Trip in the new toy!

[cngarrod]

Quick report on the voyage back from Rochester to Ipswich in my Falcon 23 SPC..... first off, let me get one thing clear.. it was fantastic!

SWMBO drove me and 2 mates down on wednesday to get a couple of jobs done (fit O/B bracket & install VHF) and generally have a bit of fun!

Fish and chips from the local fine fast food establishment very tasty!

Uneventful night on board as we slept until 0600 thursday morning when Mate #1 moved forward and fell out of the bed... i jumped and hit my head on bulkhead, rapidly progressed by Mate #2 rolling about laughing!

Purchased a few spares for the trip - just in case - fuelled up (£££££ouch!!!!!) and set off at about 10.15 up the river to the north sea..

Took the canopy off, cruised along at a gentle 8 knots until the Thames estuary and then opened her up a bit... comfortable cruising at 25 kts with little effort, impressed considering she was full of fuel, water, 3 blokes and luggage!

Course plotted in the Magellen, easy! water was like a mill pond - sun was shining - couldn't be better!

Slowed down a bit so i could make some lunch, that done and everyone refreshed... and time to open up again for the final leg, Walton on the Naze to Felixstowe.

Water got quite a bit choppier here, and made it real grin material - spray on the face, dipping and swaying as we went along at about 20 kts... lovely!

Final blast through the docks at 35 kts into the river and back down to 7 kts for the final leg!

Called into the lock gates to be told that there is no pontoon to moor against, just use on of the buoys against the side! Oh great i thought... only the 4th time through the Lock and no pontoon!

Got in the Lock and he said not to bother mooring up... just hold her steady! But it was great... managed to hold her steady as they let the water in bl@@dy fast!

Moored her up and rested at last.... the result was 3 grins on 3 very happy ship mates... a boat that does what i want and is very accomodating with enough space to relax, eat and sleep...

Issues / Problems... couldn't get power to the VHF, but took the hand held anyway... and i think it is low on power steering fluid.. errr... and that is it!

Otherwise... the most fun i have had with my clothes on!

and to think.. 12 months ago, i hadn't got a boat and had never navigated on the water!

Wow... i love it!!!! nice toys!

Cheers,

Craig.

 

[BarryD]

Sounds like you had a good trip - glad you didn't need the spare O/B. Well done.

The correct phraseology is "Are we insured..." NOT "Were we insured"
(IMHO, BTW FWIW and NWGOI)

 

[cngarrod]

Cheers!

Craig.

PS the O/B runs very well, haven't used it in anger but have had it running to chk the cooling system etc

 

[Guest]

Well done Craig sounds a nippy little thing, always reckoned to have good hulls
Falcons. But how do you get 4 people on her then ? must be cosy.

cneighbour

 

[cngarrod]

Not to snug!

Hi Ya,

I was surprised to be fair! The two seats on teh port and starboard areas at the stern have been slightly modified to that you can add supports and use part of the V berth back rests to make another double...

Initially i though this would be a bit too cosy - you know so close you could tell each others religion! but in reality, there is a lot of room to sit apart and enough room to sleep - am surprised!

Works for me... !

Hey i guess if i moved up to a 35 or 40 footer.. i woudl be even more impressed... but a bit BMW (Beyond my wage) at the minute!

Craig.

 

[Gludy]

Congratulations - great to hear the report.

Also helps me confirm that I am not all mad by myself with getting such pleasure out of my new toy.

Please report all progress as it is a bit like living it out with you.

Continue to have a great time!


Paul

 

[julianl]

Craig,

Congratulations! Your post got me thinking, in particular the line "and to think.. 12 months ago, i hadn't got a boat and had never navigated on the water!". I am in a similar position to where you were 12 months ago (well actually, probably even before that). I've started a thread entitled "How did you get hooked?". I'd be really interested to hear your (and other's) stories. More details of my situation are given in my "How did you get hooked?" post.

- Julian

 

[coliholic]

Well done Craig, sounds like a really good first trip. Hope the rest are all as good. Gets in your blood doesn't it?

Bet you can't wait to get down there again.

Enjoy it.

 

[kghowe]

You never forget that first time out. I did it year before last but its still special. You know that feeling of the hairs standing up on the back of your neck as you nudge the throttles forward for the first time on your own boat. Inspirational writing. If you ever venture south let me know!

Kevin