Thames Valley Rally

[DogsBody]

Yes I have tried making a B25 go astern - used to have one - with lots of throttle and full rudder I could just about get it to steer in reverse but much better to go forward to get it pointed where you want it then whack it in reverse as I'm sure you've found out.

Outdrives get a lot of stick but on a small boat give you much better control, missing your old boat at all?

As for the boat handling, there was a boat entered (think it was from HMYC) that is smaller than yours and did quite well if I remember correctly, so size or lack of cleats is no excuse!

Darren.

 

[Brayman]

Thanks for putting up the photographs and I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was good to meet you although I unfortunately had little time to spend with you, but we can make up for that at Byron's. I'm also glad to hear that Bray looked after you well.

I have a few photographs when I get time to download them - including one to prove the Forum flag made it.

We were very lucky with the weather, when we arrived at the boat on Thursday afternoon the river was up about 1'6" and flowing like a torrent through Sonning. The lockkeepers EARNT THEIR MONEY and our praise by shifting most of it through Thrusday night so come Friday morning it had gone down about a foot and we got quickly down to Henley for the set up. Only one Red board en route.

Clearing up in the rain is getting to be the norm, at least it makes us a get a move on!

Thanks to all who supported us. Looks like we are close to breaking even at first glance.

 

[No Regrets]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I have tried making a B25 go astern - used to have one - with lots of throttle and full rudder I could just about get it to steer in reverse but much better to go forward to get it pointed where you want it then whack it in reverse as I'm sure you've found out.

Outdrives get a lot of stick but on a small boat give you much better control, missing your old boat at all?

As for the boat handling, there was a boat entered (think it was from HMYC) that is smaller than yours and did quite well if I remember correctly, so size or lack of cleats is no excuse!

Darren.

[/ QUOTE ]

Full astern is going to go down well with the judges it it? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

yep, pointing and reversing is the only sane way I have been able to use in confined spaces without destroying all the surrounding boats and other hardware....

The little cruiser 'Fuschia' won a couple of prizes, despite the graunchy reverse gear, but appeared to have been 'skippered' not by the lady at the helm, but the confident looking gent on the bows (I may be totally wrong here though)
She was a pretty little thing (Fuschia) with a sweet paintjob, but was crying out for an old White Johnson o/b to complete the picture IMHO.

I miss a couple of aspects of Shamby: the comfy dual seated helm, inch perfect manoevability (I would have entered her! Honest guv) and high freeboard with the lovely resultant visibility, notwithstanding she's lovely to be aboard on a toasty day.
I don't miss the boat per se, as I still own her, and walk past her each week on the sales pontoon /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

No Regrets is still better overall, despite costing a third of the price. She's great to sleep in, and easy to helm in most circumstances. I still can't believe the condition she's in for thirty years!

Nice meeting you by the way Darren /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Ian, I'll bring some Sausages /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[jaws]

I've just got back to Teddington after a lovely hot and sunny few days. It was great to meet you and I'm glad we made you feel welcome. Sorry I was also too busy running around like a fly with a blue posterior to spend a lot of time with you. This is certainly one of the liveliest TVRs I can remember especially as SWMBO had to be fished out of the drink at 2am after one too many!

I hope to see you again next year.

 

[Brayman]

Oh Andy, I thought we were going to keep quiet about that!

Anyway, many thanks to Claire & Sally from MBM for sharing their photographs with us:
www.ybw.com/gallery/Thames-Valley-Rally-2008

Can't see my boat on there, I'll be having words!

 

[No Regrets]

I was awoken on Saturday by the crew of Blue thunder, a little ~ahem~ worse for wear.

I was contemplating having to use my escape hatch to fish one of them out, but like true Boaters, they managed after the umpteenth attempt to negotiate the bank, a Birchwood Commando's tricky gunwhales, and got home safely /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I was glad, the water was a/ cold b/ wet /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[apollo]

[ QUOTE ]
Can't see my boat on there, I'll be having words!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats cos you never entered!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[No Regrets]

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Hmmmmm...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif