TomBettle Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Such a travesty. Just completed 2 days of own boat tuition with a customer aboard his Jeanneau Prestige 34. Joined by, Harry, his eleven year old son who kept himself busy with his DS. The idea was for him to gain confidence and competence in close quarters and so we started on Tuesday morning with a spot of pontoon bashing and learning about using twin engines. An hour or so in and the basics are sinking in, but it's pretty stressful stuff in a very tight space with anchors and tens of thousands of pounds worth of boats all around and poor Rob looked exhausted. "Do you want to go somewhere?" I asked him. "What, Poole Quay?" Rob replied thinking I simply meant a change of scenery and different pontoons. I explained that we could break up the pontoon bashing with a look at weather and tides and possibly do a proper passage plan to go on a cruise, much as he hoped to do when his entire family was with him. "Can we do that?" He asked. Too bloody right we can. That is what this boat does best and so we discussed the merits of a short hop to Weymouth or Lymington and ruled those out as he done them in his smaller boat. Brixham? Nice, but not too challenging. We chose Guernsey as it would be Rob (and Harry's) first ever channel crossing and in that respect a true adventure. We untied lines at Parkstone Bay Marina at 16:00 and headed out into a smooth sea. A very gentle swell kept the boat feeling like it was on the water rather than simply gliding through the air and we averaged a steady 22 or so knots all the way across. A pod of Dolphins joined us very briefly mid channel and were soon left prancing in our wake and then the usual extra caution through the separation lanes which were properly crossed at 90 degrees rather than the slight angle we have a tendency to take them at. Rob was a happy dangler rather than a serious angler, but he seemed keen to hear about the wrecks and fishing marks we were travelling above and was wowed by the depth finder dropping away to over 500' as we crossed the Hurds Deeps with Alderney off on the port bow. With a good shove of tide behind us we chose to pass Burhou to port and in no time and with fabulous visibility first Sark, then Herm and then Guernsey appeared as dark lines above the horizon. Another 45 minutes and we were running up the Little Russell channel and soon Rob was practising his new skills and holding station in what seemed like a very busy queue waiting to head in to Victoria Marina in St Peter Port. I've run the channel many times, but usually to Alderney or Jersey. Never having been to Guernsey I was firstly surprised by the organised chaos entering the marina. Great fun, but a little stressful for Rob and after tieing up by 20:30 I was then taken by how quaint (compared with St Helier) St Peter Port was. Next surprise came as we headed ashore and stumbled across a nice looking bistro called Diez Neuf. A recognisable face was sat at one of the outside tables, my customer and now fishing friend Dan Redrupp's dad Bob was just finishing dinner with Dan's brother. They had made the crossing a few days before in their Merry Fisher 625 and looked to be having a very relaxed holiday. Steak in garlic butter, a couple of cold ciders and it was bed time for me. Moored by the road wasn't great, but I got enough sleep to feel fresh at 07:00 when I shot off to the very good marina facilities for a proper freshen up. On return I found Rob facing his first experience of rafting up (three deep) as he and our friendly French berth neighbour were helping another French visitor slide out from the inside in their rather nice looking Fontaine Pajot Catamaran. A lazy breakfast for the three of us and we said Aurevoir to our neighbours in their new Prestige 39 at 10:00 and straight to the fuel berth. Firstly, I was bowled over by the fact we had only used 180 litres to run at a good cruising speed the almost 90 nautical miles from Poole along with some pontoon bashing before hand and then Rob was bowled over at the price of the fuel, just 72ppl! Result! "...no Rob you have to stop now, it's coming out of the breather pipe!" Leaving the fuel berth at 10.40 and a quick diversion 40 minutes later to take him through The Swinge. A gestured wave towards my good mate Mark at Alderney Angling (who text to say he waved back from the breakwater as he was helping with the childrens fishing festival) and then whoosh! The oily calm tidal swirls of the swinge were very suddenly and seemingly from nowhere dramatically interrupted by standing waves. The first caught us a little off guard, but the speed was quickly dropped from 25 knots at 2400rpm to a far more manageable and comfortable 16 knots as we reached our next waypoint and steered NxNE towards Poole Bay. After a few miles we left the tidal influence of Alderney behind and was soon back up to cruising revs. The ships in the lanes seemed stationary from 10 miles away, but as we got closer the white water from their bulbous bows was clear. The only interruption to the now smooth again sea was a slight bump as we crossed the wake of a bulk carrier half a mile astern and at 25 miles out the first hints of the Purbeck Hills could be seen. At 19 miles out the Bournemouth Eye could be seen going up and down with what seemed an endles stream of tourists and it made a great visual marker to steer towards to take us out a little wide of Peverel Ledge and Old Harry for a more comfortable run back to the Swash Channel. We met a Sunseeker Trideck heading back the way we had come and then once again the oily calm was distrubed by the weather conditions being affected by land as a stiff westerly five hit a a result of heat and thermoclines around the Purbecks. I tasted the first bit of salt spray of the cruise, but the boat was quite happy in the short chop and continued in with Old Harry a mile to port and home was in sight. Tied up back at Parkstone Bay Marina at 14:45, a quick break and another hour of pontoon bashing left Rob ready for the Channel, ready to cruise and feeling happy around his mooring. I hope he and his family have a great time with their new boat. They should do, she's lovely. A whirlwind channel islands trip. And not a fishing rod in sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Nash Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I just "you tubed" that prestige 34 and it looks like a very nice piece of kit!! It sounds like you have the almost perfect job Tom, the onlt thing that could improve it would be a little more time to fish . