This blog is the random accounts of a much loved and used Macwester Rowan on the East Coast of the UK from the perspective of Chantilly, the boat. Veneer and Varnish would also have been a suitable title for this 'account' of my life as a small boat living on the East Coast.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Warm Weather
End of the warm weather is about to hamper his efforts to give me a 'heart transplant'. St Jude being his patron saint, my owner is trying to re-power me so it should be interesting to watch. The story is unfolding in the Projects page.
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Paint Remover
The fool has a joke that is starting to become a reality. The joke is that you need the same colour paint remover as the colour of the paint that you are trying to remove. Not very funny but it is code for colliding with painted items and needing to remove the mark.
This season has been an unmitigated success with regards to him keeping me off the bottom. He hasn't run me into the mud once. However, almost every standard Trinity House colour of paint remover has been needed. Green paint remover was required after running into a fairway channel mark in the Crouch. The day was ideal, a fair South Westerly wind was taking us back to Bridgemarsh and there was an almighty crunch that shook the me to the core. He was convinced that the motor boat to port caught it on a camera, they must have seen the situation developing. So far no sign of it in any of the main sites like you tube!
The worst collision involved a boat in a marina. The colour was maroon but red paint remover would have solved the problem. He grovelled and apologised to the owner when he met him. The other boat owner was very forgiving and he learnt a valuable lesson. Don't try and moor up on my own with a strong off shore wind!
Yellow paint remover was required this weekend, on Friday he managed to sail us up to Battlesbridge on a rising tide in the pouring rain. Sail came down and engine went on at the final bend before the basin. A neatly executed 180 turn and a stooge about in the basin until the owner of Hazel May came up on deck to make sure that we weren't about to moor up alongside. Then we motored back to the river moorings off N. Fambridge. As there was no wind in the morning he decided to set off before it was light and get back to Bridgemarsh before the tide ran out. We hit Short Pole Reach as we drifted down the river. A minor glancing blow but it did leave a little yellow mark on my bow.
So paint remover is code for a cock-up involving embarrassing coloured mark on my hull. Let's hope he doesn't need any more paint remover!
This season has been an unmitigated success with regards to him keeping me off the bottom. He hasn't run me into the mud once. However, almost every standard Trinity House colour of paint remover has been needed. Green paint remover was required after running into a fairway channel mark in the Crouch. The day was ideal, a fair South Westerly wind was taking us back to Bridgemarsh and there was an almighty crunch that shook the me to the core. He was convinced that the motor boat to port caught it on a camera, they must have seen the situation developing. So far no sign of it in any of the main sites like you tube!
The worst collision involved a boat in a marina. The colour was maroon but red paint remover would have solved the problem. He grovelled and apologised to the owner when he met him. The other boat owner was very forgiving and he learnt a valuable lesson. Don't try and moor up on my own with a strong off shore wind!
Yellow paint remover was required this weekend, on Friday he managed to sail us up to Battlesbridge on a rising tide in the pouring rain. Sail came down and engine went on at the final bend before the basin. A neatly executed 180 turn and a stooge about in the basin until the owner of Hazel May came up on deck to make sure that we weren't about to moor up alongside. Then we motored back to the river moorings off N. Fambridge. As there was no wind in the morning he decided to set off before it was light and get back to Bridgemarsh before the tide ran out. We hit Short Pole Reach as we drifted down the river. A minor glancing blow but it did leave a little yellow mark on my bow.
So paint remover is code for a cock-up involving embarrassing coloured mark on my hull. Let's hope he doesn't need any more paint remover!
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Middelberg Cruise Report
Annual trip to the continent this year was to Middelberg via Vlissengen (Flushing). We set off on the evening tide on Monday last week and made it across in 36 hours, arriving in Vlissengen at 3 AM on Wednesday. The crossing from The Crouch started well with favourable winds all the way to Long Sand Head, then the wind dropped and the next 20 hours were tractor driving.
Amazing sun rise over a milky N. Sea on Tuesday and very little traffic in either of the traffic separation schemes; Sunk and Nord Hinder. A couple of ships to be avoided but no dramas.
Coming in towards Belgium we took the passage north of the anchorage but south of the practice mine laying area. Less traffic here and plenty of sea room.
Once into the Schelde bouyage system it was almost like a run up a motorway. A small encounter with a pilot boat when we were entering Vlissengen was the only notable event. Trying to find the harbour entrance in the dark was fun but probably easier than we made it look as the lights and marks were excellent.
