SV2 on walk about, pt3 - The Forumites

[Coupe]

We had only just arrived at Holyhead Marina from Douglas IoM and along arrived MartynK and his beautiful wife, quickly followed by Kawasaki and and his not so beautiful mate Majorcatastrophe. The two ladies (no not Kwacker and Major) russelled up some tea and sarnies for the great un-washed as we swapped stories of storm force winds and high seas and the big fish that got away.

Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth I enlisted all as crew while we took SV2 over to the fuel berth for a quick splash of fuel. I thought I heard a grumble from the Major about taking orders from a Captain however he didn’t make an issue out of it. The high pressure had arrived at last – no not the pressure of reversing into the berth being witnessed by mobo experts but the weather…

Nobody seemed to have a problem with my suggestion to go out for a quick run out so after taking on 1000 litres off we go again…

Name the forumites…

Late for dinner? ...

Flat Holyhead Bay…

“Look Major, there’s fish over there”…

The Skerries ahead…

“ I wonder how many motorbikes he can jump over with a 20 ton boat?”…

“Now, where is that island again ? – he should have gone to Specsavers…

The eddies just starting off again as the tide squeezes between The Skerries and Carmel Head…

Windswept and interesting…

Mrs K putting the boot down. This lady only knows one speed – WOT (that’s about £250 you owe me Martyn), un-fortunately SV2 is down on speed at WOT so you will have to have another go Mrs K…

Heading back in to Holyhead…

Bloody paparazzi are everywhere…

Are the natives always in such a hurry ?...

A nice Azimut 42/46? – jeez, I’m such an anorak…

“we don’t have to do this in Alcudia”…

Time to park up for the night, a little bit of pressure again being watched so closely as I turned, reveresd down the fairway and backed around to the right into the berth.
SV2 parked up for the night…

Nice pics of a “Wicked Lady” and Holyhead Moorings in the evening sunshine as we headed out for a lovely meal as guests of MartynK and Mrs K, thanks again guys – ah, forget the £250 Martyn, we’re quits…

We had made plans to cruise through The Straits the next day with great thanks to Kawasaki who was happy to show off his home patch. This was going to be very interesting.
The next morning I heard a knock on the hull, jeez I thought, Kawasaki was being a bit too keen as it was only 08:30. I got up just in time to see LittleShip walking down the pontoon. I followed him down to his fabulous boat, a Grand Banks 35/36? As she took on fuel. I was still half asleep but was soon into my stride blabbering away as Mrs LittleShip made me a cuppa. After about 15 mins he was topped up for his run to Abersoch. How much fuel did he take on – only about 150 litres, crikey – I thought the pump had failed. It takes me about 90 mins to tank up at Malahide! He was soon away and LittleShip looked fantastic in the morning sunshine as she made her way around all the gleaming GRP. I have never seen a name to suit a boat so well. Sorry I didn’t bring the camera folks.

I popped back to SV2 and found poor Mrs SV feeling unwell. We decided to postpone the run through the Straits and just laze about for the day allowing her time to recover. Anyway, the weekend had been a bit hectic so far so a day off was no harm. This was the chance I needed to wash SV2 down and after a couple of hours she was looking her best again…
(Thanks for the understanding Kawasaki, we’ll do it again soon).

MartynK and The Major should be along soon with their input……

 

[Nautical]

Brilliant pics Mick! sorry the IOM leg was pants weather and the berth not up to much but its all the spice of boating suppose (well thats my excuse /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Looks like you had a brilliant time shame I couldn't make it over with you but SIBS and Cannes stuff put paid to that /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Have to admit as much as it pains me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif SVII is a cracking looking machine, best choice in my opinion (just don't let anyone hear I said that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[B175Chris]

Brilliant story and pictures as usual /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


I have to say, SV II is absolutely gorgeous! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DoubleVision]

Can we have our High pressure back please? You jammy sssausages --its like a mill pond up there!!

 

[Coupe]

Whatcher on about, we were happy in the outer harbour. Had a bit of crack with Robert and crew.

They looked after SV2 while we went walk about in Douglas.

I could have berthed against the wall in the marin but then I would have to get up early to catch the bridge lift.

All in all, it worked out very well thank you.

SV2 heading to 2 years old and we are getting to love her even more - she is a cracker. She has been totally reliable so far but a bit thirsty on the go go juice.

 

[Coupe]

Thanks Chris.

DV: the next high pressure hits the Irish Sea about...















now /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Major Catastrophe]

We must have been looking through the same camera, as my pics are surprisingly similar.

