Traveling afar

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This is all rather addictive isn't it. As I have explained in my other post I have just purchased a Moonraker motorboat. Its seems rather large and felt quiet safe on my first trip from Weymouth. What I would like to ask, in your opinion, do you think it would be possible to cross the channel in it. What would I need to take with me. It does have some equipment already on the vessel.
There are some life jackets on there already. Some are nice new yellow ones and one or two are sort of brown in colour. These do look so good. Theres bits of cork showing through the fabric. There is a pistol and some flares. It is a bit rusty. I've been told by one of the sailing chaps that this is no longer allowed. So I gave it to my locla firearms chap from the police. What would I use if I needed to fire off a flare.
The boat itself has a radar fitted, but that amkes a bit of a noise when its switched on. So I think that will have to be looked at. There is also a Decca system, but I can't seem to get that to work. It just says 'error' all the time. There is an echo sounder depth gauge wich seems to work fine. The only thing that I can't work out is that it reads in fathoms, but all the maps that came with the boat says the depths are in metres.
There is a compass on above the steering wheel which seems to work ok. Thats about as far as I have got with looking around the boat so far. What else would you collectivley suggest that in need to out on the boat.

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I see from your other post that your based in Poole. I frequent the area most weekends. Be glad to meet up for a chin wag and a pint. Always admired Moonrakers since I was a kid.

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Wot sort of maps?

If they are more than 4 miles to the inch I'd scrap em and replace with the later 3 mile versions.

The decca is a great bit of kit, will soon ahve a scarcity value so definitely keep it. Cork lifejackets are very useful for half finished bottles of wine (or so I'm told, have always managed to finish mine).

There's a few regulars such as Barry down your way, think you'll get along well.

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Your boat sounds fine and very sea worthy. I would however suggest the following changes. Dump the DEECA system unfortunatly, as it went out of fashion some years ago. The life jacket system seems quite close to my own. For get the pistol thingy. The French although a bit of a pain, have recently been house trained. Fathoms is very roughly two metres. Apart from the above you can easily cross the channel

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 
The brown and cork variety are waypoints. Chuck them overboard every so often, then when you need to go home to can follow your route back.

If you cannot see the waypoints in the dark, fire off the pistol which will give you a good bit of visibility

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I really don't know what way it turns. I looks as if its fixed to a metal tower. Its just a white disc, which I would say is about 3 feet in diameter and approx 12 or 14 inches in depth. If it turns I'm sure I would have seen it. It does have the name Fruno on the front of it.

Mr Longjohnsilver. I feel that I'm being the butt of a private joke. If I am please let me be a party to it. I can laugh at myself as well as the next man. Your information so far has been very helpful.

hlb, yes the chap that carried out the pre purchase inspection said that the boat was from a good stable. I've not been able to find too much out about it so far. A lot of people have heard the name, but are unable to tell me who built the boat. It doe's have a very striking appearence.
Its a shame that the Decca is now obsolete. It seems a sophisticated piece of apparatus. Is there anyway that it can be adapted to work. I understand that it used to source its position from radio stations.

Thank you for the information.

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Two web sites about the Moonraker range;
http://www.moonraker.dk/english/about_moonraker/about_moonraker.htm

It might help you understand a little more before inflicting yourself on the rest of the boating public. You are clearly in need of help prior to going out in your boat. If you are leaving from Poole, please give us all advance warning so we can keep clear and advice the coastguard you are going out so they can be on standby - you have found the VHF?. That's a radio by the way, but you will need to pass a course to operate that! Mind you, this could all just be a wind up/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun
 
It is very easy to get scared when you first start boating, The best advise [may sound boring] is Find an instructor or experienced person and spend 3 or 4 days getting to know your boat. You would then enjoy boating.
you see boats are not like cars. they can go backwards , forward , sidways and up and down. It sometimes feels like they are doing it all at once!
It would be a shame if a nice boat like yours never got to go out of the marina because you had had a fright,
CJ

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Unfortunately I think there are those amongst us that are having a bit of fun at your expense. They’re not a bad lot really and it is Friday.

However back to the real stuff. I believe that Colin Chapman designed the Moonraker in the 70’s and that there were several models and versions. Most were powered by Perkins diesel engines. The person to get all the details from on this forum is Byron. He’s the font of knowledge when it comes to the history and pedigree of almost anything afloat and a good bloke as well so give him a PM.

The Moonraker was designed for river and coastal use and if it’s in good condition and the engines are looked after it will eat channel crossings. But like all crossings you must keep an eye on the weather. Go in company for the first few trips just to get used to it.

The radar sounds a bit ancient and getting parts and service for it may be a problem.. The Decca navigator system has been scrapped so there are no signals for it to hear so retire it to a warm dark place. When taken into account with your charts, echo sounder, and navigator, it may be worth considering a combined radar / chart plotter / fish finder / GPS package. Have a punt around there are some good deals about if you pinch the dealer hard enough.

You need a firearms certificate to keep a flare pistol so you’ve done the right thing in getting rid of it. Buy a new offshore flare pack and remember that they have a finite life and should be changed on the expiry date.

Life jackets of unknown history and condition are potential killers. The channel is a bloody big place, even a strong swimmer’s ability to stay afloat is only minutes out there. Buy some new automatic jackets. It’s a small price to pay for being alive when help arrives.