The lock is supposed to be 24 hour but the operator didn't respond on VHF 18 so we tried the marina, they answered VHF ch 14 at 2 AM and raised the lock keeper to open up! We finally tied up in VVW Schelde marina at 3 AM. We were woken up at 8 AM after a well needed sleep by a very pleasant lady asking for money. The marina is great, well laid out with all the facilities and not too expensive. We sorted our selves out and set off for Middelberg at 10:30AM. The time is important because we thought that there was a bridge time table. Despite several conversations with locals it appears that the bridges open when the operators see enough boats idling around near a bridge.
We made it up the 4 miles of canal and 5 bridges in a couple of hours and tied up on the 'Shopping' pontoon which is free for 2 hours near the centre of Middelberg. If anyone likes interesting, semi medieval towns then this is the place to visit. There are several canals where boats are moored stern to and loads of narrow winding streets that lead to the large church, castle and museum at the top of the hill or Centrum as they call it.
Just to complete the dutch theme, there were windmills (proper big ones) and loads of bicycles moving silently!
Also some great modern buildings.
After an afternoon mooching around we headed back to Vlissengen. We had a long wait for the first bridge but by the time it was opened there were about 10 boats coming into Middelberg and a large Germany cruiser (Dehler not Tirpitz) going our way. After the delay of the first bridge all the rest opened within a few minutes of reaching them and we were back outside the Schelde marina in time for an evening meal.
After the meal we set off for the main harbour lock and our first real cock up occurred. The stern over took the bow!! I am just waiting for it to appear on You Tube, it will be a classic. Recovered from that and then set off back into the Schelde on the top of the tide.
The light system is interesting if you haven't seen one before. Some coloured filters in front of a lamp. Sounds obvious but I would have expected a bit of protection around the filters.
The wind picked up nicely to an F2 on the starboard beam and we made a solid 5 knots through the water, 7 knots over the ground at times, all the way across the N. Sea to Kentish Knock. Quite a few boats about getting in our way in the entrance to the Schelde but almost none from there to Black Deep. It was tight getting round Black Deep and as we made it round the wind dies again and we motored down the Swin towards the Whittaker channel. By the time we made it to the River Crouch entrance there was patchy fog and so we slowed down and considered anchoring. As it was we kept going based on navigation using my iPhone (I know what the disclaimer says but I cannot afford a proper chart plotter).
Overall a brilliant trip, there were three of us on my Macwester Rowan which was just manageable as long as only one of us was asleep at any time when at sea. As one of the chaps at the boat yard said when we got back, "amazing how knackered people look when they get back from a sailing holiday".
I'd go back again and next year we are thinking of a round trip, entering the dutch canal system towards the north and making our way down to Vlissengen before coming back home.
Annual trip to the continent this year was to Middelberg via Vlissengen (Flushing). We set off on the evening tide on Monday last week and made it across in 36 hours, arriving in Vlissengen at 3 AM on Wednesday. The crossing from The Crouch started well with favourable winds all the way to Long Sand Head, then the wind dropped and the next 20 hours were tractor driving.
Amazing sun rise over a milky N. Sea on Tuesday and very little traffic in either of the traffic separation schemes; Sunk and Nord Hinder. A couple of ships to be avoided but no dramas.
Coming in towards Belgium we took the passage north of the anchorage but south of the practice mine laying area. Less traffic here and plenty of sea room.
Once into the Schelde bouyage system it was almost like a run up a motorway. A small encounter with a pilot boat when we were entering Vlissengen was the only notable event. Trying to find the harbour entrance in the dark was fun but probably easier than we made it look as the lights and marks were excellent.
The lock is supposed to be 24 hour but the operator didn't respond on VHF 18 so we tried the marina, they answered VHF ch 14 at 2 AM and raised the lock keeper to open up! We finally tied up in VVW Schelde marina at 3 AM. We were woken up at 8 AM after a well needed sleep by a very pleasant lady asking for money. The marina is great, well laid out with all the facilities and not too expensive. We sorted our selves out and set off for Middelberg at 10:30AM. The time is important because we thought that there was a bridge time table. Despite several conversations with locals it appears that the bridges open when the operators see enough boats idling around near a bridge.
We made it up the 4 miles of canal and 5 bridges in a couple of hours and tied up on the 'Shopping' pontoon which is free for 2 hours near the centre of Middelberg. If anyone likes interesting, semi medieval towns then this is the place to visit. There are several canals where boats are moored stern to and loads of narrow winding streets that lead to the large church, castle and museum at the top of the hill or Centrum as they call it.
Just to complete the dutch theme, there were windmills (proper big ones) and loads of bicycles moving silently!
Also some great modern buildings.
After an afternoon mooching around we headed back to Vlissengen. We had a long wait for the first bridge but by the time it was opened there were about 10 boats coming into Middelberg and a large Germany cruiser (Dehler not Tirpitz) going our way. After the delay of the first bridge all the rest opened within a few minutes of reaching them and we were back outside the Schelde marina in time for an evening meal.
