Fun in the solent

[annageek]

Just thought I'd upload one of our GoPro videos yesterday.

We'd spent the night at anchor at Osbourne Bay (again) among all the yachts that had rocked up for the Round The Island race - we were the only mobo to about 30 yachts! We stayed until all the yachts were coming back in the afternoon, then left and followed the racers across the line. It was a great time out, and watching the RTI boats was awesome! We've always missed it in previous years due to boat issues, so really pleased we finally get to see the madness!

On the way back, we sort of accidentally involved in a race with a Sealine S38 around Bramble Bank and all of the way down Southampton Water. It wan't a real race, but as we tried to overtake, it became evident that they had cottoned on and didn't want us knocking their pride in our little 19' Fletch! Anyway, trying to maintain 30+kts through the Solent chop off Calshot lead to one hell of a wet ride! Wicked good fun though, even if I (and everything I had on board with me) is still a bit soggy!

We 'won' the 'race' though, so it was all worthwhile!

[Xboatboyx]

nice video, although i saw a Sealine S41 rather than a 38

[Ianfs]

although i saw a Sealine S41 rather than a 38

And you think you are a geek Anna?

Excellent, good spot James.

The thing is, depending on his engines, he's got about 28-30knts in that sea constantly, so for you to catch him was an achievement, you looked like you were varying speeds depending on how hard you hit a big one, until it seemed to flatten out for a minute then bammm, you got 'im. Great tenacity and great watch, loved it and loved the challenge and the music.

[annageek]

nice video, although i saw a Sealine S41 rather than a 38

Ahh crap! It is an S41... nevermind it's on the OH's youtube account, so I can just say it was him who gave me a bum steer. I'll have to pay more attention to counting potholes in the future!!

The hardest part was getting out of their wake! It was huge... GoPros always make everything look dead flat, but as you can see, driving up it at an angle was pretty unsuccessful. Needed to be really perpendicular to climb it to get over. Watching it reminds me of the last mini trying to drive onto the truck at the end of the Italian Job. Couple of failed attempts, then finally we're over!

But yeah, I think it's Thorn Knoll where it's always super choppy, and staying at planing speed was a challenge, let alone keeping up in the high 20's! What's interesting though is that despite the speed and the roughness of the sea, it wasn't all that slammy. Sure, it was VERY wet, but the shape/angle of the waves meant we were dropping into them rather than crashing down onto them... great fun!

It seems that every time we've been out this year (6 times, I think) we've seen big seas - more than the forecast would suggest, but it's also great to know that the little Fletch' can handle it! Even in the F6 gusting F7 we got caught up in a few weekends back (although not in too much of a hurry to repeat that one!)!!

[Ianfs]

If you get a minute Anna, it would be great to see the pictures of the boat again in the Readers Boats forum. However, if you include a little detail on the age engine and drive etc, we can refer to it in the future if you need any more help.

[_Ed_]

I did similar chasing the red jet thing up through Southampton at about 45knots the other week. I was catching it fast until I realised that everyone on the boat was looking a bit worse for wear, and so backed of hahahaa. It is good fun. I had to admit defeat trying to follow another 35+foot boat as it was simply too rough to match their speed, we were getting battered!!

[annageek]

If you get a minute Anna, it would be great to see the pictures of the boat again in the Readers Boats forum. However, if you include a little detail on the age engine and drive etc, we can refer to it in the future if you need any more help.

Gladly! Pictures added.

I did similar chasing the red jet thing up through Southampton at about 45knots the other week. I was catching it fast until I realised that everyone on the boat was looking a bit worse for wear, and so backed of hahahaa. It is good fun. I had to admit defeat trying to follow another 35+foot boat as it was simply too rough to match their speed, we were getting battered!!

Hehe... I just wish out boat was anywhere near that fast! For us, even at WOT it comes up like a rocket propelled flying machine! What sort of conditions can you get those sort of speeds Ed? Does it have to be mill pond flat, or can you just wave hop?

[_Ed_]

Err, well my crew always seems to falter before me, and then I spend a half a day fixing things that broke (whilst they recover) so its definitely not mill pond. It really depends, wave height, period direction against or from it really make a difference. I quite like a little chop at F2-3 I can get some pretty damn serious speed over that, BUT and its a big but you really have to keep an eye out for those rouge ones.

This may give you an idea. The red jet was well past before I decided to have a play. I didn't expect to be able to catch to be honest, but before some of the other wake slowed me Wavelength II was catching it pretty fast.

[annageek]

Err, well my crew always seems to falter before me, and then I spend a half a day fixing things that broke (whilst they recover) so its definitely not mill pond. It really depends, wave height, period direction against or from it really make a difference. I quite like a little chop at F2-3 I can get some pretty damn serious speed over that, BUT and its a big but you really have to keep an eye out for those rouge ones.

This may give you an idea. The red jet was well past before I decided to have a play. I didn't expect to be able to catch to be honest, but before some of the other wake slowed me Wavelength II was catching it pretty fast.

Jesus H Christ! That looked quick!

Quite a lot of rolling going on there. Always scares me when you're sent rolling sharply over to one side, even though I know you've gotta go much further before it actually becomes a problem. It just always 'feels' like it's going to end in much pain!

[Ianfs]

So this is Ed, in the Solent again and as has been said many times before, camera's really don't give you the right impression of swell/wavelength, must have been 1.5m with variable wavelength. This was so bumpy I could hardly hold the camera steady and we were chuntering...........Ed is seen sauntering along quite casually when he decides he wants to catch Matt. The acceleration is outstanding.......




Still I think I may have found the answer to his speed thing....

It's a Seadoo twin engine with superchargers, producing 430hp and about 70mph.......what do you think Ed?

Seadoo twin 430hp