Your best boaty trips of 2009

[volvopaul]

What was your highlights of 2009, wether it be massive miles logged or the best anchorages around your area sat wineing and dining, soaking up the summer sun.

For us it was just being out every weekend going to places that normally you pass straight by enroute to bigger holiday destinations where the towns and marinas are chock bang full of boats.

This year we will be looking at France and the Channel Islands, all of course weather permitting that ties in with our holiday slot.

I would also like to thank forum members that have used my services and reccomended me to others.

Paul.

 

[maverickofpoole]

Due to the installation of a new engine with the works only being completed the day before departure our most satisfying trip of 2009 was from Poole to Alderney. I have posted a report of the trip on our clubs website and have copied it below:

Due to our well documented engine problems Dean and I didn’t start getting ready for the Alderney trip until the evening before the crossing. I still had some work to do early am leaving me unable to leave much before 11.

Our plan was to buddy up with Duncan on Faeton for the crossing and not stop to fish at all.
Well we actually left the corrals fuel berth at 12:05pm for the long awaited sea trial to Alderney.
The engine purred away as we made our way down the small ship channel. We must have had a little to much weight on one side of the boat as she was listing slightly, a little touch on the trim tabs and……nothing damn the tabs are not working. We picked up a buoy where I started to investigate the cause of the problem. Blast (not the word I actually used lol) the pump serving the trims tabs had a fractured casing and ATF oil was spilling into the bilge on every push of the button. Every time I clean Awols bilges out she has a tendency to spit something in there to muck it all up again. With me pushing the casing as hard together as I could Dean operated the tabs and raised both tabs so they didn’t interfere with our progress and off we set again.

We had missed the flat early conditions that the rest of the boats set off in, it was fairly lumpy for the whole of our crossing only allowing us physically put up with a cruise speed of 15/16 knots and at times slower than this. We arrived in Alderney at around 5pm none the worse for our battering. No fishing for us today so a trip ashore with a wash and brush up followed by a Maris Hall peppered steak lubberly. That night sleeping on the boat was not the best I have had. We had waves crashing over the sea wall that caused waves in the harbour and rocked us about a bit and made an awful din oh well I suppose its all part of the fun.

Early (very early) next morning I awoke again to a beautiful morning. Had a tea and waited and waited for Dean to stir. When he did finally get up he made a full monty breky that set us up for the day. We left a little later than the main flotilla and found the Swinge to be a little sloppy but not as bad as reported by others, one of the benefits of being lazy I guess. We had a good day on the Schole bank catching 6 turbot and one brill for our efforts. Two went back with 5 being retained for future use. Back into Brays by about 5ish for our second evening ashore. A meal in the Moorings was thoroughly enjoyed followed by copious amounts of beer.

Day 3 was a change of venue for us. After partially refueling with cans donated by Adam (thanks mate) we decided to go to the south banks hoping for a better assortment of fish. Dean quickly caught a small bass of around 2.5lb that swiftly went back. We tried and tried but couldn't’t catch anything else all day but we enjoyed the day getting to know our new engine that seemed to be performing better than ever now it was partially run in. We went back into Braye to refuel ready for the following days trip home. Wash and brush up and another meal in the moorings followed by… you guessed it beer

Day 4 and were both cream crackered but looking forward to the wreck hoping home. We went slightly more west than all the others and our first wreck produced nine Pollock in quick succession. All other wrecks we visited seemed to be devoid of life so a casual 18/20knot cruise home with the sea coming on our stern quarter seen us comfortable. Passed a few other club members fishing Ballard for the bream and they all reported catching a few. Fuelled up and back at Rockley by 5pm

To sum up the trip to Alderney is more than a fishing trip, doing it in your own boat is an adventure. Long planned with planning paying dividends to those that put in the effort to learn. Going with other boats instills a safe feeling and boosts everyone’s confidence.

Will we go again…try and stop us

This for me was a very satisfying trip with relief that my boat/engine were finally up and running corectly even though I was (and still am) suffering from wallet cramps That said I enjoyed almost every trip last year even the ones in bad weather. We have now got over 160 hours on the engine without a blip so I am pleased with our 2009 season and looking forward to better weather in 2010

Martin

 

[RIN]

We didn't use the boat as much as we would have liked last year but the high point was definitely the MBM 2009 trip to Paris

Very well organised and run Thank you MBM errrrrr, any spare tickets for LIBS?