After the meal we set off for the main harbour lock and our first real cock up occurred. The stern over took the bow!! I am just waiting for it to appear on You Tube, it will be a classic. Recovered from that and then set off back into the Schelde on the top of the tide.
The light system is interesting if you haven't seen one before. Some coloured filters in front of a lamp. Sounds obvious but I would have expected a bit of protection around the filters.
The wind picked up nicely to an F2 on the starboard beam and we made a solid 5 knots through the water, 7 knots over the ground at times, all the way across the N. Sea to Kentish Knock. Quite a few boats about getting in our way in the entrance to the Schelde but almost none from there to Black Deep. It was tight getting round Black Deep and as we made it round the wind dies again and we motored down the Swin towards the Whittaker channel. By the time we made it to the River Crouch entrance there was patchy fog and so we slowed down and considered anchoring. As it was we kept going based on navigation using my iPhone (I know what the disclaimer says but I cannot afford a proper chart plotter).
Overall a brilliant trip, there were three of us on my Macwester Rowan which was just manageable as long as only one of us was asleep at any time when at sea. As one of the chaps at the boat yard said when we got back, "amazing how knackered people look when they get back from a sailing holiday".
I'd go back again and next year we are thinking of a round trip, entering the dutch canal system towards the north and making our way down to Vlissengen before coming back home.
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Update on stanchion bases
Over the winter lay-up I had some new stainless steel station bases welded up and fitted. They have been on for 4 months now and they are working really well. I hope to get a couple of photos next time.
Birthday Sail
I am 40!! Are you amazed that I reached this age? I am.
As you know, we need to keep things fairly simple for my (current) owner. So we agreed that his birthday and mine would be on the same day. It saves him trying to find the documents file each year.
To celebrate our combined birthdays he decided to take a mate round to Tollesbury, meet up with another mate and have a beer or two.
What could go wrong? If you know about our last visit to Tollesbury you'll understand why this question needs to be addressed!
No mishaps at all, nothing broke, didn't hit the bottom, nothing.
On the way back we were overtaken by a beautiful 1937 Gaff rigged cruiser, Robinetta.
A great sail and over a couple of glasses of ale we started planning our summer trip to Middelburg, Holland.
As you know, we need to keep things fairly simple for my (current) owner. So we agreed that his birthday and mine would be on the same day. It saves him trying to find the documents file each year.
To celebrate our combined birthdays he decided to take a mate round to Tollesbury, meet up with another mate and have a beer or two.
What could go wrong? If you know about our last visit to Tollesbury you'll understand why this question needs to be addressed!
No mishaps at all, nothing broke, didn't hit the bottom, nothing.
On the way back we were overtaken by a beautiful 1937 Gaff rigged cruiser, Robinetta.
A great sail and over a couple of glasses of ale we started planning our summer trip to Middelburg, Holland.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Winter lay-up 2011 / 12
Not much to report
It should be quite a simple lay-up this winter. The only major task is Stanchion Bases, see the projects section. My owner does seem to be making a meal of it. All but one of my stanchion base fixings are moulded into the GRP structure and so are proving quite hard for him to remove.
He bought some cheap antifouling paint, Workboat Red, it's purple, hahaha.
Anyway, I don't mind and apart from when we're on the hard no one will see it. It might teach him to stop being so tight and then he might do at least one job properly!
The only other winter job of any note is that the anchor needs some pads to rest on. I hope that he can find some of that nice oak and use stainless caps for the anchor to rest on.
It should be quite a simple lay-up this winter. The only major task is Stanchion Bases, see the projects section. My owner does seem to be making a meal of it. All but one of my stanchion base fixings are moulded into the GRP structure and so are proving quite hard for him to remove.
He bought some cheap antifouling paint, Workboat Red, it's purple, hahaha.
Anyway, I don't mind and apart from when we're on the hard no one will see it. It might teach him to stop being so tight and then he might do at least one job properly!
The only other winter job of any note is that the anchor needs some pads to rest on. I hope that he can find some of that nice oak and use stainless caps for the anchor to rest on.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Blackwater Potter
Apparently he had a plan! My owner often says he has a plan but when it comes to it the plan often seems rather more based on a mixture of hope and luck. The plan was to sail round to the Blackwater on the early tide on Monday after staying overnight in the Roach entrance. Then visit several so far un-attempted locations; Maylandsea, Heybridge Basin and Maldon among them. The first bit went OK, my owner and a friend, Dave, finished off the engine sound proofing and removed several loads of bits ready for the trip. Then they sailed me down to the Roach and we anchored, it was a pleasant night with a gentle westerly breeze. Monday it was up early, first light, to catch the tide up to the Spitway. We reached the turn at the Spitway about 2 hours before the tide turned so we went up the coast towards Walton. Off Clacton we passed the pier.
