Wells next the Sea 2011

CX54WEK

CX54WEK

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Just a taster of what we got up to over the last week or so.

The weather started grey an miserable

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But soon brightened up

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We made the break for Wells on Monday despite heavy rain all day but when we made it to Wells the weather broke and we were treated to wall to wall sunshine.

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It was an early morning start on Thursday, 5.30am departure but it was worth it with flat calm seas and a stunning sunrise.

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apollo said:
Did you see any decent boats? Allegedly there was a Freeman 30 there too...
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There was a Freeman and I believe a Senior. They were moored behind us for a couple of days. One of them is supposed to have run out of fuel on the way back, but i cant confirm that, its only what was heard on the VHF.
 

Wells Harbour by Silver Gem, on Flickr

Almost, but not quite. The Project is an RLM, the Freeman is mine. 2nd one built, well known onthe Thames in it's day. Previously owend by Mr and Mrs Free.
We set of from Denver Sluice/lock on the Gt Ouse on Monday morning, had a dull crossing to Wells, spent the day in Wells on Tuesday, wasn't the weather fantastic?? We enjoyed your palm tree!!!

Wells beach party by Silver Gem, on Flickr


Wells Aproach by Silver Gem, on Flickr

Had a run down to the bar in the dinghy at low tide, that turned out to be more of a walk than a run!!! Fixed a few leaking deck fittings. Headded home on the Wednesday in shorts and t-shirts.
It was the first time out at sea for me in my own boat, fantastic.


Silver Gem somewhere in the North Sea by Silver Gem, on Flickr

I don't know what you heard on the VHF regarding fuel????? I put in a call to Wells harbour on Tues evening at high tide to ask if fuel was available, but it was shut by then. We (the Freeman) had more than enough to get back, but the price was attractive and I would have prefered to set off with full tanks!! The RLM is rear heavy at sea so he carries spare fuel up front and transfered some to the main tanks before departure.

No drama, we all made it home safely, not bad for a boat built in 1966!!!


Wells Harbour by Silver Gem, on Flickr
 
I must admit we were very surprised to see the two old ladies there when we turned up. Nice to see these boats being used as they should be.

You could have joined us for the beach party. Was good fun. We had a couple of goes at getting to the bar in the dinghy, first was a no go not enough water, second was much better at high tide.

We left the morning after you did and were greated by a great sunrise and flat calm seas. Great place and one we shall be revisiting again next month on our way down to the Norfolk Broads and on the way back.
 
I'd love to do that trip from the Great Ouse. I presume both the RLM and Freeman are twin engine? I'm not sure my JGM Madeira with single small diesel engine would be up to it, although apparently they were made to Lloyds spec for sea.
 
Yes, they are both twins. I'm sure single engined boats have done it, it depends on your belief in your engine. It is possible to do the whole trip without exceeding 6 knots, but you would probably want some in reserve.

Going to sea in an old boat can throw up all sorts of probelms. If any part of your boat is marginal on the river, expect it to fail at sea. I had a very small drip from under the foredeck when it rained. We arrived in Wells with one fore bunk cussion soaking wet!!! We had to fix that before returining. It was a pulpit deck fitting leaking, something that I had lived with on the river for years!!
Tanks MUST be clean, cooling systems in top notch condition........ ect...ect
 


Excuse the finger coming into shot everynow and again i was trying to hold on, drink beer and not drop the phone at the same time :D
 
Old Ladies? The cheek of it! Or were you refering to the crew of silver gem? I've heard them described that way before:D
As the owner of the RLM I can confirm it to be a mere youngster as it's only 1976(ish) unlike the freeman with about 10 years on it, diesel situation was fine and we had a great trip back, even got to the cheaper pub that serves later an hour up river for food:)
Loved the palm tree!
 
leomagill said:
Old Ladies? The cheek of it! Or were you refering to the crew of silver gem? I've heard them described that way before:D
As the owner of the RLM I can confirm it to be a mere youngster as it's only 1976(ish) unlike the freeman with about 10 years on it, diesel situation was fine and we had a great trip back, even got to the cheaper pub that serves later an hour up river for food:)
Loved the palm tree!
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It is well travelled is that palm tree. Its been to Holland several times as well as visiting most of the East coast of the UK. :D
 
SimonA said:
I'd love to do that trip from the Great Ouse. I presume both the RLM and Freeman are twin engine? I'm not sure my JGM Madeira with single small diesel engine would be up to it, although apparently they were made to Lloyds spec for sea.
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Done it many times with a single engine boat, you just make sure it's in good order before you leave.
Don't worry about speed as the quicker you go the longer you will have to wait for the tide at the other end, and you have more time to enjoy the trip.
 
macnorton said:
Done it many times with a single engine boat, you just make sure it's in good order before you leave.
Don't worry about speed as the quicker you go the longer you will have to wait for the tide at the other end, and you have more time to enjoy the trip.
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Unless you are really quick and can make it on the same tide of course :D

Waiting for the tide isnt such a big issue anymore as there is the new outer harbour. You cant spend your whole visit to Wells in there but if you arrive early/late and the weather aint great you can with the harbour masters permission moor in there for a while with the wind farm vessels.
 
macnorton said:
Done it many times with a single engine boat, you just make sure it's in good order before you leave.
Don't worry about speed as the quicker you go the longer you will have to wait for the tide at the other end, and you have more time to enjoy the trip.
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Great. The engine on my boat is fine, it was recently rebuilt at massive expense. I think I'd need to clean the fuel tank before any trips to sea as no doubt it's full of 40 year old muck.
 
CX54WEK said:
Unless you are really quick and can make it on the same tide of course :D

Waiting for the tide isnt such a big issue anymore as there is the new outer harbour. You cant spend your whole visit to Wells in there but if you arrive early/late and the weather aint great you can with the harbour masters permission moor in there for a while with the wind farm vessels.
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If you can find room!

W.
 
CX54WEK said:
There is always room. You might just have to wake up early in the morning to allow the windfarm vessel you are rafted upto to go to work.
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Last time I worked out of the outer harbour we laid on the inside of the pontoon for that reason.

It might be tight if you are the 3rd vessel in the raft and one of the windcats behind want to get out on the first of the tide.

W.

PS Keep tight to the north side of the channel going in/out as it was still shallow a couple of weeks back.
 
PilotWolf said:
Last time I worked out of the outer harbour we laid on the inside of the pontoon for that reason.

It might be tight if you are the 3rd vessel in the raft and one of the windcats behind want to get out on the first of the tide.

W.

PS Keep tight to the north side of the channel going in/out as it was still shallow a couple of weeks back.
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Thanks.

We are hopefully calling back into Wells again on our way back from the Broads next month. Also going to use it as a bolthole if the weather/sea state aint great for making it to Southwold.
 
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