Scuttlebutt Solent to Poole Novice Cruise - Spring 2012

[prv]

My novice crew are now definitely coming - but can't take Friday off work so will be joining us that evening via train and the Lymington ferry. I had a text yesterday saying that there were two possible trains, and they were thinking of taking one getting to Yarmouth at 11pm as it was significantly cheaper. I pointed out that this would miss joining us in the pub - and the plan instantly changed to a much earlier train

So at least some of us definitely need to find our way to a decent pub in Yarmouth (or drinks in cockpits/pontoons if people prefer).

Pete

 

[Ru88ell]

..or drinks in cockpits/pontoons if people prefer.

Pete

Yarmouth is planning to put us all together, so socialising on the boats would be good if the weather does us a favour. I was even thinking of a 'speed dating' rota on Friday evening to ensure we all got to visit each other and our vessels.

 

[PhillM]

Sent by email: Note I dont have email for Solentboat or any info on IB1:

--
Fellow skippers,

Attached is a PDF version of the Cruise to Poole spotters guide. Hopefully everyone can open this version (its a PDF) – if you cannot open it, please email me directly and I will see what I can do to help.

I have compiled all the information and photos that we received so far. If you have provided something that I have not included, please do let me know. I can still make final additions and edits but hope to complete this by Friday as its now only three weeks before we go.

I am missing any info on IB1 and the email address for Solentboat.

As you will see from the guide, there are a few groups leaving from the similar places. I leave it to you to make local arrangements for meetings on the way to Yarmouth.

I am looking forward to meeting everyone. Also to taking and receiving pictures.

Best regards
Phill

 

[prv]

I was even thinking of a 'speed dating' rota on Friday evening to ensure we all got to visit each other and our vessels.

I definitely like that as a goal - since none of our boats is big enough for everyone, there's a real risk of splitting into several independent parties otherwise. It happened a bit at the Cherbourg "pontoon party" - there was a group on the pontoon and another group on one of the big boats. Also I'm nosey about other people's boats and quite like showing off my own

I'm a little wary of making things too regimented ("rota" sounds scary ) but it's definitely better to give it a try than not. Well done for thinking of it.

What did people have in mind food-wise?

Pete

 

[PhillM]

What did people have in mind food-wise?

Pete

I was planning a pub meal in the Bugle on friday night (I'd have a munity if I tried to feed my crew my cooking!), followed by a couple of drinks.

I think informal works well - remember that we will all be together on Friday and on Saturday. Some will also meet up on Thursday....

I guess that we will also get rafted at one of the stops, so i m sure we'll all meet up sooner or later.

 

[Seajet]

I like the sound of the 'speed dating' too, great idea !

Phil & Russell, I do think we should have a Plan B in mind in case the weather is unkind; possibly Cowes / Folly ???

I'll try to print and laminate a copy of the Spotters' Guide with everyones' contact details, suggest everyone does that anyway, so if the fleet gets scattered like the Spanish Armada we can meet in - or check on - small groups.

Andy

 

[prv]

I think informal works well - remember that we will all be together on Friday and on Saturday.

Yep - not suggesting we organise a mass feeding for everyone, more seeing if there's a group I can tag along with as I'll be on my own till my crew arrives on the ferry at 9.

Pete

 

[Simondjuk]

All the above sounds good to me.

Pete, The Mrs and I don't need much persuasion to head to the pub for a drink and a bite and are happy to join or be joined by any and all as suits.

I had the idea of setting up a Photobucket account to which we can upload photos after the weekend. Much easier than emailing lots of big files to multiple recipients. Just bang them up there and everyone can see them and download any they wish to keep on their own computer. I'm on mobile now, so will set an account up later and email or PM everyone with the username and password.

Phill, Thanks for your and Holly's effort in compiling the excellent spotter's guide.

 

[PhillM]

I like the sound of the 'speed dating' too, great idea !

Phil & Russell, I do think we should have a Plan B in mind in case the weather is unkind; possibly Cowes / Folly ???

Andy

Andy,

I agree we need a fall back, trouble is I cannot think of a sensible fall back plan (not saying that there isn’t one, just not got one worked up at present).

This is my thinking so far:

If the forecast is more than F4 gusting F5 then I’m not going out, perhaps at a push (if we are feeling very confident) steady F5 but any hint of F6 and I’m in staying put wherever I am. Remember that we are novices, it is the start of the season so probably only our 2nd or 3rd time out this year and I will likely have a 11 year old with me, so any hint that it’s going to get scary for him (or me for that matter) and I chicken out. After all, this is for fun, right?

Bad forecast on Friday means home marina until it clears up. OK on Friday and we make it to Yarmouth.

Poor weather on Saturday, we stay in Yarmouth, unless it’s going to be too full, then it’s the shortest next port, which I guess is to Lymington. And if it is that rough, I don’t see them throwing us out into a gale.

I suppose, that if the weather is not too great Thursday and Friday then forcast great for Saturday & Sunday, we could all meet up somewhere on Saturday evening. As you say, Cowes is a possibility, because it’s a day sail for everyone (except Colhel). But then if it is a good day Sat / Sun / Mon the more experienced may want to go further than some of us novices and it doesn’t seem fair if the social side restricts the adventure.

I must be missing something, but for the life of me, I don’t seem to be able to come up with a fall back plan that would keep everyone happy.

Comments please.

