Time to start planning

[MedDreamer]

Up at the boat on Saturday and it was glorious, made me start thinking and planning for the year ahead. My cruising plans for the coming year are limited by the boundries of Lake Windermere but this will be my first full season and my ambitions for the year are:

1) Spend as much time as possible on the boat.
2) Improve boat handling skills - especially using the anchor. (Not bad at mooring)
3) Day Skipper Theory
4) Learn more about routine & preventative maintenance.

What plans do you all have for the coming year? New boat? new places to visit? revisit old favourites?

Come on lets hear from you or am I the only one getting excited?










<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[DavidJ]

Getting excited this end also. Boat in Sardinia, so this year going up to Elbe and down the Italian coast towards and maybe to winter in Sicily.
Things to improve:
- My stern-to berthing technique with a cross wind (even slight) is still poor ...must do better!!!
David

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[MedDreamer]

David

I'm jealous of both your boat and location. Hope you have a great year

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[syd]

Yes I'm mulling over the charts and almanac in itchy anticipation of the coming season. After buying this boat in October I only managed to use it for two weeks before it came out for the winter, she's back in the water on April 1st. I've got all the fun of learning the handling characteristics and perfomance, can't wait! Hoping to vist France, IOW, Burnham, Bradwell and Upper Thames this year. Roll on summer.
Syd


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[Happy1]

Well I am definately excited. As someone new to boating I have had a steep learning curve as to be safe there is a lot to learn. I have now entered a world that I knew existed but never had the inclination to explore it, I must say that having dipped my toe in I am hooked already. I think it is the sense of challenge, achievements, freedom and choice that does it for me. I see it as a hobby that can involve the whole family, is healthy and good for team building.

I must say that I cannot understand why some parts of it are so expensive, as this may deter others, on the other hand if everyone had a boat we would have problems getting moorings /forums/images/icons/wink.gif. And the already busy waters in some areas could become almost unusable. I have chosen Chatham for personal reasons, but with a trailer will also have the benefit of the South Coast.

My theory training is now finished, I have done my powerboat level 2 and VHF course, it is just a matter of waiting for delivery to get that all important practical experience. There will be no rush as this will be part of the enjoyment of our new found hobby. Safety on my boat will be the main criteria, I would never forgive myself if I ever did anything foolish or through ignorance that put my family at risk. You must learn by others mistakes as much as you can, life is too short, although there is no doubt I will have my own. Sharing these experiences somewhere such as this forum is a great way of helping others.



<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Steve_D]

'Went down to see the boat on Sunday and felt only slightly guilty at finding my boat partner anti-fouling away in the sunshine.

With a bit on luck we will be back in the water in a couple of weeks. I can see the local islands (Herm, Sark and Alderney) from the canteen at work and will have to work hard at resisting the urge to make a break for freedom over the coming months.

I wonder if I could pass off a beer trip to herm as a team building exercise...Hmmm.

My brother, who has a diving workboat is up for a few trips down to Jersey or across to France in the summer so that could be fun.


Regards

Steve D

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[banus]

well you did ask

I am going to Marbella on Friday. Arrive about 9 pm. Straight to the local restaraunt for a nice dinner and a few whiskeys. Saturday 9.30 am arrive at Marina Marbella to collect my new boat. Searay 240 sundancer. Watch the boat being craned in and then 3 hours with a proper (ish) sea captain to show me the ropes (sorry warps). Then he comes with me to puerto Banus to moor the boat for the first time and fix the lengths of the warpy thingies. SWMBO then arrives with a bottle of fizzie stuff to wet the boats head. and heads. Siesta on the boat .
I know nobody likes a smart arse but how exciting is that. O, and I checked the forecast and they say 22 degrees.

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: well you did ask

Now that I've renewed an exhaust riser, repaired a manifold, fitted a new water pump and all inlet hoses, 3 fuel lines, fitted a jet/gasket kit to one carb, I finally have BOTH my BMW ENGINES running (for the moment anyway!).

Not much cash left for petrol now /forums/images/icons/smile.gif, so I'm looking forward to my first decent trip to bring the boat back from winter moorings at Throne nr Doncaster, to S Ferriby on the Humber. Doesn't quite sound as glam and romantic as Puerto Banus /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif, but I'll really push-the-boat-out with a trip up the Ouse to York and maybe onto Ripon as soon as I can get the time off work (and assuming the BM's hold out!).

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>Oh well, maybe next weekend....</font color=blue>

 

[[2574]]

we've got five months off this summer - we're leaving Poole at Easter and bound to the Channel Islands, St Malo, River Rance, Lezardrieux, Treguier, Treburden, L'Aberwrach, Brest, Morgat, Benodet, Morbihan, Vannes, La Rochelle, Rochefort, Isles of Scilly, Helford, Falmouth and back to home port at Plymouth. I just can't concentrate on this business plan and funding proposal that I'm doing today! (not necessarily in that order and apologies for the spelling!)



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[longjohnsilver]

Lucky chap!! NM

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[Bejasus]

Simple really. Try to visit every pub on the Broads this year................../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/h00>http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/h00</A>

 

[Divemaster1]

I will :

1) Spend next week out of Hamble doing my Coastal Skipper Practical.

2) Charter a 40ft Nimbus in Norway in July, cruising the fjords and some of the 1000's of islands in the area of "Ryfylke" around Stavanger.

3) Probably charter something in Spain in October.

4) Plan a purchase for 2004, so will spend some time this year putting together a realistic spec., and expectations of what we need.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alf

 

[HowardB]

Getting excited as you say.
Boat is out of the water at Shotley. Not yet got to know the East coast, and if I'm lucky, I won't get the chance to. The long term plan is to move berthing to Altea, Costa Brava later in the Summer by road or (as SWMBO prefers!!) by sea. Not too keen on the sea route though it could be a great adventure. SWMBO must have great faith in me. We've only been boating at sea for one season!
Like you, a Med Dreamer, hopefully with a Med result.


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[DavidJ]

Re: well you did ask

Excellent, have a great time
David

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[MedDreamer]

Re: well you did ask

My local is the Ship Inn at Acaster Malbis just above Naburn lock. If you like PM me when you are in this neck of the woods and we could meet for a drink

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

 

[DavidJ]

Forget the dangerous stuff, put it on a lorry and get on down to the Med.
David

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[Renegade_Master]

Re: I will :

D1 You can always try us for the October charter in Spain Fairline 50 or Sealine F36 very competetive rates too. seriously PM me if our interested

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[HowardB]

Thanks David, I do agree.
SWMBO thinks it would be a good jolly. I know (a) how far it is, (b) how long it would take, which would eat into 'enjoying the Med' time, and (c) as you say, how dangerous it can potentially be. I'm not that experienced so I will start looking for a haulier when the mooring etc is sorted. Thanks for the support which will help to dissuade SWMBO of her follies!
Howard

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: well you did ask

Your on.

It's nice to discover that the forums not totally centred around the Solent/Thames.

Trouble is, if I need a tow, I guess your Bayliner's on Windermere /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

Martyn (that could get a bit confusing!)

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>Oh well, maybe next weekend....</font color=blue>

 

[Renegade_Master]

Re: MedDreamer

Great thread MD, speaking as an ex MD, I can confirm that planning is all I seem to be doing at the moment. Out next week to collect F36 from Menorca to Costa Del Sol, complete coding and get both boats RYA stamped, then commence the Sea School. Hang on a minute Med Dreamer / Sea School what better place for you to take your ICC / Day Skip practical.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>