Anyway, I arrived and introduced myself by flashing my driving licence and asking whether the 'Forriners' had cleared immigration. The next moment, as I have already mentioned elsewhere, I was scoffing delicious chicken doorstops and quaffing tea, whilst Mick kept us entertained.

However, I think he has got the wrong idea about us British, as he keeps his TV hidden behind the furnture. Mind you, he may have spotted a TV licence van earlier, rather than being afraid we would make off with it. In fact, I felt so guilty, I quietly replaced the Fairline supplied cutlery I had hidden in my pockets.

While 32 different plans for the day were discussed, I went up to the flybridge and after realising that everything was well and truly screwed down, I took this nice picture of Little Ship.

She's a little beauty and as neat as a new pin.

Next, with Mick trying to knock the new crew into some semblance of order - a sea captain always outranks a major - we went round to the fuel berth, which is quite a tight fit and was the first time SV had been reversed into a berth. "1,000 litres, my good man." Pipes up Mick to the Marina chappy, whilst doling out Budweisers to the lifeboatmen in the next berth. Well, they deserved it, polishing a hulking great orange thing on a hot day.

So, this is what 50 foot looks like.

Re-fuelling over, and promising to pop back later to pay, we set off out of the harbour, musing at the locals all going everywhere at full chat.

Martynk concentrating hard, but I don't think he quite had his tongue out!

Kwakers was in charge of navigation, with Mrs SV - out of shot - supervising.

Mind you, the girls did spend a lot of time nattering.

Eventually it was Kawasakis turn to drive.

In this shot he is wondering if he has ever knocked the top off this rock before.

It's okay, as the rest of us were looking were he was going.

I had a drive, which was immense fun and then Mrs Martynk took over, with Mick encouraging her to throw the boat around a bit.

A grand day out in great company, so thanks to all of you.

It's a pity we never got to scrape the wing mirrors through the trees alongside the Swellies, but it is something we can all look forward to another time.

Finally, as he hasn't already posted this picture, I think Mick wanted Haydn to see this encouraging picture of a satisfied fully remote controlled bow/stern and everything in between thruster gadget user.

EDIT:
Arghh! We both posted the pic!

 

[hlb]

Think I'm going to have a look back up north. Soon as Mucky Farter gets better. Might even stay there.

Little Ship is indead wonderfull, been aboard her a couple of times.

I'd be flumuksed with bow and stern thrusters. I only have two hands. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Best method, is get a decent mooring in the first place. Then it's all nice and easy.

 

[Kawasaki]

It was a Cracking Afternoon.
It was Cracking flags.
With some Cracking Forumites
Avin a right good Crack.
SV 2 is a Cracker.


"Shall We av a Crack at a trip round the Bay and back in time for Tea?" said Skip.
I thought, "This Guy must be Crackers with this lot on board"!
Anyway there werent much in the way of sarnies left by now , so a quick Forum collective descision was made and Yes was the answer.
So as posted pictured, off to the fuel pontoon.
Cracking bit of parking considering it was "Yer Man's" first go at backwards.
Irish and Backwards!, Saying Nowt

Yeh ,1000 litres to top Up!
Yep, it takes a while.
Yep "Yer Man" was feeding Buds to the Lifeboat Crew.
Bit risky I thought , never know when yer need those Guys!

"Better get Crack on" a Voice jerked everyone into Life again.
With the unusual Sun and heat + all the Borrocks being exchanged, the Voice was right, time was cracking on.

"Yer Man" pootled SV 2 out towards the Breakwater.
No sooner than yer could say "Scutlebutt "Martynk was on the Helm!

It soon became obvious He had handled a similar craft before.
I was grinning inwardly.
Fair play I thought to Myself
Yer see folks, the first time I met Mr ad Mrs M was only 3/4 years ago when I helped Them berth their 20 ft Maxum in Port Dinorwic! Quite some progress has been made since then!

I thought I,d better get cracking as the nav man, cos what with all the Borrocks going on + yer couldn't hear the vhf cos of the noise of shutters clicking and Wives cackling!
Somebody had to "keep a sharp look " out etc.
"There's summat up with this Chart", I thought but IT, was an excess portion of chicken sandwich that was impersonating "A wreck 1 metre at LAT"!
Not suprising really, with all the stuffed mouths, talking Borrocks all at once!

