charlieannear Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 This very long tale may be of use to someone in the future, as it documents the first launch of an untested boat, restored by novices and taken out by very green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Nice interesting ( and slightly amusing ) read. I like the part about the board to get the boat clamped down onto the trailer - could do with that on mine. Many parts were familiar ( as in many of these slip ups I have, and if honest, I think we all have, made ). I am impressed with the thorough preparation, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Congratulation on your maiden voyage. Plenty to learn but what an experience. Wishing you lots of fun for both the family and fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Charlie, Also, not "au-fait" with the planing speed of Shetlands, but presumably they are semi displacement similar to Orkneys ? In which case, I would expect the boat to plane earlier than 12 knots when fitted with trim tabs. ( maybe another Shetland owner can comment on this ). Maybe some adjustment ( ie. increase lift ) is needed ? My 520 planes at around 5 to 6 knots with the smart tabs fitted and that is with a fair amount of weight in the back as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 even though the day had its problems, you will look back in years to come, and these are the sort of memories that are great to look back on! I had the same thing happen at the back of the needles fishing in rough conditions during a Jan cod trip a while back. Steering failed and motored to mudeford using a tiller arm. I then flooded the engine and got towed in by a jet ski! Very scarey, but i look back and smile. An enjoyable read charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted April 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Yep, semi displacement. I'm sure you're right Paul- will have to do some trial and error testing, like many of you have, to get the best out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Sounds an adventurous first trip Charlie. Well done on your meticulous preparations and trying different forms of emergency steering till you got back. We're well impressed - and would call that a successful trip! Mike and Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Well done Charlie, I suppose you will be wanting a Pro-Charter now you have all that experiance in re-building! Nice one matey, glad nearly everything worked out ok for you. Don't forget to flush the engine with fresh water, might have missed that bit on the report. Welcome to the world of boating Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted April 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 (edited) I've seen Charlie C's and I'd never get one of those down my drive! Mind you, I could fly a big Cornish flag from one of those and they are a Cornish boat... Yep, flushed both the main and aux motors with fresh water, and powerwashed the trailer, boat and Pajero. And soaked the winch webbing, any ropes I used and my small anchor and chain in a big bucket of fresh water overnight. Also scrubbed the decks, seats and trim! Edited April 11, 2007 by charlieannear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Glad you enjoyed your first trip on my first trip we broke down by Bournemouth pier (forgot to undo pressure valve on fuel tank) try not to put the jeep in the water. I know you jet washed it off when you got home ...but what about when it was sat in the car park all day? I have seen people clean off the salt water in between launching and retrieving but who`s got time when there`s fish to catch Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 oooops forgot to mention. Did you know that you can get a season ticket for Baiter ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted April 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Good point! Where do I get one of those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 excellent charlie well done should have come into the marina said hello then i could have been nosey sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted April 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Will do next time Sam! I guess this is what I need to complete to apply for a season ticket at Baiter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 or be really nice to lee in the little hut he has a weakness to hot dogs trust me i work with him sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 I am impressed with the thorough preparation, A great checklist for anyone starting out. Charlie you must be cheating, no one is supposed to reverse the trailer correctly the first time, It all sounds like it went almost too well- watch out for the next time it's bound to have more glitches well done PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 just reading it again i new i saw you on the quay when i was doing my quay checks just wasnt 100% sure should have said hi but was too busy concentrating on my job honest sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 great report - sorry we missed you. went through Blood Alley between Brownsea and Furzy at 1230 on the way out and 1700 on the way back............ suspect you have read the 'how to jury rig a broken steering cable on an outboard boat' already now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oysterboats Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 hi charlie just a small piece of advice from a seasoned boat launcher avoid dunking your vehicle in the sea to often you will soon find that even washing the salt off it gets in many places and will eat your mag wheels ,the thing to do is tie rope to car, via towing eye is best and round winch post of trailer just in case you have a runaway the boat and trailer shouldnt disapear into the water, choc off wheels and unhitch from car transfer rope from towing eye and loop round tow hitch, or if you have brakes on the trailer wedge the wheels first and unhitch from the car tie rope to winch post and double hitch the rope around the tow hitch you will then find that you can control your ascent into the water without dunking vehicle, on return one person can stay with boat whilst the other goes for the car and trailer ,the trailer can then go into the water to retrieve the boat leaving the car at waters edge or a little way up the slip ,again you tie the rope to the trailer using a series of over hand knots, when boat is on the trailer you then tie the rope to the tow hitch using the overhand knots the reason for this knot is because of the strain exerted upon the rope when pulling your rig up the slipway any other knot would pull itself so tight as to never be able to undo it. when i say series of overhand loops i mean you take a length of rope and pass it round your winch post you the tie one overhand knot close to the post then another and another until you have no rope left well done tho for turning boat and trailer into wind and tide to ease your retrieve ,that was a lesson i had to learn one day when it was blowing a force 5 sw at baiter and my boat just wouldnt go on the normal way, i hope this is of some help to you as this is how i do it obviously you can fine tune it to suit yourself and find out what works best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnasher Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 thats some great advice charlie, im suprised it wasn't picked up earlier in the thread though! As time goes on, you will pick up these things quickly. I've only been launching my own boat for about 2 years and its suprising how quickly you learn- especially with the knowledge that some of these lads have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Fisheagle Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Hi Charlie Great to read about your maiden launch. It seems along time since we did our powerboat Level 2 together with your Dad. Sorry i didn't recognise you at first at the Club's AGM. Your account makes a fascinating read. Hope to see you out there in the not too distant future. Allan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieannear Posted April 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Thanks to all for the feedback- all top notch as usual. I take on board the launching advice re the salt water effect on the Paj and will give the rope method a go in future. We had considered it this time but decided to keep the launch as simple as possbile in order to try and ensure a pleasurable first use. The factors to consider for the method used were experience, speed required and also the available manpower! Will let you know how we get on next time. Allan- Dad and also said how the course seemed like an age ago. It soon came back once we were out and about in the harbour though! C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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