no folly inn oop north!

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:35

Whist everyone on the solent wanders off to the folly we have the pub on Piel Island. Not much else on Piel 'cept a 14th century castle (or whats left of it), and the landlords collection of animals amd birds.

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:39

The landlord of the pub is crowned king of Piel for the duration of his tenure. He is also an aux coastguard (call sign Piel bravo) which makes him a very busy chappy in summer as the local yachts use Piel as their weekend overnight stop and watering hole.

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:41

700 years or so of Irish sea gales knocks the brickwork about a bit

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:43

built for the Abbot to take refuge in and to protect the Abbey's Isle of Man trade

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:48

30 ft rise and fall of tide here and a long concrete section ramp. Mooring to the ramp is easier with a bent "T" bar sort of thingie. Just slot it thru the ramp and turn it. otherwise you need to feed the rope thru and then try to find the other end underneath in the water

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:51

and a helpful notice in case the navigation is a bit rusty and youre not sure where you are!

wavelength · 13 April 2003, 21:54

You can camp here overnight if you are cruising the area. A bit eerie perhaps.

Mike Garside · 14 April 2003, 07:19

Thanks for something rather more interesting to start off a dull Monday morning in Cornwall, Dave.

I shall be spending my Easter oop north, cruising the tops of Helvelyn, Scafell Pike and supping the odd pint of Old Peculiar in my fave pub - The Old Dungeon Ghyl in Langdale.

Have made a mental note to drop in on the King of Piel before too long.

PS. Hey, I like that T-bar anchoring thingy. Sure I've seen slots in ramps and docks like that before but never thought that's how they can be used.

DM · 14 April 2003, 19:42

Thanks for the pics Dave. They bring back memories of a glorious day out last summer. Launched at Knott end on a hot sunny day with the sea like a mirror. Over to Piel for a couple of pints outside on the bank. The only downside was on the return trip. I was using my Merc powered Osprey eagle. After jumping the wake of a ferry, the bl**dy engine died and defied all attempts to start it. We had to come back on the 8hp donkey which was no real problem until about two miles off the wrecked tower. The tide was against us in big way by this time reducing the speed to 2.5kn over the ground. Took ages to get in and there was only just enough water to recover the boat. The safety tilt switch had failed on the engine. If I'd snipped the black/yellow wire it would have started. Ah well, another lesson learnt.

DM

whitingiom · 14 April 2003, 20:02

DM

What are your thoughts on Ospreys?

There is a 5.2m Osprey with 70hp 4 str Suzuki advertised in our local rag tonight.....

Worth a look at £5k?

Jon

DM · 14 April 2003, 20:38

Jon, the eagle 5.6 and the sparrowhawk 5.2 have their good and bad points like any other boat. I like the hard nose as it cuts through anything and provides plenty of storage space for bits and pieces. Also, the transom is very high extending well above the tubes thereby reducing the risk of pooping. They don't need lots of horses to make them shift and the console gives a nice knees bent riding position. Downsides are the early boats only had one air chamber per side, and the deck finish is a bit basic although I believe these faults have been ironed out on later boats. As always, age and condition define the price.

Seewww.ospreyinflatables.co.uk

or speak to Gary Mirley 01902 60677

whitingiom · 14 April 2003, 20:45

David

Going to see it tomorrow night

Apparently 'mid 90's' boat - black tubes, hull and tubes in vgc.

70hp Suzuki 4 stroke - 18mths old 50 hours.

Has twin jockeys & fixed radio & GPS.

Owner's wife says they have been to Ireland regularly in it (before and after 4 stroke purchased).

I can only look, then take it out over w/e!

Thanks for your thoughts

Jon

Pete7 · 14 April 2003, 21:51

Osprey Sparrowhawk 5.2m, bomb proof little boat. Went round Scotland in 92 in one with a single 60 hp Merc. The only thing that broke was the VHF Ariel fell overboard. Histroy over took the design in the end because divers (the main market for the Opsrey / Offshore Components / Northern Diver Group) demanded more space (width) for the same length which is difficult with a hard nose. They still sell well in Europe apparently.

60 Hp on the 5.2 produced 26 knots (30 mph) for 5 - 6 gph with a 13" prop. Topped 34 mph once with a light load and 14" prop. Fitted a 75 hp merc for a while, much better touque.

Worst point was surfing down big waves (F7) when it is possible to stuff the nose if the thorttle is backed off (bottled out). But then perhaps you shouldn't be out in F7 with a heavily loaded boat and full tanks. Learned later that the correct action is to use lots of bottle and throttle.

The 5.6 Eagle is also excellent but avoid the 5.0m Merlin, they are too short in the water length and run to nose up even with 3 ppl in the nose.

Black tubes should have blow off valves fitted as they do get hot in the summer.

Pete

Phill · 14 April 2003, 22:47

Found lightly loaded Sparrowhawks are real vomit makers if not steaming. They sit on one tube and the keel, then fall in their own time over onto the other tube, usually in a different timescale to the sea. Never bothered me (touch wood) but I've had the dubious pleasure of watching many shout for Hughie out of them.