"Der wanna go"? said a Voice.
I had too think for a while----- 1.1 millisecond later I was on the Helm.
Now I didn't mention I'd had never driven owt very big or worth any more than £18!
The Borrocks I had been spewing out must have worked.
I kept a close look at the chart all the time.
Fascinating, never used one before!
Well I don't go far, just up and down the Straits and here We were in Strange Waters!
Didn't crack on though!
Some squiggly looking water turned up and the depth sounder thinghy said "there's not much underneath Kwack!"
Mrs SV turned kinda Pale, the Borrocks all went quiet , "funny I thought, whose turned the Volume down"?

The Voice said "av a go Major" , used to responding to Orders, with Military prescision, We had a new helsman.
Just earlier We had noticed quite a bit of Marine life.
"There's a seal, was that a Dolphin?, look! fish jumping over there"
Strangely it was a if a "Fish free Zone" had been created, but the Major didn't notice.
The Grin was as big as a Cat from His Home County!

Then Mrs Martynk had a go.
Blimey, we're back on the 20 Maxum! thinks I .
Bllimey beggorra, I could see "Yer Man's "thoughts "That's £&*%$$* +vat Euros down the pan!
So it's back to Port after a Cracking blast about.
"Back in time for Tea", No Chance ,not a bag to be found, well with two Cheshiire
Tea slurpers and a Mick on board , what der expect?
Coffee was served, nice.
Fair play Buds were offered two.
Hospitality on this Ship is top notch Folks.
If yer ever gets alongside yer won't be short rationed fair play.
So more Borrocks is spewed.
"How many Gallons an Hour, Chortle Chortle!, 25 kts in a Force 7 is it? Snarf Snarf! "Yersee in Alcudia the weather's always like this and the Tides are non existant and beer is 3p a Pint and and .
"Well in Malahide I can park Her in the Dark Blindfolded, with one hand tied behind Me back whilst Mrs S serves up the Cranberrie , shaken but not stirred"
A Voice said.
"Didn't hit any rocks Today Kwack"
Another Voice said.
There's always a Smart A%SE!
I as usual ,kept particularly quiet.
Well I was a bit worried actually.
The thought of going through the Swellies in this big Liner thinghy, all shiney, with lectric gadgetts, two engines , sideways thinghies, Tele's that pop up from nowhere, no food left, and Strange Owners, only just met from another World, where Guiness is £0.50p a pint, small people grant You wishes ( is that more Borrocks was somebody avin Me on?) the place is coloured Emerald too they say.
Plus don't they talk funny?

Thankfully the trip did not transpire, Phew!
Thankfully Mrs SV was OK.
Thankfully. Yes Mick , thanks a lot for the run out.
Thanks too to Mart for inviting Me and SWMBO to he Barby.
Thanks to the Major for adding His piccies to the Post
Thanks Guys and Galls
It was a
Cracker!
Sorry no piccies from Me peeps.
But with those Forumites around!
Thought I would just put My verbal pictures in Your Heads and illustrate the Truth that way.
These Forum peeps.
Load of Borrocks I reckon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
K












Better

 

[oceanfroggie]

Terrific post SV2 - Well done Mick and his merry crew all! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Alistairr]

Great post as usual Mick.
We are at the airport with a 30min delay, but very much looking forward to seeing SV2 in the GRP!
Oh and of course you and June too/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers

Al.

 

[LittleShip]

"topped up for his run to Abersoch. How much fuel did he take on – only about 150 litres,

and I didn't use it all /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Now form a nice straight line with cheque books at the ready when the red goes.

Thanks for the compliments Mick!

Major............. there could be copyright invasion here! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Tom

PS She is a 32!

We dont do wake shots /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PPS Mick sorry you didn't make Abersoch..... read your PMs

 

[Coupe]

"We dont do wake shots " /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Any broaching pics then /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thats an excellent shot of LittleShip, shame about he bloke /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

We will be back, sure your only across the pond.

 

[LittleShip]

"Any broaching pics then

Not quite!!! BUT

 

[Microheavy]

Great post Mick, as usual.

By the way, someone left a load of cardboard boxes at your back door, don't tell me thats the packaging for your latest remote control !

Gary

 

[mjkinch1]

Great post Mick - I will show Mrs K when I get back tonight, plus i may have a few extra pics of you berthing!

 

[alt]

Mick - Excellent shots... but what about PFD's?! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Or are they not needed on the sea because of the extra bouyancy the salt water gives the body? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Great piccies - sorry I couldn't be there Mick. But I had been a couple of weeks before - or near enough...

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]

We dont do wake shots /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
C'mon, who was towing you that fast to get up a bow wave? Can't see the warp.

 

[LittleShip]

Had some new peddles fitted for the crew.

Tom