 

[Ru88ell]

If the weather is really bad we won't be leaving the pig shed in the West Mids, but Windguru will let us know half a week ahead. I always find it reliable. There are too many variables to make an alternative plan just yet, but we certainly should during the week before as it becomes clear.

I'll also have novices on board, so 20kts will be my limit.

 

[Chrissie]

I like the idea of wondering round to each others boats, I shall have some wine and plastic glasses on my boat, so please call round, and I look forward to seeing all your boats, my favourite pastime after sailing!

 

[BarryH]

I'm having a few probs at the moment. Boat was supposed to be transported and craned in today. It wasn't. Its now not going in until the 24th. I'll be taking it from the Hamble to my mooring the 25th. That leaves me just one weekend to shake everything down and be sure its 100%.
If its not there won't be enough time to sort anything that may pop up I don't like cutting things tight and won't rush things just to make it. Anything drastic will raise its ugly head going from Hamble to Chichester. Its still the time thing though. Booked solid with work, which I'm not going to complain about, right upto the bank holiday weekend. Struggling to get the friday off at the moment. Keep you posted

 

[Simondjuk]

I've just sent a PM to all participants with the username and password of a Photobucket account I've just set up in order for us to share photos of the weekend. Full details in the PM.

In case I've made any typos in the recipients field and anyone hasn't received it, let me know and I'll forward it on to you.

 

[Seajet]

BarryH,

I know how you feel, a clownkindly removed my masthead light when the boat launched a fortnight ago, having trouble making an adaptor to fit a modern light to the 34yr old bracket, so no mast up - now too windy on the mooring - and tons of other stuff yet...

I'm quite certain none of this would have happened if there wasn't a schedule to keep to; now I understand all the stories of last minute panics to get boats ready for Transat's etc !

Chrissie,

you are familiar with how locusts operate, aren't you ?!

 

[Seajet]

Andy,

I agree we need a fall back, trouble is I cannot think of a sensible fall back plan (not saying that there isn’t one, just not got one worked up at present).

This is my thinking so far:

If the forecast is more than F4 gusting F5 then I’m not going out, perhaps at a push (if we are feeling very confident) steady F5 but any hint of F6 and I’m in staying put wherever I am. Remember that we are novices, it is the start of the season so probably only our 2nd or 3rd time out this year and I will likely have a 11 year old with me, so any hint that it’s going to get scary for him (or me for that matter) and I chicken out. After all, this is for fun, right?

Bad forecast on Friday means home marina until it clears up. OK on Friday and we make it to Yarmouth.

Poor weather on Saturday, we stay in Yarmouth, unless it’s going to be too full, then it’s the shortest next port, which I guess is to Lymington. And if it is that rough, I don’t see them throwing us out into a gale.

I suppose, that if the weather is not too great Thursday and Friday then forcast great for Saturday & Sunday, we could all meet up somewhere on Saturday evening. As you say, Cowes is a possibility, because it’s a day sail for everyone (except Colhel). But then if it is a good day Sat / Sun / Mon the more experienced may want to go further than some of us novices and it doesn’t seem fair if the social side restricts the adventure.

I must be missing something, but for the life of me, I don’t seem to be able to come up with a fall back plan that would keep everyone happy.

Comments please.

I also feel '4 gusting 5' is about the cut-off point; I doubt a lot of the smaller or less experienced boats & crews would enjoy a steady 5 at Hurst or Poole entrance, and I don't think I'd set off into that either -if it should develop when one's out there it's a different matter.

I suppose a steady N5 would be OK, though Poole entrance might be a bit challenging...yup, '4 gusting 5' is my enjoyment threshold !

 

[prv]

I also feel '4 gusting 5' is about the cut-off point;

I'll go with that. Was pretty much the forecast last Sunday; I enjoyed myself, but was quite glad the non-sailing friend I was originally to have had with me couldn't come.

Pete

 

[Chrissie]

I am happy to follow any back up plan, I get so bored sailing from place to place and sitting on my own in some marina, so the company will be great wherever it is, and Seajet,
I was thinking a wine box or two, should last the weekend.

 

[Seajet]

Seajet,
I was thinking a wine box or two, should last the weekend.

I do so love the enthusiastic optimism of innocents !

As apparently we're all to be put together I'm wondering if any of the larger boats attending have a way of getting a photographer up a mast...

I must admit to being a complete fairy with heights, I've happily hung out of aircraft on a modified trapeze harness, but am jelly at the top of a ladder...

If in a convincing harness, not a Bosuns Chair, I might consider it.

However I hung up my photographers' boots a while ago, so might suit someone with a decent wide angle lens rather than my amateur grade kit.

 

[prv]

As apparently we're all to be put together I'm wondering if any of the larger boats attending have a way of getting a photographer up a mast...
[...]
If in a convincing harness, not a Bosuns Chair, I might consider it.

Heh, nice idea for a shot.

I do own a "convincing" climbing harness if you'd like to borrow it. Never used; I bought it to go up my mast but have since decided I'll lower the mast instead if stuff ever needs doing . I'm happy enough swinging around the ratlines on a square-rigger but not all that keen on being hauled up a bare yacht mast.

Wonder if there's anything else tall in the vicinity; only thing I can think of is the ferry, and I doubt they'd let someone nip on board just to take a photo.

Pete

 

[Seajet]

'Climbing Harness, never used'; I see, this rates alongside "we've never had any complaints" ( keep digging, Smithers ) !

I suppose it may be possible to explain to a ferry skipper for a shot before he sets off; only the Irish branch of Al queda would bother with the IOW ferry ?!