Sailing_Matt
Well-Known Member
Saturday 30th August 2008. The launch itself went without a hitch, the yard staff were great as usual. We dipped into the water about lunchtime.
1/ Firstly we were asked by the yard staff to potter around the bay for half an hour and then moor up to a pontoon which they pointed out but was occupied by a motor boat. We motored out and after about 5 minutes the engine conked out (I think I may have left the choke out too long?). Took us 5 minutes to restart it and fendering off the pontoon.
2/ Secondly when we tried mooring to the pontoon allocated there was not enough water and we ran aground. Luckily there were formula one powerboats in the bay and their wash together with a large thrust of engine power in reverse got us off the mud. We contacted the harbourmaster and he allocated us a deeper mooring until he found a place to put us on the buoys.
3/ The harbourmaster allocated us a space which was quite far from the club, 4th row, middle. We went a bit too fast onto the mooring and Ellen had a bad stomach from the night before and couldn't do anything to help so I tried to steer plus use the boat hook to get a rope that goes in between 2 buoys that we moor to. I missed the rope and it went under the keels. The harbourmaster sorted it out and tied us up (thank you Ken & co).
4/ We have stern ladders but as the large buoy was blocking this I thought it best to exit via the starboard side and into the dinghy waiting below. I tied the dinghy to the winch and a cleat. Ellen wanted to get down the ladders at the stern though. I took off the ropes and brought the dinghy manually to the rear but as the buoy was in the way I could not get the dinghy all the way to reach it so Ellen had to lean one of her legs out but every time she did so she ended up pushing the dinghy away and doing the splits. This attempt to board the dinghy was tried about 5 times until one large push from Ellens leg caused the rope in my hand to come free and the dinghy drifted away. This was our only means of getting back ashore and my heart sank.. With the dinghy drifting away I panicked and survival instincts kicked in. I stripped off to my boxers, dived in and recovered the dinghy which by now was being blown down the bay. Dripping wet I go the dinghy back to Sunbeam and stepped back aboard. Ellen found it quite amusing and couldn't wait to tell all and sundry when we got ashore. It was my fault I should have secured the dinghy and I have learned never to do that again /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
So an eventful launch I'm sure you will agree. All we need now is the rain to stop! I think we need to practice, practice, practice. Had a lovely meal at CYC and the sun was out so it was quite a nice day, apart from above events. At least she is in the water now so we can start using her.
1/ Firstly we were asked by the yard staff to potter around the bay for half an hour and then moor up to a pontoon which they pointed out but was occupied by a motor boat. We motored out and after about 5 minutes the engine conked out (I think I may have left the choke out too long?). Took us 5 minutes to restart it and fendering off the pontoon.
2/ Secondly when we tried mooring to the pontoon allocated there was not enough water and we ran aground. Luckily there were formula one powerboats in the bay and their wash together with a large thrust of engine power in reverse got us off the mud. We contacted the harbourmaster and he allocated us a deeper mooring until he found a place to put us on the buoys.
3/ The harbourmaster allocated us a space which was quite far from the club, 4th row, middle. We went a bit too fast onto the mooring and Ellen had a bad stomach from the night before and couldn't do anything to help so I tried to steer plus use the boat hook to get a rope that goes in between 2 buoys that we moor to. I missed the rope and it went under the keels. The harbourmaster sorted it out and tied us up (thank you Ken & co).
4/ We have stern ladders but as the large buoy was blocking this I thought it best to exit via the starboard side and into the dinghy waiting below. I tied the dinghy to the winch and a cleat. Ellen wanted to get down the ladders at the stern though. I took off the ropes and brought the dinghy manually to the rear but as the buoy was in the way I could not get the dinghy all the way to reach it so Ellen had to lean one of her legs out but every time she did so she ended up pushing the dinghy away and doing the splits. This attempt to board the dinghy was tried about 5 times until one large push from Ellens leg caused the rope in my hand to come free and the dinghy drifted away. This was our only means of getting back ashore and my heart sank.. With the dinghy drifting away I panicked and survival instincts kicked in. I stripped off to my boxers, dived in and recovered the dinghy which by now was being blown down the bay. Dripping wet I go the dinghy back to Sunbeam and stepped back aboard. Ellen found it quite amusing and couldn't wait to tell all and sundry when we got ashore. It was my fault I should have secured the dinghy and I have learned never to do that again /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
So an eventful launch I'm sure you will agree. All we need now is the rain to stop! I think we need to practice, practice, practice. Had a lovely meal at CYC and the sun was out so it was quite a nice day, apart from above events. At least she is in the water now so we can start using her.
