longjohnsilver
Well-known member
With the first of the winter gales now approaching and thinking back to PaulineB's post about her pigshit husband, I wonder what are the worst conditions you have been out in and how you coped with them.
For my part it was the same day that PaulineB came back across the channel that we came back to Exmouth from Lyme Regis having met several friends there and had a very boozy night in the Cobb Arms and then a lot more drink on board a friends boat. It was a calm evening with a starry sky and all seemed right with the world. Crew consisted of a diving colleague and no 1 son, both of whom consumed rather too much red wine and cider (both fed the fishes at various times during the night!) and we were finally chucked off friends boat at about 3am.
Awoke next morning to a steadily incresing breeze which was not forecast and went ashore for breakfast before days diving only to receive phone call to say that the bay looked pretty awful from the top of the hill so beat a hasty retreat with no 1 son jumping ship to return with friend in bigger boat to Weymouth.
As we upped anchor and left the protection of the Cobb the sea looked angry and I half thought about turning back, but decided to press on. They always say that most boats can take a lot more punishment than their owners and I can verify this. The one advantage that boats have over us is that they cannot suffer from hangovers! At one stage we were looking up at a wave that appeared to be about twice the height of the boat and was starting to break - that I did not like! After things in the wheelhouse that have never moved before slid from side to side (including me off the helmsmans seat) we eventually arrived none the worse for wear at Exmouth. The first cup of tea back on the mooring was definitely one of the best ever.
Any lessons to be learned? Do not rely on forecasts (2-3 occasionally 4) and make sure that everything is tied down or secure, other than that it was an experience I am glad we had as it gives confidence in the boat for the next time we are caught out.
Any funny experiences or lessons to be learned from out there and has Pauline forgiven MrB yet.
For my part it was the same day that PaulineB came back across the channel that we came back to Exmouth from Lyme Regis having met several friends there and had a very boozy night in the Cobb Arms and then a lot more drink on board a friends boat. It was a calm evening with a starry sky and all seemed right with the world. Crew consisted of a diving colleague and no 1 son, both of whom consumed rather too much red wine and cider (both fed the fishes at various times during the night!) and we were finally chucked off friends boat at about 3am.
Awoke next morning to a steadily incresing breeze which was not forecast and went ashore for breakfast before days diving only to receive phone call to say that the bay looked pretty awful from the top of the hill so beat a hasty retreat with no 1 son jumping ship to return with friend in bigger boat to Weymouth.
As we upped anchor and left the protection of the Cobb the sea looked angry and I half thought about turning back, but decided to press on. They always say that most boats can take a lot more punishment than their owners and I can verify this. The one advantage that boats have over us is that they cannot suffer from hangovers! At one stage we were looking up at a wave that appeared to be about twice the height of the boat and was starting to break - that I did not like! After things in the wheelhouse that have never moved before slid from side to side (including me off the helmsmans seat) we eventually arrived none the worse for wear at Exmouth. The first cup of tea back on the mooring was definitely one of the best ever.
Any lessons to be learned? Do not rely on forecasts (2-3 occasionally 4) and make sure that everything is tied down or secure, other than that it was an experience I am glad we had as it gives confidence in the boat for the next time we are caught out.
Any funny experiences or lessons to be learned from out there and has Pauline forgiven MrB yet.
