a message from Photobucket about "image exceeding bandwidth with too many views..."

Does someone know what to do?

 

[henryf]

Hmm, just seen that as well. Seems like they want me to invest a few quid rather than use the free hosting service I'll have a look tomorrow.

Henry

Right, that should be sorted but might take a while to kick in.

H.

 

[henryf]

To conclude the trip the last set of photos.

A last night in Weymouth

Heading back into the Solent

Yarmouth

Lymington

 

[henryf]

Lymington continued

Beaulieu

 

[henryf]

Beaulieu continued

Well it's been a cracking few days and I'm pleased to say the old girl never missed a beat. I am amazed at the performance having been warned that the Mk3 P50 was a bit under powered. Maybe in a former incarnation but fitted with CAT C12's I can clearly state for the record that the bloody thing pulls like a train to well in excess of 30 knots. Around 6,000 nm of torque give the propeller insert widgets a good run for their money

The ride feels a bit more solid than the P42 as I would have hoped given its extra weight. On thing that did surprise me, in fact almost caught me out a bit at first was how nimble the boat is on the plane. Ask it to turn and there is no hesitation at all - very impressive.

The various systems seem more akin to a little ship than a pleasure boat. The air handling system in particular is excellent. Again I've been told that reverse cycle air conditioning is rubbish. Not the case at all, within moments of asking there is sufficient volume of air being pumped around to provide a comfortable environment.

Someone suggested having a mid cabin would make the boat feel like a small apartment rather than a camping trip and they are absolutely right it does. We also like the galley down set up as well. A cup of tea in the morning can be taken without the need to prepare yourself to meet the world. When you are ready breakfast sitting high up looking out over the world is lovely. The dining room table also allows wonderful chart planning possibilities as well.

There were times when I could have done without the stairs but how else do you get the volume inside? Similarly a full height mid cabin throughout its entire floor area would be lovely but you would need to find another 10 feet of so and we all know how much that costs. Pound for pound the P50 is a good package.

Visually I wasn't sure when we bought it but having taken loads of pictures I am happy that its ok. Looking from the rear you have to be careful, it can look dumpy but again take your pick, internal accommodation or outward looks.

I am also pleased to say that we have got into all the same places we used to visit in the P42 and for the charter project that was important. So all in all a successful maiden voyage.

Henry

 

[NoIllusion]

Great Thread

Another superb set of pictures Henry........I have really enjoyed following the thread..thanks. I saw your the boat alongside at Bucklers on Friday evening......looks amazing. My, new to me, boat, is at a Bucklers...a P42.........you would have spotted her by walking around the pontoons......named No Illusion. Hope we cross wakes in the not too distant future.

Dave

 

[z1ppy]

Great set of Pics Henry!!

Was that you going up the Hamble on Sunday afternoon? guess about 2 ish??

 

[jfm]

Great set of pics Henry. Glad to hear you are pleased with the performance/ride/accommodation/looks (what else is there to matter?!). All sounds good to me, though of course the r/cycle heating will struggle more if the water is say 2deg rather than the 6 or 7 degs you might have been in. Still, a couple of fan heaters stored on board soon fixes that

I don't know why you were worried about the looks - I think the lines are very sharp on that boat as are Princess lines generally- a good looker imho

 

[OAF]

Great pictures, and I think the p50 is a lovely looking boat, I would have no worries about owning one!

I too heard poor reports with reference to reverse cycle air con but now having lived with mine for a year I think it's great, shame about having to run the genny if you want the heating on and you are not on shore power, small price to pay I reckon.

 

[erik_plus8]

I understand the pictures are great, but I can't see them...

I only see a message from Photobucket about "image exceeding bandwidth with too many views..."

Does someone know what to do?

Now the pictures are there also for me - and truly stunning pictures they are. Thanks!

Also the boat looks fantastic - congratulations!