Which boat for next summer?

[Louis Balfour]

PushedDover said:

OP are you set up gear wise for some sterner seas?
Safety gear ?
Spare outboard etc ?

Also
Is your standard anchor and rode for pissing about in the rivers? A toothpick for any seas / current ?


However - epic progression being played out here from the original position on day 1

I would wonder if whether you and you crew would make light work of the locks with practise and teamwork ??

We have life jackets, flares, radio, The anchor and rode came with the boat, it's a 10kg Danforth type of unit I think. Not sure how long the warp is TBH.

Locks - I could probably at a push do them on my own now, if there is a keeper present and it's calm. Without the keeper it would be risky and tiring.

[PushedDover]

Practise
And watching


Surely part of the fun. I also think you’d miss the hours you steal with the First Officer pottering if no longer local

[Simpo Two]

Louis Balfour said:

Locks - I could probably at a push do them on my own now, if there is a keeper present and it's calm. Without the keeper it would be risky and tiring.

I find (unmanned) locks if solo a risk best avoided; however on the Fens there are plenty of lock-free miles. But if you've got company (ie helpers) then they're great, a good chance to show off boat-handling skills and they make the trip more interesting.

So Louis, if you end up in Hell you'll be tasked with doing the Caen Hill flight back and forth for eternity

[HocusPocus]

Louis Balfour said:

We have life jackets, flares, radio, The anchor and rode came with the boat, it's a 10kg Danforth type of unit I think. Not sure how long the warp is TBH.

Dropping anchor offshore will be a lot deeper than the Trent. Ensure you have enough chain and warp for 3x depth of say minimum 10m (which might at times be quite close to shore).. If offshore, think about PLB or AIS even though we all pray it will never be needed in action.

Try Mylor near Falmouth. It has launch facilities and secure dry storage, plus restaurants, bars etc. Chandelry and shipwrights on site too for your breakages. Call them to book and see if a berth is available. Access road in final mile is a little tight but should be doable with your boat and RR. I did it with ML and 18ft boat on braked trailer.

Fal estuary is great for first time at sea. The Carrick Roads are a sheltered inlet before you reach the sea. Good size and places to explore. Once at sea past Pendennis, there are interesting navigation exercises you can do to reach Helford River. That is not too far, so little chance of freaking yourself out or being surprised by sudden weather changes. Also means you can stay in sheltered waters on blustery days.

I did a 2 day intermediate powerboat course with Southwest Powerboating in Falmouth and moored up overnight in town. So there is tuition if you prefer some help. Also a Rick Stein restaurant by the harbour in Falmouth.....important because I am weak for nice food and drink.

[Louis Balfour]

Simpo Two said:

I find (unmanned) locks if solo a risk best avoided; however on the Fens there are plenty of lock-free miles. But if you've got company (ie helpers) then they're great, a good chance to show off boat-handling skills and they make the trip more interesting.

So Louis, if you end up in Hell you'll be tasked with doing the Caen Hill flight back and forth for eternity

When, not if.

When we went through Stoke lock on the 29th, we grounded on a sandbar that wasn't properly marked with buoys. I've just had a message that it has worsened and we've got to navigate it at the weekend. So a hidden sand bar followed by a lock and this is called leisure boating I gather.

[paintman]

HocusPocus said:

I did a 2 day intermediate powerboat course with Southwest Powerboating in Falmouth and moored up overnight in town. So there is tuition if you prefer some help. Also a Rick Stein restaurant by the harbour in Falmouth.....important because I am weak for nice food and drink.

I presume you paid the Pandora Inn a visit?
https://www.pandorainn.com/

[Oil Trash]

Pandora lunch on the pontoon in the sunshine can’t be beaten

[HocusPocus]

paintman said:

HocusPocus said:

I did a 2 day intermediate powerboat course with Southwest Powerboating in Falmouth and moored up overnight in town. So there is tuition if you prefer some help. Also a Rick Stein restaurant by the harbour in Falmouth.....important because I am weak for nice food and drink.

I presume you paid the Pandora Inn a visit?
https://www.pandorainn.com/

Tied up, good food outside with beers. Tootle back on boat later. Civilised bliss.

[PushedDover]

Louis Balfour said:

When, not if.

When we went through Stoke lock on the 29th, we grounded on a sandbar that wasn't properly marked with buoys. I've just had a message that it has worsened and we've got to navigate it at the weekend. So a hidden sand bar followed by a lock and this is called leisure boating I gather.

Consider that the same as ‘local knowledge’ on the golf course.

Boating, like golf, is about always learning, absorbing, improving and not taking it all too seriously : that would ruin it IMHO.

[Jaguar steve]

HocusPocus said:

Ensure you have enough chain and warp for 3x depth of say minimum 10m (which might at times be quite close to shore).
.

As an absolute minimum with all chain rather than a mix of chain and warp, in calm water, good holding, at the top of the tide and with somebody on anchor watch. Take away any one of those and you'll need a lot more and correspondingly your swing circle will increase considerably as the tide ebbs.

