derekbland
Well-Known Member
Left for the boat 22nd with SWMBO. DS training started on Monday 23rd but ended on Tuesday morning and re-started with a different instructor on Wednesday - long story. Second instructor went well, very encouraging . Due to the extra day SWMBO went home as things to do but did 3-days out of 4 and was only looking for Helmsman level.
Got quite a bit sorted on boat and whilst up at Port Solent met with Volvo Paul as he was walking past at the end of the day. Wife came out with a beer for him. Two days later he solved a small sync issue with the engine/throttles in 5 mins by pressing a few buttons, moving the throttles and had a cup of tea before starting a busy day, it would have taken me an hour+.
Last day training yesterday and managed to get my certificate - put extra fenders out and give a wide berth. A close shave in Cowes though. So, small sailing boat, no power on the last fifth of the left side of the channel going out, viz. the wrong side. Motor boat in front of me big green buoy to my starboard side, motor boat behind. Alters cause to squeeze me even closer to the buoy and looks at us and shouts something. I think it may have been, "why didn't you crash into the green buoy and give me some more room. I've only got about 70' to my starboard".
Met a great guy called Russell who I called and who sorted out a few minor domestic niggles, not with the wife I might add and went away with a list of to do's. One f the issues was that the bar fridge had stopped working. Russel pointed out that there was a button next to the thermostat, not easy to see I might add, that needed switching on. It must have switched off when we unplugged, either way -EMBARRASING!I I managed to sort one myself. The master suite toilet when filling would jettison a spray of water onto the floor. I thought we would end up spending more money getting it fixed/replaced but I saw a small something just visible at the bottom of the narrow bowl. I pulled on the end of this small something which was not easy with fat fingers and after a while what came out, I can only describe as, a twig and what looked like hairs wrapped in a baby wipe in a cone shaped plug. I cannot believe this could have got there other than from inside. I was well pleased when it worked without soaking me with yucky water.
Met some lovely people including Rod and Mari-Ann up at Port Solent.
Despite a bit of drama, a fab introduction to my great new boat and still smiling. Oh and, what gorgeous weather.
Got quite a bit sorted on boat and whilst up at Port Solent met with Volvo Paul as he was walking past at the end of the day. Wife came out with a beer for him. Two days later he solved a small sync issue with the engine/throttles in 5 mins by pressing a few buttons, moving the throttles and had a cup of tea before starting a busy day, it would have taken me an hour+.
Last day training yesterday and managed to get my certificate - put extra fenders out and give a wide berth. A close shave in Cowes though. So, small sailing boat, no power on the last fifth of the left side of the channel going out, viz. the wrong side. Motor boat in front of me big green buoy to my starboard side, motor boat behind. Alters cause to squeeze me even closer to the buoy and looks at us and shouts something. I think it may have been, "why didn't you crash into the green buoy and give me some more room. I've only got about 70' to my starboard".
Met a great guy called Russell who I called and who sorted out a few minor domestic niggles, not with the wife I might add and went away with a list of to do's. One f the issues was that the bar fridge had stopped working. Russel pointed out that there was a button next to the thermostat, not easy to see I might add, that needed switching on. It must have switched off when we unplugged, either way -EMBARRASING!I I managed to sort one myself. The master suite toilet when filling would jettison a spray of water onto the floor. I thought we would end up spending more money getting it fixed/replaced but I saw a small something just visible at the bottom of the narrow bowl. I pulled on the end of this small something which was not easy with fat fingers and after a while what came out, I can only describe as, a twig and what looked like hairs wrapped in a baby wipe in a cone shaped plug. I cannot believe this could have got there other than from inside. I was well pleased when it worked without soaking me with yucky water.
Met some lovely people including Rod and Mari-Ann up at Port Solent.
Despite a bit of drama, a fab introduction to my great new boat and still smiling. Oh and, what gorgeous weather.
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