terryw
New member
We were on holiday last week, and had great plans in travelling to Weymouth, Torquay, Dartford and Plymouth with Graham Wignall and ChrisB4, but the weather decided it didn't want us to go. However, not wanting to admit defeat we battled the elements, and kept moving, and in response to posts requesting tales of the sea I shall bore you with ours.
Because Graham was not starting out until Sunday we pre-arranged that we would move the boat from Southampton to Poole on Saturday to give a better start on the Sunday (Graham being in Christchurch). When we arrived at Ocean Village the wind was blowing up a bit, and the sky's looking very dark and cloudy, still if you wait for perfect conditions you would hardly ever get out. Removed the covers, except the top canopy, and left the berth about 14:00 to catch the 16:30 bridge to Cobbs Quay.
No sooner had we left the marina than the rain started, and you guessed it we got very wet. Now you are probably asking why we didn't leave the front screen on. The reason being that I do not like the reduced visibility, especially with the driftwood and lobster post, and would rather get wet than have fouled props, or even worse a hole in the bow. Got to the Solent with both wind and tide against, but with 50% tabs, brought the nose down and managed a reasonably comfortable 28 knots. Just short of Poole entrance the "Gear Lube" light comes on for the Starboard engine. Brought her to a halt and raised the hatch. The fluid reservoir had sheared at the bracket, and was laying on the trim tab reservoir. Went down the hatch, with the boat bobbing on the 4 foot waves, and to cut a long story short managed to fix the problem, but surfaced feeling very unwell, and looking like a ghost. Anyway made the bridge, and spent a very wet afternoon and evening on the boat.
Sunday contacted Graham, and agreed that as the weather seemed to improve a little we would make a run for Torquay. Graham went to Yarmouth to refuel, while we waited for the 12:30 bridge. Made contact whilst we were just of Studland and discovered that due to 8 foot waves in Needles Channel Graham went back to Christchurch while he still had the tide. We decided to stick our nose around the corner to assess the situation, but after 2 minutes travelling South, with a 20 MPH SW wind, and taking 3 large waves directly in the face, turned round and legged it back to Southampton at a very comfortable 30 knots.
Monday, decided we were not staying in marina, and went to Yarmouth. Again choppy but comfortable crossing, and enjoyed day, evening and night there. (I love this place, it's like the town that time forgot).
Tuesday we decided to try Weymouth again as the Solent was looking rather peaceful. Contacted Graham and agreed to let him know what the conditions were like, and play it by ear. Everything started fine, and even the Needles Channel was not too bad, but the swell gradually got bigger, until it was about 8 foot, but the peaks were quite a distance apart, and managing about 20 knots with plenty of up's and down's, but no slamming. 20 minutes in and SWMBO was not looking happy, and after some interrogation she said she would rather turn back, so back we turned.
Once we reached a point level with Yarmouth I thought we should try Lymington as we had not been before. Called in to Lymington Marina, and got a good berth, and spent another wet day ashore (got trapped in a pub for 2 hours waiting for the rain to ease, still the trials of boating hey?). Despite the weather we still enjoyed our stay, and will definitely return at some point.
Wednesday, conditions no better, so we decide to visit Graham in Christchurch. Guess what? As soon as we slipped our mooring it started raining again, and we got wet again.
Now Christchurch is an experience. I only had two things on my mind after we went through the first red/green buoys. First, where has all the water gone (3 foot is sheer luxury, 1 foot worrying), and second, how much are my props worth. Still, Graham met us at the entrance in his tender, and came aboard, and with his guidance, and the legs lifted by 25% we got to his marina without incident, although we did disturb the bottom a couple of times. Had a great time here, and the sun even came out all afternoon. Had a few drinks with Graham, Sue and the kids, followed by a meal together in town, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their company and hospitality.
Thursday, had a look around the town which was right next to the marina, and decided to head back to Southampton as we were running out of time, and there was no way we were going to get any further West this week. After we arrived we gave the boat a good wash, packed up the car, and lazed on the deck until about 18:00 and headed for home.
All in all we had a great time despite the weather, and visited places we had not been before, and would not have visited if the weather had been better. We learnt a lot about our boats capabilities, and our own, and I even overcome some of my personal "fears" of visiting places I have never been before.
From the moment we returned home the weather improved to the level it is now, but that's life. Sorry if this was too long, or boring, but we enjoyed it.