It will just be the Solent for us this year.

 

[thejonesey]

best trip 09

After a few problems with our boat we had one beautiful, nay perfect, day in October. The Jones clan went out to Studland under bright sunlight and arrived to find only one other boat! Took the kids and dog ashore for walk, tea, ice creams (running the outboard that I had fixed myself) and had a glorious afternoon building sand castles on the beach while admiring my pride and joy (and the wife and kids too!)

Not a very "sexy" trip but, hopefully the first of many that build confidence and experience. We look forward to visiting the Solent/IoW this year (from Poole) and, hopefully, meeting some people from the forum.

This one day made all the aggro of boating worth it... and that's why we do it I guess!

 

[gjgm]

Thats easy !
Finally getting west! And not a drop of rain.

 

[John100156]

Well, what can I say, it’s been a fun year in Sant Carles:

Having grandchildren helm the boat....

Friends chilling in the lagoon with us just outside SCM marina, Sant Carles...

Messing around on friends boats....

Visiting local marinas (Puerto Las Fuentes)....

Enjoying the sunny weather in SCM...

The crowded local beaches...

Just having the boat in an English speaking marina in Spain.....

Yep, that's Medskippers boat just behind Buster!

And here's one of me taken recently....

 

[cataldo]

well we sold the boat in july,

but we had two lovely trips from our base

in lough swilly to TORY ISLAND about 35 miles in june,

and have very nice photos but I cant

post photos YET

 

[Canopy Locked]

Not really the best, but most memorable

This is a copy of report I put onto a fishing forum about a trip I had in August 09

Date point: 7th Aug 09

The day dawned bright with a light Nth westerly. Unusually I had two bookings that day.

The first was from a couple who were on holiday salmon fishing and wanted to have an hours’ mackerel fishing. I had wondered about them… the previous night my answer phone had several messages from a very elderly lady .. “Dr not Mrs” she said to me when I phoned her back. Anyhow I arranged to take them out at 10am the next day for an hour or so.

It’s funny, but even though you’ve never met your guests you can usually spot them. Standing on the boat the following morning, I watched a car pull up. A very elderly gent got out, wearing tweeds and cap.. Ah, I thought, this is my lot. So I toddled up to the road. By this time the old man was spreading a sheet over the back window of his car.

When I introduced myself I realised that they had a couple of dogs and were planning to leave them in the car. Bear in mind it was blazing sunshine and no shade. “They’ll be fine,” said Mrs Dr, but I disagreed.

I was not going out if the dogs were to be left in the car. However I suggested that, as it was just the two of them, they could bring the dogs with them. “Splendid idea,” said Mrs Dr.

At this point I should explain that there was one Black lab (fairly normal for the tweeds) and one very elderly terrier… very like my own. For those who don’t know what very elderly terriers are like, let me explain. They like to be close to the action; they don’t see or hear too well; and they tend to leap before looking.

So, after 10 minutes or so, myself, 2 elderly doctors, 1 lab straining on its lead and one old terrier with assorted bags, dogs beds and stuff shuffle off to the boat.

The first hurdle was getting on… As usual I get on first and turn to help my guests on. With Mrs Dr on board it was time to get the dogs on…. As I half expected, the old terrier was well game to join Mrs Dr so made a flying leap on to the boat

……..and disappeared between the boat and pontoon!

All I could see was a dangling lead… The owners hadn’t even noticed…

I quickly grabbed the poor mut and brought it on board and then got the others on. This could be a long hour I thought to myself.

Without too much more ado we got away – however despite the nice day, there was a wicked chop from the stiff Nth Westerly. Once we got to a spot out of the bay, I stopped to allow fishing to commence. Hmm.. not so easy in this chop.

Elderly Mr Dr was ok.. just! I showed him how to get his line down while he was hanging on to the rail. Mrs Dr had to sit on the engine box, rod stuck out in front of her like Jeremy Fisher in the Beatrix Potter stories.