A very gentle and pleasant sail up the Colne to Wivnehoe and Rowhedge in time for high water.
Through the tide barrier and up to Rowhedge, we had hoped to nip ashore for a beer at the Albion but we were too early. It might be a marketing gimmick but if a pub opened according to the tide then there might be some additional trade, there were a couple of boats tied up who seemed to be waiting for the pub to open. Then back down the Colne, again on the tide, to Brightlingsea. We stayed on the visitors pontoon overnight and went ashore in the dinghy. Not sure if I've mentioned the dinghy? It is probably as old as I am, has anyone seen a black Avon Redcrest with metal Schrader valves? It seems to stay afloat but in his inimitable style the king of bodge, my owner has added an extension to the outboard bracket so that it can take a long shaft Seagull 40! On the way back from the pub we found that the route from the Colne Sailing Club pontoon to the visitors pontoon was not a straight line. We took the dinghy over Cindery Island!! No damage done though.
On Tuesday it was off to Tollesbury to pick up another of my owner's friends, also called Dave. This is where the plan started to go wrong. It was very windy on Tuesday so the sail round to Tollesbury was a struggle against tide and wind. We moored up in Tollesbury fleet and after a bumpy evening we woke up to a mill pond.
Entering the Colne was straight forward but finding the final bouy could have been easier if they hadn't been servicing it.
A very gentle and pleasant sail up the Colne to Wivnehoe and Rowhedge in time for high water.
Through the tide barrier and up to Rowhedge, we had hoped to nip ashore for a beer at the Albion but we were too early. It might be a marketing gimmick but if a pub opened according to the tide then there might be some additional trade, there were a couple of boats tied up who seemed to be waiting for the pub to open. Then back down the Colne, again on the tide, to Brightlingsea. We stayed on the visitors pontoon overnight and went ashore in the dinghy. Not sure if I've mentioned the dinghy? It is probably as old as I am, has anyone seen a black Avon Redcrest with metal Schrader valves? It seems to stay afloat but in his inimitable style the king of bodge, my owner has added an extension to the outboard bracket so that it can take a long shaft Seagull 40! On the way back from the pub we found that the route from the Colne Sailing Club pontoon to the visitors pontoon was not a straight line. We took the dinghy over Cindery Island!! No damage done though.
On Tuesday it was off to Tollesbury to pick up another of my owner's friends, also called Dave. This is where the plan started to go wrong. It was very windy on Tuesday so the sail round to Tollesbury was a struggle against tide and wind. We moored up in Tollesbury fleet and after a bumpy evening we woke up to a mill pond.
The plan was to pick up Dave # 2 at 9AM from Tollesbury, this was too late and although he had said that he wouldn't be able to join us we still went up Woodrolfe creek for a nose around. We know it was too late because we encountered a draft / depth negative inequality!! Bugger, my owner had been doing so well all season, this was our first grounding.
As it turned out, 8 hours forced rest was just what everyone needed, albeit at a slightly uncomfortable angle. It meant that the planned run down to Heybridge was off but we did manage a run around the Saltings off Tollesbury in the dinghy and a scrub of the propeller which made it work a lot better, it seems to attract the small barnacles that are soft enough to rub off. When the water came back in we went straight into Tollesbury Marina for the night and had a beer in town and another in the Marina club.
On Thursday morning we left on the tide to sail down the Blackwater, against tide and wind it took four hours to reach Marconi Sailing Club before turning round and heading back to the Colne. The plan was to anchor in Pyefleet Channel overnight before heading back. When we reach the Colne which took less than two hours the wind was force 5 and Westerly, not ideal for Pyefleet. We sailed and motored up Pyefleet until we ran out of water then turned round and went back to the crossroads with the Colne and Brightlingsea. We decided to anchor in the lee off Mersea Island just down stream of the Offshore Essex Smack Pioneer.
A glorious sight in the evening sun.
As before, the wind died down and we could have stayed up the Pyefleet Channel overnight but maybe it was for the best, shortly after the sun went down several boats left Brightlingsea at full speed, one without any nav lights on, and went up to Pyefleet.
On Friday morning we weighed anchor under sail and started to make our way back to the Crouch. The sail back went very well, we made it through the Spitway about an hour before the tide turned and we tacked back down the Whitaker channel, we only needed to put the engine on for the last mile or so before the Crouch. Not too bad with the wind from the South West. Just off the Roach the wind backed enough for us to set the Genoa and we motor sailed through the moorings off Burnham. In Cliff Reach we turned the engine off and set the main sail for the final run up to Bridgemarsh.
A pleasant and largely restful trip even if we didn't achieve our objectives, there is always next time.
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