Newbie on the clyde

[cw212010]

Hi all,

Having only ever had a boat on a loch, I've purchased a project for the winter to fully refurbish a mid 90's 30 foot flybridge motor cruiser.

I'm taking delivery in around 2 weeks and I have indoor storage at a marina close to home.

I'm hoping she will be berthed in Greenock, however I would like a little advice on navigating this area of the Clyde and anything major that I should consider when transitioning from fresh to salt (Different annodes etc).

I'm not intending on launching this season, however early next season I would hope to make progress up river toward the city to calmer waters until I am better acquainted with the Clyde.

I've got my Day Skipper, although that said it's been nearly 10 years since I've been behind the helm....

Cheers

 

[last tuesday]

I know nothing of the Clyde..............apart from the fact that it's full of yachts, submarines and in it's outer reaches, any amount of islands, headlands and peninsulas to avoid
and, of course, the total absence of rain.

One thing I can help with is anodes.

This is the guidance provided by MG Duff , who should have a decent grasp of the situation

Some vessels will from time to time move between salt and fresh water, others are berthed within marinas and behind tidal barriers where the water is enclosed and likely to be brackish or even virtually fresh. Owners must be aware of the effects that this may have on their boats and fit the correct cathodic protection system to avoid corrosion.

Not all anodes are suitable for every environment, for example the surface of a zinc or aluminium anode will if left in fresh water for some time become covered with an off white crust of oxide which effectively seals the anode and stops it working even when returned to salt water. Zinc Anodes suffer a similar problem even in brackish conditions whereas Aluminium will continue to operate effectively in river estuaries and other areas of brackish water indefinitely. The consequences of this passivation of the anode are that the next most anodic item within the anode bonding system will start to sacrifice itself which could of course be very serious.

It is therefore very important to check Zinc and Aluminium anodes after any trips into fresh water and if necessary clean off or change the anodes.

Should a vessel move into fresh water for more than two weeks MGDUFF recommend that an alternative anode system is used suitable for fresh water situations. Magnesium Anodes on the other hand have a much higher driving voltage than zinc or aluminium making them highly suitable for use in Fresh Water, they will however become very active in salt water where they will probably only last a matter of months. Protected surfaces can build up a layer of off white calcareous deposit which will be difficult to remove.

Magnesium anodes are not designed for prolonged use in sea water and if you are taking your boat into a salt water location for more than seven days (Fourteen days in any one year) you should consider changing the anodes. Magnesium Anodes should never be fitted to wooden hulled vessels as they can damage the timber.



Regarding getting used to your boat:

Start learning maneuvering techniques in nice gentle conditions and, with the exception of leaving your berth for the first time , make sure ( until you are confident or your own and the boats capabilities) that you do so away from any hazards or objects.....included in that list would be other vessels and basically anything that has a shore.

If you can't find a convenient marker buoy to use for practising picking up moorings or coming alonside, take your own.

Practice anchoring, then practice it some more, then again.

The first time you go out, take a more experienced helmsman with you to guide you through the process of getting back into your berth.
Practise it, lots

Ensure that , for your first 'return to port', there are a pair, or better two pairs of hands on shore to tend your lines (you may find that the occupier of the berth next to you will prove surprisingly keen to assist in this operation)

Make sure you are familiar with the variables caused in leaving and returning to your berth by winds of differing strengths and direction.


Healthy respect for the risks associated with a decent size motor boat, along with honesty regarding your own experience , will afford you a long and pleasant experience afloat.
The danger tends to come with those who start the conversation with " I've been motorboating for forty years , man & boy...........there's nothing to it"

I've left the most important thing for last -

If you ever go down to the boat , having planned a trip out, and you find yourself concerned about the sea state or the stength of the wind, the only decision you should make is a simple one -
Don't go out

It may be the most choice you ever make.....




We're off to view a boat at Kip next week...Will be interesting to see if the photographs tell the truth...