Remember, I’m hopping around the cockpit, trying to avoid stepping on an old terrier and a slobbering lab with 2 guests who really can’t move that well and with the boat rolling hard.

Well, they enjoyed themselves. Mr Dr (he was ex RAF pilot, so wasn't fazed) started to bring in Mackerel, and after the 1st few, the old terrier realised “Fish” and was then rather keen to kill them before I could get them in the cool box. It was at this point that I think I must have trod on the terrier as it started to attack my foot.

However it soon forgot me when Mrs Dr caught a fish.

“I’ve got one!” Mrs Dr happily announced, Quite some minutes later she hauled up this mackerel swing it round and dangled it in the cockpit; Mackerel and lead swinging like a ruddy pendulum!!.

This was just too much for the terrier. The game old dog made a flying lunge for the still dangling fish, but thanks heavens I managed to grab the line first and haul the other hooks out of the way. Mrs Dr was so pleased with her fish that I don’t think she even noticed.

Soon our hour or so was up and, with some relief, I fired up the engine and headed for home.

I had just got back on the pontoon and was tying up, when a voice from the wall above said, “have you just come in?”, “Yes.” I said. “Well, I think you might have something of mine…… I was fishing off the harbour wall, left my rod out for a minute, and I just saw it disappearing into the sea.”

“F***.”, I thought. “Give me 5 minutes,” I said, thinking I still had to get my elderly passengers off.

Ten minutes later, having got all 4 legged and 2 legged guests off and safely back to their car, I join this chap on my boat.

Sure enough there is nylon wrapped around the middle of the duo-prop and heading off into the marina. A quick haul with the boat hook produces his float and, snaking in from the other side of the marina, comes his rod. But there was still the question of the nylon wrapped around my prop seals (I would point out that he had said that it was his entire fault!)

Well.. fair play to the chap…. He stripped off to his underpants, jumped into the water and unwound all the nylon.

I got him back on board, but to my shame all I had to offer, by way of drying himself off, were a couple of tea towels. But no worries, he’d got his rod back … he was happy!

By now I was thinking that, I really ought to get the boat washed down and tided up as my next booking will be here shortly (cruise for dolphin watching). Just then the phone goes… “Hi Rob, we’re here, on the harbour front, where are you?”

“I’m on the boat, can you see me?” I said looking up at the road but not seeing any likely punter.

“No”, they said. “So tell me what you can see.”

“Well, we can see a sign that says Buckie.”

“Ah… I know exactly where you are…. About 20 miles from where I am….you need to come to Banff… I’ll see you soon!”

Customers? Don’t you just love ‘em?

 

[Mymobo]

Well one of the best trips of 2009 was when 3 men went to Lundy. Yes there was an Englishman, a Welshman, and an Irishman.

It was a great run down over a long weekend. It started off on the Friday afternoon from Portishead but the weather took a turn for the worst so we were forced to overnight at Cardiff. The following morning we were greeted by flat seas, so fuelled on bacon, tea, coffee and OJ we were ready to apply more power and off we went.

It was a great passage down there and we were welcomed to Lundy by a calm mooring.

The Englishman and Irishman went ashore while the Welshman took the anchor watch to improve his tan and called the world to tell them of our adventure.

On return the Englishman went back ahead of the Irishman, maybe hoping to leave him behind but that failed. The outboard also failed so rowing was the order of the day, good see an Englishman working so hard.

We left Lundy and headed for Watchet Harbour for the night where beer, wine and merriment was had by all.

The following morning we fuelled again on a low fat diet of bacon and proceeded home on calm seas. As you can see by the delight on the face of the Irishman he has had a grand time.

Cheers to the skipper and my fellow crewmate for making it a weekend to remember.

 

[whisper]

This is a copy of report I put onto a fishing forum about a trip I had in August 09

Date point: 7th Aug 09

Lovely report, thanks.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I think for me it was the last weekend of September, we had a perfect run from Brighton to Dartmouth. This is what I posted at the time:



Wow, what a weekend we've just had. Swmbo and I decided to head west from Brighton on Saturday morning, and see where we ended up. After taking an hour at Brighton to fuel up (Premier Marinas take note: having only one functioning diesel pump, and one member of staff who keeps vanishing for 30mins at a time to open the lock, on a sunny Saturday morning just really is not the way to look after your customers...) we finally got away at 1230.