In tidal streams and all other things being equal anchored mobos normally lie bow facing the wind and anchored yachts normally lie bow facing the current. That can make judging where a mobos anchor is on the bed difficult because the wind might have shifted since he dropped his hook but a yachts anchor will almost always be in line with its bow.

If the wind is all over the place that means your mobo will be too and you could end up being blown onto a lee shore but the yacht will mostly stay put except at high and low water when the tide turns and then they'll swing all over for a bit or so give each other plenty of room.

[Louis Balfour]

HocusPocus said:

Dropping anchor offshore will be a lot deeper than the Trent. Ensure you have enough chain and warp for 3x depth of say minimum 10m (which might at times be quite close to shore).. If offshore, think about PLB or AIS even though we all pray it will never be needed in action.

Try Mylor near Falmouth. It has launch facilities and secure dry storage, plus restaurants, bars etc. Chandelry and shipwrights on site too for your breakages. Call them to book and see if a berth is available. Access road in final mile is a little tight but should be doable with your boat and RR. I did it with ML and 18ft boat on braked trailer.

Fal estuary is great for first time at sea. The Carrick Roads are a sheltered inlet before you reach the sea. Good size and places to explore. Once at sea past Pendennis, there are interesting navigation exercises you can do to reach Helford River. That is not too far, so little chance of freaking yourself out or being surprised by sudden weather changes. Also means you can stay in sheltered waters on blustery days.

I did a 2 day intermediate powerboat course with Southwest Powerboating in Falmouth and moored up overnight in town. So there is tuition if you prefer some help. Also a Rick Stein restaurant by the harbour in Falmouth.....important because I am weak for nice food and drink.

This sounds like good advice. I wonder whether we are already too late for this year however.

[Louis Balfour]

Jaguar steve said:

As an absolute minimum with all chain rather than a mix of chain and warp, in calm water, good holding, at the top of the tide and with somebody on anchor watch. Take away any one of those and you'll need a lot more and correspondingly your swing circle will increase considerably as the tide ebbs.

In tidal streams and all other things being equal anchored mobos normally lie bow facing the wind and anchored yachts normally lie bow facing the current. That can make judging where a mobos anchor is on the bed difficult because the wind might have shifted since he dropped his hook but a yachts anchor will almost always be in line with its bow.

If the wind is all over the place that means your mobo will be too and you could end up being blown onto a lee shore but the yacht will mostly stay put except at high and low water when the tide turns and then they'll swing all over for a bit or so give each other plenty of room.

Posts like this remind me how much we have to learn.

Anyone care to guess the all-up cost of hauling the boat out of the Marina near Newark, sploshing it in the sea near Falmouth and then reversing the process a week later?

[Jaguar steve]

Louis Balfour said:

Posts like this remind me how much we have to learn.

Anyone care to guess the all-up cost of hauling the boat out of the Marina near Newark, sploshing it in the sea near Falmouth and then reversing the process a week later?

Hows about the Essex and Suffolk coast and rivers instead?

I'd guess that's closer to you than the west country and there's a big range of rivers and marinas to give you a gentle introduction to tidal cruising. A couple of weeks somewhere like Tichmarsh marina in the Walton Backwaters might be worth a look and from there it's a easy trip in reasonably sheltered water to the Orwell, Stour and Deben rivers.

You might need to plan fuel supplies wherever you go though - not every marina has petrol anymore.

[Louis Balfour]

Jaguar steve said:

Louis Balfour said:

Posts like this remind me how much we have to learn.

Anyone care to guess the all-up cost of hauling the boat out of the Marina near Newark, sploshing it in the sea near Falmouth and then reversing the process a week later?

Hows about the Essex and Suffolk coast and rivers instead?

I'd guess that's closer to you than the west country and there's a big range of rivers and marinas to give you a gentle introduction to tidal cruising. A couple of weeks somewhere like Tichmarsh marina in the Walton Backwaters might be worth a look and from there it's a easy trip in reasonably sheltered water to the Orwell, Stour and Deben rivers.

You might need to plan fuel supplies wherever you go though - not every marina has petrol anymore.

I have jerry cans and a permanently smelly left thumb[/ Gemma Collins].

In addition to which, the boat seems to have a big tank and relatively frugal thirst.

[Badda]

Louis Balfour said:

Posts like this remind me how much we have to learn.

Anyone care to guess the all-up cost of hauling the boat out of the Marina near Newark, sploshing it in the sea near Falmouth and then reversing the process a week later?

£1k plus mooring fees of £40/night would be my guess. Oh and a change of the anodes too. Honestly, not worth pursuing this line of thought IMO. About a decade ago I was on a river and got bored within 6 months and moved to a coastal marina. Best thing I ever did. I’m posting this from my boat actually after a wonderful day at sea yesterday and then a restaurant at the marina last night and a night aboard. >smug<

[Louis Balfour]

Badda said:

Louis Balfour said:

Posts like this remind me how much we have to learn.

Anyone care to guess the all-up cost of hauling the boat out of the Marina near Newark, sploshing it in the sea near Falmouth and then reversing the process a week later?

