Those Were The Days...again !

[jack]

In the sixties I had a large cathedral hull cabin cruiser,20',with 60 o/brd. My mates from work and I often organised trips out fishing,but as we were all on shiftwork it was only occasionaly 3 or 4 of us could get together.so things were organised well in advance and it would take a hurricane to stop us going out.On this particular day,we decided on Weymouth as the weather had been iffy,and we had a few sheltered options.Launched early from the inner harbour and headed out into SE 5-6. Boat rolled and crashed its way around to the Naval Harbour where there was shelter. had the odd small fish from the Hood,[hanging from the wire,lived dangerously in those days ] Fed up with this we decided to venture out to a VERY deep hole just off the end of the shoreline beneath the little car park/viewing area.The waves were large [higher than the cabin top ] but well spaced and not breaking,over went the anchor and once it held lines were down.Holding the bottom was a challenge but we were in to fish at once,Conger;ray and bullhuss,as well as huge pout.Standing was very difficult,as was landing fish.After a while we were all knackered and decided to move back in for a rest from the battering,and,as the wind had increased the waves were occasionally arriving as breakers. I volunteered to haul the anchor [no cissy Anka yankas then ] I could NOT get it out. we drove into it hard and each time a wave lifted us I was nearly pulled over the front end.I changed places ,[itself a hairy task] with George,our 16 stone muscleman and I took the helm.After a couple of superhuman hauls with George fighting against the waves lift,the anchor came out.But with such a jolt ,George fell back onto the windscreen,and strait through into the cabin.along with 50 gallon of sea water .I got the lads to haul until all the anchor warp was in,though the window,with lots more water,we left the anchor dangling from the roller as I would not put anyone on the foredeck.Then beat rolled Surfed and wallowed back around to the Hood,Pumping and bailing as we travelled.We were all safe,but do I even need to add a moral or warning to this tale ? you already know !!!I am a lot older and wizer now,BUT that hole is still there. ! ! !jack