We decided to route south of the Isle of Wight, thinking of perhaps taking the long way round to Lymington, or maybe running straight on to Weymouth. We took about 90 mins to get to St Catherines Point, where we stopped for about half an hour, and drifted while having lunch. Lovely.

And then we thought ... this sea state is just too good to resist - so let's try for Dartmouth. And that's exactly what we did - flat seas the whole way, bar the tiniest race you've ever seen at Portland, 32kts through the water for the entire trip. Just for a change I thought I'd try the camcorder on the boat, so here are a couple of fragments from Lyme bay to show just how flat it is when it is flatter than a flat thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1arlRSMZmFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s9C_ezPOVY

Anyway - after about 140nm, we berthed up at Darthaven. Had a great couple of days, had a brilliant meal on Sunday evening with Hurricane and Mrs Hurricane of this parish (Spice Bazaar does the business once again) and then came back on Monday - not quite as flat as a flat thing this time, but a comfortable 30kts all the way across Lyme Bay, and 32kts once we were east of the Bill. Back on our home berth in Brighton by 5pm. What a weekend!

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[silver_boy]

Think one of the best would have to be the Scottish open golf weekend at Loch Lomond. The one weekend of the year where everyone get out and socialises on the boats. It was sunny this year, and warm enough for a wee swim in the loch. Ended up with around 20 boats all rafted up with each other at the final on the Sunday, then everyone tooting their horns madly when the trophy was handed to the winner

And the rest - Album

 

[oldsaltoz]

What was your highlights of 2009, wether it be massive miles logged or the best anchorages around your area sat wineing and dining, soaking up the summer sun.

For us it was just being out every weekend going to places that normally you pass straight by enroute to bigger holiday destinations where the towns and marinas are chock bang full of boats.

This year we will be looking at France and the Channel Islands, all of course weather permitting that ties in with our holiday slot.

I would also like to thank forum members that have used my services and reccomended me to others.

Paul.

Took my younger sister and her husband out for a ten day cruise out of Cairns, they flew in from the UK, first time in Oz.

What a blast, perfect conditions the whole 10 days, did the tourist spots first so they got exposure to snorkelling and some information about the area and what to look out for.Then headed for the outer reef to do a spot of fishing and diving, neither of them did any snorkelling in the tourist resorts so we had to show them and over pristine reefs teeming with fish and some fantastic coral it was a great sucess.

Next was how to find and catch a feed, crayfish (Lobster) was on the menu that afternoon. Though we did manage to get them both into wet suits and sucking on the hookah air supply, we could not get them to dive in more than 10 feet of water, but they thought it was great and dived almost every second day.

We headed past the barrier reef outer hard line to deep water looking for marlin or other big game fish, but only managed a couple of huge cod around the 50 and 60 pound marks, both returned without harm and lot of fun; they both had a turn on the rods and we managed capture most of the fight on video, though not all as the fight lasted over an hour each.

They both love oysters and could believe the foil lined tray with about 80 oysters (Kilpatrick) we served for midday snacks, fresh off the rocks that morning when they were still sleeping.

That night we had them both jigging for squid, but only after they proved they could land one without getting ink on themselves or anybody /thing else. they did a good job considering they had never seen nore eaten one, both now converts.

The only problem we had was on the last day they said they would love to do the trip again but earlier in the year next time. You guessed it, Cyclone season, very hot, humid and unpredictable. I'm still negotiating this and as cyclone season has started and they are not here I'm doing well.

Avagoodweekend......

.

 

[Morpheous]

Well one of the best trips of 2009 was when 3 men went to Lundy. Yes there was an Englishman, a Welshman, and an Irishman.

It was a great run down over a long weekend. It started off on the Friday afternoon from Portishead but the weather took a turn for the worst so we were forced to overnight at Cardiff. The following morning we were greeted by flat seas, so fuelled on bacon, tea, coffee and OJ we were ready to apply more power and off we went.

