My First Trip

[ColinR]

We've only had one trip, weather and family conspiring against us at the moment. Not likely to get out till early July by the looks of it.

[betty boop]

glad its not only me, we were hoping for a long weekend on the IoW this weekend for the festival 3rd year waiting for a decent weather window and still no luck. Looks like I'll be putting all bets on a 2 week stay'onboard'cation in Torquay this year.

[Ianfs]

Sorry about hijacking your thread for a bit Dennis but......

Ian, I've been working on my trailer for a few days fitting new U bolts. Whilst bolting things up, I remembered your post about bunks slipping. It occurred to me that this is not the first this happened, is that right? I'm not sure how yours are attached but usually they have either Ubolts or a square bracket bolted in. Either way have you thought of getting them in place at the correct setting then drilling an 8 or 10mm hole and sticking a bolt through. I bought A2 stainless bolts from Sea Screw.

[betty boop]

Sorry about hijacking your thread for a bit Dennis but......

Ian, I've been working on my trailer for a few days fitting new U bolts. Whilst bolting things up, I remembered your post about bunks slipping. It occurred to me that this is not the first this happened, is that right? I'm not sure how yours are attached but usually they have either Ubolts or a square bracket bolted in. Either way have you thought of getting them in place at the correct setting then drilling an 8 or 10mm hole and sticking a bolt through. I bought A2 stainless bolts from Sea Screw.

Hi Ian

Great minds think alike - yes I did remember I had that plan on Sunday when she was off the trailer, they are square brackets & I hadnt got as far as hole or what to use as a pin though but thanks for that info. Ive never had much luck with drilling metal since 1984 and my metal work 'O' level, I always seem to blunt the bit. A bit (no Pun intended) embarrising to ask for hole drilling advise but could I use a high speed battery drill & what would be the best practice?

[Bigplumbs]

Well it is now the 19th July and I have now managed 4 trips out in the boat. Not too bad I suppose as during the very good weather 21st June onwards I was on holiday for 2 weeks out of the country. How are others doing trip wise

Regards

Dennis

[sprocker]

We were out yesterday, trip planned from Torquay around to Dartmouth. The weather was nowhere near as bad as forecast so we had a very nice cruise.

To top it all off we saw 3 pods of dolphins on the way......fantastic day!

[ColinR]

We took the plunge today and headed for the island. Interesting trip over, I would estimated a good F5 into the wind and tide. Very choppy around Calshot but we kept up on the plane at just under 20 knots. Got quite wet though. Coming back we had wind and tide behind us and flew home. The whole feeling was softer off the waves. Almost thinking of keeping joka now as it was so much fun.

Wouldn't have wanted to be heading for Yarmouth though. Lots of white caps out there.

Lots of big classic sailing things about and almost got blown out of the water by the RYS starting cannon

[ian h]

Yep we were out there too,

A bit leter down than plannned due to the 3 being at a standstill from J11 onwards, Luckily we came off at J9 and took the scenic route,

Was around 12:30 before we got out so waited for the 13:00 Red Funnel car ferry with Martin on board,
Had a couple of runs past the ferry , Hopefully Martin has some great shots, I know he had camera with him,
We then headed over to Cowes but struggled to find a berth and ended up at the Island Harbour Marina. Very friendly staff and great food.

Yes coming back was a bit windy but all good fun,
Saxonhad 2 new member of staff on whom had not seen before.

Did not see you out Colin?

[ColinR]

We were out about 11 and headed for east Cowes for lunch at the lifeboat. Back to Saxon about 3:30. The young lad has been around a while but didn't know the lift driver.

Matt's boat was off the rack but I don't know where. Never tried island harbour. What's it like?

[ian h]

Tried Cowes Yacht Haven , Shepheards and East Cowes, None had space for a 36 foot boat,

We got back around 4:30.
Matt is round at Mercury i think for a month ?

No short stay at Island Marina officially but we were allowed on the waiting pontoon outside the Marina,

Lovely food at the on site resturant, A hidden gem I would say. May be looking at doing an overnight stay there,