£1k plus mooring fees of £40/night would be my guess. Oh and a change of the anodes too. Honestly, not worth pursuing this line of thought IMO. About a decade ago I was on a river and got bored within 6 months and moved to a coastal marina. Best thing I ever did. I’m posting this from my boat actually after a wonderful day at sea yesterday and then a restaurant at the marina last night and a night aboard. >smug<

I am envious.

In all seriousness, I am becoming bored stupid with the Trent already and my First Officer similarly. If I don't change it up he will lose interest.

The problem is, if you stick a pin in a map of Britain trying to find the most distant point from the sea, you'll hit my sitting room chimney. The Trent is at the end of my road.

[Simpo Two]

Louis Balfour said:

In all seriousness, I am becoming bored stupid with the Trent already and my First Officer similarly. If I don't change it up he will lose interest.

I haven't been on the Trent but I imagine it's very wide and dull with a strong current and not much to see. A good practice ground though before you tackle the complex stuff.

Jaguar steve said:

Hows about the Essex and Suffolk coast and rivers instead?

I'd guess that's closer to you than the west country and there's a big range of rivers and marinas to give you a gentle introduction to tidal cruising. A couple of weeks somewhere like Tichmarsh marina in the Walton Backwaters might be worth a look and from there it's a easy trip in reasonably sheltered water to the Orwell, Stour and Deben rivers.

He has a good point. There's lots of pretty coastal stuff along the Suffolk coast - Aldeburgh, Southwold, Walberswick, Woodbridge and rivers/places to explore. I don't know all the places to stop but there are marinas at Levington https://www.syharbour.co.uk/ and Ipswich https://www.foxsmarina.com/

[fushion julz]

Louis Balfour said:

The problem is, if you stick a pin in a map of Britain trying to find the most distant point from the sea, you'll hit my sitting room chimney. The Trent is at the end of my road.

So take the shortest bit of string to reach a coast from your chimney and start looking for marinas/moorings around there.

I live in Camberley area and the nearest point(s) on the coast are around the Solent. It is about an hour and 15 to most boaty places that are remotely affordable.
My boat is currently in Birdham Pool Marina in Chichester Harbour.

Things I have learnt in the past year...
1. The distance to the marina makes a difference to the enjoyment of a day out
2. tidal access limits your ability to take advantage of good weather and/or time to be on the boat
3. distance from marina/mooring to other places you are likely to want to go is important...especially if there is a speed restriction.

Taking my own learnings, I have decided to move my boat to a swinging mooring in Langstone Harbour. It is deep water, so always afloat and always accesible by dinghy. The mooring is only about 1.5km inside the harbour mouth compared to aprox 10km from the marina at Birdham to the Chichester bar.
In practice, from leaving my marina berth, navigating the lock and the 10km of 8knot, no wash limit to the bar means it is at least an hour before out in the Solent.
Inflating my dinghy takes approx 10mins...another 10mins to the boat and getting on board means I will be able to be out on the sea in less than half the time...

Putting your boat miles away in Cornwall (for example) will mean a limited amount of time on the boat and lots more travelling time!
I'd go for nearby, even if it isn't quite so picturesque!

[blueg33]

fushion julz said:

So take the shortest bit of string to reach a coast from your chimney and start looking for marinas/moorings around there.

I live in Camberley area and the nearest point(s) on the coast are around the Solent. It is about an hour and 15 to most boaty places that are remotely affordable.
My boat is currently in Birdham Pool Marina in Chichester Harbour.

Things I have learnt in the past year...
1. The distance to the marina makes a difference to the enjoyment of a day out
2. tidal access limits your ability to take advantage of good weather and/or time to be on the boat
3. distance from marina/mooring to other places you are likely to want to go is important...especially if there is a speed restriction.

Taking my own learnings, I have decided to move my boat to a swinging mooring in Langstone Harbour. It is deep water, so always afloat and always accesible by dinghy. The mooring is only about 1.5km inside the harbour mouth compared to aprox 10km from the marina at Birdham to the Chichester bar.
In practice, from leaving my marina berth, navigating the lock and the 10km of 8knot, no wash limit to the bar means it is at least an hour before out in the Solent.
Inflating my dinghy takes approx 10mins...another 10mins to the boat and getting on board means I will be able to be out on the sea in less than half the time...

Putting your boat miles away in Cornwall (for example) will mean a limited amount of time on the boat and lots more travelling time!
I'd go for nearby, even if it isn't quite so picturesque!

When its pissing down with rain, going to and from the boat in a dinghy is horrid, especially if you have bags etc that you need to keep dry. I know this from 20 years of being on a harbour board mooring on piles in the Hamble. It gets old very quickly. As soon as I took over the costs from my dad, we went onto a marina

[fushion julz]

blueg33 said:

When its pissing down with rain, going to and from the boat in a dinghy is horrid, especially if you have bags etc that you need to keep dry. I know this from 20 years of being on a harbour board mooring on piles in the Hamble. It gets old very quickly. As soon as I took over the costs from my dad, we went onto a marina

Perhaps...Maybe another year down the line I may agree...However, the over £2k saving in cost, plus more accesibility will more than compensate, for now. In any case, there are 2 jettys (one each side of the harbour mouth) that are available for short term loading, unloading, etc so at worst, it will just be me getting wet on the short dinghy ride!