Two things you haven’t mentioned that really should be high on the list. Training and a good VHF radio. Training is a must. Not for legal reasons (yet) but for your own safety and that of your crew I apologise if I’m insulting you but the RYA coastal training should be number 1 on the list. The radio is there to call for assistance if required and sometimes it’s just nice to hear that somebody else is around.

It’s not all doom and gloom you can pace your purchases to suit the bank balance and with a little care still enjoy the boating The training is better than watching Eastenders all winter and may help with the insurance premiums.

Best of luck with it all

ChrisP


<hr width=100% size=1>What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!
 
Moonraker line used to be built in Brundall in Norfolk, about 100yds away from the Broom factory. Sounds like your boat has been neglected for a long time if the condition of the safety and navigation equipment is anything to judge by. I would suggest that you start a very thorough maintenance / deep investigation of all your equipment before you get out of sight of land. shore course over winter, and sail in company as much as possible to start with.

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Mr P. Thankyou for your knowledgable input. Yes the boat does have a two way radio, although I think that Freddy, the fishernans son, did inadvertantly catch the aerial on the bridge as we came under it. Its just another list of little jobs that will need attending to.
I think that the boat might be a bit too big to use on the river that we have near here. As we came into the marina there was an awful grating sound. Freddy said not to worry too much as we were only "stirring the mud". I'm not sure what he meant, but he seemed to be quite at ease with it.
The radar is quite interesting. There is a viewing screen at head hight. You put your face quite close to it, in a sort of mask. I cannot work out what I'm actually looking at. There just seems to be blobs randomly spread across the screen. Its not unlike a TV screen.
I think I will have to take some advise in the not to distant future. Freddy has been a great help so far. Apart from the time a chap in a sailing dinghy came somewhat close. He had a few words to say to him, I can tell you!
Theres a chap here that works on one of the lifeboats. He seems very capable in all thing relating to boats. I think his job title is Coxsun, or sum such. He has offered to show me the ropes. I have plenty of time on my hands now that I have retired, so I think your advice regarding some training will be followed.
Freddy seems to be as keen as mustard. For one so young he does know an awful lot about boats and their uses. A colourful character if ever you met one. I do take exception to his turn of phrase now and then. In my day a chap just wouldn't think about using language like that. I suppose one must expect it, seeing as he comes from a rather "colourful" family background.

Solitare, thankyou for the link to the Moonraker site. The internet is a wealth of information. I can now see why my secretary was so good at coming up with answers for problems that I posed her. I think that my boat must be a later version. As it has the sliding doors with an aft bedroom. There is also a steering wheel on top of the cabin. I think that using that would be rather cold at this time of year. Although Freddy seemed to like steering from up there. That was until I moved the levers for then engine in advertantly. He used some more of his "colourful" language. I must admit it was totally by accident. I was just putting down my drink before taking his up too him.
Thankyou once again for all your help. I'd better go now as I've an appointment with the engineer chap at the harbour.



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The Plymouth lads travelling afar

ChrisP, I can't believe I'm reading this! The boat is called "Peeler" for chrisssakes! :-)

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Re: The Plymouth lads travelling afar

Even from 12,000 miles away I think I can sense some getting down to the winter entertainments already.

John

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Re: The Plymouth lads travelling afar

Mr jfm, I do not understand what you mean. The name of the boat was already there when I purchased it. From speaking to the agents acting on behalf of the deceased owner. The name was derived from the business activity that he carried out. If my memory sevres, he was in the catering business. I am quite sure the agent said he owned and operated a chain of fish and chip shops. Which when you think about it was proberbly quite apt.
I would be open to suggestions for a new name, although I have been informed that it carries bad luck. Have you any thoughts on the subject. I really must go now. I do hate to keep the engineer chap hanging about. He seems to charge an awful lot for his hourly rate.

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This has got to be a wind up....

shawtayloratv81.jpg


his catch phrased was "keep them peeled."

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boating-ads.co.uk> Boating Website</A>
 
Re: The Plymouth lads travelling afar

II think I've lost the plot or dropped the ball here. I cant see the link with the name Peeler. We had the explanation that it was owned by a Fish and chip man. (An honoured profession admired by those returning from a clod sea trip). Alternatives could have included:-
A fisherman, as a Peeler is a young crab shedding it's shell.
A Policeman, named after Sir Robert Peel.
Alternatively it could be a boat known to yourself and thereby you are refering to an opinion of which I have no knowledge.

Please, enlighten me as I cannot see the relationship with what I honestly considered to a reasonable response to the original question.

ChrisP :o))

P.S. Shawn, it sounds like your radar is a Decca 050 or similar. Great in their day but compared with modern gear it's steam age. Cherish the relationship with the lifeboat coxwain they are the true kings of the sea. May you only meet him when your feet are firmly planted on the ground.

CP.

<hr width=100% size=1>What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!
 
keep up at the back

Sorry, it seen better if look at this thread and the "new to all this" one together. Both from the Plymouth posse, LJS and Haydn. ShawTaylor is (was) a TV police chap, Peeler is copper. Nowt to do wiv fishnchips

General comment: Any text that stops. Mid sentence and. Then begins a new sentence. Just like. That for no. Reason must have been. Written by Haydn :-)

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