Ostend

Athene V30

Athene V30

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Joined
20 Sep 2001
Messages
5,451
Location
Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria in Winter, the boat
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May get there after the Bank Holiday.

Just how does the berthing work in the NSYC as this has what has always put me off (as well as the red diesel thing but not going into that now!)?

I will be single handed so the thought of putting a line onto a buoy then motoring head onto a pontoon, trying to stop, not getting the rope round the prop etc fills me with dread and I haven't even started to think about getting our again!! :confused:

Is there anywhere alongside or will the HM (who from the posts I have seen also fills me with dread) assist?

Is PG Tips still the bribe of choice?
 
Karouise said:
May get there after the Bank Holiday.

Just how does the berthing work in the NSYC as this has what has always put me off (as well as the red diesel thing but not going into that now!)?

I will be single handed so the thought of putting a line onto a buoy then motoring head onto a pontoon, trying to stop, not getting the rope round the prop etc fills me with dread and I haven't even started to think about getting our again!! :confused:

Is there anywhere alongside or will the HM (who from the posts I have seen also fills me with dread) assist?

Is PG Tips still the bribe of choice?
Click to expand...

i can do it s/h & i wasnt government trained either:p:D
the best place would be along side or bows to on the northern wall.
if you arrive before Robert goes home, you will receive FULL instruction ( if youre mentally prepared) he would also assist if you have a pretty young lady o/b too ;)
 
Karouise said:
I will be single handed so the thought of putting a line onto a buoy then motoring head onto a pontoon, trying to stop, not getting the rope round the prop etc fills me with dread and I haven't even started to think about getting our again!! :confused:
Click to expand...

I have found one of these invaluable when berthing in Ostend (http://www.compass24.com/product/11751018/mooring-hook) - in particular S/H.
Even when Robert is not around, there will always be a helpful soul around to take your bow.

Karouise said:
Is there anywhere alongside or will the HM (who from the posts I have seen also fills me with dread) assist?
Click to expand...

There are also alongside berths along the central pontoon - rafting heaven ;)
Don't tell him you're RN trained - Robert has very little time for the UK Grey Funnel Line.
I will leave it up to him to tell you why :p

Karouise said:
Is PG Tips still the bribe of choice?
Click to expand...

Been told Robert now has enough PG Tips to last him for the rest of his natural life (and beyond).
 
Tried it in Robert's harbour once and didn't like the whole mooring system thing though others are happy with it. So the last few times we've been we've gone into the inner harbour - it's a great feeling being in the centre of the city on the boat; sameish price and all the shops and bustle are around you. I'd hate to be in either place long term but the family need some urban time after nights at anchor.
 
Lazy Kipper said:
Tried it in Robert's harbour once and didn't like the whole mooring system thing though others are happy with it. So the last few times we've been we've gone into the inner harbour - it's a great feeling being in the centre of the city on the boat; sameish price and all the shops and bustle are around you. I'd hate to be in either place long term but the family need some urban time after nights at anchor.
Click to expand...

The inner harbour (Mercator Marina) is not an option during the Oostend voor Anker festival.
It has its advantages (very good shelter in a blow), but its lack of decent facilities (showers) and its public toilets do put me off.
Not to mention the rather surly lock keepers and the time it takes to lock in/out.

PS: the RYCO (http://www.ryco.be/) could be a good alternative if the RNSYC mooring arrangement looks too daunting.
 
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Horses for courses of courses. We have a nice shower and loos on board so don't use on-shore ones, I've always found the Mercator staff friendly and last time we were there they gave us a discount because we had young children on board. But we found Robert a 'challenge' on the one occasion we used his harbour; I think he's a Marmite character, happy that others have acquired his taste!
 
Lazy Kipper said:
Horses for courses of courses. We have a nice shower and loos on board so don't use on-shore ones, I've always found the Mercator staff friendly and last time we were there they gave us a discount because we had young children on board. But we found Robert a 'challenge' on the one occasion we used his harbour; I think he's a Marmite character, happy that others have acquired his taste!
Click to expand...

i have only been into the Mercator once, the w/e it opened & they wanted boats in there for the TV coverage. it was free to entice us in.
i much prefer ( well enjoy) the Montgomery Dock, much more to see better atmos, vibrant, 100m from the centre.
The RYCO is quiet & too far from anything but the "local" shop are much cheaper than in the main tourist area
 
Karouise said:
May get there after the Bank Holiday.

Just how does the berthing work in the NSYC as this has what has always put me off (as well as the red diesel thing but not going into that now!)?

I will be single handed so the thought of putting a line onto a buoy then motoring head onto a pontoon, trying to stop, not getting the rope round the prop etc fills me with dread and I haven't even started to think about getting our again!! :confused:

Is there anywhere alongside or will the HM (who from the posts I have seen also fills me with dread) assist?

Is PG Tips still the bribe of choice?
Click to expand...

He's not as bad as he looks on YouTube. First time we went he was very helpful and at his worst he's only mildly grumpy. As someone said, it probably helps if you have a sailor of the female variety on board, I always send Claire to ask the dopey questions, but he isn't bad enough to prevent us going there.
 
MoodySabre said:
Last time it was best British bacon.
Click to expand...

Smoked or unsmoked ?
Never had a problem with Robert myself, he has, to my mind, a very dry sense of humour which some may take the wrong way. Forces types are well known for this, but taken the way it's intended and everyone is happy. Caught him smiling once, though I'm not sure, it could have been the beans
 
Before crossing make sure you have an extra long bit of string for the buoy. Pick it up and feed the string through hole, leave plenty of slack and reverse in, then take up slack after making off the blunt end
I do like this theory, makes it sound so simple, gulp
 
Sixpence said:
Before crossing make sure you have an extra long bit of string for the buoy. Pick it up and feed the string through hole, leave plenty of slack and reverse in, then take up slack after making off the blunt end
Click to expand...

Have you done this before? :confused:

Sixpence said:
I do like this theory, makes it sound so simple, gulp
Click to expand...

No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. :p
 
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