PERFECT DAY OUT FROM WALTON ON THE NAZE

Pick a day when the wind is no more than F3 - don't do tippy first time out. Don't show any signs of panic or uncertainty - I'd take the boat out myself a few times first to get used to her; don't shout at her under any circumstances; Do wear a lifejacket - she will feel reassured; Do explain what's going on; don't use loads of nautical terms; Do get back early while there's plenty of light; don't expect her to to jump off onto a marina pontoon first time out

All from personal experience - My missus sails with me all the time now.
 
No secret,I just offered to meet for a beer sometime and a look at the local charts when Alan is over this way.I also have a Westerly in Walton and would be glad to help if I can.Don't know why the pm didn't work,probably my fault I'm not a regular contributer.
 
If you've sent a PM, the recipient will have a little flashing symbol when he logs in. So there's no point adding a post saying "PM sent" - it just excites people's attention.
 
For first time success here's some ideas:

1. Don't go out of the marina, have a cup of tea and show her the boat
2. First time out, don't anchor, it's a black art that some of us still haven't mastered /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif just go out for 2 hours, nice and leisurely like. Anchoring may mean a whole 12 hours out of the drying marina, 12 hours will be cold and seem like forever. At this time of year you won't get 12 hours of good daylight
3. Keep doing that, then try a day out.

Good luck, I did roughly the above and 3 years later we're looking for a go anywhere liveaboard. Don't have any money left mind you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I'm sure you are right but since Alan is a new user he may not know this.The reason I posted pm sent was also because my mailbox did list it as sent.
 
Why do I know that boat?

I'm sure i've seen her about a good bit, but somehow or other she seems more familar than that.... was her previous owner a forumite?

Whatever, she looks lovely.... hope to see you out and about.... we're very regular visitors to the backwaters....
 
What a pretty sight - goodonyer!

Just a small PS: when you pass down the channel past Stone Point and follow the buoys out to the Pye End and the open sea, you will wonder at the lack of water. The channel is pretty shallow in places but do not be deterred - you can carry it in your vessel at all stages of almost any tide. You'll learn you can hook out to sea after the No 2 red can, but it is a brave sailor who tries to cut it any finer.

PWG
 
Re: Perfect day out from Walton on the Naze

Peter Gibbs is being a little harsh and unjust re "the infamous MDL yard at Wolverstone, where a money grinder will be alongside you before you say knife - only make a landing there if dire necessity dictates...Goes also for their moorings".

Woolversone isn't a yard; it's a tidal marina. It isn't infamous, although it's often tarred by the unknowing with the same brush as the MDL chain on the south coast. I frequently find boats taking a nap/lunch/overnight on my MDL mooring at Woolverstone; none has ever been charged as far as I know. MDL staff are pretty open about not really paying attention to the casual buoy borrower. Tying up on a pontoon? I don't know what the official charges are, but the boys seem pretty laid back unless they are a) full; b) expecting a club visit; c) you are staying the night; d) you didn't call them on the VHF first.

Woolverstone does have the best, most helpful and most friendly team of dockmasters on the east coast; also one of the best and cleanest shower blocks. The restaurant/bar isn't cheap or remarkable in any way and is perhaps best avoided, although Pin Mill is only 30 minutes walk along a well-defined footpath.

So if you're inclined to stop at Woolverstone, don't be taken in by Peter's dire warnings; it ain't that bad at all. Most if not all the dockmasters are current or ex boat owners and in my experience very welcoming.

If you want to tie up alongside me or borrow my mooring, hard by the Orwell No 6 buoy, don't hesitate to PM me for details. But try the Walton Backwaters first!

Regards, Mudhook
 
You do talk a great load or rubbish!!

Titchmarsh marina does not dry out!! and - should you ever develop the wisdom to to do tidal calculations -a simple arithmetic exercise will show that even at LAT (Thats Lowest Astronomical Tide to you) his boat will float in the entrance.

You really should know better before you open your mouth - No Really You Should Know Better. I'd suggest an RYA day skipper course would be most helpful.

Me? I draw 2 metres and have quite happily berthed at Titchmarsh for the last sixteen years.

Kind regards
 
Do not heed the post which claims Titchmarsh dries out.

Itr simply does not. Your boat will always be afloat in the marina unless you can work up sufficient speed in the entrance to charge into the pontoon walkway, smash your way through it and run up the bank

Don't reckon you can do 60 knots!!

Call in at C39 (Vitality) for a welcome drink some time.
 
Try taking her to Ostende or somewhere in Norway as a surprise.

Pick a rough day. You might be a bit scared at first but your boat looks OK so you might make it.

The benefit of this strategy is that, while it might be hard work at first, forever after you will be able to get away to go sailing in peace. With any luck you might even get to sail it back on your own.

Good Luck
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS You will need to hurry as at this time of year the weather is improving all the time.
 
I think you have the correct approach Simon. If a SWMBO is not used to sailing/boating then the worst thing you can do is go out and scare them stiff. Far better, as you say , to spend a couple of days down on the boat doing odd jobs and having a wander around the area (on land).

Beware of doing tidal calculations and then expecting there to be exactly the depth of water you have calculated. When there is high pressure, or if there are strong winds in some circumstances, the water can easily be 0.5 to 1 metre below predicted. in those circumstances you will be unable to get out of the marina and round the first corner. On a number of occasions I have been stuck in the mud and I only draw 1 metre and I am very familiar with the waters.

Best to avoid weekends if you can, you just get too many weekend sailers!
 
Yep - Cotillion was a forumite.

You may have noticed the boat in Ostend 2 years ago.
It was stuck there for some time /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif All sorts of prop and engine problems.

If it were me I would not go back to Ostend in the near future, or make very clear the boat's got a new owner.
I happen to know /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif there are some unpaid berthing charges as well as an unpaid mecanic's bill of Euro 410.
And God never forgets or forgives... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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