Season start?

[shibbs]

So when do you all plan to get going again?
I've got a few jobs to do on the engine prior to her goi back in. Shouldn't be too major though. I will take the leg off and do bellows, gimbal and impeller within the next few weeks. I was going to do it all last year but inspected and it was good Togo for another year but I will definitely do it this year.
I'm hoping to get freshly anti-fouled and put her back in as early next month as I can.. realistically though, it probably won't be until the end of march.
I'm hoping the risk of frost is slowing but surely disappearing now too.
Anyone got any trips planned yet?

[MartynG]

I have the oil and filters on the boat but waiting for a milder weekend to service the engines . No rush - sometime in March will be okay.
We are thinking our first trip out will be in April.
The lock keepers on the R.Trent will start at Easter. Until then it will be DIY lock keeping.

[Bigplumbs]

I did most jobs last year and I am going to inspect things to see if I think they will last this season. I did have my exhaust bellows come off the leg end but most people on here and the other forum seem to think that this is not a significant problem.

I will antifoul in March/April and probably put her in in april. It all depends however on when they drop my mooring.

Having never removed a stern drive if any of you who are doing this want someone to assist and you live within a reasonable distance

[Bigplumbs]

I did most jobs last year and I am going to inspect things to see if I think they will last this season. I did have my exhaust bellows come off the leg end but most people on here and the other forum seem to think that this is not a significant problem.

I will antifoul in March/April and probably put her in in april. It all depends however on when they drop my mooring.

Having never removed a stern drive if any of you who are doing this want someone to assist and you live within a reasonable distance I would be pleased to come along and help/observe so that I can learn. I live near Ipswich and don't mind travelling

Dennis

[mlines]

Mid-March is our target for a shakedown cruise on the Thames (check everything is working) followed by Poole hopefully late march.

Sterndrive is away having a bearing replaced so we are awaiting its return

[sprocker]

Lift in booked for 8th March!

Next couple of weekends will be spent finishing off the antifouling and washing & waxing.

Then spend a few weekends aboard on the Hamble, and get out into the Solent to get used to her before my longest ever cruise........ around the coast to Torquay when we get a weather window.

Beginning to get excited right now!

[Bigplumbs]

Lift in booked for 8th March!

Next couple of weekends will be spent finishing off the antifouling and washing & waxing.

Then spend a few weekends aboard on the Hamble, and get out into the Solent to get used to her before my longest ever cruise........ around the coast to Torquay when we get a weather window.

Beginning to get excited right now!

Don't forget to drop into the Dart and Dartmouth and also Brixham. Once in Tourbay you are kind of safe. I actually think the Brixham Marina is nicer than Torquay to stay in

Dennis

[sprocker]

Don't forget to drop into the Dart and Dartmouth and also Brixham. Once in Tourbay you are kind of safe. I actually think the Brixham Marina is nicer than Torquay to stay in

Dennis

Torbay is our stomping ground as we live there, so the Dart all the way up to Totnes is one of our regular cruises.

Brixham Marina is OK, and is a little cheaper than Torquay, but we prefer the facilities at Torquay, including the on site car parking.
We found berthing to get 'interesting' during a good blow at Brixham, wheras Torquay is a little more sheltered.

The cruising area is excellent though, lots of small coves which means you can usually find an empty one if you know where to look.

[Ianfs]

Lift in booked for 8th March!
Then spend a few weekends aboard on the Hamble, and get out into the Solent to get used to her before my longest ever cruise........ around the coast to Torquay when we get a weather window.

I suspect the main passage worries on your radar are, The Shingles and The Needles Channel, Portland Bill and Lyme Bay.

Winds around here are predominantly SW although they have been swinging a lot over Winter. I think Colin, Matt, Ed, Anton, Martin, James and Nick T would all agree to head out to leave the Needles to Port say about 100m at slack with an F3-4 max heading Sw until you clear the SW Shingles Marker, although with no wind at all, its a different matter. I can see the overfalls at the Shingle Bank regularly from the cliff top and from Hurst the race is predominant. Having said that I was out threading the Needles the other day with a double high tide and it was benign.

Portland is a different kettle of fish, some people say its a nightmare and others a piece of cake. I've only ever been round it twice in a boat, but seen it kick up several times from land, the race is out to sea a bit 5nm should clear it on an offshore passage. I've seen a vid made by Tom Cunliffe, albeit he's a sailor, but his advice on the inshore passage and taking it at slack, for me is spot on. Hold up in Weymouth and try to get to Portland at slack, then head round on the inshore passage, both times it was better than expected.

Lyme Bay can be either big or benign too, luckily I've only ever seen it calm so not really much help there. I've just plotted a direct course and its about 30nm form the Bill to Torbay or 53nm for an inshore passage, so not too bad.

[ChrisH]

And don't forget at the beginning of the journey stay in the channel as you leave the Hamble River. Dont be tempted to cut across to your starboard.

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