Ps
What happened to ChrisB4? It appears he had an outdrive leg go bang on the first day of his holiday. Sorry to hear about this, and perhaps the "Forum Family Cruise" will happen next year.
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Because Graham was not starting out until Sunday we pre-arranged that we would move the boat from Southampton to Poole on Saturday to give a better start on the Sunday (Graham being in Christchurch). When we arrived at Ocean Village the wind was blowing up a bit, and the sky's looking very dark and cloudy, still if you wait for perfect conditions you would hardly ever get out. Removed the covers, except the top canopy, and left the berth about 14:00 to catch the 16:30 bridge to Cobbs Quay.
No sooner had we left the marina than the rain started, and you guessed it we got very wet. Now you are probably asking why we didn't leave the front screen on. The reason being that I do not like the reduced visibility, especially with the driftwood and lobster post, and would rather get wet than have fouled props, or even worse a hole in the bow. Got to the Solent with both wind and tide against, but with 50% tabs, brought the nose down and managed a reasonably comfortable 28 knots. Just short of Poole entrance the "Gear Lube" light comes on for the Starboard engine. Brought her to a halt and raised the hatch. The fluid reservoir had sheared at the bracket, and was laying on the trim tab reservoir. Went down the hatch, with the boat bobbing on the 4 foot waves, and to cut a long story short managed to fix the problem, but surfaced feeling very unwell, and looking like a ghost. Anyway made the bridge, and spent a very wet afternoon and evening on the boat.
Sunday contacted Graham, and agreed that as the weather seemed to improve a little we would make a run for Torquay. Graham went to Yarmouth to refuel, while we waited for the 12:30 bridge. Made contact whilst we were just of Studland and discovered that due to 8 foot waves in Needles Channel Graham went back to Christchurch while he still had the tide. We decided to stick our nose around the corner to assess the situation, but after 2 minutes travelling South, with a 20 MPH SW wind, and taking 3 large waves directly in the face, turned round and legged it back to Southampton at a very comfortable 30 knots.
Monday, decided we were not staying in marina, and went to Yarmouth. Again choppy but comfortable crossing, and enjoyed day, evening and night there. (I love this place, it's like the town that time forgot).
Tuesday we decided to try Weymouth again as the Solent was looking rather peaceful. Contacted Graham and agreed to let him know what the conditions were like, and play it by ear. Everything started fine, and even the Needles Channel was not too bad, but the swell gradually got bigger, until it was about 8 foot, but the peaks were quite a distance apart, and managing about 20 knots with plenty of up's and down's, but no slamming. 20 minutes in and SWMBO was not looking happy, and after some interrogation she said she would rather turn back, so back we turned.
Once we reached a point level with Yarmouth I thought we should try Lymington as we had not been before. Called in to Lymington Marina, and got a good berth, and spent another wet day ashore (got trapped in a pub for 2 hours waiting for the rain to ease, still the trials of boating hey?). Despite the weather we still enjoyed our stay, and will definitely return at some point.
Wednesday, conditions no better, so we decide to visit Graham in Christchurch. Guess what? As soon as we slipped our mooring it started raining again, and we got wet again.
Now Christchurch is an experience. I only had two things on my mind after we went through the first red/green buoys. First, where has all the water gone (3 foot is sheer luxury, 1 foot worrying), and second, how much are my props worth. Still, Graham met us at the entrance in his tender, and came aboard, and with his guidance, and the legs lifted by 25% we got to his marina without incident, although we did disturb the bottom a couple of times. Had a great time here, and the sun even came out all afternoon. Had a few drinks with Graham, Sue and the kids, followed by a meal together in town, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their company and hospitality.
Thursday, had a look around the town which was right next to the marina, and decided to head back to Southampton as we were running out of time, and there was no way we were going to get any further West this week. After we arrived we gave the boat a good wash, packed up the car, and lazed on the deck until about 18:00 and headed for home.
All in all we had a great time despite the weather, and visited places we had not been before, and would not have visited if the weather had been better. We learnt a lot about our boats capabilities, and our own, and I even overcome some of my personal "fears" of visiting places I have never been before.
From the moment we returned home the weather improved to the level it is now, but that's life. Sorry if this was too long, or boring, but we enjoyed it.
Ps
What happened to ChrisB4? It appears he had an outdrive leg go bang on the first day of his holiday. Sorry to hear about this, and perhaps the "Forum Family Cruise" will happen next year.
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