It was a great passage down there and we were welcomed to Lundy by a calm mooring.

The Englishman and Irishman went ashore while the Welshman took the anchor watch to improve his tan and called the world to tell them of our adventure.

On return the Englishman went back ahead of the Irishman, maybe hoping to leave him behind but that failed. The outboard also failed so rowing was the order of the day, good see an Englishman working so hard.

We left Lundy and headed for Watchet Harbour for the night where beer, wine and merriment was had by all.

The following morning we fuelled again on a low fat diet of bacon and proceeded home on calm seas. As you can see by the delight on the face of the Irishman he has had a grand time.

Cheers to the skipper and my fellow crewmate for making it a weekend to remember.

That Lundy weekend was our best - Mymobo - we there the day after you I think, I seem to recall we crossed wakes at Watchet?

We then went on to Padstow, then back to Clovelly, Swansea and finally home to Portishead.

 

[omega2]

If i repeat myself apologies tendered

There is a lot more of this, if you can stand it

Islamorada January 2009

We left a cold wet London Heathrow at about 2-30 pm on 22nd January 2009, bound for Miami USA, and eventually Islamorada Florida, to have a ten day stay and fish with John Rawle, Skipper of “Daphne Carol” that he operates out of Bradwell Marina here at home. He had been on at us to come and try it in “The States” for years and this year we decided to do it. Eventually Virgin Atlantic flight VS 005, a near new Airbus 340-600 got off the ground, but not before we had already had two or three “happenings” like Mick who lost his hand luggage on the journey from the car to the terminal not only had he left it on the transfer bus that could be excused nor in the car that again maybe we could have forgiven him for but no!! when we phoned the bus company to enquire we were told that it had been found in bus stop 4 by security and would be returned to us shortly. Then at check in we had “clocked” in electronically to save time, so had every one else so another wait, also we had completed an electronic form that would waiver the visa, but again this was not acceptable and we were given the old green form to complete, now for most of us that is not a problem but for Mick?? Any how after about 5 attempts and 2 for me we managed to present the forms in a decipherable state, even for the American Immigration services, at least that’s what we were told by the Virgin staff.
The aircraft had some how missed it’s slot and we were “held” for about 40 minutes, and eventually got off the ground about 2-30pm, and were told that we would be in the air for about 10 hours due to bad weather causing us to take a more Northerly route. “GREAT” We were flying economy of course but our bit at the back was economy/ economy, and Mick and Mark are not what you would call tiny, so Steve and self took the inside pair of the four seat centre group on row 53, to allow our big mates to stretch one leg at least for a limited time before the Trolley dolly’s got weaving, when as you know any extruberances are removed by the food wagon. Normally I am not too worried about flying long haul been to Australia a few times, so have a good idea of what to expect but this one was “murder” I am sure that Virgin had configured this one to pack in more bodies than normal and the result for us in the cattle truck was not good. Enough of that and for myself I watched a film “ How to lose friends and Alienate People” (very funny) and then do my exercises to beat of Elton John through my earphones.
After what seemed an eternity we landed on American soil and then we were subjected to the security conscious American Immigration network, we as foreigners had to line up and wait to be “admitted” and along with most of the three hundred and ten passengers had our Waivers inspected and then amended or appended as the case may be, “got to be perfect” or no entry, then Mug shot and finger printed, and at last allowed to proceed into the USA, not one “have a nice day” uttered.
We then went to the Dollar car rental desk but due to the late hour we were re directed to a shuttle bus stand and driven to the parking lot were after what seemed a life time we were pointed at a Chrysler 300 sedan in Black, all we need now is a trilby hat and dark glasses and we a definite pull for the state troopers

. Mark had brought his TOM-TOM over with him as he was nominated to be driver he did not want to get us lost, but the card he had bought off “That Site” was duff, so he had lost £40, and all of were lost. However the lady in the kiosk at the gate was really good to us, “ turn left, then left over the railway tracks, onto 836, then left onto the turnpike, and keep going. Rush hour in Miami is not a place to be as a stranger, and the road signs are planted right at the turn off, but some how we managed to keep on the straight and wide road, without wiping out any of the natives and finally found the Interstate 1, sign post KEY WEST, we knew we were on our way, because I had seen it in a film with Humphrey Bogart, and Sydney Greenstreet (you young ones ask your Dad).

