Watchet Visit with some photos

sb99

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Our first major cruise (To us) saw us venturing to Watchet from our base in Cardiff.

We were in a convoy of 6 boats of various sizes

We set off at 11.30 and all was well for the first half mile

Then things got a bit rougher and we had a very slow crossing due to the poor sea conditions managing only 7 Knots most of the way. Me and another boat lost the 4 bigger boats and decided to take it a bit easy.

Despite slowing both my kids were sea sick and to be honest it turned out to be a baptism of fire and had we known then what we know now we wouldn’t have attempted crossing.

Anyway we persevered and finally arrived at our destination approximately 45 minutes behind the other 4. A journey time of 2 and a half hours.

Glad we did as we met some great people and had plenty to talk about over a pint and a meal in the evening.

Our journey back was a much more pleasant experience which saw us leave out pontoon in Watchet at 11.45am and lock in at Cardiff barrage at 12.45.

Kids and wife's confidence restored /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Overall we had a great weekend and can’t wait to set out again.

Anyway here’s some photo’s

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The photo's are of us on our way back. There was no way I was asking the wife to get the camera on the way over /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 

graham

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[ QUOTE ]
managing only 7 Knots most of the way. Me and another boat lost the 4 bigger boats and decided to take it a bit easy.


[/ QUOTE ]

We are well pleased to average 5 knots ,maybe 6 in ideal conditions /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Glad you had a pleasant run back .
 

LizzyD

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Nice one mate.

I was on call this weekend so although I went to the boat, I couldn't go anywhere. But thanks to you, through the medium of the forum, I had a trip to Wachet through you.

Sorry it was a rough ride, but I'm glad you made it out of the Barrage - and even gladder (if there's such a word) that the family enjoyed it too.

Look forward to reading more tales of the high seas.

Take care all,


Lizzy
 

Mike_S

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Impressive, photos look excellent !! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

We'd thought of doing the same this weekend, but conditions just didn't suit our little 22 footer once we got nearer to Flat Holm. Went out for an hour yesterday afternoon and decided the conditions were, well, interesting to say the least. I also discovered that the VHF radio switches itself on & off every time we hit a wave (so that's lots then), which was downright f-ing annoying and drove us back in for fear of it packing up. Seriously unimpressed about that, must be a dodgy connection somewhere as it's fine when the going is smooth.

Ended up spending the evening at Mermaid Quay, then opening her right up on the way back to CBYC, hitting an all-time record speed of 53 knots on the way back /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Can't be right though, the gauge must be dodgy /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Slept on board for the first time last night as well, which was an experience. Unfortunately SWMBO had to fly off to Paris this afternoon which stopped us from taking advantage of the better conditions today so that's a shame. Looks like you had fun on the way back /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Edit: That Fairline looks *superb*. It's SWMBO's favourite boat in the bay.
 

Sneds

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Watchet? Lovely place. We got into some heavy weather en-route from Cardiff last August and haven't been near the place since. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I think the trick is to get there before high water as on the ebb is sems to get a bit rough. And when the engine stops it gets worse! Thanks to Minehead Lifeboat and Scooby Doo Too for the tow! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

wotayottie

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Genuine question - whats the attraction to you mobo types of the sort of boat shown in the photographs, compared say to a Nelson. The latter would be much more sea capable, and to my "raggie" eyes, better looking.

So why buy a Princess compared to a Nelson?
 

DAVIDO

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Steve,
Glad to see you made it to Watchet its worth the effort.
Sounds like our first trip 2.5 hours there 1 hour back,glad you had a good time.
Cheers
David
PS who replaced your canopy i need to get ours repaired.
 

PCUK

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I was working on Pershilla up on the hard at Watchet and commented on the number of visitors arriving despite the nasty force six conditions. It's the Cardiff mafia I was told, out in anything - lucky sods!
 

sb99

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David -We got the covers done by Emlyn Canvas and Cordage. I’ll PM you their contact details.

PCUK - Great to visit your area, you all seemed like a friendly bunch.

Sneddon – I wouldn’t have fancied the engine cutting out on the way over. That really would have taken some explaining to SWMBO. What was it that caused yours?

Mike – It was reassuring to have the radio available to us on Saturday, both the fixed and the portable. At one stage one of the guys who went ahead called back to say conditions weren’t any worse ahead, which was encouraging……………………. Mind you they weren’t any better either.

LizzyD Bet you’ll be glad to get off call. We didn’t get much of that good weather you promised we'd get whilst you were on call /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

We’re off to Mallorca next week. Can’t wait to get back for another taste of the channel /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 

Sneds

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Nelson, Nimbus or anything semi displacement would be my choice, but SWMBO likes 'em white, shiney and pointy!
 
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