CLB
Well-Known Member
Wow, I wonder what it was like up in Beaucette 
NNE gale in Guernsey
- Thread starter Piers
- Start date
Piers
Well-Known Member
Wow, I wonder what it was like up in Beaucette
I suspect it was quite dreadful. We were advised not to return since metal works continue. I don't want to be covered in filings a third time, as you can imagine.
colhel
Well-Known Member
18mm seemed to cope, so perhaps (and more sucking eggs probably) have 25mm as dock lines once you're secured. Would the extra weight of thicker warps help with shock absorption?
jfm
Well-Known Member
Erk Piers - joys of boating. Glad all ok. You shd have come over to Elizabeth marina in Jersey- perfect in a NE obviously and they have space along outer wall quay (my apartment overlooks it). The "big boats" quay along the breakwater is invariably only 50% full and I noted that by Friday it was more like 80% full with new arrivers - maybe they were Guernsey boats coming over for shelter. I've been in antibes all weekend, and still am, so missed the winds.
I would be more worried about attachment of cleats to Grp (and attachment of Grp to Grp) than warps but I guess Fleming very much know their onions there. FWIW, I am in the 28+24mm dia camp and 18mm feels light. 28 is getting hard to handle/coil up when wet so I very much use the 24mm in good weather.
I would be more worried about attachment of cleats to Grp (and attachment of Grp to Grp) than warps but I guess Fleming very much know their onions there. FWIW, I am in the 28+24mm dia camp and 18mm feels light. 28 is getting hard to handle/coil up when wet so I very much use the 24mm in good weather.
Bandit
Well-Known Member
I am using 22mm Polyester three strand on my mooring lines.
I don't like loose weave nylon as they stretch too much.
Also check the track where the cleats are attached if they are bolt on ones.
I don't like loose weave nylon as they stretch too much.
Also check the track where the cleats are attached if they are bolt on ones.
IDAMAY
Well-Known Member
Very sorry to hear that Piers but so glad that you are both safe and, indeed, that Play D'Eau is undamaged.
We were in similar circumstances in Victoria Marina a few years ago. We were moored on the port side quite close to the Captain Harry with, as I remember a couple of boats ahead of us and a Fleming 55 astern. The wind blew up in the night and Elvia woke me around 0600 with the boat and the pontoon in a sort of crazy ballet. The swell was entering the marina and reflecting off the back wall. I think the movement was about 1 metre. We pulled one cleat out of the pontoon track which hit Ocean Star (Trader 42) causing some gelcoat damage. Another of the pontoon cleats broke in half. Fortunately none of OS mooring gear suffered damage. Our position soon became untenable.
I radioed the marina about 0630 and a duty mooring officer was soon with us. I suggested we might be safer in the Queen Elizabeth Marina. The mooring officer agreed to help us with the move and we cast off but not before having to cut one of the bar tight lines which had tightened round the mooring post. We motored out of the marina against the incoming swell - a hairy experience. However once we closed the pier heads it became clear that the short passage to the other marina would be extremely dangerous. We motored back into the Victoria Marina (even more hairy) and found a new berth further in. The staff lent us a couple of massive fenders which gave some added protection. Fortunately the wind had dropped by the next tide.
We are now very wary about visiting Guernsey when there is any east in the wind so Jersey gets more of our custom because guaranteed shelter.
Here's hoping you don't get a repeat dose later in the week.
We were in similar circumstances in Victoria Marina a few years ago. We were moored on the port side quite close to the Captain Harry with, as I remember a couple of boats ahead of us and a Fleming 55 astern. The wind blew up in the night and Elvia woke me around 0600 with the boat and the pontoon in a sort of crazy ballet. The swell was entering the marina and reflecting off the back wall. I think the movement was about 1 metre. We pulled one cleat out of the pontoon track which hit Ocean Star (Trader 42) causing some gelcoat damage. Another of the pontoon cleats broke in half. Fortunately none of OS mooring gear suffered damage. Our position soon became untenable.
I radioed the marina about 0630 and a duty mooring officer was soon with us. I suggested we might be safer in the Queen Elizabeth Marina. The mooring officer agreed to help us with the move and we cast off but not before having to cut one of the bar tight lines which had tightened round the mooring post. We motored out of the marina against the incoming swell - a hairy experience. However once we closed the pier heads it became clear that the short passage to the other marina would be extremely dangerous. We motored back into the Victoria Marina (even more hairy) and found a new berth further in. The staff lent us a couple of massive fenders which gave some added protection. Fortunately the wind had dropped by the next tide.
We are now very wary about visiting Guernsey when there is any east in the wind so Jersey gets more of our custom because guaranteed shelter.
Here's hoping you don't get a repeat dose later in the week.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
This is the warp I mentioned, as per manufacturer's website.
Btw, I was going by heart when I said that the breaking load is 9.5T, but I see now on that specs page that MBL for 24mm is actually 13.5T, no less.
This means that two of them would almost be enough to lift the whole boat, eek!
Last edited:
Old Harry
Well-Known Member
Piers
Well-Known Member
My thanks to all of you for the thoughts and guidance. A problem shared, so to speak.
Seeing the potential gales coming up later this week, we're off to Jersey tomorrow or the QE2 (Guernsey) if the HM is able to find us a spot. The latter would be operationally better for us given visits from the family coming up.
So, bigger warps are on the shopping list, better checking of cleats - I had a quick glance and I think they are OK - and preparing to leave in the morning. Wind is good to go and the sea state will be OK. It's just the left over swell with which to content.