The drive was uneventful as Mark had done it before, you know drive on the wrong side of the road, and after about an hour we pulled off at a road house to get something to eat, I perused the menu card and found something that appeared to be English, a sub filled with chicken and salad, the assistant who was taking my order then started the inquisition “you want rye? Cheese? Dill pickle? Tomato? Cream? Milk? Half and Half? And so it went on, until I had to ask her to “do you do a standard?” Oh sure, why did you not say so, only over here it’s a “regular”
It was really good what ever I had and we were soon back on the road to Islamorada and John’s place, arriving about 10pm
.
John and Carol made us very welcome and showed us to our rooms, after we had a beer, and were informed that we would be fishing with Jeff in the morning at about 9am, all four of us gratefully crashed out for the night.

Friday 23rd January, out of bed 7-30am, quick wash and shave, and out to the car for a short drive to a small Marina for breakfast, again a very varied menu and then the University Challenge set of questions before the waitress committed anything to paper, but it was quickly served when the decision had been reached, “Eggs easy over, bacon, toast, sausage gravy, and the inevitable cheese over the lot, coffee that just keeps coming, at a reasonable price. Then out into the Marina to look at the Tarpon, “None in today, you can go see if you like, I will not charge you” the attendant was right no Tarpon the water is too cold.

Back at John’s place we get our bits and pieces together cameras, sunscreen, hats, shorts, and go down to the dock, from my bedroom a distance of 20 yards

John is preparing his boat for the days fishing, 3 heavy set ups, 3 medium, and 3 light, hold on a minute there are four of us we will be short of gear. Then Jeff a local skipper arrives on his boat and we are embarked with him, there is another party of three staying with John along with us so we are alternating between the two “Captains”. Jeff and John go into conference and then we are told the score, there has been a cold front come through and the fishing has taken a dive we should get something but it will be hard work “you should have been here yesterday” we had been wondering why the locals were wearing hats scarves and fleeces, the thermometer on the dock was reading 75f which to them is cold!!

 

[Croozer]

Best boaty trip of 2009?

Easy really due to the **** weather which resulted in only two long trips with the rest being day stuff for most of the season.

For me it had to be the the end of of May / early June when we took the bull by the horns and had a wonderful run from Cork to Scotland taking in North Wales and Dublin on the run home.

I will remeber this trip for a lot of things and in particular one statement from my wife who announced "we should look at getting a bigger boat"

 

[gjgm]

Hey, your D6s play some rather classy music, too!
Now that IS calm.Perfect.

 

[Croozer]

Yes, nice videos Jimmy and very smooooth

We had similar conditions during our trip to Scotland and my buddy on his sports cruiser was getting grumpy being held up by two shaft flybridges

We got him back later in the trip when the sea got a bit lively

 

[Hardmy]

Geneva lake (Lac Léman) in 2009.

There are not so many pics of the Geneva lake my playground. So :

Chillon castle, it was made popular by Lord Byron, who wrote the poem The Prisoner Of Chillon.

Vevey, where Nestlé is still headquartered. Charlie Chaplin lived there for about 20 years.

Montreux, where Freddie Mercury lived until his death.

Veytaux, power plant tests

Rhone river near le Bouveret (when picture was taken there was 3-4 kts current)

Alinghi in le Bouveret.

And for dessert, the lake from our home.

Navigation on the Geneva lake is not especially complicated. You nearly don't need for example charts. But there are a lot of local winds who can blow violently within minutes.. There are about 20 alarm lights on the shore, and if they are active, you should reach a port as fast as possible.

Waves are not very high (2 meters) but steep. As shown with this 300t ship (this one had already its front windshield broken before).

Bow buries out of the wave.

Do you think that a 55 footer planing hull is still able to proceed at 20 kts ? The waves are so short that this could be painful...

 

[Sneds]

Hey Mike

1st time I've seen this! Who'se the handsome Welsh bloke on the flybridge?