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 What a horrible job Tom. All that hard work and stress will kill you. Why don't you jack it in and get a proper job in a factory somewhere. Very good report. Thanks Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 What a horrible job Tom. All that hard work and stress will kill you. Why don't you jack it in and get a proper job in a factory somewhere. Very good report. Thanks Jim Jim It was horrible. It wasn't even that I couldn't stop and fish, but that I didn't even have a rod onboard! Driving over the Brittle Stars, my favourite wrecks, Hurds Deeps, past Speedy Rock, past the Schole Bank, back up the Swinge, past the Nannels and all our Alderney memories just a mile or two away. All of it so close... yet so very far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 My heart bleeds Tom!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Time to get those 4 piece waveblasters into your overnight bag mate Sounds like another awfull day in the office, nice to see that the Marine Industry treats its customers so well and teaches them rather than just throw them the keys. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Nice one Tom thanks for the report Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) Time to get those 4 piece waveblasters into your overnight bag mate Sounds like another awfull day in the office, nice to see that the Marine Industry treats its customers so well and teaches them rather than just throw them the keys. Charlie Rob didn't actually buy this boat from me. But he's sensible enough to know when it was getting the better of him and asked the sea school for some practical help. I would have packed my rods, but at 25 knots even the Channels Wahoo would struggle to keep up. On your point about the marine industry being "good", not me mate, have you not heard, I am the evil scurge of the industry after a foolish indescretion the other day! Edited August 4, 2011 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Time to get those 4 piece waveblasters into your overnight bag mate Sounds like another awfull day in the office, nice to see that the Marine Industry treats its customers so well and teaches them rather than just throw them the keys. Charlie Rob didn't actually buy this boat from me. But he's sensible enough to know when it was getting the better of him and asked the sea school for some practical help. I would have packed my rods, but at 25 knots even the Channels Wahoo would struggle to keep up. On your point about the marine industry being "good", not me mate, have you not heard, I am the evil scurge of the industry after a foolish indescretion the other day! Prey tell Pm me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Time to get those 4 piece waveblasters into your overnight bag mate Sounds like another awfull day in the office, nice to see that the Marine Industry treats its customers so well and teaches them rather than just throw them the keys. Charlie Rob didn't actually buy this boat from me. But he's sensible enough to know when it was getting the better of him and asked the sea school for some practical help. I would have packed my rods, but at 25 knots even the Channels Wahoo would struggle to keep up. On your point about the marine industry being "good", not me mate, have you not heard, I am the evil scurge of the industry after a foolish indescretion the other day! Prey tell Pm me I'll see you later. And tell you then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Nice report and great work if you can get it Tom Indiscretion? you! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 the good old St PP dilemma - inside with the sill with restrictions and the noise of the road but power, walk to the ablutions and bars..........or outside with the noise of the ferries. good you had a pleasant trip Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Sounds a great trip Tom. So much better than the 15-16 hours it takes us in Frisky! Mind, wouldn't like the fuel bills !!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Mind, wouldn't like the fuel bills !!! Mike Mike I was blown away by how cheap it was. 2 x 260Hp engines, nearly 7 tonnes and 6 knots faster cruise speed than Quest II, but only about 30% dearer on juice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yes but on outdrives? Goes to show how much more efficiant they are even when running a pair of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yes but on outdrives? Goes to show how much more efficiant they are even when running a pair of them. Yep much more efficient Adam. The downside is the servicing costs so the saving is pretty much equalled out, but it's the there and now saving and increased performance that does put a smile on your face! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Its an age old argument, one that has many pros and cons each way. However I think that if your using the boat for long range stuff you very quickly recover the extra servicing costs. Comparing JV to WM I use about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Adam, If you can find me someone to service my Arvor for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 My engine service costs are about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirky Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 Great report Tom .... thanks for sharing that !! Mentioning Dans 625 already there made me think !!! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djredrupp Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 Good writeup Tom! Currently waiting for the tide to come in and cover the sill to get in - should be about 9.15 tonight! So far it seems you havent missed much on the fishing front! Spent the first day drifting the great bank - just outside of st pp, dragging Mackerel fillets, to no avail ! Knew we were in the right place, As loads of local boats around! Yesterday morning went to guernseys only tackle shop ( strangely inland) there they seemed shocked that we wernt catching anything! But it was clear others were buying live sandeels for Bass, so we followed suit. We then waited an hour for the bus, missing any chance of an early start!! Armed with livebait, we managed one bass of 3.5lb and a smaller pollack and have also found out that the mackerel seem to prefer the tiny sandeel lures, which have so far caught sandeel, launce, horse mackerel (I think - will check when home) and mackerel. Today tried catching some sandeel for bass, which took a while, and nothing much was obliging for a days fishing - pretty dissapointing really! Due some stronger winds for the next few day's, so restricted to land based activities - hopefully the fishing will pick up after!! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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