Again, thanks for the listening ear.
Seeing the potential gales coming up later this week, we're off to Jersey tomorrow or the QE2 (Guernsey) if the HM is able to find us a spot. The latter would be operationally better for us given visits from the family coming up.
So, bigger warps are on the shopping list, better checking of cleats - I had a quick glance and I think they are OK - and preparing to leave in the morning. Wind is good to go and the sea state will be OK. It's just the left over swell with which to content.
Again, thanks for the listening ear.
Bandit
Well-Known Member
Piers I always understood the quietest spot was the south east corner along the wall by the gangway?
Piers
Well-Known Member
Hi Bandit,
It probably is, but the NE corner has strenghtened pontoons with super large cleats for heavy boats. It was the only pontoon for boats of Play d'eau's weight in E'ly weather.
IDAMAY
Well-Known Member
Definitely not when we were there. See my post above. We finished up well in on the inland side of the second pontoon in on the southern side. Forgot to mention that the marina staff were brilliant on that occasion.
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yes but that will be the breaking load applied by a straight pull. Of course mooring lines are subject to shear loads as they are bent around fairleads and cleats and will be subject to wear over time which reduces their breaking load. They are also subject to shock loading which may momentarily exceed the breaking load. For many years I have used rubber or spring type snubbers to reduce the shock loading on the critical lines and IMHO these do help
MapisM
Well-Known Member
All agreed M, but still, AOTBE I'd rather have an X% MBL reduction when the percentage is applied to 13T, rather than 6 (or whatever)… 
JerryC
Well-Known Member
Commiserations to Piers for being displaced to the wrong place at the wrong time!
I may be wrong, but from observation I thought my critical lines were the very short ones: bow fwd and stern aft (my boat moored alongside a finger) as they don't have so much room to stretch, therefore tend to snatch a lot. So I used rubber twisters only on these and let the springs fend for themselves and just tightened 'em up on each visit
I may be wrong, but from observation I thought my critical lines were the very short ones: bow fwd and stern aft (my boat moored alongside a finger) as they don't have so much room to stretch, therefore tend to snatch a lot. So I used rubber twisters only on these and let the springs fend for themselves and just tightened 'em up on each visit
Piers
Well-Known Member
Good morning, everyone,
Seeing the forecasts for the next 10 days or more, we're taking the opportunity of a good cruising day today to head for St Helier, Jersey.
Yesterday evening, the harbour staff were brilliant in searching for a spot in the QE2. One was found, but it was uncertain if the owner would be returning as planned or be delayed a day or so. Although this could be established this morning, we need a good few weeks somewhere in the knowledge we can stay without the worry of having to move - again.
Hence, we're planning to leave for St Helier around 0800. We'll stay there until we know the iron works at Beaucette have been completed and it's safe to return.
Seeing the forecasts for the next 10 days or more, we're taking the opportunity of a good cruising day today to head for St Helier, Jersey.
Yesterday evening, the harbour staff were brilliant in searching for a spot in the QE2. One was found, but it was uncertain if the owner would be returning as planned or be delayed a day or so. Although this could be established this morning, we need a good few weeks somewhere in the knowledge we can stay without the worry of having to move - again.
Hence, we're planning to leave for St Helier around 0800. We'll stay there until we know the iron works at Beaucette have been completed and it's safe to return.
Firefly625
Well-Known Member
don't blame you Piers, sounds horrendous!
....although it still beats working!
....although it still beats working!
tetleys
Well-Known Member
Hi Piers
Good luck with your trip over to Jersey, we relocated our boat two weeks ago to Elizabeth Marina from Weymouth and it will be our first time back out to
the boat on friday , hoping all our lines and covers have survived the strong winds
Cheers
Tetleys
Good luck with your trip over to Jersey, we relocated our boat two weeks ago to Elizabeth Marina from Weymouth and it will be our first time back out to
the boat on friday , hoping all our lines and covers have survived the strong winds
Cheers
Tetleys
Powersalt
Well-Known Member
Hmmm, brings back memories. Done it twice in that corner now and up to now I am sure people did not believe me as to how bad it gets.
Jersey Elizabeth marina in a easterly is pretty safe and the town marina is good for most wind directions. I don't like along the wall as you miss a lot of the sun on the other hand bigger boats on the hammer heads get plenty of swell from the entrance at times
Jersey Elizabeth marina in a easterly is pretty safe and the town marina is good for most wind directions. I don't like along the wall as you miss a lot of the sun on the other hand bigger boats on the hammer heads get plenty of swell from the entrance at times
Piers
Well-Known Member
Well, the trip to Jersey was magnificent. Flat, flat seas, brilliant sunshine and excellent visibility. Oh what a joy, and so lovely to be treated to this after the weekend's torture.
Play d'eau is on the waiting pontoon and in 3 1/2 hours we'll motor over the sill and to our berth.
Did I mention how flat the seas were?
It appears there's been no damage, even none to or around the cleats. Phew! As well as being really pretty, Play d'eau's certainly strong. Now to relax for a few days and catch up on sleep.
Play d'eau is on the waiting pontoon and in 3 1/2 hours we'll motor over the sill and to our berth.
Did I mention how flat the seas were?
It appears there's been no damage, even none to or around the cleats. Phew! As well as being really pretty, Play d'eau's certainly strong. Now to relax for a few days and catch up on sleep.
Other threads that may be of interest
