Swanwick to Dartmouth trip

[Martxer]

So earlier this year we decided to from Swanwick to Dartmouth. Having only been boating for 2 seasons doing the trip myself felt a bit beyond my skill level so I asked for re commendations for an assisted delivery skipper. Along with suggestions I got an offer from forum member Colhel who said he would help.

I decided to take Colin up on his generous offer and we spoke a few times to discuss the plan keeping a close eye on the weather it was decided Sunday 2nd April was good to go.

It was an early start Sunday in order to get to Portland Bill for slack water 10am.After filling the tanks we set off at 7:30 it was calm and quiet down the river but we came across a couple of motor boats just exiting Cowes. The journey down the Solent was happily uneventful we exited through the inside passage and looking over to the needles we could see water breaking over the bridge.

 

[Martxer]

We followed the cost round to Portland to get some shelter from the wind also giving us chance to take in the stunning coastline including curdle door.We arrived at the bill bang on 10am where Colin contacted the ncw on the radio asking how the inside passage and Lyme bay was. We were given the thumbs up and was told that Lyme bay was looking good. The inside passage around Portland was fine and once round it was time for a brew this ended up like a generation game challenge trying to get coffee from the flask to the cup.
Crossing Lyme bay proved to be fairly bumpy which knocked out the chart plotter proving having backups to be a must.The crossing remained bumpy until we were about 8 miles out at that point the sea calmed and the sun came out making the rest of the journey a pleasure. As we approached the river a seal popped up to welcome us.The scenery up the river to moss was stunning.

 

[matt8442]

I love to read these, hearing people’s exploits as I plan my own Summer to come. Interesting to hear how crossing Lyme bay went, even though it was reported as ok. Thanks for taking the time and effort to post your trip on here, enjoyable reading. It’s a shame now that I’m at the end of it. Roll on your next chapter…

 

[Martxer]

Big thanks to Colhel for his help

 

[colhel]

Big thanks to Colhel for his help

It was good fun. Thanks for letting me tag along!

 

[colhel]

A couple of screenshots from Navionics.

 

[Bajansailor]

A wonderful cruise report!
And your Merry Fisher looks very nice as well.
Merry Fisher 895 | Jeanneau Boats

 

[harvey38]

Nice report, thanks for sharing, any idea what knocked your chart plotter out and did the fault rectify itself?

 

[Elessar]

So earlier this year we decided to from Swanwick to Dartmouth. Having only been boating for 2 seasons doing the trip myself felt a bit beyond my skill level so I asked for re commendations for an assisted delivery skipper. Along with suggestions I got an offer from forum member Colhel who said he would help.

I decided to take Colin up on his generous offer and we spoke a few times to discuss the plan keeping a close eye on the weather it was decided Sunday 2nd April was good to go.

It was an early start Sunday in order to get to Portland Bill for slack water 10am.After filling the tanks we set off at 7:30 it was calm and quiet down the river but we came across a couple of motor boats just exiting Cowes. The journey down the Solent was happily uneventful we exited through the inside passage and looking over to the needles we could see water breaking over the bridge.

View attachment 154362View attachment 154364

Bet you haven’t got any beer left. Other helpers are more economical miles per gallon wise

Boat looks lovely. Thanks for sharing and you’ve got me thinking about my summer trip now!

 

[colhel]

Even though this was a delivery trip we thought we'd make it as interesting as possible, hence the choice of passage. I don't think it added much time to the journey but it did mean the timing around Portland Bill needed careful planning.
Even though at times it was lumpy and uncomfortable, the boat always felt secure. We also had the advantage of excellent visibility which meant helming was less mentally tiring, I'm sure I could pick out the Dartmouth day mark from about 20 miles away.

 

[Martxer]

Nice report, thanks for sharing, any idea what knocked your chart plotter out and did the fault rectify itself?

Due to the slamming the cables came out the back of the plotter. I am at the boat this weekend and will take a picture if it helps someone else

 

[Martxer]

 

[Martxer]

View attachment 154467

Where it’s shaded yellow is where it became unclipped

 

[colhel]

That looks like the main clip that holds the plotter to its mount. We've got the same plotter and it's designed to be easily removed leaving the mount on the boat which also supplies power and nmea data to the plotter. It could be that there's something restricting the plotter from pushing back into mount correctly.
Here's our mount with the plotter removed which will help explain.
Caveat.. unless yours is different

 

[sailorman]

Thank

We followed the cost round to Portland to get some shelter from the wind also giving us chance to take in the stunning coastline including curdle door.We arrived at the bill bang on 10am where Colin contacted the ncw on the radio asking how the inside passage and Lyme bay was. We were given the thumbs up and was told that Lyme bay was looking good. The inside passage around Portland was fine and once round it was time for a brew this ended up like a generation game challenge trying to get coffee from the flask to the cup.
Crossing Lyme bay proved to be fairly bumpy which knocked out the chart plotter proving having backups to be a must.The crossing remained bumpy until we were about 8 miles out at that point the sea calmed and the sun came out making the rest of the journey a pleasure. As we approached the river a seal popped up to welcome us.The scenery up the river to moss was stunning.View attachment 154367View attachment 154368View attachment 154369
View attachment 154365

You

 

[Martxer]

That looks like the main clip that holds the plotter to its mount. We've got the same plotter and it's designed to be easily removed leaving the mount on the boat which also supplies power and nmea data to the plotter. It could be that there's something restricting the plotter from pushing back into mount correctly.
Here's our mount with the plotter removed which will help explain.
Caveat.. unless yours is different

Yea that’s the same clip

 

[colhel]

I have to be quite brutal to remove ours. Difficult to advise in case it causes a breakage. But, pulling that clip down quite firmly you'll be able to pull the plotter off from the top (dashboard). To replace it, locate the bottom of the plotter in the mount and push firmly on the top, against the clip.